Let ‘em Run – Late P5 at Churchill Downs for Saturday 6/27/26
We have a loaded line up in this P5, with five stake races, highlighted by the Grade1 Stephen Foster Stakes, slated for race 11. Even though a small compact field of five runners is lined up after 2 scratches… It is a loaded field of stars. A race that will have horse racing fans eager to see who steps up and becomes the horse to land in the winners circle. Churchill Downs – Late P5 Races 8-11
Race 8 4:36 EST The American Derby 275K 1 1/16 Turf
This race could set up for a closer, and that lands on a price horse, #9 Brave Force 12-1 with jockey Tyler Gaffilione taking over for the 1st time. Took this runner a while to break through, but trainer Jack Sisterson has him ready to roll again. The #6 Alpyland 8-5 looks like the class of the field. We also think the #4 Thousandsticks 5-1 will find the front end with jockey Luis Saez aboard.
Race 9 5:08 EST The Bango Gr3 275K 6 1⁄2 Furlongs Dirt
Hard to look past #2 Cornucopian 1-1, but we are looking for value and that landed us on #6 Venkman 7-2. Last time out, held his own against the top sprinters in the country, and posted the top last out BSF in the field. The workouts in prep for this race say he is ready to fire. A longshot play to keep an eye on is the #3 Harrodsburg 12-1. This runner is a horse for course, and distance, and has been working lights out for the return 2nd off an extended layoff for trainer Michael Tomlinson. Race 10 5:43 EST The Wise Dan Gr2 500K 1 1/16 Turf
Race 11 6:14 EST The Stephen Foster Gr1 2 Million 1 1⁄8 Dirt
This is a great edition of The Wise Dan. Can not fault anyone for singling #2 Lagynos 5-2, but we will be adding 2 others to our ticket. Look for the #1 Silent Heart 10-1 to have jockey Luis Saez hit the gas when the gates open, and take them on the front end as far as he can. Trainer Michael Maker is looking to make it 3 in a row here, and 3 workouts after last win look like he is ready to go.
Race 11 6:14 EST The Stephen Foster Gr1 2 Million 1 1⁄8 Dirt
The race of the day, and what a race it looks to be !! A field of 5 is scheduled to line up (with scratches of #6 and #7), but it will still be a fantastic race. We like #5 Magnitude 7-2, with jockey Jose Ortiz looking to make it 3 in a row. A wet track (likely with weather predictions), will not hurt this runner’s chances, although that may give an edge to likely post time favorite #3 Sovereignty 6-5.
Race 12 6:44 EST The Tepin 275K 1 Mile Turf
We think the #9 Tam Tam 5-1, may get a good setup here for jockey Junior Alvarado. This runner always puts her head down and fires a good race. Hot trainer Brian Lynch sends #3 East Jabip (Ire) 4-1 out , and while this runner may be compromised by the mile distance, we have faith that jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. will make it work.
Be sure to tune in on Saturday at 12:30, when myself and partner John Kostin will breakdown these races further, after scratches and any changes that would affect our selections. We can be seen on Sports Talk Media Network and multiple streaming apps and social channels. So bet smart, cheer hard, fast horses can lead to some real fun, and in the end just Let ‘em Run. And let’s go… USA…USA…USA…
