Thirteen Stripes is looking for her second career win tomorrow in the sixth race at Churchill Downs for trainer Steve Asmussen. Our 4-year-old filly hit the board twice this winter and always shows up. We found a level that we believe she can be competitive in and with jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. in the irons, we are hopeful that Thirteen Stripes will make a good accounting of herself in what appears to be a fairly evenly matched field.
She will be breaking from post position 8 in the nine-horse field in the 6 1/2-furlong race. Post time is approximately 3:18 p.m. ET. She received morning line odds of 10/1.
About the Competition (in post position order):
A Paycheque Smile (6/1) broke her maiden two starts back. She had a troubled start in her last race, but stayed engaged and ran well. She should improve off of that experience and fits this race well in what will be her first start at Churchill Downs.
More Romance (10/1) hasn’t run since November, when she was claimed. She’s been consistently working since March and appears to be plenty fit for her return to the races. Trainer Marianne Scherer has a 20% win rate with horses first off the claim.
Four Dawn (4/1) makes her first start off the claim for trainer Mark Simms Jr. following finishing a second-place finish last time out after having the lead in the stretch. She is consistent enough to expect her to run well here.
Zmuda (4/1) graduated last time out at Oaklawn, where she was very game and showed that she can handle adversity. She faces winners for the first time here, but the light bulb seems to have come on for her.
High Fair (6/1) isn’t too consistent in her racing, but should like the distance here along with the slight class relief.
My Coralena (10/1) has been running well this year, and is a versatile competitor, as she runs her race whether she is on the lead or coming from behind.
Yes to Mischief (7/2), the ML favorite, appreciated the class drop last time out and could return to the winner’s circle here with a cutback in distance.
Ipsum Gratus (8/1) drops in class and cuts back to sprinting after a pair of allowance level races. She is plenty fit and trainer Tom Van Berg wins 22% of the time with horses going from route races to sprints.
