Saratoga and Del Mar are now in the books, but there is no shortage of good racing the remainder of the summer and fall, with Churchill Downs racing for the first time in September with a 12-day meeting that kicks off on Friday.
Racing will be conducted Friday through Sunday, and the meeting will feature two “Downs After Dark” programs, the popular cards getting underway on Saturday nights at 6:00pm eastern. The first is Sept. 7, and there will also be racing under the lights on Sept. 28.
The first night of racing under the Twin Spires features four stakes on the 11-race card anchored by the $$100,000 Ack Ack (G3) for three-year-olds and upward going one mile on the main track.
The race drew eight including the Kelly Breen Pants On Fire, who is the 2-1 morning line favorite. The five-year-old is coming off a victory in the Monmouth Cup (G2) on July 28.
The stakes action kicks off with the sixth race, the $150,000 Pocahontas (G2) for juvenile fillies, with an automatic starting berth up for grabs in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).
Eight will go to the post, with favoritism likely to come down to the Todd Pletcher trained Elena Strikes (4-1), who was third in the Schuylerville (G3) at Saratoga, and recent maiden winner Milam (3-1) for the Eddie Kenneally barn.
The $150,000 Iroquois (G2) is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge race for the Juvenile drew a full field of 12. The Bill Gowan trained Ride On Curlin is the 5-2 morning line favorite.
The colt was second in his debut over the Churchill Downs main track, and then earned a solid figure breaking his maiden at Ellis Park in his second career start, drawing away to win by 7 ¾ lengths.
The $100,000 Locust Grove Handicap drew a field of 10 fillies and mares that will go 1 1/16 miles on the main track.
Trainer Ken McPeek will saddle the 5-2 morning line favorite Flashy American, who won the restricted Alada Stakes at Saratoga in the slop in her last outing.
Molly Pitcher (G2) runner up Wine Princess (3-1) and the Gardenia (G3) runner up Magic Hour (6-1) appear to be her main foes.
Let’s head out to Churchill Downs for Saturday night’s featured race:
Churchill Downs Race 9 The Ack Ack Hcp G3 (Post time 10:11 ET)
5 Taptowne 5-2
2 Good Morning Diva 5-1
3 Pants On Fire 2-1
1 Brethren 4-1
Analysis: Taptowne is coming into this race in the best form of his career, last out winning the West Virginia Governor's at Mountaineer Park. Two back he ran a good second in the Cornhusker Handicap (G3) behind repeat winner Prayer for Relief, who came back to win the Governor's Cup at Remington Park in his next start while third place finisher Silver Max returned to win the Oceanport (G3) and Bernard Baruch (G2) in his next two outings. The gelding owns a solid pace profile throughout and looks like a good fit.
Good Morning Diva stretches back out to a mile after checking in second last out in the Don Bernhardt at Ellis Park going 6 1/2 furlongs. The colt earned his career best speed figure two back over the main track here beating Alw-3 optional claimers. He earned competitive figs in his last two trips at a one turn mile, both coming at Gulfstream Park. The colt has a couple of quick drills over the main track here since his last outing and may end up getting overlooked on the tote here.
Pants On Fire is coming off a sharp win last out in the Monmouth Cup (G2) going two turns. His lone trip over the main track here was a ninth in the Kentucky Derby (G1) in 2011. He looks headed in the right direction form wise as he makes just his third start since March, but his 2-1 morning line sure looks light.
Wagering
WIN: #5 to win at 2-1 or better.
EX: 2,5 / 1,2,3,5
TRI: 2,5 / 1,2,3,5 / 1,2,3,5,6
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