Kentucky Jockey Club

Saturday’s $200,000 Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) is the co-feature on
Churchill Downs’ closing day program and has attracted eight juveniles for the 1
1/16 miles on the main track. PRIVATE VOW (Broken Vow) is a prohibitive 6-5
choice on the morning line, and we won’t go against the promising Steve Asmussen-trained
colt.

Winner of the Futurity S. (G2) two starts back, Private Vow was advancing
into contention down the backstretch of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) when a
rein broke, forcing his jockey to pull him up. His BRIS Speed ratings from his
two starts previous to that one, 98 and 101, are better than any of his rivals have earned,
and Private Vow can be placed anywhere with his tactical speed. Shaun Bridgmohan
picks up the mount and should be forwardly placed in the early running before
asking for Private Vow’s best.

HIGH COTTON (Dixie Union) bounced back from a troubled trip in the Breeders’
Futurity (G1) to just miss in the Iroquois S. (G3) last time, falling short by a
neck. He made a clear lead at the top of the stretch last time and battled back
when overtaken by the eventual winner, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see
continued improvement from the Todd Pletcher trainee. Robby Albarado will
probably send the bay colt right to the lead from the rail, and High Cotton is a
threat to spring a small wire-to-wire upset.

CATCOMINATCHA (Tale of the Cat) rallied boldly to capture the Iroquois and
ran well around two turns when second in the Breeders’ Futurity two starts back.
The Eddie Kenneally charge has worked well since and probably shouldn’t be kept
out of the exotics with his fine turn of foot. Bill Troilo will ride.

GREAT POINT (Point Given) captured his career bow by 8 3/4 lengths but didn’t
fire when eighth in the Nashua S. (G3) last out. He’s certainly eligible to
improve with that seasoning under his belt and should appreciate the added
ground, and the Nick Zito trainee will get Rafael Bejarano in the saddle. Great
Point looms as a darkhorse candidate for the upset but is probably better used
on the bottom of the gimmicks.

CARSE (Wekiva Spring) steps up to face winners off a maiden score over the
track. He improved for trainer Dale Romans when stretching out in distance and
may continue to show more with a decent showing from off the pace on Saturday.
RED RAYMOND (Deputy Commander) turned in a dull showing in the Iroquois and has
some class concerns in this spot. We’ll just watch to see how the stakes-winning
colt fares.

HYTE REGENCY (Diligence) has shown a preference for the grass and may return
to the sod following this experiment. INTERNATIONAL CAT (Cat Thief) probably
needs an easier spot to be competitive.