The last of 7 Kentucky Downs programs for 2025 includes 11 races, highlighted by the Grade 3 $2 million Dueling Grounds Oaks in Race 10. After a good start to the meet, last week took its toll with little luck. Let’s finish strong in the finale.


Kentucky Downs | Race 1 | 1:25 pm ET
#11 Tropical Night (12-1 morning line odds) represents a Rudy Brisset barn that’s been one of the most effective and profitable with limited Kentucky Downs strikes in recent years. First-time starter lures Tyler Gaffalione, who wins 38% in pairings with Brisset. Barn not known for rookie success, but did debut a turf sprint winner this summer at Churchill at 9-2 odds. Perfectly spaced and quick workout tab since early July for this lucrative maiden purse. By elite turf sprinter World of Trouble, she’s kin to 3 runners who raced, including a debut winner and debut runner-up. Win-place bet #11.


Kentucky Downs | Race 4 | 3:05 pm ET
#1 Tickin Time Blonde (20-1 morning line odds) wheels back off a maiden win Aug. 31 over the course for a trainer in Vickie Oliver not known to cram 2 starts in at Kentucky Downs (only 3 times over the last decade-plus). Tells me she responded well off the win and leading rider Frankie Dettori rides again. Slow speed figure the reason for the high ML price, but she’s a turf sprinter catching a lot of routers in this spot and may be fast enough. Win-place bet #1.



Kentucky Downs | Race 9 | 5:57 pm ET
#8 Green Light (8-1 morning line odds) looks to bounce back from a disappointing stakes try at Ellis Park. The easier class level helps, and it appears this colt was a cut below his best both times at Ellis, perhaps not taking to that short-cropped turf course as well as others. First time at Kentucky Downs, but the Churchill, Saratoga and Keeneland form fits today. Win-place bet #8. Exacta box 9-14 with Quatrocento if that recent meet winner is able to draw in from the also-eligible list. Daily Doubles 9,14 with 7,2 to the Brad Cox-trained pair of Fionn and Destino d’Oro in the featured Dueling Grounds Oaks.