Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes (Grade 3) Preview

Racing Dudes Picks

Win –#3 Central Banker

Exacta – 1,3,9 boxed

Trifecta –1,3,5,9 boxed

Horses to use in vertical wagers –1,3,5,7,9

Race Shape

Speed –#2 Heaven’s Runway, #9 Goldencents

Stalkers –#1 Bern Identity, #3 Central Banker, #5 Hightail, #6 Itsmyluckyday

Closers –#4 Mylute, #7 Know More, #8 Show Some Magic

Racing Dudes Projected Order of Finish

#3 Central Banker (KY) – Even though this horse looks to be bred for the turf, his last race at Churchill over the dirt surface was really impressive.  It was only an allowance, but he stalked the pace perfectly and soared past the field for a five length victory.  This is a logical next step, and I think the price will be right to place a nice win bet on him.

#9 Goldencents (KY) – He won his maiden impressively, and then finished second to eventual Breeders Cup Juvenile champion Shanghai Bobby in the Champagne Stakes.  That makes him one of the classier horses in the race, and there really is no reason he can’t win.  The only problem is he is likely to be a short price, and he doesn’t look to tower over the top contenders enough to warrant a straight win bet.

#1 Bern Identity (KY) – I remember back in August trainer Kelly Breen saying this horse was probably a sprinter, but now he’s won at a mile and will try to win this one at a mile and one sixteenth.  I’m not sure what’s changed, but I can’t help but be a little leery of this one getting the distance.  He did win the local prep for this one with ease, so who knows.  Obviously this horse is really talented, but we’ll just have to see how far he can run.

#5 Hightail (KY) – The Breeders Cup Juvenile Sprint winner returns on just two weeks rest, but that is normal for a Lukas horse.  His win at Santa Anita proved that he is a fighter, and his speed figure of 91 was pretty solid.  If he can run that kind of number going a mile and one sixteenth it will probably be enough to win this one.  Lukas thinks he’s better going two turns so I wouldn’t be shocked if he got into the winners circle again this Saturday.

#7 Know More (KY) – No question it was the wrong move to put him on the turf last time out, but ever since winning his first ever start in a Stakes, Know More hasn’t quite been the same.  Maybe the trip out of California will do him some good, and if he can recapture his earlier form he could make some noise in here.  Too dangerous to leave off your exotic tickets.

#6 Itsmyluckyday (KY) – Certainly comes into this one as the hot horse, but is he capable of competing against graded company?  Taking the wait and see approach with this one.

#2 Heaven’s Runway (KY) – The horse seemed to like the poly track at Presque Isle, but was beaten pretty badly in his only try over dirt.  Looking elsewhere…

#4 Mylute (KY) – Has only one win in five tries, but did place second in the Jean Lafitte Stakes over this track last time out.  Would be a surprise, but I’ve seen crazier things happen.

#8 Show Some Magic (KY) – Was sixth in the local prep for this, and fifth in a Stakes at Saratoga the time before that.  Hard to see things changing in what appears to be a tough field.