The interesting thing about these two grade one winners and their connections is the relationships between them. Wise Dan’s trainer, Charles LoPresti, is the brother-in-law to Point of Entry’s trainer, Shug McGaughey; their wives are sisters. Also, one of McGaughey’s sons works with LoPresti. The jockeys, Lezcano and Velazquez, have each ridden the two horses to victory.
Based on past performance, the winner of this race should be Wise Dan or Point of Entry. The rain coming down at Churchill Downs may produce a yielding or soft turf, but each has a win over that type of surface. However, upsets happen all the time.
A potential upset winner in this field might be Optimizer. Installed at a morning-line of 20-1, this son of the great turf runner English Channel, has won over turf courses rated soft and yielding. His speed figures put him on par with the favorites and he’ll get hot-jock Joel Rosario aboard.
The race is the 10th on the card with a schedule post time of 4:44 p.m. EDT.
Photo: Courtesy Breeders’ Cup
