In addition, a field of ten two-year-old fillies will head to the gate in the $100,000 Debutante (G3) at Churchill Downs, and eight three-year-old fillies will compete in the $150,000 Hollywood Oaks (G2) at Betfair Hollywood Park.
The Mother Goose attracted a field of only five, with Wildcat’s Smile likely to scratch in favor of Sunday’s $125,000 Bouwerie Stakes, which would bring the field down to just four.
While it may not be a very good race to wager on, it will be an intriguing race to watch, with Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Believe You Can taking on the Acorn (G1) winner Contested.
Acorn runner up Zo Impressive and Black Eyed Susan (G2) runner up Disposiblepleasure complete the compact field.
The Hollywood Oaks drew a competitive field of eight led by Willa B. Awesome, who is coming off back to back wins in the Santa Anita Oaks (G1) and the Melair, the margins of victory in both a nose.
Her main rivals appear to be Eden’s Moon, who won the Las Virgines (G1) back in March but faded badly to finish 14th in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) in her last outing, and Killer Graces, who is winless in three starts since winning the Hollywood Starlet (G1) last December.
The Debutante at Churchill Downs features a group of ten two-year-old fillies, none of which have faced winners to date.
Eight are coming off their maiden wins while two come into the race looking to pick up their first career win in the Grade 3 race.
I’m going with Blueeyesintherein, who looked impressive in her maiden score and is sent out by the Garry Simms barn that has been hot and won the Debutante last year.
Michael Dempsey provides his selections for Belmont Park and Churchill Downs each racing day. Mike’s Best Plays Report is available each weekend, with his strongest plays and selections including the top stakes races.
Let’s head out to Churchill Downs for Saturday’s featured race of the day:
Churchill Downs Race 10 The Debutante (G3) Post time 5:25 ET
Blueeyesintherein 5-2
Floral Sky 4-1
Richie’slilcowgirl 3-1
Quiet Success 6-1
Blueeyesintherein tracked the early pace from the outside and came home strong to break her maiden in her debut by 3 ¾ lengths with something left in the tank. The Garry Simms barn has been on fire at the meeting, hitting with five of his first eight starters with a couple of seconds. The barn won this race last year with longshot Flashy Lassie, who returned $37.20. Our top pick took some action in her debut, sent off at 5-2 in the field of nine. Only two have come out of the race to run back, the fifth place finisher Wildcat Angie a next out graduate on June 8.
Floral Sky hopped a bit at the start, was rushed up into contention and drew off late to break her maiden in her debut. The fifth place finisher Jane’s Heir exited the race to break her maiden in her next outing on June 14 here. The barn does good work with juveniles and this $230K Keeneland purchase has a nice pedigree. She is by Sky Mesa out of a Forest Wildcat mare that has dropped one other foal to race, stakes winner Dougs Buddy (5 for 6, $140K).
Richie’slilcowgirl took the field gate to wire to break her maiden over the polytrack at Arlington park for the Larry Rivelli barn. She was purchased privately after that win and lands with the Steve Asmussen barn that is 22% winners with newcomers to the barn. She looked good breaking her maiden but she did not beat a very tough group. Three came out of the race to run back and the best finish among the trio was a fourth.
Wagering:
WIN: Blueeyesintherein to win at 9-5 or better.
EXACTA: 3,5 / 2,3,5,10
TRIFECTA: 3,5 / 2,3,5,10 / 2,3,5,6,10
