Final Version: McLean’s Selections for KY Downs on Sunday, Sept. 4

(Stats to be updated after Saturday’s card is completed)

Here’s our looks at KY Downs on this Sunday “Fun Day:”

1st: 9-10-3/1-7-12/2-5/4/6-8…Infinite (9) gets the nod in the ole’ lid-lifter over the hills and dales of KY Downs on this Sunday “Fun Day.” This 6YO gelding has a win in only previous run here, and, as we know by now, horses that like this track? Well, they like this track. Comes in off an extended layoff, but this trainer is used to that by now. New rider is very interesting for this barn. Very interesting. Real News (10) could spoil this party. Trainer excels with 3rd start of the layoff — winning at a .24% rate. And, does very well with first start off a claim purchase — winning at a .21% clip. Take note. I bet the 9-10 across the board and then box the top 3 in the exactas. I will key the 9-10 over/under the 3-1-7-12-2-5 in two smaller units.

2nd: 8/6-9-10-1A/2-4-1-7/5…The first “Key Play of the Day” comes here in just the second tilt of the afternoon and with Red Route One (8). This 2YO son of Gun Runner ran 5th, but beaten just 41/2 lengths by Battle of Normandy — who just may be the best juvenile grass horse in the world these days. That son of City Light just ran a very game 2nd in the With Anticipation Stakes at Saratoga, and an argument can be made that he was much the best in that one, too. Look out here. I bet the 8 across the board and then double down on the win wager. I will key the 8 over/under the 6-9-10-1A-2-4-1-7 in the exactas. More with the 6-9-10-1A than the rest.

3rd: 6-1/5-1A/3-4-7/2…Let’s Duet (6) is cleverly named and may have the game to match. this one won two starts ago and then ran a huge one in the first move the grass in the last outing, when facing winners for the first time. Blocked in the stretch of that one, or may have won easily. Rider has won with .22% of the last 37 mounts for this barn. Arlyne’s Crown (1) has never run a bad race and could/should have won each and every outing so far. Barn wins with .24% in the 3rd start off a layoff. One to watch. I bet the 6-1 across the board and then box the top 2 in the exactas. I will key the 6-1 over/under the 5-3-4-7 in two smaller units.

4th: 12-8-10/3-6/5/2/1-11/4-7…Hilliard (12) must break from the far outside, but in some ways that may be a blessing here over this oddly-shaped layout. The 4YO gelding ran in the tough Dueling Grounds Derby here last year. Didn’t fare well in that spot, but finds a much softer spot here over a ground that could use a little rain (which is in the forecast, by the way). In 13 turf runs so far, this one has gone 2-2-1. Fits here. Red Hornet (8) goes for one of the coldest barn operations in the Midwest. In 71 starts this year, trainer has lodged just 3% winners. Wow. But, that being written, some of the steeds that come from this barn do run well. And, this is one of them. Over the last 4 outings, this one has 3 seconds and never been beaten more than 13/4 lengths. Tries. Every time. Setna the Wise (10) nearly won the last time out at Saratoga and that should set this one up nicely in this spot. Gets a clever grass rider up for the occasion and could be a threat at a nice price. I bet the 12 across the board and then box the top 3 in the exactas. I will key the top 3 numbers over/under the 3-6-5 in two smaller units.

5th: 3-7-10/6-11//1/12-5-9/2-8…Clubbing (3) gets the ship in from Saratoga here fora HOF trainer and looks to be a real threat in this grouping. The 4YO son of Orb didn’t start until this year. Had to send some signals to the premier ownership group and this barn that the wait was going to be worth it. Right? Still waiting and today may be the day. Shogun Warrior (7) has run two really good grass races in a row. Throw out the one on the slop. Figures. Afjan (10) has run 8 times now and still looking for a map to the winner’s circle. But this one does have 2 seconds and 2 thirds on the resume. Has faced some good ones in the past. Maybe? I bet the 3 across the board and then box the top 3 in the exactas. I will key the top 3 numbers over/under the 6-11 in two smaller units. 

6th: 10-5-9/1-3-6/11-2-4/6…Jarreau (10) comes in from a barn operation that used to dominate these parts. Having a solid year, but doesn’t get the pick of the litter here any more. This one ran a huge one at Saratoga last time out and has the speed to stalk from get to go. Still, only 2 wins in 14 grass starts is a bit alarming. Win Worthy (5) is a horse that I move up to my major play here. Picks up top rider in this saddle job and this trainer has traditionally done very well at this meet. In 11 grass tries? One win. Arabian Prince (9) is a horse who I have watched for a long time. Just seems to find a way to lose and hand when the real running begins. In 7 turf tries? Zero wins. But talent is there. Some day? I bet the 5 — take note — across the board and then  box the top 3 in the exactas. I will key the top 3 numbers over/under there 1-3-6 in two smaller units. 

7th: 11-5-7/12/4-6-1/2-8…Point Well Taken (11) is another from the barn of HOF trainer Shug McGaughey and will pick up a huge, huge, huge rider switch for this affair. Ships in from Laurel and has been training well. Will come late. Will run up the hill. Can he catch the leaders? TBD. Trouble Making (5) picks up the apprentice rider here and has a solid grass pedigree. Still…0-for-20 on turf starts. Ugh. Blessing the Flag (7) has run two good ones in row and picks up a familiar rider for the chore here. Trainer know for spring upsets. This one may qualify. I bet the 11 across the board and then box the top 3 in the exactas. I will key the top 3 numbers over/under the 12 in two smaller units. 

8th: 6-11/5/4-8-12/2-3-10-7/1-9…Ricochet (6) gets the services of top rider Tyler Gaffalione, who just dominates this KY racing scene these days. But? May have found his crypto. He is just winning with .03% of the last 30 mounts for this barn. Wow. Interesting. Point Me By (11) is my first “Upset Special of the Day.” This one nearly won at Horseshoe Indianapolis last time out and ran a real good one at Churhcill Downs the race before it. Has hit board in half of his turf starts. I bet the 6-11 across the board and then key the 6-11 over/under the 5-4-8-12-2 in two smaller units.

9th: 7-10-12/11/1-5-8/2-4/6-3-9…Dueling Grounds Oaks…This is a $500,000 Stakes event and has attracted a stellar field. I go with New Year’s Eve (7) in this spot. Ran a real good one in the G3 Saratoga Oaks Invitational at Saratoga last out and won the G2 Edgewood Stakes at Churchill Downs in the Spring. Will come late and that should bode well over this course. Turnerloose (10) is primed for a huge effort here. Ran a winning race last time out and just got nipped at the wire. Return to the sod will be the ticket here. Look out. Must use for me. Skims (12) bears watching. Love this breeding. But how can you not. I bet the 7-10 across the board and then box the top 3 in the exactas. I will key the top 3 numbers over/under the 11 in two smaller units. 

10th: 12-1-(14)/6-7/4-8-9/2-10/3…G3 Dueling Grounds Derby…This one is worth $750,000 and features the boys. I go with Ready to Purrform (12). This 3YO som of Kitten’s Joy comes in off an impressive gate-to-wire win in the G2 Hall of Fame Stakes at Saratoga. But this one can stalk and pounce, as well. Gets the world’s top rider back for the job. Loaded with potential. Grand Sonata (1) threw a clunker last time out, but that race is a toss for me. Went way, way wide in that event and lost all chance. Race before was a G1 and nearly won it. Look for rebound here. I bet the 12-1 across the board and then box the top 3 numbers in the exactas. I will key the 12-1 over/under the 14-6-7-4-8-9 in two smaller units.

11th: 8-11/3-10-(15)/1/2-7-9/4-6-12…Queen’s Garden (8) could give Shug-ems McGaughey a huge day at KY Downs. This 2YO Quality Road filly is owned by Lane’s End Farm magnate Will Farish and comes in off a huge effort at Laurel last time out. Nearly won that one and the barn does so much better on the 2nd try than the first. Wins with .21% when they ship, too. Rut. Ro. Beat the Estimates (11) is a shipper for the embattled Chad Brown — who has a court case awaiting in Saratoga later this month. This one will make the first outing and this is a tough place to do it. But the daughter of The Factor is training lights out and the barn does win with .21% when debuting on the sod. Chance. I bet the 8 across the board and then box the 8-11 in the exactas.  I will key the 8-11 over/under the 3-10-15-1 in two smaller units. 

Good Luck & All the Best / Gene