Saturday, September 18, 2021
Woodbine – Race 9. Post time: 5:35 ET
2 – Walton Street (8/5)
On paper this high class European veteran clearly lays over this field based on his outstanding 2021 form that has produced two major stakes wins in Dubai, a highly-respectable fourth place finish behind Mishriff in the Sheema Classic-G1, and then a solid third place effort in a Grade-1 event in Germany last month. The C. Appleby-trained gelding attracts F. Dettori and projects to enjoy an ideal-pace stalking trip and then have every chance in the long run from the top of the lane to the wire to exert his superiority. We’ll make hm a win play and rolling exotic single at or near his morning line of 8/5.
Churchill Downs – Race 8. Post time: 9:39 ET
4 – Ontheonesandtwos (5/2)
Was below her best form when unplaced in the Adirondack S.-G2 at Saratoga in July but has trained exceptionally well in recent weeks to indicate the daughter of Jimmy Creed can bounce back in a huge way with the return to Churchill Downs, where she was a smart debut winner in May and then a sharp runner-up in the Debutante S. the following month. This stretch-out in trip should be well within her scope, and with the switch to speed specialist R. Santana, Jr. we’re expecting the N. Casse-trained filly to be on or near the lead throughout. At 5/2 on the morning line, she represents gold wagering value in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics.
Churchill Downs – Race 9. Post time: 10:11 ET
6 – Stellar Tap (3-1)
Loved the way he graduated at first asking at Saratoga last month when pressing the pace to the head of the lane and then kicking to score with complete authority in a race that already has proven to be productive. The S. Asmussen-trained colt should enjoy this two-turn middle distance while projecting to be either on the front end or in an ideal stalk-and-pounce position. His recent workouts have been extra sharp so despite this raise in class to Grade-3 company the son of Tapit looks quite capable of winning right back.
