FIFTH RACE

Major talent in this 2-year-old maiden race... CUTTING HUMOR and HARVEY WALLBANGER both ran second at first asking in New York in maiden races that were won by promising colts, with the former doing so at Saratoga on a fast track and the latter in the slop at Belmont. Ultimately gave the ever-so-slight edge to $400,000 auction purchase CUTTING HUMOR, who is a half to stakes winner Irish You Well. HARVEY WALLBANGER continues to train smartly, as he did before his debut. Development is also anticipated from ERLICH, another runner-up on debut, though he did so in a five-horse field in the slop at Monmouth. Being by Curlin, he is bred to improve with distance.

SIXTH RACE

Encouraged by the move made by Asmussen with NITROUS, one of his most talented 2-year-olds. Rather that stretch him out to a route after a tiring third in the Grade 1 Hopeful, he has opted for this avenue instead - trying him in today’s Indian Summer, obviously with the goal of shooting for the new Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. This colt has the speed for a 5 1/2-furlong race, and he has enough of a grass pedigree. Take note of the promising grass work at Saratoga after the Hopeful. ALL ABOUT IT should not be overlooked because he is a maiden. He is only a maiden because he raced against Fog Of War in his only start at Saratoga, and that horse proceeded to go up to Woodbine and win the Summer Stakes; was hammered for a bundle at auction this year, $425,000, despite not having the flashiest catalog page. CREDIT SWAP was dominant first-out winner at Monmouth in his only race, hinting he is an eventual stakes winner in the making.

SEVENTH RACE

INTO MYSTIC chased the speedy Lady T N T in her only race at Saratoga, running second behind her throughout. That seemed a quality maiden race from it Lady T N T returned to win an allowance at Churchill. (‘Lady also goes in Friday’s Grade 1 Alcibiades, which had not yet been run at the time of this writing.) CHAMPAGNE TALE rallied to grab fourth at Saratoga after a slow start, and has since training swiftly at Churchill Downs; obvious upside. IN CHARGE ANNIE finished third of 11 at Ellis on debut, coming up a little empty late. She starts for the high-percentage Brad Cox stable and should improve.

EIGHTH RACE

HENLEY’S JOY, perfect in two starts, was a gritty stakes winner most recently at Kentucky Downs, coming back to edge TRACKSMITH after that one headed him inside the final furlong. WAR OF WILL gave favored Fog of War a scare in the Summer Stakes at Woodbine, opening up on him in midstretch, only to be caught late. That was a sharp runner-up finish from ‘WILL, who despite being winless in two starts, is a leading contender. He is by War Front and out of a Sadler’s Wells mare that has already dropped a couple stakes winners, including a Group 1 winner overseas. CURRENT is another well-bred colt, by Curlin and as a half to 2016 Ashland winner Weep No More. Following a third behind Fog of War and All About It on debut, he scored a clear-cut maiden victory at Belmont. Still others have chances, including CONCRETE ROSE, a fast first-out winner of a grass sprint at Saratoga.

NINTH RACE

CHAMPAGNE PROBLEMS and BLUE PRIZE battled the length of the Churchill Downs stretch in last month’s Locust Grove, with ‘PRIZE edging ‘PROBLEMS by a nose in a thrilling finish. Hopeful that off the defeat CHAMPAGNE PROBLEMS could be somewhat overlooked in the Spinster, and also because she lacks experience at 1 1/8 miles. Based on pedigree and her sharp form, she ought to get the trip. BLUE PRIZE, third in this race last year when it was run in the slop, also is attractive in the Spinster, not based n her Locust Grove, but also being three for five on the year. She has an obvious affinity for Churchill - so the possibility does exist for regression with a change in surface. TALK VEUVE TO ME went too quickly on the lead in the 1 1/4-mile Alabama, which contributed to her fading to fourth and set the stage for a last-to-first rally from ESKIMO KISSES. A softer pace is anticipated in the Spinster, which should assist her and could compromise ESKIMO KISSES.

TENTH RACE

MAY LILY is in quality form, having recorded a pair of runner-up finishes in second-level turf allowances over her last three starts, with a close fourth in an Ellis stake sandwiched in between. Trainer Greg Foley gives the mount to Corey Lanerie, who was up for her last victory back in January at Fair Grounds. STAVE was merely a length behind the top choice when third at Kentucky Downs Sept. 12, turning in an improved run after a couple disappointing stakes efforts. She won over this course in the spring, and as a 3-year-old, might have a little more room to develop with each race than her older rivals. EXCELLENT SUNSET is two for two in the U.S. after being imported from overseas, winning first at Ellis and then doing so at Saratoga; gets a bit of a class test with the natural progression into a two other-than.