Play by the figures or take the entry?

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Although an entry trained by Nick Zito seems likely to be favored in the Wednesday feature at Churchill Downs, there are two other horses in the entry-level allowance who earned significantly superior Beyer Speed Figures in their last races.

Silent Fred and Crimson Hero are the Zito pair who drew favorable inside posts in Wednesday's eighth race, a $43,400 allowance at 1 1/16 miles.

But Full Mandate and Doc D posted Beyer Figures of 99 and 98 when they finished second and third in a similar race at Keeneland last month, so Beyer loyalists will have to decide whether those lofty numbers should override all other considerations when placing their wagers.

Crimson Hero was good enough to finish second in the Grade 2 Lexington Stakes in April, but has gone winless in four subsequent races, with his highest Beyer Figure during that span an 85.

The most pressing questions seem to be whether his presumed edge in class can make him a winner Wednesday, or whether the high Beyers recently recorded by Full Mandate and Doc D will take precedence.

Windows to shut at zero minutes to post

The new wagering cutoff goes into effect Wednesday at all Churchill Downs Inc. tracks. The policy, announced last week partly in response to the Breeders' Cup pick six scandal, requires that betting cease when there are zero minutes to post, regardless of how much time actually remains.

Officials expect the cutoff will occur about a minute to a minute and a half before horses enter the starting gate.

The CDI tracks currently operating that will be affected by the policy are Churchill Downs, Calder Race Course, Hollywood Park, and Hoosier Park.

* Freefourinternet, always in good position under Danny Coa, rallied to win the Sunday feature, a $47,000 allowance at 1 1/16 miles on turf. Freefourinternet was privately purchased by trainer Chuck Simon on behalf of Equirace.com after the colt finished eighth in the Arlington Million in August. This was his second start and first win for his new connections. Freefourinternet, a Tabasco Cat 4-year-old, returned $9.80 to win.

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