It is the last day of the 2020 Mid Summer Spectacular segment, so make your picks count. It is close at the top. We’ve got 5 grade 1 stakes races for you today. Two races from Saratoga, and 4 from Churchill Downs. Let’s get to it!
Race 1: Pat Day Mile Stakes (G2)
- Cezanne – back to shorter distance 1m, got the speed, winner at distance and 2/3 lifetime, working bullter, hot jockey
- Echo Town – Winner of last race, fast speed horse, high percentage jockey/trainer
- Rushie – 3rd in two tough races, no shame in losing to Art Collector, Swiss Skydiver, Honor A.P. and Authentic. winner at distance, fast dirt speed, working well
- Just Missed – No Parole – looks like a hero or a zero with this horse. Working out well, winner at distance, could be good value? Watch for Tap It to Win as well
Race 2: Jim Dandy Stakes (G1)
- Happy Saver – Wow that speed! Winner at distance, high percentage jockey/trainer, undefeated in 2 starts, winner at Saratoga at distance
- Dr Post – Couldn’t get it done against the big guns who are in the derby, but should do well in this spot, high percentage jockey/trainer, I think they saved him for this race, so layoff is not a concern
- Jesus’ Team – 2nd to Pneumatic in the Pegasus, looking fast, working out well, 4th in Haskell to some good horses, will compete well
Race 3: Derby City Distaff Stakes (G1)
- Serengeti Empress – Hard to bet against her, winner last time out, winner of 2/3 at distance, high speed ratings, winner at Churchill, working well, high percentage jockey
- Bellafina – Two seconds and a first in last 3 starts, working out well, winner at distance and 6 2-3-1, Mike Smith of course
- Ce Ce – Working out well, good jockey, hasn’t raced distance, failing as favorite, enough to compete? Or should I have picked Mia Mischief?
Race 4: Woodward Handicap (G1)
- Tacitus – looks to have this wrapped up, fastest speed, winner last race, winner at distance, high percentage jockey, second twice at Saratoga?
- Moretti – Only horse I think can make the distance with Tacitus, won last race, winner at Saratoga, hot jockey/trainer
- Spinoff – Winner last race at Saratoga, hot jockey/trainer, moving up in class after running against lesser foes, and not winning. Tacitus is the one to bet
Race 5: Turf Classic Stakes (G1)
- Factor This – winner of last 4, and 3/4 at distance, good speed figs, hot trainer, hasn’t finished worse than 5th in 2 years
- Sacred Life – coming off a win, always hanging around the front, working out very well, hasn’t gone the distance yet
- Somelikeithotbrown – Coming off a win last race at Saratoga in the Bernard Baruch, working out well, high percentage jockey/trainer, has won at distance 2 1-0-1, racing well in 2020 5 2-1-1
Race 6: Kentucky Derby (G1)
- Tiz the Law – It is going to be extremely hard to beat the favorites here, and Tiz the Law is the favorite. Favorites have been winning a lot over the last 10 years. Killed them in the Travers, won all 4 times in 2020, has won at distance, working out well
- Honor A.P. – hasn’t gone the distance, lost race race as favorite, never underestimate Mike Smith to ride a California horse into the winner’s circle and ruin everyone’s day
- Authentic – winner of the Haskell, only one second in lifetime, experienced trainer/jockey, working bullets, beaten favorite by Honor A.P.
Well, I think we missed out on a great race when Art Collector scratched, but it will still be great to see the horses racing at the Kentucky Derby. Enjoy a great day of racing everyone. Try and get all 6 right in the Pick 6 Challenge.

One response to “Kentucky Derby Day, Last Day of the Mid Summer Spectacular, September 5th”
How did we do?
Race 1: Pat Day Mile Stakes (G2)
Cezanne – SCR
Echo Town – 5
Rushie – 1
Just Missed – No Parole – SCR
Race 2: Jim Dandy Stakes (G1)
Happy Saver – SCR
Dr Post – 4
Jesus’ Team – 3
Race 3: Derby City Distaff Stakes (G1)
Serengeti Empress – 2
Bellafina – 6
Ce Ce – 4
Race 4: Woodward Handicap (G1)
Tacitus – 2
Moretti – SCR
Spinoff – 4
Race 5: Turf Classic Stakes (G1)
Factor This – 2
Sacred Life – 4
Somelikeithotbrown – 9
Race 6: Kentucky Derby (G1)
Tiz the Law – 2
Honor A.P. – 4
Authentic – 1
A couple wins, but I’m seeing a whole lotta second up there.