July 4 is not only a great day to be an American, but also a great day to be a bettor. Churchill Downs will be wrapping up their meet and the last stakes race of the meet is the Grade 2 Firecracker Handicap over one mile on the turf for three-year-olds and upward. The main attraction for this race is 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird. The gelded son of Birdstone will be racing for the first time since finishing ninth in the Breeders Cup Classic last fall. He has been assigned top weight of 122 pounds.

This field looks competitive from top to bottom. I like a nice price horse named Public Speaker (8-1). The son of Distorted Humor was last seen finishing second in an ungraded stakes race over this same turf course on June 11. The winner of that race, Tizdejavu, is also entered here. I think Public Speaker can turn the tables and win this time. His running style is perfect for this race and he will get first jump on the pace setters.

Public Speaker has won three times from four starts at the Firecracker distance. This colt has run behind some nice horses this year including Rahystrada, Proceed Bee, and Karelian. He was fourth behind Blame in his final race of 2009. Trainer Ken McPeek does well with turf runners and jockey Robby Albarado has given him two nice rides in the past. Look for Public Speaker to run a huge race at odds of 8-1.

Some horses to consider for exotic purposes are Inca King and Euroears. Both are very familiar with the winners circle having won 15 and 8 times, respectively. Inca King is 5 for 5 this year against lesser horses, but don’t let fool you. He is a classy runner. Euroears has 2 wins from 3 starts on the turf and has performed well routing on the dirt this year. I expect his form to transfer.

So to recap, my top selection in the Firecracker Handicap is Public Speaker and I like Inca King and Euroears as exotic possibilities.

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