Plenty of options, but no standout in turf route

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Fans eager to get in some Breeders’ Cup pre-gaming can get a head start Thursday when the lone allowance of a 10-race card is run over the Churchill Downs turf.

Just as with many of the 14 BC races to be run this weekend at Keeneland, the $127,000 feature sports a very competitive look, with no standout favorite in an oversubscribed lineup of fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles over a grass course being used sparingly during the 19-day Churchill fall meet.

Fuente Ovejuna, with John Velazquez riding from post 9, is a lukewarm program choice following a decent third-place finish at this same level last month at Keeneland when making her first start in the care of Brendan Walsh. The 3-year-old filly outran her 18-1 odds that day when returning from a nearly three-month layoff following prior campaigns in England and Southern California for other trainers.

Following closely on the morning line are Fast as Flight, Two Sixtyone, and Toeris, while fringe players rating further consideration include Joyful Applause, Quaria Brava, and Elle of the Ball.

Elle of the Ball will be ridden from post 1 by Luis Saez, who missed opening day of the fall meet Sunday to ride the New York Showcase Day card at Aqueduct after earning the leading jockey title at Keeneland the previous day by winning the meet finale on a 26-1 shot. Saez, based primarily in New York for years, intends to ride the full Churchill meet through closing day, Nov. 27, according to agent Kiaran McLaughlin.

:: DRF Bets members get FREE DRF Past Performances - Formulator or Classic. Join now!

In all, 12 are entered, but the current turf course limit is 10 starters. Queen Judith is an also-eligible and Casa de Goat is a main-track-only designate. If for some reason the race is switched to the dirt, then Casa de Goat surely would take a lot of beating.

As with all Churchill races, the listed purse includes substantial bonuses restricted to registered Kentucky-breds. Racing for the equivalent of an $81,000 purse when ineligible for the added money are the British-bred Fuenta Ovejuna and the Florida-bred longshot Roc’s Princess.

First post is 1 p.m. Eastern, with the nominal feature going at 5:05 as race 9.

Sunshine and a high of 73 are in the local forecast for Thursday. After Thursday, Churchill goes dark Friday and Saturday to accommodate the Breeders’ Cup prior to resuming live action Sunday with a nine-race card.

◗ Jockey Alex Achard will be sidelined for an indefinite period after being thrown from his mount, Paddock Boss, in a one-horse spill entering the first turn of the eighth race Sunday. Achard was treated and released from a local hospital Sunday evening with a knee injury that was to be more closely diagnosed by an orthopedic specialist early this week, according to agent Tim Hanisch.

Paddock Boss had to be euthanized, and the 1 1/16-mile allowance was declared “no contest” by the stewards before the field reached the half-mile pole.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.