US racing tips: Shane Ketteridge has two selections for Kentucky Downs on Saturday

Mountain Bear
9.41 Kentucky Downs
1pt each-way

Smokey Smokey
10.18 Kentucky Downs
1pt each-way

There is an abundance of prize-money up for grabs on an outstanding Kentucky Downs card, which features a strong European challenge, and Charlie Hills’ Ancient Rome is looking to go back-to-back in the Grade 3 Mint Millions Stakes.

However, there’s another European challenger here in Aidan O’Brien’s Mountain Bear who was second to stablemate Unquestionable in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf the last time he was seen on US soil.

We have yet to see the best from this son of No Nay Never who was only two lengths behind the high-class Haatem when finishing fourth in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot in June and comes into this off the back of an eyecatching second to Mutasarref in a Grade 3 at Leopardstown last month.

Frankie Dettori will likely look to take him back from stall two and use his potent turn of foot late on so look out for a late run from this improving colt.

The feature Grade 1 Franklin-Simpson Stakes is extremely competitive with the majority of this field holding some form of chance but one who catches the eye is the Michael Maker-trained Smokey Smokey.

Ricardo Santana Jr’s mount has been improving nicely this campaign and he gained his first stakes victory with a gutsy display in the Paradise Creek Stakes at Belmont in May. There could be more improvement to come.

A good gallop will suit Smokey Smokey, who can stay out of trouble from a wide draw and pick up the pieces late on.

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