Spot Plays for Claiming Crown Showcase Day

Nine starter handicaps qualifying for the 28th Claiming Crown at Churchill Downs on Nov. 14 will take place at Colonial Downs on Saturday. 

Race 4 – Rapid Transit Qualifier H. 

The seven-eighths run on the main strip attracted a cast of seven. #6 Zero Blitz (4-5), one of two contenders in the field for trainer Joanne Shankle, was a clear third behind two good ones in the Reigh Count S. locally last time out and will be a major factor with any kind of forward move on Saturday. The Jimmy Creed gelding has won or placed in all five lifetime runs on the course and could peak third time off the long layoff. Jorge Ruiz will be in the stirrups, and I will use the top pick as a single in my multi-race wagers. 

Race 7 – Canterbury Qualifier H. 

A big field of 10 will jaunt 5 1/2 furlongs on the green in this event. #5 Paynted Warrior (4-1) might be a bit of a surprise to win this race, but the six-year-old son of Warrior’s Reward owns a win on the oval and also comes off a decent run in a very deep stakes field on the oval most recently. The Pennsylvania-bred bay can run from up close or off of the pace with effectiveness, and the gelding will be a fair number at post time with Martin Chuan in the silks. 

Race 8 – Glass Slipper Qualifier H. 

Fillies and mares will go a one-turn mile on the dirt in what appears to be the most wide-open affair in the field. #2 La Girvina (5-1) is a question mark on the dirt, but the six-year-old has been in very good form on the synthetic, and I will give her a shot in the heat. The Matthew Kintz trainee will never be far back and will move forward while making her third run off the shelf with Samuel Marin in the stirrups. 

Race 10 – Jewel Qualifier H. 

A nice field of eight will run 1 1/8 miles on the dirt in the most lucrative tilt of the afternoon. The Barry King-trained #6 Baytown Bruiser (8-1) has registered a quartet of top-two finishes since having the blinkers removed and handled the distance quite well at Ellis Park last time out. The Preservationist five-year-old will track the pace with intent under the Marin's guidance.