If The Masters is an event unlike any other, than Kentucky Downs is the North American racetrack unlike any other. While all tracks in the United States and Canada, except for the outer turf at Woodbine, are oval, you will see things not seen elsewhere in North America.
You are going to see all kinds of undulations in the turf course. You will even see a right turn on the backstretch. Also, what dirt track? Kentucky Downs is the only major track in the United States that has just a turf course. Also, with how large the purses are with their casino on site, the purses are through the roof. And you know what they say when money talks!
Kentucky Downs Race 10 – Tepin Stakes
Everyone is flocking to the Franklin, Kentucky track for the insane purses and a track that is unlike any other. If you can hit one or two win wagers, you’re probably set for a few days or more. Let’s see what we can do with the featured race today, as we will look at race 10, which is the Tepin Stakes.
We have an overflow field of 15 horses entered here in this $500,000 race going a mile and seventy yards. Up to twelve horses will run in this race. The 13 Noises Off (30/1 morning line), 14 Uncle Jake (20/1 ML) and 15 Recker Point (12/1 ML) are on the outside looking in looking for a horse or two to be scratched in order to run.
Favored in this race is the 5 Funtastic Again (9/5 ML). He just missed in the Grade 1 Shoemaker mile back in May at Santa Anita. He will be close to the pace and I don’t think the layoff is a bad thing. He came back in January after 7 months and won on the synthetic at Turfway Park. This will be his first race at Kentucky Downs.
The 3 Siege of Boston (8/1 ML) comes into this race after running a close to the pace second in a Kentucky Downs preview race at Ellis Park at the beginning of the month going a mile and a quarter. He had a solid second here at Kentucky Downs last year and I expect the same here today.
In one of the outter gates is the 10 Chasing the Crown (7/2 ML) comes in off of a two-month break after just missing in the Wise Dan at the end of June at Churchill. He did win three races back at Churchill coming off of a nearly three-month break, so the layoff should not be a factor here today. He just missed last year at Kentucky Downs and should be closing today.
The 6 Atone was close to the pace and weakened at Saratoga last month. He will be better suited to be sitting further back looking to close into the pace. He had all kinds of problems last year and just missed. But the question is whether or not age is starting to catch up with this gelding.
I believe the 3 Siege of Boston will be tough here despite the morning line odds. I expect him to be close to the rail or maybe even riding the rail just like he did at Ellis Park last time out. He will outkick the other horses mentioned in this race to get the win. I’ll call this 3-10-5-6 and my play is $20 to win on the 3. He might not get a green jacket for the win, but he will be earning his owners a lot of green winning this race.
Best of luck to everyone! I’ll see you tomorrow with another edition of Quills Picks Winners!
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