Pick 3 of the Week: Ellis Park Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025

The first of two Kentucky Downs Preview Days at Ellis Park will feature a trio of stakes races on the sod to close out the Saturday card. 

Race 8 Wager

• $2 Pick 3: 1,8,9 with 1,2,4,5,8 with 1 ($30)

Race 8 – Nashville Derby Preview

A nine-furlong tilt on the weeds for three-year-olds will kick the play off with nine set to go postward. #8 Tomasello (9-2) is my top pick for trainer Mark Casse. The Authentic colt has never run a bad one on the turf and has improved with each run as of late, too. The bay colt has speed from the gate and could track the pace from second before taking command in the stretch. 

Stakes winner #9 Siesta Key (4-1), who is out of the magnificent Cocoa Beach, missed by a length in the American Derby in his seasonal debut and will move forward for Brad Cox. I’ll draw a line through the last showing from #1 Mesero (6-1), who might have the best closing kick in the field when he’s at the top of his game for Romans. He will save ground throughout from the rail.  

Race 9 – Ladies Turf Sprint Preview

The 5 1/2-furlong dash on the green attracted a well-matched field of nine. #1 Irish Maxima (7-2) has never run on the lawn, but the Grade 3 heroine is especially fast and is also well drawn on the fence. The John Servis-trained daughter of Maximus Mischief has a turf-winning sibling and could be tough if she likes the lawn. 

#2 Pondering (6-1) was second in a deep field most recently, and the sophomore might be ready to race with her elders for Walsh. The sophomore has shown big improvement since the addition of blinkers. Multiple stakes victress #4 Accomplished Girl (8-1), Walsh’s #5 Cloudwalker (5-1), and morning-line choice #8 Bling (3-1) will also make the ticket in the middle leg.  

Race 10 – Mint Millions Turf Mile Preview

The pace of the finale will be fast and contested, which should play out perfectly for #1 Taking Candy (4-1) and conditioner Cherie DeVaux. The Twirling Candy five-year-old is a Grade 3 winner coming off a smart second in the Wise Dan S. (G2) at Churchill Downs, and he will be tough with clear sailing under Brian Hernandez, Jr. I will single him to conclude the play.