2019 Kentucky Downs Saturday Picks and Analysis

America’s most unique race meet continues today at Kentucky Downs. Run over a 1 5/16-mile European-style turf course, the 2019 Runhappy Meet has three race days left (September 7th, 8th and 12th) with first post at 12:15 PM CST. This is one of our favorite meets of the entire year and are ready to CRUSH!

Take a look at today’s five stakes races at Kentucky Downs, with picks, including the Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint (G3), a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” race for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1):

Race 6: $500,000 Kentucky Downs Juvenile Turf Sprint, 2YO, 6 1/2 furlongs

Mark Casse’s Souper Dormy (9/2) and Prince of Thieves (10/1) both look very interesting here but will have to outrun the favorite Chimney Rock (7/2).

“They both broke their maidens narrowly at Ellis Park, but the horses from Ellis have been running awfully well,” said David Carroll, who oversees Casse’s Churchill Downs division. “Training-wise, they’ve moved forward from the race, so we’re looking forward to it. Hopefully one of them will step up – or both.”

TOP PICK: #9 Chimney Rock (7/2)

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Race 7: $700,000 Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint (G3), 3YO+, 6 furlongs

Breeze Easy LLC’s Imprimis (4/1) will be running his first race since running in the King’s Stand Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot on June 18, 2019. Trainer Joe Orseno believes in his horse.

“Frankie Dettori got off him and said, ‘He was running, he was trying to get to them. He was just as good as them, but he was looking for a turn,’” Orseno said at Kentucky Downs. “He didn’t run his race, and still got beat only 4 lengths.”

But it won’t be easy today. Leinster (3/1), winner of Saratoga’s Troy Stakes (G3) last out in record-setting time, and Stormy Liberal (9/2), two-time defending Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner, will make for a great race.

TOP PICK: #3 Imprimis (4/1)

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Race 8: $500,000 Three Chimneys Ladies Turf (G3), 3YO+, 1 mile

Mitchell Road (5/2), the stakes-winning half-sister to 2019 Kentucky Derby winner Country House, leads the field. But it’s Brad Cox’s Sensitive (8/1) who could loom dangerous at a price.

“It’s solid, a good race, obviously some fillies in there who are really accomplished in stakes company,” Cox said. “She’s got to really step up. But I like that she’s had some time between her last race and this one. She ran at Lone Star and came back a little quick at Ellis and she’s had plenty of time to recover. She’s been training outstandingly on the dirt here at Churchill. And she’s got some experience at Kentucky Downs two years ago (when a close second in an allowance race). So I think that’s worth something.”

TOP PICK: #9 Ms Bad Behavior (8/1)

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Race 9: $500,000 Spendthrift Farm Ladies Sprint (G3), fillies and mares 3YO+, 6 1/2 furlongs

In a wide-open field of 12, it makes some sense here to look for prices. But can you toss the Rusty Arnold-trainee Morticia (4/1) out?

“She shows up every time. Her last race wasn’t her best but she came out of it great,” said Arnold. “We weren’t sure we were going to run (at Kentucky Downs) but we got her here and the air got cool and she’s doing really well. She’s probably a little better going shorter (distance wise) but it’s a funny course and you don’t know what will happen down there.”

TOP PICK: #6 Painting Corners (8/1)

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Race 10: $1 million Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup (G3), 3YO+, 1 1/2 miles

Donegal Racing’s Arklow (5/2) will try to become only the third horse to win the Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup (G3) twice.

“It’s an unusual track; we happen to love it,” said Donegal head Jerry Crawford. “More importantly than us, our horse happens to love it. We’re very excited to come back and defend his championship. He’s doing very, very well, so we’re excited.

“… The one thing that is certain is that he always shows up, literally every single race. His worst finish last year was fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), and I expect him to be very competitive in the Breeders’ Cup this year. The only question is: Will we do something between Kentucky Downs and the Breeders’ Cup?”

Arklow, Zulu Alpha (9/2), and Campaign (5/1) lead the field of 12, with Keith Desormeaux’s My Boy Jack an interesting horse here underneath at 12/1 odds.

TOP PICK: #10 Arklow (5/2)

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