Steam–15% Pick 5 takeout!–Kentucky Downs Day 1, Sunday, September 5, 2021: BUY PICKS ($3)
Franklin, Kentucky updated forecast
Two Stakes On Tap On Opening Day
Kentucky Downs kicks off its brief, albeit lucrative, six-day 2021 FanDuel meet on Sunday, September 5 in Franklin, Ky. with an 11-race, all-turf program on the docket.
The card is highlighted by a pair of stakes races to be contested at a mile and five-sixteenths on the grass–the $500,000 Exacta Systems Dueling Grounds Oaks and the $750,000 Big Ass Fans Dueling Grounds Derby.
In the Oaks, Godolphin, LLC’s Adventuring–third behind a next-out winner in her last start Ellis Park–has been installed as the 3-1 morning line favorite in a field of nine. In the Derby, Natalie Baffert and Debbie Lanni’s Du Jour, third in the Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T) in his last start, is the 5-2 morning line choice.
Gaffalione, Maker Back To Defend Titles
Jockey Tyler Gaffalione, who was the leading rider at Kentucky Downs last September with 11 wins, and Mike Maker, who was the top trainer with eight victories, will be back to defend their respective titles in 2021.
Gaffalione has nine mounts opening day, while Maker has five entrants on the program.
Kentucky Downs, whose purses average $876,000 daily, will play host to 16 stakes races worth $10 million. The elite, all-turf meeting begins on September 5 and continues on September 6, 8, 9, 11, and 12. Post time is 12:20 P.M. (Central).
Steam–15% Pick 5 takeout!–Kentucky Downs Day 1, Sunday, September 5, 2021: BUY PICKS ($3)
Franklin, Kentucky updated forecast
