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RIVER CITY HANDICAP GRADE 3

1. Cullum Road – Tyler Gaffalione- Michael Maker
   1. Cullum Road should be sitting on a nice clean rail trip all the way around. Gaffalione should help his cause today as well. He was steadied last time out and still improved afterwards which is a plus in my book. He has 2 wins and 1 third in 4 starts at the distance. Multiple stakes placed horse just screaming for that win and to get over that hump.
2. Emmaus (IRE)- Channing Hill- Conor Murphy
   1. He should be sitting mid pack with Cullum Road but possibly closer to the pace. He should enjoy the added distance as it is his first time going at this distance. He is coming into this race 2nd off the layoff and he won off the layoff which means he could have much more in the tank or be even more fit today which are both huge plusses in this race. 
3. Blue Sky Kowboy – Sophie Doyle- Michele Boyce
   1. Yet another closer in this field but to me isn’t as strong of a contender as the two inside of him. I think it is a big jump in class for him and it is the first time he has run at Churchill. He should like the distance and could be rolling late but I don’t know if he has the class to get up and compete here. If he does take the step up he can be blowing by late and win.
4. Mr. Misunderstood- Florent Geroux – Brad Cox
   1. This fella has been consistent for years. He absolutely loves Churchill Downs. He could be on the pace early if no one goes. He loves the distance as well only missing the top 3 once in 6 tries. He gets Florent back and goes back to his favorite course so I expect nothing but great things from him today.  
5. My Bariley- Santo Sanjur- Anthony Granitz
   1. This gelding is just outclassed today, and I think the connections are outclassed as well. He should be at the very back of the pack and I would be surprised if he hits the top 50 % of the field. He hasn’t run good all year either, not winning a single race in 8 tries. 
6. Space Mountain- Ricardo Santana Jr. – Michael Maker
   1. I like Space Mountain today in this spot and Michael Maker seems determined to win this race with three entries. I think since there is no real speed he would need to be closer than previous trips in order to make a solid run. However, I think he also needs the race to set up for him. If Santana can’t get him into the race earlier than usual than I think the race goes downhill for him, but I like him if he is close. 
7. Bemma’s Boy- Julien Leparoux- Michael Maker
   1. This guy has some back races that show early speed in which I can see the connections trying to have that runstyle reoccur. However those races were on the dirt so maybe the turf he just needs a little bit of time to get going. If he runs the race he ran last time out, and takes a step up in class to his favor, he will have a legitimate chance of winning. 
8. Get Western- BJ. Hernandez Jr.- Charles LoPresti
   1. Finally after the first 7 posts not showing any pace at all really, we finally get what should be our pacesetter. BJ Hernandez Jr, could get aggressive and try and steal this race on the front end or he can get too aggressive and use up all his horse, set quick fractions, and come back to the field and set it up for closers. I think the pace will be reasonable early and I trust Hernandez Jr, to have this horse loaded in front at the top of the stretch. If he sets easy fractions he should win despite the distance. 
9. Admission Office- Jose Ortiz- Brian Lynch
   1. Chad Brown used to train this horse and I feel like the horse was more consistent under Chad Brown rather than Brian Lynch. That is no knock to Brian Lynch and his team because Chad Brown is the god of turf races, so its expected. I do like Jose Ortiz hopping back aboard since he was on this horse back in his 3yo days. Jose Ortiz will be the main reason if he wins. Legit chance.
10. Lascaux- Joe Rocco Jr. – Jose Fernandez
    1. Joe Rocco beat me last week in my write up because I said I didn’t trust him on a speed horse. He ended up beating my top two choices as they ran 2nd and third respectfully. This time he aboard a closer who never ran in a stakes race compared to other horses in this field. He seems to be the odd man out in this race. He has the highest power rating from trackmaster and is also their top pick which is strange to me because I don’t see why. Maybe it’s a good sign that they like them though. Will keep an eye out for how he looks on track and on the board.