The national simulcast calendar is pretty weak, especially when it comes to stakes races, but we’ve managed to find three races worthy of attention, brief interludes that we think those wishing for a brief respite from tackle football will find enjoyable. We have one each in Kentucky, Ontario, and Washington State; we expect fast conditions for all, so let’s go.
Churchill Downs, Race 8, 4:22 pm ET
Allowance/Optional Claiming, 6 furlongs, Dirt, 3-Year-Old Fillies
Today’s 8th at Churchill Downs is a second-level allowance race for 3-year-old fillies. Ten are entered. The pick is 9-Condensation, whose recent form would seem to be poor, as she was well beaten in each of her last two starts. But we are drawing a line through them, as one was on turf, a surface for which she is ill-suited, and the other was on a sloppy track that she did not appear to take to. If Condensation can regain the form she showed prior to those two, when she ran very well in a couple of graded stakes, she is a major threat here, at 8-1 odds. We will bet her to win. The bet: Churchill Downs, Race 8, $40 to win on 9-Condensation.
Woodbine, Race 9, 5:39 pm ET
Grade 3 Seaway Stakes, 7 furlongs, Synthetic, Fillies & Mares 3 & Up
The Seaway has a field of nine fillies and mares lining up to run 7 furlongs on the Woodbine lint. We like 2-Millie Girl, who was last seen running third in a couple of turf stakes in June and July; the last one was run at a mile, and we like her partly for cutting back in distance, but mostly for the surface change, as she appears to us to be a mare who is better suited for racing over a synthetic surface. We will bet her to win at 3-1. The bet: Woodbine, Race 9, $40 to win on 2-Millie Girl.
Emerald Downs, Race 8, 8:17 pm ET
$50,000 Muckleshoot Tribal Classic, 1 1/16 miles, Dirt, Washington-breds 3 & Up
The Muckleshoot Tribal Classic, which if nothing else has the best name of any stakes race today, is for 3-year-olds bred in Washington. It drew a field of eight. 4-Slew’s Tiz Wiz would on paper appear to be pretty close to a layover, as he’s been earning superior speed figures while running against much tougher company. But we are taking a shot against him, as he’ll be a very short price, something in the neighborhood of 2/5, and are doing so with 8-Naval Escort, who has been running in shorter races, but who can be competitive at this longer distance. We will bet him to win at 6-1. The bet: Emerald Downs, Race 8, $40 to win on 8-Naval Escort.
That’s all for today. Until the next time, enjoy the racing, be safe, and, as always, good luck at the windows.