McLean’s Selections & Comments at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Thursday, Oct. 3

(Stats to be updated)

We take a virtual journey up I-65 to “Near Indy, USA” — Shelbyville, IN — and visit “The Shoe” — Horseshoe Indianapolis — today.

They have 8 races carded for the T-breds and here are our looks. One of the races, #7, will feature our very own Knight’s Move, who we are hoping we truly enjoy the experience.

Races are off the turf today, so please check for all the scratches. There are aplenty.

1st: 1-5-7/8/4…The pole-sitter gets the nod in the ole’ lid-lifter at “The Shoe” today, as we go with Victor’s Deal (1) in the inaugural race. This 10YO gelding has raced 46 times in his career, and has totaled 4 wins, 16 seconds and 10 more thirds. Not many front-end finishes, but lots of “board” finishes. Has run two runner-ups and a third in the last 3. Can he find the wire first? Maybe today. Mansfield Tiger (5) may be a better betting choice if looking to cross that wire first. In 23 starts, has 6 wins. Ran in a Stakes here last out. Not embarrassed. Falls to the “bargain bin” here. Look for this trainer — who wins with .21% of the last 34 to make the third start off a layoff — to ask the rider to go, go, go in this 1-mile. My betting favorite. Me and Chilli (7) is 12-1 in the ML and could spice up the odds rack with a hit. Has 4 wins in 19 starts here. Has a win and a second in 3 starts at this distance. Maybe? I bet the 5 — take note — to win/place/show and then double down on the win wager. I will box the top 3 numbers in the exactas, and then key the 5 over/under the 1-7-8-4 in two smaller units. 

2nd: 8-1/7-6-5/4/3…Trew Violence (8) may just be cut out to be a good one. This 2YO son of Violence has run two really good races in a row and broke the MSW here last time out. Barn wins with .17% of the last 58 to move up to face winners for the first time. Ran up against a real good one at Ellis Park two back. That horse is entered in the G1 Breeders’ Futurity at KEE this coming weekend. Take note. I bet the 8 across the board and then double/triple down on the win wager. I will box the 8-1 in the exactas. I will key the 8 over/under the 1-7-6-5-4-3 in two smaller units. 

3rd: 13-11-1/3/8/4…This is the first race taken off the turf today and there is a host of scratches from the race. I go with Mission River (13), who gets in for the “MTO” run. This 3YO is a son of the great Into Mischief and is a homebred for Mike Rutherford. Ran super when dropped into the claiming ranks lower echelon last time out. Could repeat that effort against the likes of these. If so? Look out. Ready to Reign (11) will drop into the MCL ranks here for the first time. Rider is red hot this year and is winning at a .20% rate this meet, in just 25 mounts. Look for this one to be on the muscle. I bet the 13-11 across the board and then box the top 3 numbers in the exactas. I will key the top 3 numbers over/under the 3-8 in two smaller units. 

4th: 2-4/5-6/1//3…Wupkar (2) is a 5YO mare who is a Louisiana-bred. But this one has raced against open company for most of her life and fits in this spot, I think. Has run here three previous times. Has a win and a runner-up spot on the resume. Trainer is 2-1-1 in 8 starts here this meet. Tidy win percentage of .25%. Has speed. Will carry it, too. I bet the 2 across the board and then box the 2-4 in the exactas. I will key the 2-4 over/under the 5-6-1 in two smaller units. 

5th: 7/3//11-12/10-5…The first “Key Play of the Day” comes here with an allowance race that has been removed from the turf and will be contested on the main dirt track now. Ms Quality Control (7) — a 3YO daughter of Quality Road and a filly who brought $255 at a 2YO sale last year — has run twice own the fast dirt before with 2 thirds. She has run twice on an “off track,” and has a win and a third. So, she can adjust. Sharp work on Sept. 26. Trained by Brad Cox, who is winning at a .25% rate this meet after 92 starts. Not going to sneak up on anyone here. I bet the 7 to win/place and then double/triple down on the win wager. I will key the 7 over/under the 3 in two strong exactas. More with the 7 on top. I will also key the 7 over/under the 11-12-10-5 in two smaller units.

6th: 2-5/1-7/4-6…Chay’s Tornado (2) will make the first start since July of 2023 here and for a new trainer, too. The new boss wins with .27% when off this long and the works are solid enough to be encouraging. Will make the first start on dirt, though, and that could be a concern. Rachman (5) is going for a trainer who has 3 wins and 2 thirds in just 9 starts here this meet. Been working the Ohio circuit for the most part, but this guy held his own last time out at KY Downs. Moves back to the dirt here and picks up a solid veteran in the irons. Chance. I bet the 2 across the board and then box the 2-5 solidly in the exactas.  I will key the 2-5 over/under the 1-7-4-6 in two smaller units. 

7th: 4-10-11/1-3//2…This is the third grass race of the day removed from the turf and now will be contested over the main track. Lots of scratches here, too, so take note. But we stay on the ground and run our 5YO gelding — Knight’s Move (4). Uncharacteristically, this guy found himself on the lead last time out. That was not the plan. Just worked out that way since he broke from the rail. We are off the fence here and we think that he can stalk a nice pace and finish things up. Looks great. Acts great. We are hoping that he runs great. I bet the 4 across the board and then double down on the win wager. I will box the top 3 numbers in one exacta. I will key the 4 over/under the 10-11-1-3 in two smaller units, as well.

8th: 4-3/7/6//1-2-5…The last Thoroughbred action comes here today with a 5.5-furlong sprint over the main track. I go right back to the #4 saddle cloth here and line up with Keen Annie (4). This 3YO daughter of Keen Ice has made just 4 starts and has a win and a runner-up on the board. Looks to fit with these and the rider/trainer have combined to go 2-1-1 in the last 7 races. May love this shorter distance, too. Rider wins with .37% of the last 30 for this barn operation. All in. I bet the 4 across the board and then double down on the win wager. I will box the 4-3-7 in two smaller units.

Good Luck & All the Best / Gene