Night racing!

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Despite temperatures in the 90s, a threat of storms, and a $10 admission fee, Churchill Downs is expecting a big crowd tonight for the debut of night racing.

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The 11-race card averages 8.7 horses per race and is a stakes race away from being what I would call a decent weekend card. There are six claiming races, two turf allowances, a two-year-old filly maiden race, a maiden special on the turf, and a NW2 at seven furlongs on the main track.

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The feature 10th race drew Triple Crown aspirant Flying Pegasus, who will try to use the seven-furlong allowance as a springboard for a second-half stakes campaign.

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Since this figures to be more of a social night, I did my handicapping in advance and came away with opinions in four of the races. I've always wanted to be a newspaper handicapper. Too bad that job is nearly extinct...

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Race 3, Mcl $30,000 (f&m), 1 1/16 miles

1 Metro Devil 5-2 Stalks from inside

6 Palin 20-1 Dropping speed, will refrain from political jokes

7 Queen Gracie 15-1 Ran ok on fast dirt

3 Saintly Shylock 12-1 Could improve

5 Terrell Cheney 2-1 Note barn change

4 Broadway Bertie 6-5 Will try to beat heavy chalk

2 Miss Siby 50-1 Cannot endorse

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Race 4, NW1 (f&m), 5f turf

6 Maxinkuckee Miss 4-1 Shoud be strong on turn back

5 Ocean Colors 3-1 Well-bred, speed of the speed

7 Ten Lil Indians 12-1 Out of Polish Navy mare, could like turf

1 Rinterval (Ire) 9-2 Second to Lush Lashes in '07!

9 Rock 'n' Roll Gal 5-1 Spanish Steps filly was 155k 2yo purchase

4 Sun Valley Storm 20-1 Well-bred for this, steps up

3 County Lass 5-1 Adds to pace

2 Nadadora 10-1 Must improve

8 Just Pick Me 15-1 Indiana shipper

1A Humor and Lights 9-2 Sleeper on AE list

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Race 5, MSW (2yo f), 4.5f

5 Rapport 7-2 475k Saratoga yearling, "Legends"

2 Ad Litem 5-1 Successful Appeal, good works

1 Miss Diane 4-1 Half of solid looking entry

1A Yes It's Valid 4-1 Half of solid looking entry

8 Sixtysix Margaux 3-1 Tote will tell if barn likes

9 Mesa Mirage 12-1 Sky Mesa, could surprise

6 Rita's Gold 12-1 Medallist could have a few fast ones

3 Mapatazzi 5-1 "Other" Asmussen

7 Imagine Now 15-1 Good juvenile sire, could need one

4 Bell's Shoes 12-1 Works look slow

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Race 6, MSW, 1 1/16 miles turf

6 Just Right (Fr) 3-1 The key, if speed is holding on turf

1 Rotterdam 10-1 Turns it around at a price

2 Schramsberg 8-1 Big pedigree firster; Pletcher-Borel!?

9 Tigresco 12-1 Another firster with good family

5 Home Field 6-1 Live claiming outfit, turf blood on dam side

8 Lamm 10-1 Needs a little more oomph

3 Dahlgonit 8-1 Could share

4 Buriedbeyondbelief 10-1 Some upside potential

10 Whirling Thunder 5-2 Cannot endorse this chalk for the win

7 Go Kenny Go 20-1 Even South Park fans should give him one