Increased purses lure big-name jockeys to Kentucky Downs for Wednesday card

One look at the names of the jockeys who will be in action on a 10-race Wednesday card at Kentucky Downs suggests that something’s up.

Purses are up – way up, with a $102,000 allowance anchoring the program – which is the main reason Kent Desormeaux, Calvin Borel, Rosie Napravnik, Julien Leparoux, Robby Albarado, Corey Lanerie, and a host of other top riders will make a day trip to the turf-only track in south-central Kentucky

Counting also-eligibles, a whopping 132 horses are on the program, which is highlighted by four straight allowances (races 6-9) with minimum purses of $100,000 (half of which are restricted to horses eligible to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund).

The $102,000 allowance (race 9) that serves as the nominal feature carries a second-level restriction and typifies the entire day with its wide-open look. Whoever the favorite might be among the oversubscribed lineup of fillies and mares, she seemingly can’t be anything lower than 3-1. The race goes at a mile and 70 yards.

Post time for the first of three straight Wednesday cards is 1:35 p.m. Central, with the ninth race set for 5:35.

The richest card of the five-day meet is set for Saturday, with four stakes led by the Grade 3, $600,000 Kentucky Turf Cup. Entries were to be drawn Tuesday.

KEY CONTENDERS

Bold Kitten (Last 3 Beyers: 62-75-80)

◗ The Illinois homebred matches up Beyer Speed Figure-wise and otherwise with the other top contenders and has been competitive on several occasions when trying to get through this condition.

◗ Owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey won a record nine races last fall at Kentucky Downs and intend to have plenty of action throughout this meet.

Bitty Kitty (Last 3 Beyers: 85-85-66)

◗ The chestnut filly took 10 tries to win a maiden race, but now she’s on a roll and will be seeking a third straight victory when well drawn toward the rail.

◗ Trainer Brendan Walsh, a former assistant to Eddie Kenneally, shows solid percentages with these layoff types (19 percent) and with repeaters (20 percent) over the past year.

Faerie Queene (Last 3 Beyers: 49-81-79)

◗ She has yet to run back to that terrific first-level score on the Kentucky Derby undercard, but if you throw out that Indiana stakes defeat in the slop and take a hard look at her May 17 and July 5 efforts, she looks as good as any of these.

Seanchai (Last 3 Beyers: 77-80-75)

◗ She has gone winless in nine tries since being turned over to Tom Proctor, but this English Channel mare continues to help out the exotics players, having racked up nine seconds or thirds from 22 career starts.