Pick 3 of the Week: Kentucky Downs Saturday

A massive and especially lucrative day of racing will take place at Kentucky Downs on Saturday with 12 races to be contested, five of which are of the graded stakes variety and six that are worth at least a staggering $2 million each. I’ll come out of the gates fast and tab the early Pick 3 on the card to pad the bankroll in advance of the headline events. 

Race 1 Wagers

• $2 Pick 3: 1 with all with 1 ($24)
• 50-cent Pick 3: 1,5,6,7,9,10,11 with 1,3,6,7,9,11 with 1 ($21)

Race 1 – Maiden Special Weight

Juvenile fillies will travel 6 1/2 panels on the sod to commence the play. I’ll take two approaches with the race, with the first being singling #1 Sadie Earp (9-5) for Wesley Ward. The Tiz the Law filly ran a winning race in defeat at Saratoga most recently and will be tough with a step forward third time out with Frankie on board.

My second ticket will utilize multiple runners in the dash to ensure survival and getting through to my single later on. A case can be made for #5 Cardiff Reef (30-1), #6 Sonic Sass (8-1), #7 Lilo Lil (15-1), #9 Melody Maker (12-1), #10 Humor Me Baby (9-2), and especially #11 Triskelion (6-1). 

Race 2 – Optional Claiming

A full field of boys will run 1 5/16 grassy miles in the middle piece. I’ll spread with recent Ellis Park romper #1 Risk Manager (8-1), Grade 3 winner #3 Sugoi (3-1), Canadian invader #6 Bail Us Out (6-1), Chris Block’s #7 Out of Deductions (8-1), likely pacesetter #9 Gilded Craken (9-2), and old class horse #11 Master Piece (6-1). 

Race 3 – Allowance 

The main reason for attacking the early races is because of #1 Love You Anyway (9-2), who will be my single. The Rusty Arnold pupil was outrun after curiously chasing a fast pace in the recent Tepin S. at Churchill Downs in her latest showing, and she faces a much more reasonable task on this day without question. The gray daughter of Tapit will improve and take this field down from the rail with Jose Ortiz in the stirrups.