Published On: October 29th, 2023

DeRosa: The Best Bet Sunday at Churchill Downs is…

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KENTUCKY — By Ed DeRosa

It’s a big week for two-year-old racing–what with the Breeders’ Cup Future Stars Friday card just 6 days away as of this writing–and Churchill Downs starts the week off proper with its Stars of Tomorrow card on Sunday.

That’s right. It’s all two-year-old racing beneath the Twin Spires on Sunday with 11 races led by the Grade 3 Street Sense Stakes, and we have a bet for you!

#4 Moonlight ships to Churchill Downs for trainer Todd Pletcher after an impressive win last time out at Aqueduct. Now, in years past I’d be concerned about why Pletcher is leaving New York with this horse considering all the opportunities there, but A) he’s done this before, and B) he’s more active than ever in Kentucky.

And of course, Moonlight fits on merits. That maiden win is the best performance of any of these, and if he runs back to it (let alone improves) he’s the horse to beat.

This is a race I have no interest in overthinking. If Moonlight is at least 2-to-1 odds going to the gate then it is worth placing a WIN bet on.

Speaking of Breeders’ Cup, don’t forget that across all social media channels @myrailbirds will have team coverage of horse racing’s world championship, including some content from me live at Santa Anita Park Nov. 3-4!

Moonlight racing at Churchill Downs in the Street Sense Stakes

Photo – Coady Photography