Bunch of plays on the back end of the Kentucky Downs card, including a caveman late pick five (races 6-10). Having at it.
Race 6
50-cent trifecta: 8 with 5,10,12 with all = $15
$6 exacta box 8-12 = $12
$20 win 8
$10 win 12
Race 7
$30 win 10
$10 exacta 8-10
Race 8
50-cent tri 2 with 4,5,7,8 with all - $14
$1 tri 2 with 7 with all - $7
$1 tri 2 with 4,5,7,8 with 4,5,7,8 - $12
Race 9
$25 win 1
Belmont | Race 8 | Post Time 4:43 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up
I’m not a big 10-race maiden person (who is, I suppose), but the more I looked at LIFE MISSION (#5) in race 5, cashing leg of the early pick five Saturday at Kentucky Downs, the stronger I felt about his chances. Overseas last year, this horse ran into Ten Sovereigns, one of the fastest European colts of his generation, before finishing a fine second over this KD course in a rich stakes race at this distance.
Race 8: Carlino (#6)
Ran a race that makes him competitive here over this course and distance in the 2018 Brooklyn.
Arguably in better form now that he was when he last stretched out to marathon distances.
His pace disadvantage may be mitigated over this distance in what is likely to be a bunched field.
10-1 on ML
Belmont | Race 6 | Post Time 5:40 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up
With the completion of the Labor Day card, the 3-year-old BreezeFigs have gone away as usual. The final four days produced four 3-year-old BreezeFigs maiden winners at Gulfstream, Monmouth (two, including a BreezeFigs exacta) and Woodbine. Who didn’t win was our Pick last week, Justinian, who got off sloppily and was rushed into contention after which he folded like—well, you choose the analogy.
Race 3: First Forever (#7)
The Pace Projector is predicting she will be on the lead in a situation favoring the front-runner.
Ran better than her finishing position indicates last time after chasing a runaway winner.
Chris Englehart is coming off a very strong Saratoga meet.
6-1 on ML
The weekend following the conclusion of the Del Mar and Saratoga meetings could be a flat spot on the racing calendar, but thanks to Kentucky Downs, it’s not. There are full fields in every race Saturday over the undulating Franklin, Ky., course, which offers some of the most fascinating (and challenging) racing in North America.
ARTEMUS PAPERBOY
Trainer: Manuel Berrios
Last race: Sept. 1, 4th
Finish: 4th by 9 3/4
Beyer: 39
Caught well off the early pace, and his lack of speed left him at a disadvantage given the lack of speed in this sprint; can run down the right group with a better setup.
EXPRESS TRAIN
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Last race: Aug. 28, 6th\
Finish: 1st by 14 1/4
Beyer: 83
A second-start juvenile stretching out, he won this mile maiden race by a pole to emerge as a potential favorite in the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes on Sept. 27 at Santa Anita.
