Ellis Park Spot Plays for Sunday, August 11

Race 2 – SPLIT THE WICKETS (#2) (6-1) In tight between horses in his June 23 run over the Churchill Downs turf, he made a slingshot move into an honest pace, rolled past the leaders and continued on. A very troubled trip cost him a fair crack at a repeat win last out at Indiana Grand and he looks as good as any in here. Win & triple place #2. Play in gimmicks with 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Race 3 – ROCKING THE BOAT (#2) (6-1) Broke his maiden sprinting at Ellis Park in his only previous appearance on the track and the 1 1/2-turn mile should suit him to a tee. Gutted out a better than it looks second behind a gate-to-wire winner who benefitted from setting a controlled pace over a speed favoring track last time out. Dale Romans also has the talented Mr Freeze (#4) (2-1) entered here, but he might need the race at a short price. Win & triple place #2. Play in gimmicks with all. Race 6 – RAHWAY (#3) (7-2) Versatile performer is on an eight-race losing streak but she enters this race in excellent form. Clearly second best behind the uber-talented, she faces a group she can handle here. A horse to lean on. Win, key & single in the multi-race wagers. Race 8 – DIVINE QUEEN (#1) (9-2) There is nothing wrong with playing the races with your heart, but it’s even better when your head is involved. Buff Bradley trained two-time Eclipse Award-winning sprinter Groupie Doll and he has a live contender entered in the race that legend was named for. Known as a slop/sprint specialist, she proved herself over a fast, one-turn dirt mile last time out. She made the lead through moderate fractions while well rated, dug in gamely when challenged, and held safe. She’s trained well since and should be forwardly placed again here. Win & triple place #1. Play in gimmicks with 4 and 5. Race 10 – DADDYMADEMEDOIT (#5) (15-1) Adding blinkers and returning to turf appears to have made all the difference for this sophomore daughter of Temple City. A half to Go Google Yourself and several other productive runners, this one is bred to mow the lawn. Off slowly from an extreme, outside post last out, she was hung extremely wide on the turn for home and still closed strongly to be third behind a solid winner. Win, place & show ladder #5. Play in gimmicks with 2, 7, 9, 10, 11 and 13. PHOTO: Ellis Park (c) Coady Photography/Ellis Park