McLean’s Selections for Ellis Park on Monday, July 15

(Stats to be updated, for sure)

Here’s our looks at the new Monday addition to the race week for Ellis Park. Here’s hoping, too, that you and yours will join some of me and mine at the ole’ ball yard for some scintillating, live horse dueling.

1st: 3-6/7/4-2-8/1…Appeal Denied (3) gets the nod in the ole’ lid-lifter at the new & improved Ellis Park, which will only get better and better in the days and years ahead. This 5YO is trained by Greg Foley, who is having a solid year and is winning at a ,.17% rate after 134 starts in 2024. I think you can toss the last out. Lost by 22 lengths in that one. But that was over the AW at Turfway Park on Dec. 1. This will be the 2024 debut and the son of Successful Appeal nearly won the 2023 debut. May do a bit better here. Training very well for this one. Rider is winning with .40% of the last 5 for this barn operation. Look out. I bet the 3 across the board and then box the 3-6 in the exactas. I will key the 3-6 over/under the 7-4-2-8 in two smaller units. 

2nd: 3-7/2-4/1/5…Curl Girl (3) could give the bettors back-to-back #3s to start the day. This 4YO daughter of Curlin is bred to run. Ran 3rd in an allowance last out at Churchill Downs. Before that? Ran in the G3 Doubledogdare at KEE in April. Had a tough trip that day, but don’t worry — this one can run. In 8 career starts, this one has a 1-1-3 mark. Rider is red hot, too. Over the last week, has 3 wins in 12 starts. Under Advisement (7) is one of those that seems to run well and then throw in a bum effort; return to run well and then stumble the next time. It is time for this one to run well and I have seen enough of these, to use. I bet the 3-7 across the board and then box these two sternly in the exactas. I will key the 3-7 over/under the 2-4-1-5 in two smaller units.

3rd: 4-3-6/8-1/7…Royal Salute (4) goes for one of the most highly under-rated trainers in the game. Barn is winning at a .33% rate after the first 9 starts here this meet. Has just 3 thirds in the first 7 grass starts, but drops into the MCL ranks for the first time here. Barn wins with .28% of the last 25 to do that. Big hike in rates. Rider is having a subpar year. Only 5% winners in 145 mounts. Ugh. Sesame Streek (3) was claimed last time out and that may turn out to be a good $40,000 purchase. I looked at trying to buy at this new $50,000 price tag. But the mare is not by a very good stallion and she has thrown 1 winner from the first 4 starters. Ugh. Higginsville (6) was nowhere to be found at the wire last time out. Toss. Look at the two before? Right there. That rider in those two returns here. Look out. This could be a nice upset. I bet the 4-6 across the board and then box the top 3 numbers in the exactas. I will key the top 3 numbers over/under the 8-1 in two smaller units. 

4th: 3-6/2/1-5-8/4-7…Murphy Girl (3) gets the top billing here, for me. Daughter of War of Will cost $180,000 to purchase but this one has a chance to recoup quickly. Has been out two times already and has two 2nds on the resume. Has pocketed over $48,000 already. Sharp work on July 6 to prep for this one. Trainer off to a good start here, going 1-1-2 in the first four outs. Lady Kathryn (6) ran a very solid 3rd the first time out and the rider is a very heady and clever individual. This daughter of Liam’s Map cost $300,000 and sure deserves  a shot.I bet the 3-6 across the board and then box these two sternly in the exactas. I will key the 3-6 over/under the 2 in two smaller units.

5th: 10-8/3-11/6-2-7-12…Ellen Jay (10) is a 3YO daughter of the dandy Constitution and will make her first start of the career on the sod for trainer Brad Cox. Operation wins with .15% of those kind and with .20% of the last 740 to run over the grass. Gets the barn’s go-to rider up for the show. Daughter of the great Covfefe — a multiple Graded Stakes winner. I like this one. Mia Marcela (8) comes from the barn of a HOF trainer and has a chance here, too. Picks up a new rider in the very popular Brian Hernandez, Jr., who is winning at a .20% rate here this meet. Has gone 2-2-0 in the last 6 outs for this trainer. I bet the 10 across the board and then box the top 2 numbers in the exactas. I will key the 10-8 over/under the 3-11-6-2-7 in two smaller units.

6th: 5-8/7-3/6-4/2//1…Timeless Bounty (5) has assembled a tidy record of 6-4-3 in just 21 starts to begin the career. Comes into this one off a 2nd (by a neck) and a win at Churchill Downs. Can run over any time of dirt surface, too. Dry or wet. Rider is having a solid meet here and has gone .33% to the go for this trainer. I bet the 5 across the board and then box the 5-8 in the exactas. I will key the 5-8 over/under the 7-3-6-4-2 in two smaller units. 

7th: 3-6/4-7/5/2-1-9…Jungle Law (3) could give us another #3 winner on this day. The 3YOu son of Constitution will be making the career debut. Barn wins with .13% of the last 24 to do that. Picks up a rider who is winning with .12% of the last 429. Not bad, at all. Dam of this one was a Stakes winner and has produced 3 turf winners from the first 7 starters. Has 2 Stakes winners, as well. Pedigree says: “Yes.” Rocky Joy (6) comes from a dam who has a turf winner from 2 starters and this one is knocking on the door, too. In the first 5 starts? Has 4 seconds. Should be the ML favorite, but does he just look satisfied to be the runner-up? Good question. I bet the 3-6 across the board and then box these two sternly in the exactas. I will key the 3-6 over/under the 4-7-5 in two smaller units. 

8th: 4-5-10/7-8-9/1…Global Stage (4) is another from the Cox barn and another one who looks pretty salty on this salty day. Last year’s top apprentice rider takes the mount and he won on this one just two starts ago at Churchill Downs. Barn wins with .25% in sprints and .28% in dirt starts. Nice. Prints Money (5) won last time out and now tries winners. Barn converts with .14% when moving up this way. Rider is red hot. Has won with .28% of the first 18 mounts here. I bet the 4 across the board and then box the top 3 numbers in the exactas. I will key the top 3 numbers over/under the 7-8 in two smaller units. 

9th: 10-1/5-9-2-7-8/6…Mount Craig (10) gets the checkmark in the day’s finale. This one is 0-for-16 in the career. Ugh. But does have 5 seconds and 5 thirds. Is today the day? Finally? Maybe? Trainer is having a great start to the meet. Shear Magic (1) gets Lasix for the first time and the blinkers on. Will try a route distance for the first time, too. Lots of firsts. But this new barn operator is a good one and wins with .24% of the last 49 when he stretches them out. Lots to like here. I bet the 1 — take note — to win/place/show and then I double/triple down on the win wager. I will also box the 10-1 in the exactas. And, I will key the 1 over/under the 10-5-9-2-7-8 in the exactas. More with the 10-5-9-2 than the rest. 

Good Luck & All the Best / Gene