Weekend Warrior for Saturday, Sept. 9: Picks for Ky. Downs Ladies Turf, Arlington-Washington Futurity, Ky. Turf Cup

Opening weekend at Kentucky Downs features three graded stakes with purses totaling $1.35 million. I think the Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf could be primed for an upset, and the Kentucky Turf Cup has the potential for a surprise result. At Arlington, 2-year-olds take center stage in the Arlington-Washington Futurity and Arlington-Washington Lassie, and I’ll focus on the Futurity.

Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf

Miss Temple City is likely to be an overwhelming favorite in this race, but her recent form leaves plenty to be desired. After missing several potential prep races leading up to her return from a layoff, Miss Temple City failed to offer any sort of run in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, finishing 13th in a field of 16.

Her return to U.S. racing was a complete bust as well, as she finished a lackluster third in the Matchmaker at Monmouth Park on Haskell Day, changing leads very late in the stretch and looking uncomfortable throughout. I’m looking to play against her with Linda.

Linda’s form this year has been far from exceptional. She hasn’t won a race since taking the Mrs. Revere at Churchill Downs against 3-year-olds last November. But a case can be made that she was best in her most recent start, which came at Indiana Grand. She was forced to rally from off the pace while wide in a race that lacked much early zip. The winner got a perfect trip, shooting up the rail for the victory.

It’s also noteworthy that Linda has already proven herself at the one-mile trip over the quirky Kentucky Downs racetrack.

Arlington-Washington Futurity

This race features plenty of early foot, so much so that a pace duel could develop to set up a runner coming from off the pace. Many of the likely favorites figure to be forwardly placed, including Barry Lee, Soul of Discretion, and Kate’s Golden Dude. If things heat up on the front end, this race could fall into the lap of The X, who breaks from the outside No. 10 post.

The X was very impressive visually in winning his maiden going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf at Ellis Park on Aug. 4 for trainer Ben Colebrook. He was slow into stride before moving up to midpack on the far turn, tapped on the brakes behind runners, then unleashed a furious stretch run once angled to the clear down the lane.

From a Beyer Speed Figure standpoint, he’s painfully slow, but it should always be remembered that 2-year-olds can jump up in a big way with experience, and they generally take their biggest step forward in their second start.

Kentucky Turf Cup

There are several more likely winners of this race than Bullards Alley, but given that I liked him in the American St. Leger at Arlington and he was never given a chance to run, I’d feel silly abandoning ship here at what should be four times the price he was last month.

Postulation won the American St. Leger, and he’s on the shortlist of contenders here. I have no knock against Postulation, but after seeing Bullards Alley essentially get taken out going down the backside for the second time by a pacesetter who veered sharply to his right, I must give him another chance.

Bullards Alley has run well at Kentucky Downs, and I don’t believe his form is as bad as his past performances would suggest. He figures to be a very nice price and is my play in the Kentucky Turf Cup.