Expert Pick of the Week: Louisville Stakes
Jun 11, 2020
A talented field of 12 turf specialists will travel 1 1/2 miles in Saturday’s $100,000 Louisville S. (G3) at Churchill Downs. Grade 1 victor Arklow is the most accomplished entrant in the cast as the one to beat under Florent Geroux. But the Brad Cox pupil is likely using this event as a prep race for a bigger endeavor later in the season and could be ripe for an upset. I will take a swing with a longshot in the mostly wide-open field.
Lothenbach Stables’ Ry’s The Guy was an impressive winner on the Churchill turf last season and will make his local return on Saturday for conditioner Ian Wilkes. The bay son of Distorted Humor put in a trio of races at Gulfstream Park going much shorter in 2020, and he will be sharp on the stretch-out in distance in the Louisville. He is the Expert Pick of the Week.
Bred in the Bluegrass State, Ry’s The Guy is from an excellent family of turf performers led by his dam Sleepytime, winner of the 1000 Guineas (G1) at Newmarket in 1997. The bay colt has only run longer than 9 furlongs on the turf on one occasion, and it resulted in a sharp runner-up effort in the Dueling Grounds Derby while facing a solid cast.
Ry’s the Guy has had less than ideal voyages in two straight coming into the Louisville, but he figures to be clear throughout while getting first run on the closers on Saturday. The versatile colt, who removed blinkers in his most recent assignment, has the early foot to establish a good position while in the clear under Chris Landeros. And if he runs like he did at Kentucky Downs last campaign, the 4-year-old will be a tough customer inside the final furlong at a big price.
Expert Pick for the Louisville Stakes
A win by #11 Ry’s The Guy in the Louisville Stakes is the Best Bet of the Week.
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