With turf racing in the Bluegrass coming to an end for 2024, the Grade 3 Commonwealth Turf Stakes on Saturday at Churchill Downs provides a last-chance added-money event before horses either stay local and race on Tapeta at Turfway or ship south for greener pastures at places like Fair Grounds.

No wonder, then, that the Commonwealth Turf attracted a field of eight expected starters, since Telescopic ran Thursday and will scratch. There is only one outsider, Will Take It, based on my fair odds.

Dashman is the morning-line favorite, but any one of five of the horses could end up favored including beaten King’s Plate favorite My Boy Prince or Herchee.

I’d much rather see one of the two inside horses go favored, as Dashman will be post two with the aforementioned scratch of Telescopic. I like Herchee best of the logical runners. He makes his second start off a small layoff and getting to stretch out to 1 1/16 miles after four one-mile starts. The Brisnet Pace Ratings indicate no issues with using some tactical speed from the outside to get a premium position.

My Boy Prince is the horse I’m least interested in. The talent is there, but the form-cycle seems to be going the wrong way. I’m looking forward to a reset for the four-year-old campaign.

From a price perspective, Ak Sar Ben Derby and Piper’s Factor are not impossible. There’s speed for Ak Sar Ben Derby to chase, and Piper’s Factor has a win over yielding turf, so watching the precipitation situation could be the key to unlocking a big payout with that one.

If Herchee is better than my fair odds then that’s a win bet. Otherwise, I’ll look at the exacta probables with the thought that My Boy Prince is a complete toss for me and Ak Sar Ben Derby or Piper’s Factor can be a part of the exotics at double-digit odds.