McLean’s Selections for Churchill Downs on Saturday, Sept. 30 — G2 Lukas Classic Day

(It is Lukas Classic Day, named after HOF trainer D. Wayne Lukas)

(Stats to be updated after Thursday and Friday cards)

Here’s our looks for a “Super Stakes Saturday” at the big oval in Louis-Town:

1st: 1-8/4-5-7/3/2/6…Major Fed (1) has been a major factor in a lot of races throughout his 6YO career. This son of Ghostzapper has won over $454,000 in the 22 race career, so far, and now finds himself offered up to anyone that is willing to plunk down $25,000 (plus tax) to claim him. If he has anything left in the tank? Look out. Gets a top rider, who has done well with him in the past, up again. I bet the 1 across the board and then double down on the win wager. I box the 1-8 in the exactas. I will key the 1-8 over/under the 4-5-7-3-2 in two smaller units. 

2nd: 2-3/5//1-6-4…Pillbox (2) has been off since March, but is working very well for the barn of Saffie Joseph, Jr.. This will be the 2nd start after a claim purchase and the barn wins with .22% of the last 64 to do that. Bullet work on Sept. 23 at High Point. Gets a top rider, who is struggling at the .08% win rate this meet. Wonder if the rider wishes he had Doug Bredar back booking his mounts? I bet the 2 across the board and then box the 2-3 in the exactas. I will key the 2-3 over/under the 5 in two smaller units. 

3rd: 5-3/2/4-6-8/7/9…Tepeu (5) gets the nod here. This 4YO son of Tapit will be offered up for a career low price tag here and picks up a rider, again, who won on him just three starts ago. Has a nifty record here (2-1-0 in 4 starts) and the barn wins with .25% in the claiming ranks. I bet the 5 across the board and then box the 5-3 in the exactas. I will key the 5-3 over/under the 2-4-6-8 in two smaller units. 

4th: 3-2/6-1-9/7/4-8/5…Copper Missile (3) broke the MSW last time out at KY Downs and now travels here to try the sod of a more traditional fashion. Be interesting to see how he handles this type of flat surface. Gets a clever and top grass rider back in the irons. Big threat to add another here. Barn wins with .17% in the 2YO ranks. I bet the 3 across the board and then box the 3-2 in the exactas. I will key the 3-2 over/under the 6-1-9-7 in two smaller units. 

5th: 8-12-10/1/6/5/3-7/2-4-9-11…Pursuit of Liberty (8) gets the nod here. This 2YO daughter of Constitution ran well as the PT favorite in the career debut at Ellis Park on Aug. 18. Tired at the end of that one after popping nice fractions early. Gets a top, top, top rider in the irons here and looks to add the first win to the column for a barn that is winning at a .32% rate after 38 starts this meet. I bet the 8 across the board and then double down on the win wager. I will box the 8-12-10 in the exactas. I will key the 8 over/under the 12-10-1-6-5-3-7 in two smaller units. 

6th: 7-8-3/6/4-5/1-2…Single Ruler (7) drops all the way to the $30,000 level here after a couple of misfires against much, much tougher. Was claimed just three starts ago for $50,000. Has only one win in the last 13 outs. Ouch. Timely Prospect (8) has had a much better go of it, lately. Has raced 6 times this year with a win and 4 seconds. I like this one going from the sprint distance to the route. At a nice price. Upset Alert. I bet the 8 — take note — across the board and then box the 7-8-3 in the exactas. I will key the top 3 numbers over/under the 6 in two smaller units. 

7th: 5/6-9/2-7/8/11/3-10…The first Key Play of the Day comes here with Your So Sillea (5). This 4YO filly has been out 6 times this year. Has run second 4 times. I think she has the ability to get over the hump here. Loves this track. Rider is very talented, when healthy. Works are spot on. Time. I bet the 5 across the board and double down on the win wager. I will key the 5 over/under the 6-9-2-7-8-11 in the exactas. More with the 6-9 than the rest. 

8th: 7-11/6-8/10-1/9-4/3/2/5…Jefferson Cup Stakes…I go with More Than Looks (7) in this 1-mile Stakes over the sod course. This 3YO More Than Ready colt has hit the board in 5 straight — with 3 wins in that mix. Nearly won the G2 Hall of Fame last time out against a winner who came right back to win again. Hot rider up. He’s won on this one before, too. Lots to like. I bet the 7 across the board and double down on the win wager. I will box the 7-11 in the exactas. I will key the 7-11 over/under the 6-8-10-1-9-4 in two smaller units. 

9th: 3-5-2/4/7-6-1…G3 Ack Ack Stakes….This is a 1-mile Stakes event over the main track and I line up with my Upset Special of the Day — Three Technique (3). This 6YO son of Mr Speaker loves it here. Has gone 2-2-2 in 8 starts here and has a 3rd in this same Stakes a year ago. Won here in May. Won last time out in a G2 at Belmont Park. Nearing $1 million in earnings. Upset. I bet the 3 across the board and double down on the win wager. I will box the 3-5-2 in the exactas. I will key the 3 over/under the 5-2-4-7-6-1 in two smaller units. 

10th: 4-9/2-7-1/6-8/5…G2 Lukas Classic…This 11/8-mile feature of the day goes to — drum roll please — Rattle N Roll (4). I tried my best to find a horse who could upset him and maybe a few have a shot, but if this 4YO son of Connect runs his race? Look out. Has gone 3-1-2 at his home course and should return to top form here. Barn’s go-to rider is up. Warrant (3) gets the blinkers off here and that may wake this one up a bit. Has a win in only previous try here and goes for the game’s best trainer right now. But he was scratched at early scratch time.  I bet the 4 across the board and double down on the win wager. I will key the 4 over/under the 9-2-7-1-6-8 in the exactas. More with the 9 than the rest. 

11th: 5-6-9/2-7-1-11/8//3/4-10-12…The day’s finale is a turf event and I give the edge to Orbi One (5) in my final Upset Special Alert. This 3YO son of Orb ran 2nd by a nose last time out and has hit the board in 4 of 6 lifetime. Blinkers come off here and the barn wins with .33% of the last 12 to get that equipment change. Also, the rider has won with .25% of the last 8 for this trainer, too. Lots to like in an upset. I bet the 5 across the board and then box the top 3 numbers in the exactas. I will key the 5 over/under the 6-9-2-7-1-11-8 in two smaller units. 

Good Luck & All the Best / Gene