It’s another Saturday of racing at Kentucky Downs, so say hello to huge purses and large fields. On this weekend day among the highlights of the card is the $2.5 million FanDuel TV Mint Millions Invitational Stakes, which attracted a competitive field of 13 that includes last year’s winner, Goliad, to travel a mile for a rich payday.

1. Goliad (5-1 morning-line odds): He won last year’s Mint Millions at 9-1 odds in front-running fashion but is winless in three starts since then. He was no better than sixth in those graded stakes appearances but … he’s 2-for-2 at Kentucky Downs and very likely to perk up here.

JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Richard Mandella

2.  Major Dude (6-1): He’s consistent as he’s finished no worse than fourth in five of his six 2025 starts. His lone dud was a sixth in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes Presented by Qatar Racing, which is excusable and he was only beaten by three lengths. Being 0-for-6 this year makes him a risky win bet but he’s usable in the exotics.

JOCKEY: John Velazquez; TRAINER: Todd Pletcher

3. Cairo (12-1): Had some trouble while finishing fifth in the Arlington Million Stakes while making his U.S. debut. He’s only 3-for-22 in his lifetime and probably wants more distance than a mile.

JOCKEY: Ben Curtis; TRAINER: Alice Haynes

4. Air Recruit (15-1): He’s 2-for-2 since returning from a 20-month layoff. Won the Oceanport Stakes at Monmouth Park last time, but he faces better company here and could find himself in a swift early pace duel.

JOCKEY: Joel Rosario; TRAINER: Arnaud Delacour

5. Spirit of St Louis (6-1): Was a Grade 1 winner earlier in the year, but failed to fire in his last two tries against top-level rivals. Should benefit from the distance and some class relief in a Grade 3 stakes.

JOCKEY: Manny Franco; TRAINER: Chad Brown

6. Swift Delivery (20-1): Seems to run better on an all-weather surface than turf. Still, he comes off two fast wins on synthetics, and he be a threat if he can transfer that form to turf.

JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr.; TRAINER: Mark Casse

Brilliant Bertie (Coady Media)

7. Brilliant Berti (8-1): Was given time off after winning the Grade 2 Wise Dan Stakes June 28 to point for this. He won a mile stakes here last year and looks like a top contender.

JOCKEY: Brian J. Hernandez Jr.; TRAINER: Cherie DeVaux

8. Steal Sunshine (15-1): Is coming off a second in an allowance-optional claimer at Gulfstream Park, which marked the first time he placed in two turf starts. He’ll very likely have a tougher time on this course than the grass at Gulfstream.

JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Bobby Dibona

9. Point Lynas (8-1): With the course more typical of a European surface than an American, overseas shippers need special consideration. He was second two starts back in a Group 2 stakes at Ascot and cannot be overlooked here.

JOCKEY: Frankie Dettori; TRAINER: Edward Bethell

10. St Anthony (30-1): He’s winless since the 2024 Oceanport and has been no better than fourth in those seven starts. Faces a big challenge here.

JOCKEY: Tyler Gaffalione; TRAINER: Neil Drysdale

11. Epic Ride (15-1): Finished a game second in a prep for this at Ellis Park. He’s another with speed who can be part of the early pace scenario and seems capable of hanging around until the end.

JOCKEY: Edgar Morales; TRAINER: John Ennis

12. Beach Gold (15-1): He rallied from eighth to win the aforementioned prep race at Ellis Park, winning by three-quarters of a length over Epic Ride. He was 22-1 that day and was making his stakes debut, so this should be an acid test for him.

JOCKEY: Keith Asmussen; TRAINER: Patrick Biancone

13. Lagynos (4-1): Makes a quick return after winning an Aug. 28 stakes here. Was third, beaten by three-quarters of a length in the Wise Dan, and merits a close look here.

JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen

THE PICK: Point Lynas

LIVE LONGSHOTS: Point Lynas, Cairo 

SUPERFECTA: 9-7-1-13