With another Breeders’ Cup in the books, the big-race spotlight this month focuses primarily on Belmont Park, Del Mar, and Churchill Downs before winter staples such as Gulfstream Park’s Championship Meet, Fair Grounds, and Oaklawn Park open around Thanksgiving.

Churchill Downs’ Saturday feature is the Grade 3 River City Stakes for middle-distance turf horses, and this year’s renewal drew a competitive field of eight veterans ages 4 and older. The River City will be broadcast live on FanDuel TV.

1. Carcano: In good form after stretching out in distance last winter, winning a 1 3/16-mile allowance on turf at Colonial Downs and then finishing second by a head to Just a Touch in the 1 ½-mile Colonial Cup Stakes. Also has a second and a third in allowance races 1 ¼ miles or longer during that stretch. Will he be as effective cutting back to a mile and an eighth?

JOCKEY: Jaime Torres; TRAINER: Vicki Oliver

2. Mercante: Finished third in this race last year and hasn’t won since late May 2025, when he annexed a 1 1/16-mile turf stakes on this course. Tough spot to try to break a nine-race losing streak, and he seems to find trouble often. A millionaire who appears to be past his prime.

JOCKEY: Walter Rodriguez; TRAINER: Brian Knippenberg

3. Vote No: Ran on late to nab third in the 1 ½-mile Sycamore Stakes last month at Keeneland behind Lambeth, and finished second by a half-length to Plensa in a 1 1/16-mile stakes at Kentucky Downs a start before that. He’s another carrying a long losing streak into this spot, in this case 11 starts. 

JOCKEY: Umberto Rispoli; TRAINER: Kelsey Danner

4. Lambeth: Drew into the mile-and-a-half Sycamore Stakes at Keeneland and rallied strongly in the stretch to win by a length. Nearly defeated long-winded veteran Tawny Port in a marathon 2 1/16-mile stakes at Kentucky Downs one start prior. A win threat who should be rallying late, and the shorter distance in this spot might actually be better for him.

JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Joe Sharp

Kupuna (Chelsea Durand/NYRA)

5. Kupuna: Former dirt horse has blossomed since being switched to grass, and he’s well rested, having made his last start in the 1 1/16-mile Bernard Baruch Stakes Presented by Snap-On Sept. 3 at Saratoga, where he won at 12-1 odds. That was only his third start of the year, which also includes a win in a 1 1/16-mile stakes at Fair Grounds in January and a rallying third in a 1 1/8-mile stakes on the same course in February. He’s 1-for-1 on Churchill’s turf and might be overlooked somewhat on the tote board.

JOCKEY: Francisco Arrieta; TRAINER: Norm Casse

6. Teao: Wild card in this race as he is scheduled to make his first start in North America. Won six of 12 starts in South America, 11 of those coming in his native Chile. Sports four Group 1 wins on his résumé, but the highest level in the Southern Hemisphere is lower than it is here. Still, this off-the-pace runner with top connections must be respected.

JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: John Sadler

7. Plensa: Two of his three career wins have come in stakes at Kentucky Downs, including a half-length, late running score in the 1 1/16-mile Tapit Stakes in September. He followed that up with a nonthreatening seventh in the Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes at Keeneland, facing tougher competition than he’ll meet Saturday. He did earn a maiden win on this course going a mile, but that was way back in June 2025.

JOCKEY: Axel Concepcion; TRAINER: Rusty Arnold

8. Ole Crazy Bone: Had a good run from August 2025 to July 2026 that put him near the top rank of long-distance North American turf runners, winning Grade 2 stakes at Kentucky Downs last year and then Saratoga in July at 1 ½ miles and 1 3/8 miles, respectively. Has since finished sixth and then a puzzling eighth of nine in big-money stakes at Saratoga and Kentucky Downs, however. Seeks a rebound in this easier spot and he’s a threat to do that, especially since he projects to be the main speed in the race.

JOCKEY: Tyler Gaffalione; TRAINER: Mike Maker

THE PICK: Ole Crazy Bone

LIVE LONGSHOT: Kupuna

SUPERFECTA: 8-5-6-4