Racing Returns to the Bluegrass

Churchill Downs

It’s Preakness Day.  Well, today is supposed to be Preakness Day.  This article should have been about Bob Baffert looking to take down the second leg of the Triple Crown for the third time in six years after a sweep of the board in the Derby.  Instead, the Run for the Roses has been postponed until Labor Day weekend and it is anyone’s guess as to whether there will even be a Preakness Stakes this year – all thanks to our newest Chinese import.

However, there is reason for hope in the world of thoroughbred racing today as Churchill Downs will host the first live card in the state of Kentucky since the iron fist of Governor Andy Beshear shut down racing – and the rest of the state’s economy – shortly after the last live day of racing at Turfway Park on March 21st.  Despite Oaklawn Park among others proving that spectator free racing could be conducted in a safe environment free from any influx of the coronavirus – racing in the thoroughbred capital of the world ceased to exist for 8 full weeks.  The entire Keeneland spring meet was cancelled and the opening of Churchill was pushed back 3 weeks.  Finally, this past week Kentucky horsemen were allowed to return home from their winter retreats in New Orleans, Hot Springs, and south Florida.  At long last, the Kentucky circuit will pick-up with an 11 race card beneath the twin spires this afternoon.  Pent up demand for the racing product is evident as 9 of the 11 races carded for the program drew overflow fields.  The highlight of the card for many will be the return of 2018 Kentucky Oaks and Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Monomoy Girl.  Brad Cox’s champion missed her 4yo season due to a bout of colic and a nagging hamstring injury, and it only seems appropriate that she makes her long-awaited comeback at the site of her two greatest victories.

Deep, competitive fields make for a plethora of enticing wagering opportunities.  First post time is 1pm EST.  You can catch all the action live on FS1 and FS2.  Below is a preview of a few of the more interesting races from the opening day card:

Race 4 — A neck and a bad DQ are all that separate her from perfection, and Monomoy Girl will be heavily favored to take her official career record to 8 wins from 10 starts against this field of six other fillies and mares in this one mile conditional allowance on the main track.  Perfect in four starts at the distance, the Tapizar mare should cruise to victory if she is even 80% of her former self.  Her training at Keeneland has been exceptional, highlighted by 3 straight bullet works in April.  Overcoming the layoff will no doubt be her biggest obstacle, and if she falls short of the task at hand a pair of 7/2 shots look poised to take advantage.  Talk Veuve to Me has been training steadily at the Fairgrounds for her first start since moving to the Steve Asmussen barn.  She has the speed to take the race right to the champion early and could wear her down if she isn’t 100% fit.  Lady Kate has the benefit of 3 starts under her belt this year to go along with 2 wins from 3 starts at the mile distance.  She could pick up the pieces late if a speed duel erupts on the front end.  In addition, the daughter of Bernardini out of a Street Cry mare is certainly bred to appreciate the off going if less than ideal conditions persist.

Race 8 — This non-winners of one other than allowance contest at a mile on the lawn drew 16 entries, but only 12 will face the starter.  Drawn widest of all, Clear for Action should play the role of pacesetter as he nearly always shows the way and looks to be the speediest of this bunch.  His 4 wins from 12 starts also stand out against this field of mostly maiden winners.  In addition, 3 of those wins came in 4 starts at the eight furlong distance.  He may prove tough to catch.  Mind the Gap has also shown speed in the past and is eligible to improve in his first start since being gelded.  Tankerville makes his first North American start for the imposing connections of Juddmonte Farms and Bill Mott, who strikes with 25% of such runners.  The son of Kitten’s Joy is very intriguing as his European form appears quite solid.  Limnery, Motagally, and Sea of Hope all appear capable at their best.

Race 10 — A contentious group of sophomore fillies will tackle the demanding, extended sprint distance of 7 furlongs in this featured spot of the day.  A lively pace is expected, as Joysome, Miss T Too and Aurelia Garland are all quick out of the gate.  Portrait would benefit from such a pace scenario.  She relaxed well in her two-turn efforts and now cuts back to the distance of her impressive maiden victory when she earned a Beyer figure good for second best amongst this field.  She has been training well at Keeneland in preparation for this start, and at 29%, Brad Cox excels with runners shortening up from a route back to sprint distances.  Mo City is another that should appreciate the hot pace.  She came from off the pace to finish a good second in the Gasparilla at Tampa two starts back and at this distance. Four Graces is another interesting option.  She has plenty of room to improve in her 3rd lifetime start and cuts back to the distance of her maiden-breaking triumph when she earned the field’s biggest Beyer number to date.

Best of luck with your wagering and enjoy the return of racing in the Bluegrass — if only on TV.  You can follow me on Twitter @chadlashbrook for weather related updates to the card.