Sky Promise among several with stakes experience in Friday feature

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – More than half of the 2-year-olds in the Friday feature at Churchill Downs last raced in a stakes, but that’s a misleading factoid.

The reality is that everyone involved in the one-mile turf race probably would gladly settle for seeing their horse merely get through his first allowance condition, and this optional-claiming race represents a good opportunity for one of them to go ahead and make a welcome breakthrough.

Sky Promise, most recently fourth in the Kentucky Downs Juvenile, could come a slight favorite for jockey Robby Albarado and trainer Kenny McPeek. He joins Trusting Friend, Fort Wise Treaty, Northern Trail, East Rand, and Artie’s Rumor in exiting a stakes race for this presumably lighter spot.

Carded as the ninth of 10 Friday races, the $53,000 feature anchors a 10-race program that starts at 12:45 p.m. Eastern. The balance of the card consists entirely of maiden or claiming races.

The feature is part of a 20-cent Single 6 sequence (races 5-10) that offered a rollover jackpot of $40,207 when the final four-day stretch of the 11-day September meet began Thursday. First post is 12:45 p.m. Eastern.

KEY CONTENDERS

Sky Promise, by Sky Mesa

Last 3 Beyers: 70-56-55

◗ After solid back-to-back tries in two-turn turf races, this colt closed steadily for fourth in the seven-furlong Kentucky Downs Juvenile while never a real threat to win.

Trusting Friend, by The Factor

Last 3 Beyers: 55-NA-NA

◗ Well-drawn here in post 2, he will stretch out from a fourth-place finish in the six-furlong Laurel Futurity. He makes his second start in the United States and for trainer Brendan Walsh.

Fort Wise Treaty, by Fort Larned

Beyers: 50-44

◗ After prevailing at first asking at Ellis Park, this Brad Cox trainee finished last of 11 in the With Anticipation at Saratoga.

Northern Trail, by Northern Afleet

Last 3 Beyers: 44-72-66

◗ Scratched last week from a dirt sprint, this runner-up in the Ellis Juvenile will look to rebound off a poor effort in the Kentucky Downs Juvenile.

East Rand, by Denman

Last 3 Beyers: 60-49-41

◗ Eighth of nine in the Arlington-Washington Futurity for Kellyn Gorder, he’s the lone starter entered here for an optional $75,000 tag.