SIXTH RACE

now gets more distance after closing in sprints. Albarado, the current go-to jock for Romans, lands on this one; just seems likely to be overbet. SHUT THE BOX has compiled a 7-3-2-0 record on dirt since joining the Chris Richard barn in Kentucky; finished second most recently to The Player, the eventual runner-up in the Grade 3 Ack Ack; good fit for $50,000 claiming. RICH DADDY is an honest sort that handles any kind of track condition, and has proven a highly rewarding claim since being plucked out of a $12,500 claimer at Gulfstream in March; hasn’t quite kept the recent company of that of SHUT THE BOX. LUNA DE LOCO remains at $50,000 level off the claim after a nonthreatening fifth on the day he was taken at Saratoga in August; now races as a first-time gelding for trainer Joe Sharp; a past winner at this 1 1/16mile distance but more accustomed to sprinting.

SEVENTH RACE

CHRIS COVE TOWN was outrun first out at Kentucky Downs but did make up some late ground to finish seventh, beaten six lengths, in a turf sprint; should benefit from that experience for Asmussen, whose horses are typically dirt runners, anyway; might slip thru the wagering cracks. SOUTH OF SANITY and DIAMOND TAP are first timers that merit consideration. The latter debuts for a skilled firstout trainer in Wesley Ward, while the latter has been working lights out at Churchill, though for a barn that wins infrequently with first timers.

EIGHTH RACE

COWBOY RHYTHM has been first or second in six of nine races in 2016-2017, with two of the exceptions coming in graded stakes. He is facing no such company in this optional claimer; a win and a second in two starts over the Keeneland surface. SINGING BULLET looks like one of the most talented runners in the field, though he is a question mark at the 1 1/16-mile distance; he faded in two starts at a mile or farther, though in stakes, and has been kept sprinting this year until this point; owns good numbers and respectable form from Saratoga but could regress somewhat at a route. JUST MOVE ON figures to be overbet off a comeback second at Churchill in a race that seemed too short for him; obviously better suited to a route, but only has a career-best Beyer of 83; likely needs to new top to win.

NINTH RACE

QUICK QUICK QUICK showed promise at Saratoga this summer by closing to be second in her debut and then following that up with an off-the-pace victory over next-out winner Navajo; plenty of pace to aid her stretch charge. SULTRY gets back to sprinting after failing to make an impact when sixth in a slowly-run Pocahontas; had previously won a maiden race at Ellis Park in her second start from off the pace. WAKI PATRIOT seemed to peak in the first half of her 2-year-old year, typical of John Hancock trainees, but is multiple stakes placed and moving back to the dirt after a failed stakes effort on turf in which she blew the start at Kentucky Downs.

TENTH RACE

LOVE MO adds Lasix after chasing the pace and fading to lose by just over five lengths in one of the better straight maiden turf races for 2-year-old fillies of the Saratoga meet. Significant Form, the disqualified winner of that race, returned to win