Saturday's Best Bet: Rockemperor a solid contender in Turf Classic
Saturday’s 13th race from Churchill Downs is the Grade 1 Turf Classic Stakes for 4-year-olds and up traveling a mile and an eighth on the turf course (Post Time 5:50 p.m. ET).
Click here for Churchill Downs Entries, Results
#3 ROCKEMPEROR (7-2) has been unlucky this year. He rallied for the show in his first start after a long layoff in the Muniz (G2), and forwardly placed runners dominated that event. He got no pace help at all and ran well in his last pair. He lost a tough one to the classy United in the Whittingham (G2), and was placed 3rd through disqualification. In the Manhattan (G1) last time, he stalked, grabbed a short lead, and his talented stablemate Instilled Regard got him in deep stretch. He is training well for this and can fire a fresh shot, and can win this if he get some pace help. He is probably at his absolute best at a mile and a quarter, but this shorter trip is doable.
#1 Factor This (3-1) has been on a roll this year, and he just keeps running the same race and numbers. He gets out there and battles on the pace, and he persevered in his last four. He likes this distance and has won here before, and the early-pressing win type handles any kind of turf footing. He won’t quit it pressured, and will try hard all the way to the end.
#8 Sacred Life (6-1) exits a big win in the Oceanport at Monmouth, and he earned a strong late pace rating that day. He was a decent sort in France in 2018 and placed in a couple of graded turf routes in this country last year.
#6 Mr. Dumas (12-1) likes this oval and enters in decent form. I like his tactical speed and he has won at this distance before. He can spice up the exotics.
#7 True Valour (12-1) moves to the Graham Motion barn and this one captured a couple of flat mile graded turf events in California last year. He has done just enough to be considered a fringe contender.
I have always liked #4 Digital Age (6-1), and one thing that really bothers me is his record beyond a mile and a sixteenth. Up to and including that distance, he is 4-for-4, but beyond a mile and a sixteenth he is 0-for-6 with two runner-up finishes. He fired in both optional claiming turf routes this year and exits a confidence boosting score at 8.5 furlongs. He is probably ready to return to the stakes ranks but I am not sure about this level, and I already expressed my concern about this trip.
#9 Somelikeithotbrown (8-1) and/or #10 Spectacular Gem (10-1) are classy and talented enough to soften up morning line favorite Factor This. If they do, it should set the table for my top or another patient runner.
Wagers:
#3 to win
Exacta 3/1-8
Exacta 1-8/3
Trifecta 1-3/ALL/8
Superfecta 3-8/1-3-6-7-8/ALL/6-7
Recent Best Bet Winners
Aug 29 - C Z ROCKET ($4.20), Quinella ($6.60), Trifecta ($19.30)
Sept 3 - GIRL DADDY ($8.60), Exacta ($22.80)