McLean’s Selections for Ellis Park on Sunday, July 14

Here’s our looks for the ole’ “Pea Patch” — which is without the peas now — on this Sunday FUNDAY. The peas have been replaced by a new lake, which is sprouting wings and holding water in the infield. Here’s hoping we have a few fun picks for your picnic in the best park in West KY:

1st: 2/4/6-3/5/1…The first “Key Play of the Day” comes in the very first event of the day and with Travail (2). This 5YO mare moves up in class a couple of notches after nearly winning the last outing at Churchill Downs for $20,000. Moves up to $30,000 asking price here and that can make a huge difference. But this one did break the MCL for that same price. Gets the same rider back who nearly came from the clouds to nab the win last out. Look out with this deep closer on the best dirt surface in the Blue Grass. I bet the 2 to win/place/show and then key the 2 over/under the 4-6-3-5-1. More with the 4 than the rest. I will also key in the Pick 5 and the horizontal plays — like the Daily Double. Finally, I will double and triple down on the win bet, as well.

2nd: 8-6/1-4/5/2/3-7…Brie’s in Town (8) is a 2YO son of Speightstown and is well-bred for the Dixiana Farm breeders and owners. Has run once. Tired in that one after a brisk pace up front. Barn wins with first race on grass at .11% clip and with .15% on the second career race. Should improve. Coach Clint (6) is a first timer for a barn that wins with .14% of the last 108 to debut on turf. Should fit here well and the work pattern is OK. I bet the 8 across the board and then double down on the win wager. I will box the 8-6 in the exactas. I will also key the 8 over/under the 6-1-4-5-2 in two smaller units. 

3rd: 2-9/8/1-3/4-10…Weather Map (2) gets the push here. Trainer normally does better in these environments and should heat up soon. Rider is regular for the barn and wins with .18% of the last 11. This one nearly won the last out, but that was in April. Works are OK and suggest a competitive try here. Business as Usual (9) could run a big one again. Last out was in April, as well, and this filly tossed a horrid effort. Works suggest whatever went wrong that day has been fixed. Two races back this one won for $50,000. Now offered up for $10,000. Good buy or bad? I bet the 2-9 across the board and then box these two in the exactas. I will key the 2-9 over/under the 8-1-3 in two smaller units. 

4th: 9-(11)/3-5/2-10/7/1-4…Two Lucys (9) is my “Upset Special of the Day.” This 3YO daughter of Accelerate drops out of the MSW ranks to try a high-level MCL. Started the career in these kind of spots and ran a huge 2nd at Turfway Park in December. Should find the company easier and the going better. Boltoro (11) could be a real factor if this 4YO filly draws in from the AE List. Keep an eye open. If she does, I’m in. Into the MCL ranks for the first time and the trainer knows how to spot ’em; and knows how to run ’em. I bet the 11, if in, of course. Aggressively, too. Across board. Double down to win. ETC. If not, I will bet the 9 across and do the same. I will key the 9 over/under the 3-5-2-10-7.

5th: 9-6/7/10/4-8…Huge Bigly (9) picks up a huge rider switch and that could boost this one’s chances of a better spotting. Barn can have them ready off the bench and this 7YO was pretty salty earlier this year at Oaklawn Park. Reeled off 3 straight wins, over the winter. If he can find that form again? Look out. Camp Daddy (6) has run three really good ones in a row and appears to be on a roll. Has raced here before, as well, and has a win and two runner-ups in 3 career outings next to the mighty Ohio River. I bet the 6 — take note — to win/place/show and then double down on the win wager. I will box the 9-6 aggressively. I will key that duo over/under the 7-10-4-8 in two smaller units. 

6th: 4-3-1/6-8-5/7/(9)…Barberini (4) didn’t fire a lick last time out at Churchill Downs. Ran 10th and was beaten over 10 lengths. Ugh. But? This trainer has won with .37% in 68 starts this year and has won with .35% of 26 that ran the third time off a vacation. In turf spots, this trainer’s runners have won .22% of 58 starters. Lots to like, if you can speed read past the last race. Fuerteventura (3) has 5 wins and 3 seconds in 13 grass starts to date. Consistent. Good. Dynamite trainers who wins with .28% when going the 2nd time off a layoff, too. Gets one of Kentucky’s finest grass jockeys. Lots to like. I bet the 4-3 across the board and then box the top 3 numbers in the exactas. I will key the 4-3 over/under the 1-6-8-5-7 in two smaller units. 

7th: 5-8/1-7/4//2-3…Music Man (5) is a 2YO son of Maclean’s Music and looks tuned up for this occasion. Ran at Churchill Downs on June 14. Never gave in that day and finished a game 3rd. This barn wins with .28% of the last 361 to make the 2nd career start. This baby had a very nice work on July 6, as well. Looks primed. Ready to go. Sell It (8) could be another who figures here, as well. This 2YO son of McKinzie has some speed it seems and should be able to carve out a good trip with the 2nd version here. Lost by less than a length the first time on June 21. I bet the 5-8 across the board and then box these two in the exactas. I will key the 5-8 over/under the 1-7-4 in two smaller units. 

8th: 4-6/8/7/1-3-5…Irish Heartbeat (4) is a 3YO son of Mendelssohn and will be making his 5th career start. Has run on the board in 3 of 4 lifetime and two on those over the sod. Picks up a new rider here, and that should be OK for this front-running stalker type. Looks like Plausible Denial (6) could be a threat here, too. This one cost $375,000 as a 2YO In-Training. Broke the MSW early run 2023. But has 9 defeats in a row since that lone win. Tough to break a skid once it gets in-bedded. I bet the 4 across the board and then double down on the win wager. I will key the 4 over/under the 6-8-7-1 in the exactas. 

9th: 3-11-9/(13)/7-6/1-10-(15)-2/4…The finale is a 1-mile dirt race for the MSW level and I go with Bourbon Society (3). This is a very well-bred son of Bernardini and this one has looked like a winner before. In 5 starts, has 3 seconds. Has to figure out how to get nose in front at wire time, and maybe the new rider can assist. I hope so. Rooting for great connections. I bet the 3 across the board and then double down on the win wager. I will box the 3-11-9 in the exactas. I will also key the 3 over/under the 11-9-13-7-6-1-10 in two smaller units. 

Good Luck & All the Best / Gene