The biggest card of the meteoric Kentucky Downs season features 6 stakes races at $2 million-plus and 12 races overall worth just over $14 million combined. It's Day 5 of 7 at the all-turf boutique meeting.


Kentucky Downs | Race 5 | 2:48 pm ET
#6 Cleopatra Serene (7-2 morning line odds) should be forwardly placed throughout off a solid, dueling second at Colonial Downs last out. Runners from Virginia have been strong at KD over the years and this meet has continued to spotlight their value. Catches a field with mostly mid-level track experience. Win bet #6.


Kentucky Downs | Race 7 | 3:59 pm ET

#13 Lagynos (4-1 morning line odds) smashed the competition in the Tapit Stakes here August 28 and concerns about a quick turnaround are lessened when you consult the stats. Trainer Steve Asmussen is 8: 4-0-1 all-time when running a horse twice at the same Kentucky Downs meet, going 3-for-3 in 2023-’24 combined. Lagynos has a strong 2-for-3 local record and loves the course. Win bet #13. Exactas 13 over 1,7,9.


Kentucky Downs | Race 11 | 6:21 pm ET

#3 Tawny Port (10-1 morning line odds) exits the 2-1/16 miles Gold Cup, which runs in a canter and should be a positive to his conditioning while returning on quick rest. Horses running back second time at the Kentucky Downs meeting in 2024 went a sharp 13: 4-2-1 with winners at $10, $11, $16, $21 ($2.31 ROI for every $1 bet). Tawny Port ran one of the signature races of his career on a 2-week turnaround in the Lexington as a 3-year-old. He was third in this race last year and note trainer Miguel Clement has pulled all the right strings with his stable this summer, needing only modest improvement. Win-place bet #3.