Races with juveniles can be challenging to handicap and formulate opinions when the two-year-old talent has limited experience racing. Our writers have compiled talking points for each runner for most of such races for the fall meet.
Find Friday, November 15th runners below for Churchill Downs race 8!
Churchill Downs Race 8 for November 15 – Maiden Special Weight
#1 BIGMANCAN — Did not have the early zip at Keeneland that he had showed at Churchill two back, and fizzled late after making a wide bid on the turn; has had four chances on the main track already and thus seems vulnerable to a less-exposed rival.
#2 ENERGIZER — Did not fire when bet hard in that Keeneland debut, and the winner came back to run third here in an allowance last Saturday; given quality connections, a better and improved effort can’t be discounted; barn is 22% with second-time starters, according to Brisnet stats; rebound candidate.
#3 CHURN N BURN — A clear third at the finish and thus a decent debut considering he had only one beaten at the first call, and 81 Brisnet Speed rating solid; 10% second-out barn has put two half-mile breezes into him since; more than capable, especially if he gets a stronger pace to chase.
#4 GHOST GAME — Horse of the Year Ghostzapper is a 10% debut sire, while dam only placed in her career; not a lot of black type in the first couple generations, so telling this colt sold for $325K last year; owner-trainer combo the same as current hot juvenile Dennis’ Moment, so can’t put it past them unveiling another capable one; watch the wagering.
#5 EYES OF GLORY — A non-factor in all three outings, and blinkers didn’t appear to help a whole lot last time; tough to envision a breakthrough until he meets easier.
#6 APPROVED — Sire famously won the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) over this track and is 9% w/debut runners; dam is out of G1-placed stakes winner Bonnie Blue Flag, who was herself a half-sister to multiple G1-winnning turf miler Diamondrella; West homebred has turned in some notably fast works, including half-mile bullet on Oct. 25; tote may yield further clues.
#7 HIGH HOLY — Broke slow from the rail post but did pass a few stragglers during the course of the running over in Lexington; Miller barn only 1 for last 16 with second-time starters; gets more ideal post here, but will need to show more alertness at the break.
#8 UNTHROTTLED — Perhaps wasn’t too enthused with the sloppy conditions when failing to make headway at Keeneland last time; however, he wasn’t overly close when just hitting the board in his first two, including a debut run vs. easier at Indiana Grand; others preferred.
#9 SELLECK — Backed out readily after a half-mile in which he was hounded on the front end; some improvement possible for this half-brother to local Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) hero Caleb’s Posse, but others appear more likely on the win end.
#10 MY MAN FLINTSTONE — Well supported first out and ran to expectations when proving second best after taking a run at the eventual winner in the slop; McPeek barn 20% and a positive ROI with second-time starters; full brother Dangerfield placed in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G1) and Delta Downs Jackpot (G3) at two, and this one could be similarly talented after that initial 84 Speed rating; beware.
#11 LAUTREC — High-profile connections send out this son of Bernardini, an 11% debut sire, and English SW Gifted Girl, who notably placed second in the Beverly D. (G1) at Arlington; this extended family also includes German champion sprinter Millowitsch and Irish Oaks (G1) heroine Margarula; barn’s debuters generally worth respecting though worth noting Santana sticking with Energizer in this spot.
#12 KENTUCKY GHOST — $180K yearling buy is by the aforementioned Ghostzapper, a 10% debut sire, and out of a dam that won the La Prevoyante (G3) over 12f on the turf; second dam was G1-placed in England and also raised another G3 turf winner; barn’s stats with first-timers not overly strong; some encouraging works, but might relish turf when he gets a chance to try it.
#13 WILLFRED — Arkansas-bred gelding is by a 9% debut sire and out of a dam that has reared one winner, Spotitude, who won on debut at Oaklawn in open maiden company; trainer Fires 10% with first-time starters, but an even better 14% at the special weight level; though barn hasn’t won often this year, it’s noticeably heated up at this meet winning with two of its first six starters.
#14 MR. MONOMOY — Half-brother to champion filly Monomoy Girl was naturally well-regarded in his debut last month, but fell well behind early after being squeezed; under the circumstances, his rallying fourth was good enough to build on here; figures to be well-backed again if he gets in for 25% second-out barn, for which he drilled a bullet four furlongs on Nov. 2; threat.
#15 BE FIERCE — Very wide draw did him no favors at Keeneland, but at least finished in the front third of the field; faces another difficult task from an outside post if he draws in.
#16 IN SKY WE TRUST — Raced closer to the pace with blinkers added, but finish was disappointing after some bumping caused him to lose his action; potentially capable with better luck, but group of second-time starters he faces have comparably more upside.
