We have three plays on this rainy Sunday: a pair of turf stakes for females in Kentucky, and a Grade 1 for juvenile colts out West, in California. We expect fast dirt and firm turf in all three races, so let's go.
Kentucky Downs, Race 8, 5:23 pm ET
$500,000 Untapable Stakes, 6 ½ furlongs, Turf, 2-Year-Old Fillies
Eight juvenile fillies go in the Untapable. The pick is 2-Danse Macabre, who earned very good speed and pace figures in her last, when she finished a close second in a stakes race at Saratoga. That effort was at 5 ½ furlongs, and we think she will do even better at this slightly longer distance, which is listed at 6 ½ furlongs, but plays more like 7. Look for her to be near the front early, and in front at the wire. We will bet her to win at 3-1. The bet: Kentucky Downs, Race 8, $40 to win on 2-Danse Macabre.
Kentucky Downs, Race 10, 6:31 pm ET
Grade 3 AGS Ladies Marathon, 1 5/16 miles, Turf, Fillies & Mares 3 & Up
Nine females line up for the Ladies Marathon. The distance is key, we think, as most of them have not run this far before, and at least a few appear likely to have issues staying the distance. One who will thrive, we think, is 6-Disappearing Act, who has both the pedigree and running style to be finishing strongly at the end of the race. We will bet her to win at 10-1. The bet: Kentucky Downs, Race 10, $40 to win on 6-Disappearing Act.
Del Mar, Race 10, 8:30 pm ET
Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity, 7 furlongs, Dirt, 2-Year-Olds
A field of nine lines up for the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity. Bob Baffert trains four of them, an unsurprising fact given his dominance of juvenile racing out West. The winner will come from Baffert's barn, we think, but we have doubts that it will be morning line favorite 7-Cave Rock, who ran very fast winning his lone career start, but who faces a much, much tougher test today, and at a short price, we are playing against.
We instead fancy 8-Havnameltdown, who has run better as he has run longer, and another step forward, at this 7 furlong distance, will put him in the winner's circle. He has a lot of speed, so look for him to press the pace early, move to the front on the far turn, and hang on late. We will bet him to win at 4-1. The vet: Del Mar, Race 10, $40 to win on 8-Havnameltdown.
That's all for today. Until the next time, enjoy the racing, be safe, and, as always, good luck at the windows.