Spot Plays for Churchill Downs on Saturday, Nov. 14

The 28th Claiming Crown takes place at Churchill Downs on Saturday, and I have a trio of horses of interest in the middle portion of the card featuring some of the top blue-collar runners in the industry. 

Race 5 – Tiara  

The 1 1/16-mile affair for the ladies attracted a really good cast of nine. #1 Smiling Ellie (9-2) has a nice turn of foot, a good post on the fence to save ground early, and the Mark Casse pupil also landed in a field with plenty of speed signed on. The Kentucky-bred daughter of Midshipman is winless from five tries in 2026, but she has hit the board on four occasions while keeping really good company, and this spot seems ideal for her with Luis Saez in the silks. 

Race 6 – Glass Slipper

A total of 11 fillies and mares will travel a one-turn mile in a race that I like a lot. Joe Sharp’s #8 No Other Like You (4-1) has never won on the main oval from four tries, but she checked in a clear third in a solid allowance cast at Keeneland last time, and I like her chances on Saturday. The Tiz the Law four-year-old draws outside of multiple speed contenders in the cast and will sit a nice trip from off the pace with Gaffalione in the saddle. She figures to be a nice price at post time, too. 

Race 8 – Empress

The ladies will dash six panels on the main strip with a big field of 12 set to go postward. #7 Lady Annabelle (6-1) has proven to be a wildly successful claim for owner/trainer Ernesto Padilla-Preciado, as the six-year-old is seven-for-nine since joining this barn, with those seven tallies coming in succession in advance of her local debut. The Pennsylvania-bred is unproven outside the Keystone State, but she is razor-sharp and has seemingly thrived with racing in preparation for her 14th start of 2026. She possesses early speed as well as a closing punch, and it’s hard to go against her in this heat, with Silvestre Gonzalez coming in to retain the mount.