Louisville will be lighting up the sky with a “Downs After Dark” race card presented by Stella Artois and Finlandia Vodka. If you have never made your way down to the Twin Spires for an incredible night of racing action, you have to put it on your places to visit. You are in for a one-of-a-kind night of action as Churchill Downs facilities will be adorned by mood lighting, spotlights  and seasonal greenery, and colorful bunting will flow throughout the grounds and  entrances. With sleek and comfortable conversational seating options, cocktail  tables, unique food and beverage stations and music added to the mix, the  racetrack, particularly the new, spacious 30,000-square-foot Plaza area has the look and feel of an upscale night club. But if you are at your local OTB or watching and wagering from home, you will miss the party atmosphere, but will have some incredible races to sink your teeth into!

 

Churchill Downs

The weatherman is calling for sunny skies and high of 86 during the day, and the temperatures cool off to 67 degrees as the sun goes down. There is only a 20% chance of rain.

 

Race #5 – Mdn $50,000 – 1 1 /8 on the turf – 7:57 p.m. ET

#3 – Flores Island = Joel Rosario has the call for Bill Mott, and Joel has been winning 21% on the weeds. Her two starts over the green have shown an affinity for the surface, and was a beaten favorite last out closing like  a down hill train. Mott comes back for payback at a 25% clip off this bad beat move.

 

Race #6 – The (G-2) Fleur De Lis Handicap – 1 1/8 – 8:30 p.m. ET

#5 – Royal Delta = “Magic” Mike Smith fresh off a win in the Belmont saddles up for Bill Mott. She is 2/2 with wins under the Twin Spires, and has been working well at Belmont after coming back from Meydan in March. If you go back in the PP’s, you will see she took this race last year going the same route after a long layoff. Smith fits her like a glove, and this may be deja vue all over again. This will mark only the fourth time that a defending Breeders’ Cup Classic and Ladies Classic champ will compete on the same program.

Use her with: #3 – Wine Princess who is 3/3 over the CD oval, and #1 – Funny Proposition who is also a horse-for-the-course going 3/3 at CD, and making her third off the shelf move for Mark Casse.

 

Race #7 – The (G-3) Matt Winn – 1 1/16 – 9:05 p.m. ET

#5 – Code West = Rosie Napravnik in the irons for Bob Baffert. He exits a strong win a Pimlico, and has been working at a solid clip at CD. The bullet work on 6/9 inspires confidence, and this son of Lemon Drop Kid is 1/1 ITM at CD. Two races back, he put in a fast closing effort over the Churchill surface on Derby Day.

#4 – Dewey Square = Mike Smith aboard for Dale Romans. This son of Bernadini showed a lack luster effort in the (G-3) Illinois Derby, and comes back to CD where he is 2/2 ITM for a barn that holds up well in Louisville.

#11 – Carve = Ricardo Santana brings his tack from Oaklawn Park for Steve Asmussen. Last out in the (G-1) Arkansas Derby was against some tough customers. This son of First Samurai looks to enjoy an easier level of company, and if you go back three races you will see two very good efforts. He should be player in this field today.

 

Race #8 – The (G-1) Stephen Foster – 1 1/8 – 9:39 p.m. ET

 

#4 – Take Charge Indy = Rosie gets the nod for trainer Patrick Byrne. This son of A.P. Indy is 2/4 ITM at CD, and looks like he has found himself. Impressive win in the (G-2) Alysheba, and worked a red-hot bullet at CD on 6/8. His three-year-old season showed glimmers, and 2013 looks like a new horse has arrived.

#2 – Fort Larned = B.J. Hernandez retains the mount for Ian Wilkes. Ever since winning the B/C Classic, he has been “jinxed” to a degree. Losing his rider in the Gulfstream Park Handicap, and throwing in a clunker in the (G-2) Oaklawn Handicap. His works show focus at CD, and I think we see the old runner that amazed us at Santa Anita winning the Classic. 2/4 ITM at CD, and should be up close under the lights.

#6 – Successful Dan = Julien Leparoux up for Charles LoPresti. LoPresti had him on the shelf for quite awhile, and 2013 looks to be a renewed runner who his trainer has great confidence. Wise Dan’s older half-brother looks to be on his game and should make an impact.

 

Race #9 -The (G-3) Regret Stakes – 1 1/8 on the turf – 10:11 p.m. ET

#5 – Oscar Party = Norberto Arroyo in the saddle for Wayne Catalano, and the rider is winning 29% on the turf. 2nd off the shelf, and 1/1 with wins at CD on the turf. Working well at CD, and gets an extra 16th of a mile to run. Catalano wins 20% going 2nd off the layoff, and 21% winning his last race.

#1 – Praia = Alan Garcia gets the call for Kenny McPeek, and has turned in two solid races on the green. Since finding the turf course, this daughter of Distorted Humor looks to give her all drawing the rail post in here.

#3 – Kitten’s Dumplings = Joel Rosario up for Mike Maker. 4/6 ITM on the turf, and makes the 3rd start off the layoff. A daughter of Kitten’s Joy, and the tandem of Maker, Ken and Sarah Ramsey, and Rosario bring back an incredible meet at Keeneland. She should get a big run in here, and Rosario wins 21% on the turf.

 

An incredible card to play, and you won’t want to be without your E-Z Win Forms. Grab them up, and start handicapping for the big night. The tier levels can offer up some super value to complete all of your gimmicks, and if the weather takes a turn. You are one click away from getting a brand new set of E-Z Win Forms to adjust to the conditions. As always, Winning Ponies can be your one-stop-shop, and everything you will need is located right here in real time. So, no more hoping around from site to site, as you will be locked and loaded for the races right here!