Final Version: McLean’s Selections for Ellis Park’s Opening Day — Sunday, June 27

(Final Churchill Downs Stats & Updated 2021 Stats, overall)

We are thrilled that we will be handicapping and giving out our selections for each and every day of the upcoming Ellis Park race meet. The track in Henderson, KY. has long been a mainstay in the Kentucky circuit and a vital part of what has made the Commonwealth’s racing product the best in the business. Day in. Day out.

The new ownership team has made a commitment to improve every aspect of the historic racing facility. Expanding the turf track, and widening the surface to allow for more entries. Lights to help provide night racing in the future. A new Historic Horse Racing venue coming soon. Upgraded grandstands and clubhouse facilities. And, possibly, other expansions may be in the works, too. Stay tuned.

Without a doubt, though, the racing program — under the expert leadership of Racing Secretary Dan Bork — has become one of the best in the entire Midwest.

The level of purses continues to climb and make the race program increasingly more attractive and competitive. The list of trainers and jockeys that will be participating in the upcoming meet is impressive. The roster of horses that is being pointed to the upcoming races is surely to attract bettors and fans of all ages.

It all adds up to what should be a fun and exciting summer at Ellis Park.

Let’s get it kick started on Sunday. Here’s a look at our picks:

1st: 4-2-5/1/3…Dulcimer Dame (4) gets the nod in the ole’ lid-lifter at the little country fair meet that some like to call the “Pea Patch” after the soybeans that are sprouting in the infield. This 4YO Mineshaft filly comes in with three straight performances where she has hit the board — including a nice win at Indy Grand just three starts ago. At this distance, she has a win and 3 seconds in 5 career starts. Gets Corey Lanerie in the saddle and that should help, as well. One to beat, IMO. Have No Fear (2) is a Louisiana-bred who has done most of her top running against other state-bred of the same ilk. But she did win an “open race” at The Fair Grounds over the sod back in early December. Trainer is winning at a nice .21% clip this year and that is with 61 runners. Has 2 seconds in three previous runs here. Can’t dismiss. Que Sera Sera (5), whatever will be will be, is a threat, too. Third start off the layoff, and the barn wins with .06% of those. But the win last time out in the slop at Indy Grand was impressive. Moves up in class off that performance, and will face tougher here. Working well since the win. Looks to be in top form. In 8 starts at this distance? Has 3 wins and a second. I bet the 4 to win/place/show and then box the top there numbers in the exactas. I will key the top 3 over/under the 1 in two smaller numbers.

2nd: 6-1-4/3/2…This will be a MCL event for the 3YOs & Up going the sprint distance of 6 furlongs. I give the edge to Mega Charlie (6). This 3YO Florida-bred has some quicks out of the gate and should appreciate the significant class drop for this encounter. Top rider returns for the assignment and could give these others the early drop. Watch out. Sir Acealot (1) returned for the 2021 debut on May 12, after a brutal trip two starts ago and last November. Didn’t fare too bad in that one, either. The “Place” horse came right back to win and this one was competitive in the early stages. Drops for this one, too, and should figure with these kind. Threat. Morethansoultitle (4) goes for a barn operation that wins with .15% in the second start off a layup. Gets Lasix for the second time, too. Rider is having a solid year and this one figures to be more fit this time around. I bet the 6 to win/place/show and then box the top 3 in the exactas. I will key the top 3 over/under the 3-2 in two smaller units.

3rd: 8-2-4/1/7-3…This is the first of four grass races one the opening day card, and over one of the finest turf tracks in the area. This event will be contested at the flat, 1-mile distance and will be for the $10,000 claiming level. I go with Botswana Taps (8), who is my first “Longshot Special of the Day.” This 5YO son of Distorted Humor has not been close at the wire in any of the last three outings, but gets a huge class drop to the lowest price tag he has ever seen. Barn wins with .10% when dropping this much at one time, and the trainer is 2-0-1 in the last 6 starts coming in. This one won over the dirt just four starts ago. Talent there and the work on May 31 was spot on. Chance at a nice price. Can’tbewtemall (2) is the ML favorite at 6-5 in the Brisnet.com PPs. And, I can see why. This 4YO son of Maclean’s Music (a favorite name of mine…figures) won by nearly 7 over the slop at Indy Grand last time out. Has gone 2-3-2 on the resume in 14 lifetime starts and does have a  win in 4 outings over the sod. Gets a top grass rider up for this one. One to beat, to be sure. Briar Jumper (4) must be from Somerset, KY. (That’s the school’s unique nickname, by the way.) Seriously, this one ran a fast-closing 3rd over the grass at Indy Grand last time out and does have a 1-2-0 mark in 5 starts here. Has only 1 win in 28 starts on the turf, though. Hmmm. I bet the 8-2 across the board and then box the top 3 numbers in the exactas. I will key the top 3 numbers over/under the 1 in two smaller units.

4th: 4/5-1/3-6/2…The first “Key Play of the Day” comes here with Swill (4), who does figure to be a very short price at the windows counter. This 3YO son of Munnings has not raced since Jan. 1 and that could be a downside. But this one did run 4th in the Jerome Stakes that day to some good ones and was 4th the race before to Keepmeinmind, who was a consistent threat on the Triple Crown series road this year, too. Comes from the barn of Brad Cox, who figures to be the one to beat for the trainer’s title again this year. Will race with Lasix for the first time, too, nd the barn wins with .28% of those. Will race without the man’s equipment, too, for the first time. Lots of changes going on here, but the works are spot on. Look out. I bet the 4 to win/place and then key the 4 over (only) the rest of the numbers listed. More with the 5-1.

5th: 6-2/3-8-4/10-1-7-5/9…This is another turf race and will be contested at the 11/16-mile distance. This MSW event is for the 3YOs & Up and I go with another from the Cox barn — Pine Knoll (6). This 4YO gelded son of City Zip nearly broke the maiden last time out at Churchill Downs on June 5. Came with a serious effort and made the lead nearing the wire. Just headed when it counted. Has a second and third in three grass events so far. Gets Florent Geroux to make the trip to Henderson for this one. Take note. War Cross (2) is my second “Longshot Special of the Day.” This 4YO gelded son of War Front has all the right breeding to be a good one and will get blinkers on; manhood off, and Lasix for the first time in the 2021 and North American debut. This trainer is a good one, who has long been active in Europe. And, this one has trained very forwardly for this effort. Rider is 4-1-2 in the last 15 outs. I’m in here. I bet the 6-2 across the board and then box these two in the exactas. I will key the 6-2 over/under the 3-8-4-10-1 in two smaller units.

6th: 4-5/2-3-6/7-1…This is a 5-furlong sprint over the main track for the MSW 2YO fillies. Nice field has been assembled, too. I go with Tap N Glo (4) — from the Cox barn, of course — in the career debut. This 2YO daughter of Tapiture cost $85,000 at a 2YO sale earlier this year and has been training lights out for the top barn operator in these parts. Dam of this filly has 2 winners from 3 starters and it looks like this one has the speed to get it early. Should be an OK price, too. Freudian (5) figures to be the PT favorite, coming off a nice second in debut at Churchill Downs on June 10. Came with a nice run while wearing the blinkers in the initial effort. Should be the one to beat. I bet the 4 to win/place/show and then box the 4-5 in the exactas. I will key the 4-5 over/under the rest of the numbers listed in two smaller units.

7th: 5-8/2-4-9-6/1/3-7…This is the third of the grass races carded on Opening Day and it will be held at the 1-mile distance, too. I go with Continuation (5) in a mild upset here. This 4YO son of Munnings comes from a mare who has already thrown one turf winner from two starters and this one is coming off a nice MSW win at Churchill Downs on June 3. That was over the dirt track and at odds of 19-1. I am a firm believer that if you don’t go to the wedding, you should avoid going to the funeral. Old saying. Ask me someday. But…There’s always a but…But this one has a 1-3-1 mark in 9 career starts and has run up against some good ones. I think he can convert to the new surface and do it well. Reprobate (8) is probably named after me (LOL), but this 4YO son of Blame looks to be a nice, square price with a real shot in here. Has a win in 4 turf starts and will make the 2021 debut for a very underrated barn operator. Works are solid. Has good form against some tough horses in the past. Will be closing very late in the proceedings. Needs a clear path, but gets a top grass rider up for this one, too. I bet the 5-8 across the board and then box those two in the exactas. I will key the 5-8 over/under the 2-4-9-6-1 in two smaller units. More with the 2-4-9-6.

8th: 4-9-1/7-8-3/5-6/2/10…The last event of the day is the final grass event, as well. We are back at the 11/16-mile distance for the MSW level of 3YOs & Up. I saddle up with There Goes Harvard (4), who looked like a winner last time out on the dirt at Churchill Downs until he must have caught a glimpse of something that shocked him. He diverted. The rider took flight. And, it was over. Returns here today with the blinkers back on and goes to the grass for the first time. Barn wins with .19% on the first sod start. Gets a tough guy in the saddle, who can ride the lead. And, the last work was spot on. Another chance here. Barn does win with .24% when returning to the gate with a beaten favorite and the dam of this one has a winner from the first three starters. Our Integrity (9) is another one the figures here. Ran a super 3rd last time out at Churchill Downs, when coming off a layup. Tired late, but should be fitter here. Gets a top grass rider back up and will be a pace factor. Classy son of Into Mischief that cost $300,000 to buy. Graduation day? Awakened (1) is my final “Longshot Special of the Day.” This 4YO son of Curlin goes for a well-bred trainer, who is having a nice year winning at a .15% clip after 33 starts. This one ran a much-better-than-looks 4th last time out and should benefit from that race. Barn wins with .27% when making the 2nd start off a layup, and this one is doing just that here. Will come late. May surprise them all. I bet the 4-9 across the board and then box the top 3 in the exactas. I will key the 4-9-1 over/under the 7-8 in two smaller units.

Good Luck & All the Best / Gene