How to Bet the River City Stakes
Kupuna wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)
A mostly evenly matched field of eight will run nine furlongs over the grass at Churchill Downs in Saturday’s $300,000 River City (G3). I expect #5 Kupuna (9-2) to have a major say in the outcome for trainer Norm Casse and will key the son of Hard Spun in the first and second spot in my wagers.
River City Wagers
Claimed for a hefty $100,000 in September of 2025, the gelding was transferred from the dirt to the lawn and has blossomed since the barn and surface change. The Kentucky-bred seven-year-old has won or placed in each of his five outings since running for Casse, with two black-type wins to his credit, including a game score over a nice cast in the Bernard Baruch S. at Saratoga in his most recent outing.
Kupuna led at every call last time out at The Spa, but he had previously been doing his best work from off the early tempo, and it’s that versatility that will make him a formidable foe on Saturday. A strong allowance winner in his lone prior run over the Churchill green, the dark bay has plenty of room to improve while making just his second appearance since February, and his recent bullet half-mile drill at this venue hints at a move forward. Francisco Arrieta inherits the ride.
Mike Maker’s #8 Ole Crazy Bone (3-1) has done much of his best work going marathon distances on the grass, but he is far from a plodder, and the Grade 2 victor makes a ton of sense in this spot on the cut back to 1 1/8 miles. The six-year-old son of Ghostzapper was second to a very good one in an allowance race at a middle distance on the course in the spring and will be a viable threat with something resembling that performance. Tyler Gaffalione will be in the silks and have the win threat in range throughout.
#4 Lambeth (9-5) is another contender cutting back in trip after bagging the Sycamore (G2) at Keeneland last time out, and he also fits the race and distance well, in my opinion. The Joe Sharp pupil owns a win and a third from a trio of lifetime tries on the grounds, and the son of Arrogate has a turn of foot that translates to almost any kind of turf tilt. The chestnut will be coming from well off the early tempo with Jose Ortiz up.
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