From France to California to Florida with a sortie to Barbados, the 6-year-old gelding Cash Equity could find himself favored in the third race Friday at Churchill Downs. The Kentucky phase of Cash Equity’s world tour began in May. Saffie Joseph Jr. trains Cash Equity for Ken Ramsey, who claimed the gelding last November in California for $80,000. Cash Equity made his first 10 starts in France, where he raced as a listed-stakes type, before he was purchased and sent to trainer Phil D’Amato in California, where he campaigned during 2022 and 2023. Ramsey likes running in the Barbados Gold Cup, and Cash Equity, after making a Tapeta start at Gulfstream Park following the claim, nearly won it, finishing second by a half-length. Friday, he’s one of 10 entrants in a one-mile grass allowance open to third-level allowance horses or $100,000 claimers, with Cash Equity entered under allowance conditions. Two of the 10 run only if the race is moved to dirt, highly unlikely given a hot, dry forecast. Cash Equity nearly won a race like this June 6, when he smoked his final 2 1/2 furlongs in 28.46 but fell three-quarters of a length short of catching the capable Johny’s Fireball, who got a perfect pressing trip. Cash Equity was the only closer to make headway in that 10-horse field, a mark in his favor and in stark contrast to Highway Robber, the morning line’s second choice at 5-2 behind 2-1 Cash Equity. :: Subscribe to the DRF Post Time Email Newsletter: Get the news you need to play today's races!  As a lightly raced 4-year-old, Highway Robber has far more room to improve than Cash Equity (to say nothing of rail-drawn Tut’s Revenge, who makes his 57th start), but while Highway Robber won well enough last out racing one condition below this, he was one of three deep closers that composed the trifecta. The race flowed in his favor. Howling Time could control the pace Friday at double-digit odds and holds more appeal than either late runner. A high-level dirt route performer as a 3-year-old of 2022, Howling Time made one start as a 4-year-old and has started only three times the last two years. He is, however, by productive turf sire Not This Time. His dam, the Arch mare Werewolf, was a turf allowance winner and has two other foals to race, turf-stakes winner Air Recruit and turf winner Basil Flavor. If Howling Time can’t hold his lead, 8-year-old Runnin’ Ray ought to occupy a favorable spot for a stalk-and-pounce trip. Runnin’ Ray didn’t race between January 2023 and May 31 but returned with a fine second-place finish in a salty dirt mile. He’s run only once on turf, finishing second at Kentucky Downs, but connections aren’t looking for a rain-off. “I think he’ll love turf,” trainer Joe Sharp said. “He looks grassy but had been so good on dirt we didn’t try anything different. I want to give him another shot at it and the flat mile is his favorite thing.” :: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets. Friday’s 11-race card came up strong and bettable top to bottom, and race 10 would serve as a worthy feature itself. Nine 3-year-old fillies were entered in this 6 1/2-furlong sprint, for second-level allowance horses or $125,000 claimers. Into Champagne, who exits a seventh-place Kentucky Oaks finish, and Asternia, who set the pace and faded late while holding third in the Grade 2 Eight Belles, could wind up favorites. But other fillies can win, among then Nay V Belle, a sharp first-level allowance winner last out, and long-layoff comebacker Benedetta, who makes her first start for Steve Asmussen. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.