Chop Chop made it a positive closing day at Keeneland last Friday. The Conductor has been in the train station since, grinding over tape for the upcoming Kentucky Oaks and Derby weekend. At this point he is salivating and ready to rip Churchill Downs’ gullet out. The only thing that could throw a wrench in his plans is the weather. Please pony gods keep if fast and firm for Friday and Saturday. Mr. Ductor begs of you. He’ll do the rest. Skip.
Race 3: 1 Mile. OC 80000n2x
#5 Injunction (5/1) – This gelding ran much better than it looks last time on turf, with a heinous ride and trip. He was parked 3-wide and uncovered the whole way around and still hung on for 4th. Now making his 3rd start off the layoff he switches back to dirt where he’s run his best races. Injunction has plenty of numbers to run back to that can beat this field and looks to be rounding into form nicely. He’ll get the train in motion.
Race 5: 1 1/16 Mile. F.G1 Fasig-Tipton La Troienne
#4 Idiomatic (6/5) – Nothing creative here in the first Grade 1 of the day. This is a strong field, but the Conductor trusts the reigning Distaff champ and Brad Cox at Churchill Downs. This mare will get the job done.
Race 7: 1 1/16 Mile. G2 Alysheba Stakes
*Gullet Shot of the Day #4 Call Me Fast (20/1) – The Conductor thinks this bomb can win this race and will certainly be his key in the verticals. He had a perfect prep off the bench at Keeneland last time sprinting. He had a wide trip behind a slow pace and ran a solid 4th. With that race under his belt, Call Me Fast now stretches out to a route and gets a massive rider upgrade from Leparoux to Prat. His figures last year routing fit with this group and with a favorable trip he his dangerous.
Race 10: 1 1 Mile. (Turf) F.G2 Edgewood Stakes
#6 Pounce (10/1) – This filly was bet to favoritism last time in the G2 Appalachian. Her poor performance that day can be completely excused. She was hung wide and pressing a quick pace around both turns and had absolutely no chance. The Conductor is a bit surprised Castellano is still aboard her after that journey. She draws a much better post here and is guaranteed to get a much improved trip. If she is indeed double digit odds, Pounce is a massive overlay. She has as good a chance as any in this evenly matched field.
Race 11: 1 1/16 Mile. F.G1 Longines Kentucky Oaks
#3 Where’s My Ring (15/1) – This is a contentious running of the Oaks and the Conductor is having a difficult time separating the top contenders. However, this filly is certainly the value of the race if she is near this morning line price. She handled a weak field in the Gazelle Stakes last time and is being overlooked. The Conductor likes her steady progression this year and she’s the only filly in the field with a win at this 1 1/8 mile distance. While this field is contentious, it’s not a very fast Kentucky Oaks group speed figure wise. Another incremental step forward for Where’s My Ring along with a good trip and she can get light up the tote at a juicy number.
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