As the world begins to emerge from the quarantine caused by COVID-19, we see horse racing as one of the leaders in finding a way to operate safely and healthy. This weekend we see the return of several major tracks including my home track of Churchill Downs. While opening day usually means the Derby is just about to happen, this year is unique and we will see a fall Derby for the first time. Until then, we enjoy what racing we do have. One of the most iconic tracks returns today and has a very full card. Best of luck!

Race 1

12-15-6

#12 Baudette Blizzard comes in off a place and 2 shows. He is the class of this field and I expect him to take top honors. #15 Shaw comes in off 2 4ths and a third. He drops in class today and will be very competitive if he draws into the field. #6 Skyburst comes in a promising first time starter. He has been putting up some great morning works and his trainer wins 12% with first timers.

Race 2

4-6-3

#4 Seeds of Time jumped up in class last time and had a disappointing race. She returns to the ranks that she has had much better success and will be finishing down the lane strong. #6 Diamondcoat also is taking a small drop in class from where she was finishing on the bottom of the exotics. #3 Strollin the Bayou returned to the turf last time out and just missed. Look for her to be in the mix again.

Race 3

15-3-4

#15 Botero takes a drop in class after losing his last two races by a neck. He has everything he needs to win this race if he gets the chance to start. #3 Louie's Kingdom led them around last time out before getting pasted late to finish second. Expect him to be out on the lead again today. #4 He's the Souperwon returns to the dirt after a good race. He finished third in his last dirt effort and will press the pace here today.

Race 4

2-6-7

#2 Monomoy Girl returns after a long absence. She's found a very soft spot for her 2020 debut. If we see even a glimpse of her champion form today, she will win for fun. #6 Talk Veuve to Me headlines the rest of the field. She finished second to Monomoy Girl last time they faced off. She is also returning from a long break and dropping from stakes company back into allowance. #7 Lady Kate won her last two starts at allowance level and will compete in this field today.

Race 5

2-11-10

#2 Mr Jaggers returns to the turf where he had two good efforts last summer. His trainer also wins 27% of his second starts off a layoff of 180+ days. #11 Implication ran a good second in his debut missing by a neck. Look for him to build on that effort here. #10 Fortuity ran second in his debut and will look to build on that. His trainer also wins 25% of second maiden starts.

Race 6

9-8-7

#9 Floroplus last four starts have included 2 wins and 2 places in alternating fashion. If the pattern holds, today is a win day. He is going to be coming down the lane strong to try and score that victory. #8 Strong Yen had a run of 2 wins and 2 places stopped by a 4th place finish where he did not have a good start. Look for him to get out better today and be near the lead early as he rebounds. #7 Where Y'at Joe Joe has improved in three straight including scoring the win last time out. Trainer wins 15% of the time with his first start of a horse.

Race 7

5-6-11

#5 Say Moi ran a solid second in her debut. Another step forward today will break her maiden. #6 Tormenta did not have a clean trip last time out but still managed a good closing kick to finish third. A better trip around with that strong close might net her top honors this time. #11 Bernadette the Jet missed a head last time out and has been training well in the mornings for her 2020 debut.

Race 8

4-7-6

#4 Tankerville makes his American debut today after competing well in Ireland. Trainer wins 23% with horses making their first start for him. #7 Limnery has put up 2 seconds and a third in his last three versus similar. Look for him to be right in the mix again today. #6 Labeq finished second last time out and has been training well approaching his 2020 debut.

Race 9

11-9-2

#11 Smile Bryan makes his 2020 debut. He was in improving form before his layoff and his trainer wins 30% of his turf to dirt starts. #9 Box of Chocolates returns to the claiming ranks where he ran second last time out. He is consistently in the mix at this level. #2 Addhar finished 4th versus tougher last time out and returns to sprinting here where he has had good success.

Race 10

2-4-12

#2 Portrait missed out by a head last time out after a good 4th place finish in stakes company in her previous start. She has been very sharp in her morning works showing she is ready for today's race. #4 Joysome ran 4th in her first start outside maiden ranks before her layoff. She's looked beyond fast in the morning getting ready for her first start of 2020. #12 Gone Glimmering finished 3rd in her two previous starts before her layoff. Both of those efforts were in stakes company. She has also been putting up very impressive morning efforts.

Race 11

4-10-3

#4 Karak won an impressive stakes win last time out. She is fast and can certainly win here. #10 Fly So Pretty won her last start, a stakes race which included Karak. She will be very competitive here while making her 2020 debut. #3 Call on Mischief won her last start and finished second by a nose in her other effort on turf. Look for her to be right in the mix today

 

Welcome back to Kentucky Horse Racing. We missed you so!! Good luck and happy opening day!