River City

Friday’s $150,000 River City H. (G3) features a field of nine turf horses at
Churchill Downs, and none of the contestants have started over the course.
BALLAST (Ire) (Desert Prince [Ire]) exits a sharp allowance score at Keeneland,
and we’ll give him top billing.

Trained by Graham Motion, the five-year-old gelding competed in handicap
races in England last season and made his U.S. bow in May at Pimlico, finishing
third in an allowance/optional claiming event. Ballast earned his first victory
stateside two starts later at Saratoga, but he didn’t fire his best effort when
stepping up to tackle graded rivals in the Woodbine Mile (Can-G1) next time out.
The chestnut rebounded with a strong showing last time, earning a 100 BRIS Late
Pace rating for his 1 1/2-length decision, and he owns a 3-2-1-0 mark at 1 1/8
miles. We’ll look for him to carry his form forward for an initial stakes
victory.

ART MASTER (Royal Academy) is the 5-2 favorite on the morning line, and the
Bobby Frankel pupil exits a solid third in his first U.S. appearance, the Kelso
Breeders’ Cup H. (G2). The five-year-old horse got involved too late that
afternoon to challenge for the win, but he stretches out an extra furlong on
Friday and could be along in time for the win under Edgar Prado.

VICTORY DESIGN (Ire) (Danehill) has turned in two solid performances since
arriving in America, including a sharp allowance win at Keeneland most recently,
and we wouldn’t be surprised to see him keep showing more for trainer Patrick
Biancone. We’ll use the late runner in the top three.

LORD ADMIRAL (El Prado [Ire]) finished a decent third when making his first
American appearance last out in the Oak Tree Breeders’ Cup Mile (G2), and the
five-year-old was a very solid performer overseas. He is winless from nine
starts this season, but Lord Admiral gets part often and deserves serious
consideration for the exotics.

SILVER WHISTLE (Alphabet Soup) fits well at this level, but the Bill Mott
runner seems to prefer longer distances. He finished second in his only start at
this distance, but that was last year when his form was a little stronger. We
have a difficult time recommending his chances for the win based on his recent
outings, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see Silver Whistle earn a minor share. COURTNALL (Cherokee Run) finished only a length back of Aragorn (Ire) (Giant’s
Causeway) when second in the Oak Tree Breeders’ Cup Mile last out, and the
five-year-old gelding has improved since, finishing third versus $50,000 claimers
in late June. However, the Craig Dollase trainee has never started outside of
California, and we’ll just watch to see how he fares in this spot.

BAYEUX (Red Ransom) owns solid European form and will receive Lasix for his
U.S. debut, but the five-year-old gelding looks more formidable at shorter
distances. CHIEF EXPORT (Chief Seattle) is the speed, but the four-year-old
gelding may not be good enough to sustain it at this level. ERRONEOUS I D
(Subordination) will also be stepping up in class, and he’s competed mostly at
shorter distances.