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Full card analysis on every Kentucky Downs race, AI ratings on every runner, and SmartBet ticket construction.

Free Kentucky Downs Picks & Predictions

Kentucky Downs is an all-turf track, racing from 6 fur to 2 1/16 mi, with fields averaging 12.7 starters. Every card gets free picks on selected races plus a full-card breakdown for subscribers — 7 Kentucky Downs sheets published so far.

Latest Kentucky Downs Free Picks

Kentucky Downs is not racing today. Below are the free picks from the last Kentucky Downs card, September 9, 2026.

Race 1

Maiden Special Weight · 6 1/2 fur · Turf

A wide-open maiden turf sprint with 14 runners and ratings scattered all over the map — one horse is head and shoulders above the field on paper, but maiden turf sprints at this distance are famously unpredictable.

win14Sea Isle CityML 9/2

Sea Isle City is the class of this field by a country mile, posting a TrackWiz rating of 84.9 — more than 30 points clear of the next-best runner. She brings a 33% career win rate into this spot, which is exceptional for a maiden field, and Flavien Prat in the irons is an automatic upgrade at 9/2 on the morning line. Trainer Keri Brion knows how to spot a spot, and this looks like it.

place5MedinahML 4/1

Medinah opens at 4/1 for a barn that knows how to condition a turf horse, and her TrackWiz rating of 55 places her squarely in the second tier of this field. The Mark Casse / Johnny V. combination is always worth respecting at a venue like Kentucky Downs, and in a field with this much uncertainty, she looks like a solid place-ticket anchor.

show7TatianaML 9/2

Tatiana draws post 7 and also goes at 9/2, backed by a 54.17 rating and the powerful Brad Cox barn. Cox has been a fixture at Kentucky Downs for years and consistently delivers fit, ready runners. As a show play in a race this wide open, she represents solid value in any exotic construction.

Race 2

Maiden Special Weight · 1 mi · Turf

A compact nine-horse maiden turf mile where the top three in the TrackWiz ratings are tightly bunched and the morning line is fairly compacted — pace could be the deciding factor over a route on the grass.

win1Bold SpeakerML 5/2

Bold Speaker heads the TrackWiz ratings at 57.5 and opens as the 5/2 morning-line favorite, giving the Brendan Walsh barn a strong shot in what shapes up as an honest pace scenario. He's posted an average speed figure of 53, consistent with the class level, and Tyler Gaffalione — one of the hottest turf jockeys in the country — gives this horse every chance to close the deal. Walsh is a trainer who travels with horses that are ready to run.

place4Social DeceptionML 7/2

Social Deception checks in with a 55.83 rating for the powerful Steven Asmussen operation, going at 7/2. His average speed figure of 53 is right in line with Bold Speaker's, and Erik Asmussen keeps the booking in-house — a sign the barn is confident. At a mile on grass, Asmussen-trained horses often improve from their debut efforts, making this a logical place play.

show6ShowaML 4/1

Showa represents the Wesley Ward barn at 4/1, and Ward's grass debut runners deserve respect every single time. His TrackWiz rating of 55 is nearly identical to Social Deception's, and Jose Ortiz is a tough out anywhere. Ward routinely sends horses into maiden grass races ready to fire first crack — this one fits that profile perfectly.

Race 3

Allowance Optional Claiming · 7 fur · Turf

This allowance optional claiming turf sprint features a clear class standout at the top of the ratings, but a deep mid-pack with multiple horses capable of making a race of it at attractive prices.

win11Rose RulerML 5/2

Rose Ruler is the easy top pick here, posting an eye-catching 87.81 TrackWiz rating — the highest mark in the field by a wide margin. She carries a 28% career win rate and an average speed figure of 58, which stands out in a field where most horses are clustering in the 53-56 range. Flavien Prat takes the mount and trainer Michael Maker consistently delivers at Kentucky Downs. At 5/2 on the morning line, she's not a steal, but the numbers say she belongs at the front of your tickets.

place6Son of a BirchML 5/1

Son of a Birch rates second-best in the field at 67.34, with an average speed figure of 57 — the second-highest posted mark in this race. He goes at 5/1 for the same Maker barn sending out Rose Ruler, and Tyler Gaffalione is a dangerous pilot over the Kentucky Downs turf. A 13% career win rate may look modest, but in an optional claimer on grass, consistency and figure improvement matter more than raw win percentage.

show8GanaasML 6/1

Ganaas is worth a third-place slot at 6/1, coming in with a 65.15 rating and a 28% career win rate that's the highest in the field aside from the top two picks. His average speed figure of 56 is strong, and trainer Andrew McKeever has this horse sitting on a competitive number. At that price, he's a natural fit in any trifecta or superfecta play.

Full Kentucky Downs card for September 9, 2026

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About the Kentucky Downs Racing Surface

Surfaces
Turf
Distance range
6 fur to 2 1/16 mi
Typical field
12.7 starters
Typical card
12.1 races

Most common race conditions at Kentucky Downs: Maiden Special Weight, Stakes, Allowance, Allowance Optional Claiming.

Measured across the last 7 Kentucky Downs cards we have handicapped.

Kentucky Downs Results & Payouts

Official finishing order and mutuel payouts for September 3, 2026.

All Kentucky Downs results →

Recent Kentucky Downs Race Sheets

Recent Kentucky Downs Results & Payouts

Kentucky Downs Picks — Common Questions

Is there a free Kentucky Downs card?

Yes. Every Kentucky Downs race sheet includes free picks with full analysis on selected races, with no account required. The remaining races on the card are part of a TrackWiz subscription.

What surface does Kentucky Downs race on?

Kentucky Downs races on turf. Every race across the last 7 cards was run on the turf.

How many races are on a typical Kentucky Downs card?

Kentucky Downs cards average 12.1 races, with fields of about 12.7 starters. Distances run from 6 fur to 2 1/16 mi.

When are Kentucky Downs picks published?

Kentucky Downs picks are published ahead of the first post for that day's card. We have published 7 Kentucky Downs sheets; you can get each new one by email before post time.