ESR Kickoff Classic

ESR Kickoff Classic

1 KRIS IS BLUFFING scoobi P Davis 4/1

This Pine Bluff veteran is making his 55th start and has been the model of consistency in his prolific career. Winner of 13 with lifetime earnings over $260k, this old hand is making his first career open stakes appearance. Despite running triple digits in 16 of his last 18 starts and an impressive allowance win in his latest, the chestnut senior is left with much to do in this one…needs lifetime best

2 WINDSOR BALLET(KY) balata N Lawton 2/1

The Bernardini colt has been labeled the morning line 2-1 favorite and rightly so. The 5yo balata trained entry has been keeping graded company in 5 of his last 6 starts, the last being a fast closing 4th place finish in the Grade II Middle Ground Mil suggesting a return to form that got him a 2nd place finish in the G3-The Khartoum Challenge…one to beat

3 GHOULS NIGHT OUT(KY) raider S Israel 5/1

Raider sends a very talented daughter of Empire Maker to the post to take on the boys for the first time in her career. Keeping stakes company in her 4yo campaign, the capable filly impressed when beaten narrowly in the G3-The Azeri Breeder’s Bowl in March, and equally impressed LTO when 4th in the G2-The Pitcher Molly. Will have much to prove today but has a chance off best…could surprise

4 DEVILS AND DEMONS(KY) kingab N Painter 4/1

The second half of the kingab entry, the 5yo Unbridled’s Song offspring may have found his best stride LTO when he came flying home to finish 2nd in the Tizhow Stakes. Beat two graded winners to the wire while finishing just a length behind the multi-graded stakes winning ISLAND PARADE…dangerous

5 GARGLE SPRINKLE slew L Gunn 58/1

slew gets the good sportsman award in this one for entering this lifetime c claimer. Claimed two back, even the trainer of recent Hall of Fame inductee QUEEN’S CATS would have to pull something out of his bag of tricks to get this one home first…look elsewhere

6 DEVILISH SCHEME(KY) trotter B Child 4/1

lone graded winner in this field, alas my 5yo Devil His Due, minus an allowance win against limited winners two back, hasn’t been competitive at this level since his win in the G3-The Pal’s Hope in January. One has to wonder just how much that Equinics race took out of him, third start off layoff…chance off best

7 PROUDEST RAJA(KY) irish W Jenkins 11/1

Making his first start since March, irish sharpens this 5yo Consolidator homebred with his first attempt in a stakes. Consistent sort would really have to run out of his skin to compete here, but one you can jot down for its’ next start when irish turns him back into a shorter distance…needs a race

8 HAILO(KY) kingman S Steff 7/1

kingman’s Half Ours filly has been the picture of consistence in her 19 race career finishing ITM 16 times. The 4yo grey is in top form, but that may not be enough against some of the top older males in this race. Give her high marks for determination, and will be easy to find when they leave the gate, she sits the lone speed, and that’s always dangerous…one to catch