Winning Colors fair odds: Play this standout speed at Churchill

A trio of older fillies and mares look to all have speed among the 11 entered in the Grade 3 Winning Colors Stakes on Monday at Churchill Downs, but only one looks talented enough to see the six furlongs through.

Spirit Wind is the speed of the speed in the Winning Colors. While normally I’d be looking for a closer in a race with a projected speed duel, the options with that running style do not seem fast enough. Spirit Wind does seem capable of going on with it after the other speeds drop off.

Spirit Wind was a long shot against Grade 1 company last out and made the lead but was no match for top-class foes late. José Ortiz retains the mount for the drop in class, and she is fair odds of 3-1 to see it all the way.

Dazzling Blue is the morning-line favorite and certainly the biggest threat to Spirit Wind, but I’m concerned about how short she will be given the connections. Plus her four-race losing streak does not inspire confidence at a short price. One thing I’m not worried about is the widest post, as the outside performs better than the inside going six furlongs beneath the twin spires.

That is another reason I am against Royal Spa as a deep closer. Positano Sunset is better drawn and scares me most as the one running late to run down our top pick.