Sweltering heat around Franklin, KY will shorten the Kentucky Downs Thursday action that gets underway at an earlier noon ET / 11 am CT local start. Only Races 1-7 will be offered Thursday in an attempt to beat the heat while remaining races will be brought back later in the 1/ST BET Kentucky Downs meeting.

The 1/ST BET and Xpressbet daily $3,000 Exacta-Thon could prove even more lucrative if able to pull down winning exactas ($2 minimum) in at least 3 of races. The 7 chances Thursday likely means fewer players sharing in the bonus money, creating a bigger winning split. Don’t sleep on win plays as exotics at Kentucky Downs can be a challenge, witnessed by our 4 plays in this space on Sunday – which included 3 winners at nice prices but unsuccessful deliveries of the runners-up to complete an exacta.

Let’s get to work.

Kentucky Downs: Race 3 | 1:00 pm ET
#6 Turino (7-2 morning line odds) was a strong second here in 2023 and makes her first local bid in 2 years while carrying good form this year at Gulfstream. The offspring of Kantharos are fabulous locally, winning 25% with a $3.06 return for every $1 bet. Saffie Joseph wins 25% in local allowance races over the past 5 years with a profitable ROI to boot. I’ll key Turino on top and play to win.

Exacta-Thon plays: 6 over 2,5,7


Kentucky Downs: Race 5 | 2:06 pm ET
#2 That Wasn’t Me (6-1 morning line odds) had no chance behind a slow pace at Colonial Downs last time and note that circuit has produced a flat-bet profit the last 5 years at KD with its shippers (and produced 3 winners opening week). Kelsey Danner’s runners were knocking on the door last week locally and keep in mind this one’s sire, Blame, had a fantastic 19% local win rate the last 5 years with a gawdy $1.85 return for every $1 bet. Lots to like. Win bet and key to the exactas.

Exacta-Thon plays: Key-box 2 with 4,6,10.


Kentucky Downs: Race 6 | 2:39 pm ET
#6 One Sweet Girl (12-1 morning line odds) is the day’s price play for me returning to the allowance ranks, where she’s won 2 straight clouded around some decent stakes tries. Note that sire Good Samaritan’s offspring are a wild 26% winner over this turf course the last 5 years with a $1.40 return on every $1 bet. She’s never been on the KD turf, but look for this Carlos David trainee to handle it on pedigree and note jockey Jaime Torres won 2 races here opening week. Strong pace set-up helps her finish. Win-place money for sure.

Exacta-Thon plays: Key-box 6 with 7,8