Commentator

(November 28, 2008) – Einstein, a 6-year-old son of 1985 Kentucky Derby winner Spend a Buck, collared 2-5 favorite Commentator at the head of the stretch and then held off a late surge from Delightful Kiss to win Friday’s 134th running of the $440,400 Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (GII) at Churchill Downs by 1 ½ lengths.

Trained by Helen Pitts, Einstein ran the 1 1/8 miles on a fast main track in 1:49.79. The victory was the fifth of the day for Leparoux, who earlier in the card established a Fall Meet record for victories.

            The Fall Meet concludes its 26-day run Saturday with the “Stars of Tomorrow II” card featuring all 2-year-olds. The 12-race program begins at 11:30 a.m. (ET) with general admission gates opening at 10 a.m.

            Highlighting the card will be two Grade II stakes at 1 1/16 miles on the main track: the $150,000-added Golden Rod for fillies that goes as the ninth race at approximately 3:28 p.m. and the $150,000-added Kentucky Jockey Club that goes as the 11th race with an approximate 4:27 p.m. post time.

Also, reigning Horse of the Year and North America’s leading all-time money-earner Curlin will be paraded before the crowd between Races 5-6, and there’s a $23,365 carryover for the Z-5 (Super Hi-5), which requires bettors to pick the top five finishers in order, for the fifth race.

            Commentator, ridden by John Velazquez and carrying high weight of 124 pounds, led the field of seven through early fractions of :24.57, :48.58 and 1:12.64 with Einstein, toting 119 pounds, as his closest pursuer. Leparoux moved Einstein to the outside of Commentator at the top of the stretch, dueling on even terms for a sixteenth of a mile before beginning to draw clear.

Delightful Kiss, ridden by Calvin Borel, rallied from far back to be a clear second, but was no threat to Einstein, who took home the winner’s check of $267,588 to raise his career earnings to $1,634,019.

Racing for court-appointed owner Matthew Garretson, Einstein posted his first career graded-stakes victory on dirt. Einstein, who had run second to 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin in this summer’s Stephen Foster Handicap (GI) here, owns three Grade I victories on the grass.

Einstein rewarded his backers with mutuels of $11.80, $5.20 and $2.60. Delightful Kiss returned $10.80 and $3.80 in finishing 2 1/4 lengths ahead of Commentator, who paid $2.10 to show.

Completing the field in order were Magna Graduate, Wayzata Bay, Dominican and Anak Nakal.

Two races before the Clark Handicap, 2008 Belmont Stakes winner Da’ Tara finished third in a 1 1/16-mile allowance optional claiming race. Da’ Tara was the first Belmont Stakes winner to run at Churchill Downs since 1999 winner Lemon Drop Kid ran in the 2000 Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Leparoux broke a 23-year-old Fall Meet record for victories when he recorded his 56th win. The victory in the third race aboard Just Like William eclipsed the mark of 55 set in the 30-day meet of 1985 by Pat Day. Leparoux’s total entering Saturday’s card is 59.

POST-RACE QUOTES – THE CLARK HANDICAP

JULIEN LEPAROUX (Jockey, EINSTEIN-BRZ, winner) – “I knew I had to stay close to Commentator and he broke sharp. I just kind of eased up a little bit on the outside. I just ran behind him all the way. When I asked him, he stuck his head in front of him and we were gone. It was done.”

Q: Did you work him in the morning?

“Yes. I breezed him last time and he breezed very good. We were expecting a good race from him, that’s for sure.”

Q: Was the game plan not to let Commentator get away?

“Yes, yes. The plan was to be right behind him and to not give him too much to do. Commentator is a very, very good horse and if you give him too much to do it would be tough.

Q: You were second aboard Einstein in the Stephen Foster. What was the difference today?

“That was a different race. It was a slow pace and he didn’t break very, very good that day. We came from the back and then finished. He still finished very good and just got beat by Curlin. Not bad.”

HELEN PITTS (Trainer, EINSTEIN-BRZ, winner) – “To be able to win a stake like that means the world to me but to get a graded stake on the dirt for him is super. It was kind of my main objective coming in here. He was second in a Grade I in the Stephen Foster. But to win a graded stake on the dirt for him, he deserves it more than anybody out there because I’ve never had a horse that loves his job and loves to train and loves to run as much as he does. When he turned for home, I knew he’d dig deep down inside to find all he could to get there. He’s a very special horse.”

Q: The game plan was to stay close, but isn’t there a fine line?

“There is. I mean, he worked him the other day and it was a big key. He rode him in the Stephen Foster but he had him close today and I think he realized that. In the Stephen Foster, I think he left him with a little too much to do. Today, they went :24 and change in the first quarter and he was perfect. It was a little bit out of Einstein’s style but at the same time they went slow enough where it wasn’t putting him totally out. I might have been second-guessing my own training at the three-eighths pole, but he pulled through for me. Just to have a horse like him means the world to me.”

Q: It was a nice win off the layoff . . .

“It was and I was hoping he hadn’t lost too much. That’s why everybody kept asking me, ‘Are you going to run? Are you going to run?’ I was going to let him tell me. When he worked like that last week and Julien said he did it all on his own, I figured he was ready.”

PETE ANDERSON, trainer of DELIGHTFUL KISS (runner-up)

“He (jockey Calvin Borel) gave him a lot to do.  I like the guy’s riding and all that, but he just gave him a little too much to do.  But it was a big effort.  At one stage of the game he had to be close to 20 lengths off the lead, I would think.  Unless my eyes are bad, I would say he was close to that.  When the horse (Timber Reserve) scratched, it changed the complexion of the race.”

Q: Will Delightful Kiss return racing next year?

“I’m staying with this horse until he dies.  I’ll have him until he dies.  It’s better than the fountain of youth, having this horse.  It’s one of the great thrills in my life, and I’ve had a whole lot of them.  But this is one of the great thrills of my life – I love this horse.”

CALVIN BOREL, jockey on DELIGHTFUL KISS (runner-up)

“I wish the other horse (Timber Reserve) hadn’t scratched – I think he would have added a little more pace.  But he ran good – he ran his race.  He ran a huge race – no complaints.  This horse is doing good.”

NICK ZITO, trainer of COMMENTATOR (third as the 2-5 favorite)

“He wasn’t himself.  Like everything else, it could just be the effect of a long year for him, the way he is.  He puts everything into everything he does.  You know, Helen (Pitts) did a good job with Einstein – coming off a three-month layoff.  He’s a nice horse that finished second to Curlin.  But John (Velazquez) said Commentator was just skipping.  He wasn’t getting a good hold (of the track).  He just wasn’t himself.”

Q: Were you concerned throughout?

“When he left there I was happy, but down the backside he just couldn’t accelerate and get away, and I knew something was wrong.  John said he just wasn’t himself.”

JOHN VELAZQUEZ, jockey on COMMENTATOR (third)

“He struggled with the track.  He was good the first part of the race, but he got to the half-mile pole and I tried to encourage him, but it seemed like he was skipping – he was slipping and sliding a little bit.  That’s the first time he ever felt that he was not getting hold of the track, and he’s been everywhere.  But today he just struggled with it.  I got after him, but he just went through the motions.  He didn’t do like he can.”

SHAUN BRIDGMOHAN, jockey on MAGNA GRADUATE (fourth)

“He ran OK.  He went around and had a good trip around there.  He was just fourth today.”

Tracy Farmer's Commentator, Elisabeth Alexander's Magna Graduate and Midnight Cry Stable's Einstein (BRZ), who have combined to earn $5,769,604 in their stellar careers, headline a field of eight for Friday's 134^th running of the $400,000-added Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (GII) at Churchill Downs.

            The Clark Handicap, named for the family of Churchill Downs founder Meriwether Lewis Clark, was first run at the track's inaugural meet in 1875 and, like the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) and the Kentucky Oaks (GI), has been run annually without interruption since.  The 1 1/8-mile race over the main track will be the 11^th race on the 12-race card with an approximate post time of 4:29 p.m. (all times Eastern). Post time for the first race is 11:30 a.m. and admission gates open at 10 a.m.

            The 7-year-old Commentator has won 13 of 20 careers starts for earnings of $1,841,936 while racing for five years under the care of trainer Nick Zito. Ridden by John Velazquez in all five of his starts this year, Commentator has won four times, highlighted by a second victory in the Grade I Whitney at Saratoga, and enters the Clark off a 14-length victory in the Massachusetts Handicap on Sept. 20 at Suffolk Downs.

            The New York-bred gelding by Distorted Humor is enjoying the finest year of his career with four victories in five races and earnings of $1,025,700.  His only loss came in a runner-up finish to Divine Park in the Metropolitan Handicap (GI) at Belmont Park.  Commentator will carry top weight of 124 pounds and break from post position four under Velazquez.  He easily won his only previous start at Churchill Downs in 2004.

            Now trained by Steve Asmussen, the 6-year-old Magna Graduate has won 10 of 34 career starts with six seconds and six thirds for earnings of $2,561,237. Two of those victories have come at Churchill Downs, one in the 2005 Clark Handicap for former trainer Todd Pletcher and the other in this year's Grade III Ack Ack Handicap on Oct. 26.  Shaun Bridgmohan, who rode Magna Graduate in the Ack Ack, will be aboard Friday.  Magna Graduate will break from post position two and carry 120 pounds.

            The 6-year-old Einstein, trained by Helen Pitts, is a two-time Grade I winner on the grass this year and has built a career resume of eight wins in 21 starts for earnings of $1,366,431. Idle since finishing a troubled fifth in the Grade I Arlington Million on Aug. 9, Einstein last started on the dirt in the Stephen Foster Handicap (GI) at Churchill Downs on June 14 when he ran second to 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin.

            Julien Leparoux, who rode Einstein in the Stephen Foster, will ride Friday and break from post position three. Einstein will carry 119 pounds.

            Bidding for a return to form in the Clark will be Silverton Hill LLC's Dominican, winner of the 2007 Toyota Blue Grass (GI) at Keeneland.  The Darrin Miller-trained son of El Corredor defeated Street Sense by a nose over the Polytrack course that day, but finished 11^th to that rival on the dirt in the Kentucky Derby.  Dominican snapped a six-race losing streak in an allowance win over the synthetic Tapeta surface in July at Pennsylvania's Presque Isle Downs, and has since finished third to Delightful Kiss in the Turfway Fall Championship (GIII) and was runner-up to longshot Ball Four in the Fayette (GIII) at Keeneland.  Robby Albarado will ride.

            Three other graded-stakes winners on dirt in 2008 are in the Clark field: Four Roses Thoroughbreds' Anak Nakal, winner of the Grade II Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 1 at Philadelphia Park, World Thoroughbreds Racing's Wayzata Bay, winner of the Grade II Cornhusker Handicap at Prairie Meadows on June 28, and Hobeau Farm's Delightful Kiss, winner of the Turfway Park Fall Championship on Sept. 6 and the All American Stakes at Golden Gate on Sept. 27.  Delightful Kiss most recently finished fifth to Albertus Maximus in the $500,000 Breeders' Cup Marathon over the Pro-Ride course at Santa Anita.

            The field for the Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare, from the rail out, is as follows: Delightful Kiss (Calvin Borel, 116 pounds), Magna Graduate (John Velazquez, 120), Einstein (Julian Leparoux, 119), Commentator (John Velazquez, 124), Anak Nakal (Jesus Castanon, 118), Timber Reserve (Kent Desormeaux, 116), Wayzata Bay (Israel Ocampo, 117) and Dominican (Robby Albarado, 115).

            Appearing on the Clark Handicap undercard on Friday will be Robert LaPenta's Da' Tara, the upset winner of the Belmont Stakes (GI) who derailed Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown's bid for a Triple Crown.  The Nick Zito-trained son of Tiznow has lost three consecutive races since then, with the most recent setback coming in a sixth-place finish to Tale of Ekati in the Jerome Handicap (GII) at Belmont Park. 

Da' Tara will face seven rivals in the 1 1/16-mile allowance optional claiming race for 3-year-olds and up.  He will be the first Belmont Stakes winner to run at Churchill Downs since 1999 winner Lemon Drop Kid finished fifth to Tiznow in the 2000 Breeders' Cup Classic (GI).  Victory Gallop, the 1999 Belmont Stakes winner, won the Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs the following year.

COMMENTATOR ASSIGNED TOP IMPOST OF 124 POUNDS FOR 134^TH CLARK ‘CAP - Tracy Farmer's Commentator has been assigned high weight of 124 pounds by Churchill Downs Racing Secretary Ben Huffman for Friday's 134^th running of the $400,000-added Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (Grade II).

             Trained by Nick Zito, Commentator is expected to start Friday in the 1 1/8 miles main track test.

Assigned the next high weight of 121 pounds is Jay Em Ess Stable's Arson Squad, who is expected to run in the Cigar Mile (GI) at Aqueduct on Nov. 29.

When entries are drawn Tuesday, Commentator is expected to attract seven rivals headed by Magna Graduate, who was assigned the second-highest Clark impost.

Owned by Elisabeth Alexander, Magna Graduate won the 2005 Clark as a 3-year-old and took the opening-day Ack Ack Handicap (GIII). Trained by Steve Asmussen, Magna Graduate was assigned 120 pounds.

            Others considered probable for the Clark with weight assignments are Four Roses Thoroughbreds' Anak Nakal (118), The Big Stable's Delosvientos (118), World Thoroughbreds Racing's Wayzata Bay (117), Hobeau Farm's Delightful Kiss (116), Circle E Racing, Caesar Kimmel and Philip Solondz's Timber Reserve (116) and Silverton Hill Farm's Dominican (115).

SPRING WALTZ HIGH WEIGHT FOR FALLS CITY - Stronach Stables' Spring Waltz, runaway winner of the Gulfstream Park's Grade II Rampart Handicap in March and runner-up in Belmont's recent Turnback the Alarm Handicap (GIII), was assigned top weight of 120 pounds for Thursday's $150,000-added Falls City Handicap (GII).

            Trained by Hall of Famer Bobby Frankel, Spring Waltz has won two of three starts at the Falls City distance of 1 1/8 miles. Spring Waltz, who is training at Keeneland, could face seven rivals in the Falls City when entries are drawn on Sunday.

            One of those expected rivals is Pin Oak Stable's Brownie Points, assigned the second high weight of 119 pounds by Racing Secretary Ben Huffman. Trained by Donnie Von Hemel, Brownie Points has had two main track starts in 2008, finishing second to Hystericalady in the Azeri (GIII) to unbeaten Zenyatta in the Apple Blossom (GI).

            Other probable Falls City starters with weight assignments are Arbaway Farm, Carson Springs Farm and Letto Thoroughbreds' Stop a Train (117), Robert Adams' Unforgotten (117), Mark Stanley's Swift Temper (116), Glencrest Farm's Devil House (115), Richard Lister's Tell it as It Is (115) and Talley Racing's Initforthekandy (114).

KENTUCKY JOCKEY CLUB, GOLDEN ROD FIELDS TAKE SHAPE - The stars of the Nov. 1 "Stars of Tomorrow I" card are expected to come back next Saturday for encore performances on the closing-day "Stars of Tomorrow II" card that features races exclusively for 2-year-olds.

             Joseph Rauch and David Zell's Capt. Candyman Can, winner of the Iroquois (GIII) and Eldon Farm Equine's Sara Louise, winner of the Pocahontas (GIII), are listed as probable starters by Churchill Downs racing officials for the Kentucky Jockey Club and Golden Rod, respectively.

            Entries for the two $150,000-added Grade II events at 1 1/16 miles on the main track will be drawn Wednesday. The winners of last year's events went on to live up to their "Star of Tomorrow" billing as Anak Nakal and Pure Clan added 2008 graded stakes victories to their respective tallies in the Kentucky Jockey Club and Golden Rod.

            Five colts are considered likely to challenge Capt. Candyman Can, topped by John Oxley's Beethoven and Darley Stable's Stormalory, who ran 1-2 in a mile and a sixteenth allowance race on the "Stars of Tomorrow I" card.

            Other probables include Dogwood Stable's Coal Baron, the Virginia Tarra Trust's Giant Oak and Carl Potts' Allittakesisone. Possibles include Overbrook Farm's Big Surf, the Live Oak Plantation's Rocketing Returns and either Zayat Stables' Star of David or Winchell Thoroughbreds' Zion from the barn of Steve Asmussen.

            Four fillies are considered as likely to challenge Sara Louise in the Golden Rod. Topping the list is Livin the Dream Racing's Dream Empress, runner-up to Stardom Bound in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI) on Oct. 24 at Santa Anita. Trained by Ken McPeek, Dream Empress won the Darley Alcibiades (GI) at Keeneland last month.

            Other Golden Rod probables include Pocahontas runner-up Rachel Alexandra, owned by Dolphus Morrison, Winchell Thoroughbreds' War Echo, who is a half-sister to Pyro, and DWD Stables' Dance With Daddy.          

CORRECTION - In Friday's Barn Notes, the number of races for the current Fall Meet was listed as 270. The correct number is 268.

BARN TALK - Equibase Company LLC reports that trainer Steve Asmussen entered Saturday with 553 wins, three victories away from breaking his own North American record for wins in a single year (Note: two victories in Dubai this year with Curlin are not included in that number). Asmussen, who won 555 races in 2004, had 16 runners entered at seven venues Saturday including first-time starter Captain Cherokee in the 10^th race at Churchill Downs for Stonestreet Stable. Captain Cherokee is a half-brother to two-time Breeders' Cup Sprint (GI) winner Midnight Lute. Asmussen's first runner of the day was Not for Gold in the opener at Aqueduct at 12:30 p.m. (ET) and closes out with Light Lace in the seventh at Remington Park at 10:12 p.m. (ET). ... Making the rounds on the backside Saturday morning was jockey Filiberto Leon, who plans to resume riding when the Turfway Park meet opens Nov. 30. Leon, who will be represented by agent Buddy Fife, last rode at Finger Lakes in June 2007. ... Hobeau Farm's Delightful Kiss arrived at Churchill Downs Friday night for an anticipated start in next week's Clark Handicap. World Thoroughbred Racing's Wayzata Bay is scheduled to arrive Saturday night for the Clark, as is Pin Oak Stable's Brownie Points, who is slated to run in Thursday's Falls City Handicap.

WORK TAB - Talley Racing's Initforthekandy worked five-eighths in 1:01.60 over a track labeled as "good" on Friday at Trackside Training Center in preparation for an expected run in Thursday's Falls City Handicap.

TWO CANNED GOODS FOR FREE ADMISSION - Churchill Downs will offer free general admission through Sunday, Nov. 23 to all patrons who donate two non-perishable canned goods at Gates 10 and 17 in conjunction with the Kentucky Harvest Thanksgiving Food Drive, sponsored by Forcht Bank.

The canned goods can be delivered to Churchill Downs on those dates or any Louisville area Forcht Bank through Nov. 22 in exchange for the complimentary admission pass.

All donations will benefit Kentucky Harvest.

SUNDAY BRUNCH AT THE DOWNS - Sunday Brunch at Churchill Downs returns this Sunday. For $41.50 ($25 for children 12 and under), customers can dine and watch the Nov. 23 races from a reserved seat Millionaires' Row Six, the luxurious 9,000 square-foot room with a four-tier balcony that overlooks the finish line. The brunch, accompanied by live jazz music, is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features a wide selection of food, including stuffed French toast, eggs, maple smoked bacon, homemade biscuits and gravy, carved roast turkey, fresh salads and plenty of sides. Appetizers and a bountiful desert tray will be available until 5 p.m. Brunch and an official program is included in the admission price. To reserve a spot, call (502) 636-4400.

IS EIGHT ENOUGH FOR CANELA UNDER THE TWIN SPIRES? - Canela will attempt to become the first horse since 1976 to have won nine races at Churchill Downs when he starts in Saturday's $100,000-added River City Handicap (GIII).

    According to Equibase Company LLC, horse racing's official statistical database, only six horses have won eight career races under the Twin Spires since 1976, which is the first year detailed information was gathered.

            Now trained by Mike Maker, who claimed Canela for $25,000 on May 7 this year for Scarlet Stable (Rose Barney),  Canela has made 13 of his 41 starts at Churchill Downs with eight victories, one second, one third and two fourth-place finishes. A 5-year-old son of El Corredor, Canela has won four races on the main track and is a perfect four-for-four on the Matt Winn Turf Course over which the River City will be run.

            "I had always been a big fan of his when he was running starter/allowance races," said Maker, who has seen Canela win all three times he has started him at Churchill Downs. "Plus, he is a great-looking  horse and he had been running well going a mile and a quarter even though it wasn't against the same level that he'll be facing (Saturday)."

            Canela started his career with trainer Paul McGee, who also trained one of Churchill Downs' eight-race winners: Bet On Sunshine, who ran here from 1995-2002 and at age nine in 2001 won the Grade III Aristides to become the oldest graded-stakes winner in track history.

            "We bought him as a yearling and as a two-year-old he hadn't shown much in straight maiden races," McGee said of Canela. "He broke his maiden for $7,500 at Turfway. He had started up the ladder and won a non-winners of two for $20,000, but he got claimed off me and then (Tom) Amoss got him."

            Wilson Vittur had Canela for one race before Amoss got him for owner Maggi Moss. Canela raced 22 times for Amoss, winning 10 times, before being claimed by Maker for $25,000 on May 7 this year.

            "He had a throat obstruction as a two-year-old, but we didn't do the surgery then," McGee said. "That probably affected him early on."

            More than two years after losing Canela, did McGee ever think Canela would be mentioned in a same sentence with Bet On Sunshine, a horse he calls one of the top three he has ever trained along with Suave and Honor In War?

            "Probably not," McGee said with a laugh. "I didn't like losing him. I had a feeling he was going to go up and he turned out to be a nice horse."

            In the race before the River City on Saturday, Churchill Downs will offer the $56,000-added Bet On Sunshine, an overnight handicap for sprinters going six furlongs.

            McGee will be represented in that with Success Success, owned by David Holloway, who also owned Bet On Sunshine.

The other local eight-win horses are Athenium (1991-94), Crown Lease (1991-95), Lord Rusty (1993-2000) and Maxxed (1995-98). Eleven others had won seven races.

COMMENTATOR WORKS HALF-MILE IN TUNEUP FOR CLARK HANDICAP - Tracy Farmer's Commentator, who figures to be the favorite for the Nov. 28 Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (GII), tuned up for the 1 1/8-mile $400,000-added event by working a half-mile in :48.60 over a fast track with Julien Leparoux up.

            "I liked the way he worked this morning," trainer Nick Zito said. "He finished up strong and galloped out strong. Julien is a good horseman and the work went perfect."

            It was Commentator's first work at Churchill Downs and fifth since winning the Sept. 20 Massachusetts Handicap in his most recent start. The other works had come at Saratoga. John Velazquez, who has ridden Commentator to four wins and a second in five 2008 starts, is scheduled to ride in the Clark.

            Also working Thursday morning for Zito was Four Roses Thoroughbreds' Anak Nakal, who worked a half-mile in :49.80.

            "There's an outside chance Anak Nakal could run in the Clark," Zito said. "I have to talk it over with Mr. (Kassem) Masri, but this is a horse that was third in the Belmont (GI), won the Pennsylvania Derby (GII) and was second in the Meadowlands Cup (GII) in his last start. Plus, he won the Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) here last fall, so we know he likes this track."

            In addition to Commentator and possibly Anak Nakal, the possible field for the Clark also includes Hobeau Farm's Delightful Kiss; The Big Stable's Delosvientos; Silverton Hill Farm's Dominican; Elisabeth Alexander's Magna Graduate; and World Thoroughbred Racing's Wayzata Bay.

            Weights for the Clark will be released Friday.

INDYGO MOUNTAIN MAKES WAIT WORTHWHILE FOR THERIOT - One of the most impressive victories by a 2-year-old at the current meet came in Wednesday's 10^th race when Clarence Scharbauer's Indygo Mountain romped to a 6 ¼-length score in 1:35.54 going a mile under Jamie Theriot. It was the second start for Indygo Mountain, who had debuted with a second-place effort at Keeneland on Oct. 15 under E.T. Baird.

            "I had been working him for about six months and I knew what kind of horse he was," Theriot said. "But the day he ran over there was the day I took off for surgery. He was like 12-1 on the morning line and I knew he was live."

            Theriot had been injured in a spill on Oct. 3 and had oral surgery on Oct. 14 and was forced to sit out the day after the procedure to recover. Wednesday's performance undoubtably eased any remaining pain, not to mention help cover the bill.

            "He is the total package people are looking for," Theriot said. "His muscle tone, his pedigree (A.P. Indy out of a Mountain Cat mare) and turn of foot. If he stays sound, people will hear from him. He could easily be a (Kentucky) Derby horse."

            It has been more than 20 years since Scharbauer has been in the Kentucky Derby picture as his late wife Dorothy and daughter Pam owned 1987 winner Alysheba. Trainer Bret Calhoun never has had a Derby starter.

            "Bret was thrilled and the owner was very happy with his race," said Dennis "Peaches" Geier, Calhoun's assistant at Churchill Downs. "That was a good race that he came out of at Keeneland and a lot of those horses have come back and run well."

            Indygo Mountain was a $600,000 yearling purchase last year by Scharbauer, who also paid $700,000 for Silver City, a maiden winner last month at Keeneland who is scheduled to run here next weekend.

            "We will see what happens with Indygo Mountain," Geier said. "He will go to the Fair Grounds and usually with Bret he likes to look at nonwinners of two lifetime or an AE/other than. I know this one (Indygo Mountain) can run long; I'm not sure yet about Silver City. You've got to make him do it. We are looking at a 6 ½ (furlong) race for him closing day."

BARN TALK - Trainer Ken McPeek was beaming Thursday morning, a day after first-time starter Danger to Society won a mile maiden event for 2-year-olds by 1 ½ lengths in 1:36.13 for owner Lansdon Robbins III. "I'm going to talk it over with the owner," McPeek said of the colt's next start. "I was really happy for Lansdon because he has put a lot of money into the game and he deserves a good horse." Danger to Society, a $300,000 yearling purchase, is a son of 2002 Kentucky Derby favorite Harlan's Holiday, who was trained by McPeek. "The thing I liked is that he is the third Harlan's Holiday to win this meet," McPeek said. "There was Lady On Holiday and The Right Face, and the horse that ran third in the same race (Saratoga Sinner) is a Harlan's Holiday." ...  Six horses are considered as "probable" by Churchill Downs racing officials for next Thursday's 94^th running of the $150,000-added Falls City Handicap (GII). The sextet includes Pin Oak Stable's Brownie Points; Glencrest Farm's Devil House; Talley Racing's Initforthekandy; Stronach Stable's Spring Waltz; Mark Stanley's Swift Temper and Robert Adams' Unforgotten. Weights for the Falls City will be announced Friday. ... Calvin Borel is one of the five finalists for Santa Anita's 60^th George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award.  The award, which is voted on by their fellow riders, honors and recognizes riders whose careers and personal character earn esteem for the individual and the sport of Thoroughbred racing. Other finalists for the award are Gary Baze, Javier Castellano, David Flores and John Velazquez. The winner will be announced in January. ... Julien Leparoux rode two winners Wednesday to reach 40 for the meet. He is the first rider to reach 40 wins at a Fall Meet since Pat Day rode 41 in the 27-day meet of 2003. With eight racing days left in the 26-day meet, Leparoux remains on pace to break Day's Fall Meet record of 55 set in 1985 over a 30-day meet. Robby Albarado, who won the Spring Meet title, added four victories to his Fall total Wednesday to stand at 31.

WORK TAB - Mark Stanley's Swift Temper, third in the Grade II Chilukki in her most recent start, tuned up for an anticipated run in the Thanksgiving Day Falls City Handicap (GII) by working five furlongs over a fast track in 1:01.80 on Thursday morning for trainer Dale Romans. ... Robert LaPenta's Da' Tara, winner of the 2008 Belmont Stakes (GI), worked a half-mile in :49.80 for trainer Nick Zito. ... Haras Santa Maria de Araras' Scolara, third in the Mrs. Revere (GII) in her most recent start, worked a half-mile in :48.20 for trainer Bill Mott. ... Zayat Stables' Thorn Song, the Romans-trained defending winner and likely favorite for Saturday's River City Handicap (GIII), worked on Wednesday.   The half-mile breeze in :48.20 was the only recorded work of the morning and came just before the track closed at 10 a.m.  The Wednesday work schedule was limited because the track was frozen through most of the morning.

TWO CANNED GOODS WILL GET YOU FREE ADMISSION NOV. 21-23 - Churchill Downs will offer free general admission Nov. 21-23 to all patrons who donate two non-perishable canned goods at Gates 10 and 17 in conjunction with the Kentucky Harvest Thanksgiving Food Drive, sponsored by Forcht Bank.

The canned goods can be delivered to Churchill Downs on those dates or any Louisville area Forcht Bank through Nov. 22 in exchange for the complimentary admission pass.

All donations will benefit Kentucky Harvest.

FINAL FRIDAY HAPPY HOURS OF THE MEET - The final "Friday Happy Hours" of the 2008 Fall Meet are scheduled for Friday, Nov. 21. The New Orleans-themed event features $2 Budweiser Select, $2 hurricanes, $2 Fischer's hot dogs and live jazz music by Hambone in the upper Jockey Club's paddock balcony area from 3-5 p.m.   

KENT DESORMEAUX GLASS GIVEAWAY ON SATURDAY - The week's promotional calendar is highlighted by the last of three collectable hurricane glass giveaways that salute popular Cajun jockeys who ride at Churchill Downs. A Kent Desormeaux glass, sponsored by Kentucky Derby Party, will be given away to the first 5,000 paid and pre-paid admissions (includes patrons who bring two canned goods for admission in conjunction with the Kentucky Harvest Thanksgiving Food Drive) on Saturday, Nov. 22.

            Fans who receive the glass can come back to Churchill Downs on Sunday, Nov. 23 for an autograph session with Desormeaux on the second floor of the clubhouse.

            A glass depicting Calvin Borel, sponsored by Thorntons, was given away Nov. 8. A Robby Albarado glass, presented by GE, was given away Nov. 15.

JOCKEY TALK ON SATURDAY - Every Saturday during the Fall Meet, members of Churchill Downs jockey colony will be on hand for a meet and greet with the fans in the paddock area between 11:30 a.m. and noon. This Saturday's jockeys for "Jockey Talk" will be announced Friday.

JUNIOR JOCKEY CLUB WEEKEND ACTIVITIES - Crafts to create a Thanksgiving Banner of Blessings and special tours of the paddock highlight this weekend's activities at Churchill Downs' Junior Jockey Club located near the Guest Services Booth inside Gate. 10. Coloring books, crayons, individual games and reading material are available as well, and Churchill Downs' mascot Churchill Charlie will be on hand both Saturday and Sunday for photographs between 1-1:30 p.m.

SUNDAY BRUNCH AT THE DOWNS - Sunday Brunch at Churchill Downs returns this Sunday. For $41.50 ($25 for children 12 and under), customers can dine and watch the Nov. 23 races from a reserved seat Millionaires' Row Six, the luxurious 9,000 square-foot room with a four-tier balcony that overlooks the finish line. The brunch, accompanied by live jazz music, is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features a wide selection of food, including stuffed French toast, eggs, maple smoked bacon, homemade biscuits and gravy, carved roast turkey, fresh salads and plenty of sides. Appetizers and a bountiful desert tray will be available until 5 p.m. Brunch and an official program is included in the admission price. To reserve a spot, call (502) 636-4400.

TALENTED ZITO TRIO TOPS LIST OF 25 CLARK NOMINEES - Tracy Farmer's two-time Whitney Handicap (Grade I) winner Commentator, Robert LaPenta's 2008 Belmont Stakes (GI) winner Da' Tara and Four Roses Thoroughbreds' 2007 Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) winner Anak Nakal, all trained by Nick Zito, headline a list 26 horses nominated to the $400,000-added Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (Grade II) to be run Friday, Nov. 28 at Churchill Downs.

            Weights for the 134th running of the 1 1/8-mile main track race will be released Friday by Churchill Downs Racing Secretary Ben Huffman.

            Among others nominated to the Clark are 2005 race winner Magna Graduate, owned by Elisabeth Alexander; the Helen Pitts-trained turf standout Einstein, who ran second to 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin in this summer's Stephen Foster Handicap (GI) on the main track here; and 2008 Travers (GI) runner-up Mambo in Seattle for trainer Neil Howard.

            Kicking off the Thanksgiving Weekend of racing will be the 94th running of the $150,000-added Falls City Handicap (GII), which drew 17 nominations.

            Topping the nominees are Pin Oak Stable's Brownie Points, trained by Donnie Von Hemel, and Abergwaun Farm's Model, trained by Neil Drysdale. Both have run second this year to likely Eclipse Award winner Zenyatta; Brownie Points in the Grade I Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park and Model in the Grade II Clement Hirsch at Del Mar.

            Weights for the Falls City will be announced Friday.

Two-year-olds will be the focus of the closing-day "Stars of Tomorrow II" card, highlighted by the 83rd running of the $150,000-added Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) and the 66th running of the $150,000-added Golden Rod (GII) for fillies, both at 1 1/16 miles.

Joseph Rauch and David Zell's Capt. Candyman Can, winner of the Nov. 1 Iroquois (GIII) in his most recent start for trainer Ian Wilkes, heads a list of 25 nominees for the Kentucky Jockey Club that has had four of its winners come back the following spring and win the Kentucky Derby (GI), most recently 1973 victor Cannonade.

Twenty-one fillies were nominated to the Golden Rod, including the second-, third- and seventh-place finishers in last month's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI) at Santa Anita. Comprising that trio are runner-up Dream Empress, owned by Livin the Dream Racing, third-place finisher Sky Diva, owned by Puglisi Racing, and William Pacella, George Bonomo and Fred Barbara's C.S. Silk.

Also nominated are the 1-2 finishers from the Nov. 1 Pocahontas (GIII): Eldon Farm Equine's Sara Louise and Dolphus Morrison's Rachel Alexandra.

            Marilyn and James Helzer's undefeated Euroears, the Millard Seldin Revocable Trust's Greeley's Conquest, runner-up in the Forego (GI) and Ack Ack (GIII) in his two most recent starts, and Summerplace Farm's Kelly's Landing, winner of the 2007 Dubai Golden Shaheen (GI) top a list of 18 nominees for the $56,000 Bet On Sunshine, an overnight handicap to be run at six furlongs on Saturday. Kelly's Landing was assigned top weight of 123 pounds by Churchill Downs Racing Secretary Ben Huffman; Greeley's Conquest 121 and Euroears 120.

SELVA GIVES CARROLL ANOTHER RISING STAR - Trainer David Carroll has enjoyed a banner 2008 with Denis of Cork running third in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) and second in the Belmont Stakes (GI) early in the year, and with Acoma adding the Grade II Mrs. Revere and the Grade III Valley View to her resumé in the past month.

            On Saturday at Woodbine, Carroll showed he may have a filly to watch in 2009 as he saddled the undefeated Selva to her third consecutive victory, a two-length score in the Glorious Song at seven furlongs.

            "It was a great trip," said Carroll who trains Selva for the same ownership as Acoma, Helen Alexander and Helen Groves. "She ran a super race. She was three- or four-wide all the way around and Emma (Wilson) rode her beautifully."

            A homebred daughter of Forest Wildcat out of the Silver Deputy mare Bayou Mist, Selva broke her maiden at Saratoga on Aug. 7 and then stepped into stakes company for her second start and won the six-furlong Sorority at Monmouth Park on Aug. 31.

            "I worked her a couple of times at Keeneland and she handled the Polytrack well," Carroll said of the preparations for his first starter at Woodbine. "But then you never know how they are going to do on it until they race on it."

            Selva returned to her home base at Churchill Downs immediately after the victory, but Carroll says not to look for her to wheel back in two weeks for the closing-day Golden Rod (GII).

            "She won't run back here," Carroll said. "Helen (Alexander) wants to stretch her out one time. I think ultimately she will be a one-turn filly."

EASY GRADES RETURNS TO THE RACES WEDNESDAY - Four horses that ran in the 2002 Kentucky Derby have offspring entered on Wednesday's card. One horse that ran in the 2002 Kentucky Derby is running this afternoon.

            Easy Grades ran 13th behind War Emblem on that sun-splashed May afternoon six years ago. Today, he makes his return to the races off an 11-month layoff in the fifth race, a $5,000 claimer going six furlongs.

            Owned by TBS Farms LLC, Easy Grades was claimed by trainer Dave Vance at Churchill Downs on Nov. 8, 2007 for $25,000. He made one start for Vance last Dec. 9, running fourth in a $40,000 claimer at Turfway Park.

            "The last time he ran was the night Dad had his accident," said Vance's daughter Trisha, who has been running the barn since her father suffered major spine and neck injuries in a traffic accident heading to Turfway that day.

            "Easy Grades had a minor ankle injury and we just gave him plenty of time off. He is a neat, old horse and has a lot of class to him."

            When Easy Grades came to Churchill Downs for the first time, he was coming off a second-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby (GI). In his career, Easy Grades has run 62 times with 11 victories, 14 seconds and five thirds for earnings of $559,159.

            "He has had three good works," Trisha Vance said. "I love him. I just hope we don't lose him."

            For the record, the 2002 Derby starters that have offspring entered Wednesday are Proud Citizen, Came Home, Harlan's Holiday and Johannesburg.

BARN TALK - Julien Leparoux added to his meet-leading victory total with one triumph Sunday to give him 38 through the first 17 days of the meet. Should Leparoux maintain his average of 2.2 wins a day over the final nine days of the meet, he would conclude with 57 victories and break the 23-year-old standard established by Pat Day with 55 wins in a 30-day meet. ... Nominations close Saturday for two $56,000-added overnight handicaps on the turf for 2-year-olds to be run on closing day, Nov. 29.  The Caressing for fillies will be run at a mile and the open Grand Canyon is at 1 1/16 miles. ... A happy 42nd birthday today to jockey E.T. Baird.

WORK TAB - There were no works Tuesday morning because the track was closed to training because of frozen conditions. The cold weather persisted Wednesday morning and no works were recorded. The work tab runneth over on a brisk Monday morning with 137 horses earning times over track labeled as "muddy" before the renovation break and "good" afterward. Bullet works were put in by a couple of runners prepping for anticipated runs on Saturday. Amerman Racing Stables' Demarcation, slated for the Grade III River City Handicap, covered five furlongs on a "good" surface in 1:00.40, the best of 53 at the distance, for trainer Paul McGee. Summerplace Farm's Kelly's Landing worked a half-mile in :47.20 over a "good" surface, the best of 67 at the distance, for trainer Eddie Kenneally in advance of Saturday's Bet On Sunshine overnight handicap. Also working toward the Bet On Sunshine was Marilyn and James Helzer's undefeated Euroears, who covered a half-mile in :50.60 (good) for trainer Bret Calhoun. Other notable works included stakes-winning 2-year-old fillies C.S. Silk (:47.80, good) and Sara Louise (:50.40, good) for trainer Dale Romans, Corlett (1:03.60, muddy) for trainer Darrin Miller and Sugar Mom (1:03.80, good) for trainer Wayne Catalano. Travers (GI) runner-up Mambo in Seattle worked five furlongs in 1:05.60 (muddy) for trainer Neil Howard and Macho Again, winner of the Derby Trial and Jim Dandy (GII) worked five furlongs in 1:02.60 (good) for trainer Dallas Stewart. 

MILESTONE WATCH - Trainer Mike Maker needs one victory to establish a new standard for wins by a trainer during a Churchill Downs Fall Meet. He and Dale Romans (2003) currently share the record with 20 winners. Maker, who will begin Week 4 of the five-week Fall Meet with a 20-11 advantage over Ken McPeek, has five horses entered at Churchill Downs on Wednesday . . . Maker led all trainer with six wins from 11 starters last week (Nov. 11-16). Eddie Kenneally went 5-for-11 and Todd Pletcher was 4-for-7 . . . Through Tuesday, trainer Steve Asmussen had 547 winners this year, just eight victories shy of his 2004 North American record of 555 wins in a year. He has four horses entered Wednesday: two at Churchill and two at Aqueduct . . . Owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey have already won a Fall Meet record 16 races through the first 17 days of the meet, a dozen more than Maggi Moss, Rose Barney's Scarlet Stable and Bill Casner and Kenny Troutt's WinStar Farm. The record for wins by an owner at any Churchill Downs meet is A.J. Foyt Jr.'s 27 during the 1984 Spring Meet, which was held over 93 dates . . . The Ramseys led all owners with five wins from nine starters last week. Overbrook Farm went 2-for-2.

THIS WEEK'S GUEST ANNOUNCER: LARRY COLLMUS - Veteran racecaller Larry Collmus, the voice of Gulfstream Park, Monmouth Park and Suffolk Downs, will describe this week's racing action (Wednesday, Nov. 19 through Sunday, Nov. 23) as Churchill Downs continues its search to replace the late Luke Kruytbosch as the next "Voice of the Kentucky Derby".

There will be a different track announcer each week during the five-week Fall Meet. Calder's Bobby Neuman, Louisiana Downs' Travis Stone and Golden Gate's Michael Wrona made guest appearances in the first three weeks of the meet, respectively. England's Mark Johnson will take his turn behind the mic on closing week (Nov. 26-29).

Churchill Downs officials are seeking input from customers and encouraging comment via email at announcer@kyderby.com.

TWO CANNED GOODS WILL GET YOU FREE ADMISSION NOV. 21-23 - Churchill Downs will offer free general admission Nov. 21-23 to all patrons who donate two non-perishable canned goods at Gates 10 and 17 in conjunction with the Kentucky Harvest Thanksgiving Food Drive, sponsored by Forcht Bank.

The canned goods can be delivered to Churchill Downs on those dates or any Louisville area Forcht Bank through Nov. 22 in exchange for the complimentary admission pass.

All donations will benefit Kentucky Harvest.

MEET'S FINAL FRIDAY HAPPY HOURS SCHEDULED THIS WEEK - This Friday is the final "Friday Happy Hours" of the 2008 Fall Meet. The New Orleans-themed event features $2 Budweiser Select, $2 hurricanes, $2 Fischer's hot dogs and live jazz music by Hambone in the upper Jockey Club's paddock balcony area from 3-5 p.m.   

 KENT DESORMEAUX GLASS GIVEAWAY ON SATURDAY - The week's promotional calendar is highlighted by the last of three collectable hurricane glass giveaways that salute popular Cajun jockeys who ride at Churchill Downs. A Kent Desormeaux glass, sponsored by Kentucky Derby Party, will be given away to the first 5,000 paid and pre-paid admissions (includes patrons who bring two canned goods for admission in conjunction with the Kentucky Harvest Thanksgiving Food Drive) on Saturday, Nov. 22.

            Fans who receive the glass can come back to Churchill Downs on Sunday, Nov. 23 for an autograph session with Desormeaux on the second floor of the clubhouse.

            A glass depicting Calvin Borel, sponsored by Thorntons, was given away Nov. 8. A Robby Albarado glass, presented by GE, was given away Nov. 15.

 JUNIOR JOCKEY CLUB WEEKEND ACTIVITIES - Crafts to create a Thanksgiving Banner of Blessings and special tours of the paddock highlight this weekend's activities at Churchill Downs' Junior Jockey Club located near the Guest Services Booth inside Gate. 10. Coloring books, crayons, individual games and reading material are available as well, and Churchill Downs' mascot Churchill Charlie will be on hand both Saturday and Sunday for photographs between 1-1:30 p.m.

 SUNDAY BRUNCH AT THE DOWNS - Sunday Brunch at Churchill Downs returns this Sunday. For $41.50 ($25 for children 12 and under), customers can dine and watch the Nov. 23 races from a reserved seat Millionaires' Row Six, the luxurious 9,000 square-foot room with a four-tier balcony that overlooks the finish line. The brunch, accompanied by live jazz music, is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features a wide selection of food, including stuffed French toast, eggs, maple smoked bacon, homemade biscuits and gravy, carved roast turkey, fresh salads and plenty of sides. Appetizers and a bountiful desert tray will be available until 5 p.m. Brunch and an official program is included in the admission price. To reserve a spot, call (502) 636-4400.

COMMENTATOR SETTLES IN FOR CLARK HANDICAP BID - Tracy Farmer's Commentator has answered a lot of questions in his five-year racing career. But the question of how good a horse he could be was answered at Churchill Downs on a cold November day in 2004.

Commentator had won his first four starts, but on Nov. 25 he was trying a flat mile for the first time.

"I remember that race. Pat Day rode him and he had the rail," trainer Nick Zito said. "He won by eight that day and Mr. Farmer and I were both here and after that race I thought, ‘Wow, this is a great horse.' "

Commentator returned to Churchill Downs on Wednesday and was on the track Thursday morning under regular exercise partner Carlos Correa as he began preparations for a run in the $400,000-added Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (GII) to be run Friday, Nov. 28.

 Commentator, now seven, has won four of five starts this year, with the victories coming by an average of nearly 12 lengths. In his two starts at the Clark distance of 1 1/8 miles, Commentator has won the Massachusetts Handicap by 14 lengths and the Grade I Whitney by 4 ¾ lengths.

"He has had a great year and in popularity, he is one of the top horses in America," said Zito, a two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer who also won the 2003 Clark with Quest.  Zito's Clark victory came via the disqualification of the recently retired veteran Evening Attire, who was placed second that day as Zito's horse was elevated to the top spot.

Commentator, who has come back twice from cannonbone fracture injuries, has won 13 of 20 starts and earned $1,841,936. The son of Distorted Humor ranks as one of Zito's all-time favorites that he has had in his barn.

"He's gotta be, no question," Zito said. "He's a great horse, one of the best, to do what he has done to come back like he has. It is a tribute to the horse, the owner and the people in the stable."

WEATHER MAKES CALLWOOD DANCER FEEL RIGHT HOME - Rainy, cool weather greeted Three Chimneys LLC's Callwood Dancer when she arrived at Churchill Downs on Wednesday night from her home base at Woodbine in Toronto.

            "It's kind of like home," said Sue Lorimer, who took Callwood Dancer out for a jog over a muddy main track Thursday morning in preparation for Saturday's 36th running of the Cardinal Handicap (GIII) at 1 1/8 miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course.

            The 4-year-old Irish-bred daughter of Danehill Dancer has three victories and two runner-up finishes from six starts this year at Woodbine for trainer Roger Attfield, who is expected to be on hand Saturday.

            "She has just really matured this year," said Lorimer, who was Callwood Dancer's regular exercise rider last winter at Payson Park and off and on during the year at Woodbine. "We knew the ability was there and over the winter, she put on weight and really filled out."

            Callwood Dancer owns a victory in this year's Grade II Nassau and in her two most recent starts ran second, finishing ahead of fillies that shone brightly at the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita on Oct. 24.

            In the Grade II Canadian, Callwood Dancer finished two lengths in front of Forever Together, who came back to win not only the Grade I First Lady at Keeneland but the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (GI). In the Grade I E.P. Taylor, Callwood Dancer finished a head in front Sealy Hill, the 2007 Canadian "Horse of the Year" and runner-up to the undefeated Zenyatta in the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic.

Callwood Dancer, who will break from post position five in the 10-horse Cardinal field, is the only runner in the race to have placed in a Grade I grass event this year.

DEFENDING WINNER THORN SONG HEADS LIST OF RIVER CITY ‘CAP NOMINEES - Zayat Stables' Thorn Song, winner of the 2007 running of the River City Handicap (GIII), heads a list of 34 nominees to this year's renewal of the race to be run Saturday, Nov. 22 at 1 1/8 miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course.

            Ninth in his most recent start in the Breeders' Cup Mile (GI) at Santa Anita on Oct. 25, Thorn Song won the Grade I Shadwell Turf Mile last month at Keeneland, and this summer won the Grade II Firecracker, upsetting the favored Einstein, here at Churchill Downs.

            Trained by Dale Romans, Thorn Song could become the third repeat winner of the River City. Other back-to-back winners of the River City are Same Old Wish (1996 and '97) and Dr. Kashinkow (2001 and '02).

            Other graded stakes winners on the turf nominated to the River City are Ken and Sarah Ramsey's Stream of Gold and Don Benge's Wise River. Stream of Gold, trained by Mike Maker, won the Mac Diarmida (GII) at Gulfstream Park on March 16 and Wise River, trained by Clark Hanna, won the Carey Memorial (GIII) at Hawthorne on Sept. 27.

            Weight assignments for the race will be announced Saturday.

BARN TALK - Trainer Mike Maker added to his meet-leading victory total Wednesday when Proven Quality won the second race and Jumponthebandwagon took the nightcap. Maker has saddled 19 winners as the 26-day meet hit the halfway mark Wednesday.  This weekend, Maker could break the Fall Meet record of 20 set by Dale Romans in 2003. Maker has no entries Thursday, but has one on Friday and three Saturday. Jumponthebandwagon was owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey and gave the couple their 14th win of the meet. The Fall Meet record of 15 was set in 1965 by T. Alie Grissom and the Ramseys can break that this weekend with three horses entered on Saturday. ... Julien Leparoux, who rode a Churchill Downs-record seven winners on Tuesday, added two winners Wednesday and hit the halfway mark of the meet with 33 victories. The Fall Meet record is 55, set by Pat Day in 1985. ... While Maker has dominated most of the headlines regarding trainers this meet, Dave Kassen is quietly having a stellar autumn racing session. Quick Notice, owned by Butterfly Stable and Jan Nilsen, won Wednesday's sixth race to give Kassen his third winner from just five starters. "The horse ran real good yesterday," said Kassen, whose 60 percent winning rate leads all trainers with three victories or more. Kassen had two winners from 12 starters here last fall, but did not run here in the spring. "Arlington Park opened around Derby Day, and that kind of leaves Churchill Downs out in the spring," said Kassen, who has 13 horses stabled here. ... The maiden victory in Wednesday's fifth race by Overbrook Farm's 2-year-old Big Surf gave the 11-year-old mare Surfside her second winner of the meet joining full sister High Surf. Surfside, who was trained by D. Wayne Lukas and owned by Overbrook, clinched an Eclipse Award as champion 3-year-old filly in 2000 when she defeated males in the Clark Handicap. Big Surf, the third foal out of Surfside, was making her second career start for trainer Todd Pletcher. High Surf, a 3-year-old also owned by Overbrook and trained by Dallas Stewart, had won a 1 1/8-mile allowance race on Nov. 2 in her grass debut for her second career victory in seven starts. Big Surf and High Surf are daughters of Storm Cat.

INAUGURAL "RIDER CUP" ON SATURDAY - Retired Hall of Fame jockeys Pat Day and Angel Cordero Jr. will captain Team U.S.A. and Team World, respectively, in Saturday's inaugural "Rider Cup" for charity.

The unique event will showcase American-born jockeys versus foreign-born jockeys in a competition for points in Races 4-8.

Before each of the five designated races, the celebrity team captains will choose one jockey to represent their respective team with hope of earning coveted points. Points will be awarded on a 3-2-1 scale for first, second and third place finishes in each race. If neither jockey hits the board, the rider with the best finish will be awarded a half-point.

The team with the most points at the conclusion of Race 8 will be crowned the winner and a $10,000 donation will be made to the charity of the winning team's choice. The charity of the second place team will win a $5,000 donation.

Pre-race selections by the captains will be showcased on-track with Churchill Downs' John Asher serving as host.

Based on Saturday's entries for Races 4-8, Team U.S.A. will be comprised of Robby Albarado (born in Lafayette, La.); E.T. Baird (Chicago, Ill.); Calvin Borel (St. Martin, La.); Kent Desormeaux (Maurice, La.); Julio Garcia (Santurce, Puerto Rico); Tracy Hebert (Erath, La.); John McKee (Cincinnati, Ohio); Brandon Meier (Elk Grove, Ill.); Larry Melancon (Breaux Bridge, La.); Perry Ouzts (Lepanto, Ark.); Hector Rosario Jr. (Fajardo, Puerto Rico); and Bill Troilo (Philadelphia, Pa.).

Team World will be Shaun Bridgmohan (Kingston, Jamaica); Aldo Canchano (Huancayo, Peru); Jesus Castanon (Mexico City, Mexico); Ramon Dominguez (Caracas, Venezuela); Inez Karlsson (Goteberg, Sweden); Julien Leparoux (Senlis, France); Miguel Mena (Lima, Peru); and Diego Rodriguez (Guanajuato City, Mexico).

DAY, CORDERO AUTOGRAPH SESSION ON SATURDAY - Before the start of Saturday's inaugural "Rider Cup" for charity, Hall of Fame jockeys Pat Day and Angel Cordero Jr. will take part in a free autograph session with area horse racing fans from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the second floor of the clubhouse near the PEB jockey and trainer murals.

HORSES AND HOPE ON SUNDAY - "Horses and Hope," a new initiative created by Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear with the Kentucky Cancer Program, will be held Sunday. The event, centered on the women who work in the barn areas at Kentucky racetracks, is designed to provide breast cancer awareness, education, screening and treatment referral.

            In conjunction with the event, the color of pink will be scattered throughout Churchill Downs on Sunday, including the saddle towels for the featured fifth race that will honor "Horses and Hope." Pink will also be featured on jockey's arm bands, groom's vests, outriders, flags, bunting and trophies for winning horse owners. There also will be a special pink cosmopolitan drink on sale with proceeds going to "Horses and Hope."

            More than 900 cancer survivors are expected to attend the races in Millionaire's Row Four and Skye Terrance Five on Sunday. After the fifth race, there will be a group picture near the Aristides statue in the paddock garden.

ROBBY ALBARADO GLASS GIVEAWAY ON SATURDAY - The week's promotional calendar is highlighted by the second of three collectable hurricane glass giveaways that salute popular Cajun jockeys who ride at Churchill Downs. A Robby Albarado glass, sponsored by GE, will be given away to the first 5,000 paid and pre-paid admissions on Saturday, Nov. 15.

            Fans who receive the glass can come back to Churchill Downs on Sunday, Nov. 16 for an autograph session with Albarado on the second floor of the clubhouse (time to be announced).

            A glass depicting Calvin Borel, sponsored by Thorntons, was given away Nov. 8. The Kent Desormeaux glass, presented by Kentucky Derby Party, will be given away on Nov. 22.

FRIDAY HAPPY HOURS - New Orleans-themed "Friday Happy Hours" - featuring $2 Budweiser Select, $2 hurricanes, $2 Fischer's hot dogs and live jazz music by Hambone - will be held Friday from 3-5 p.m. in the upper Jockey Club's paddock balcony area.   

LEPAROUX'S RECORD DAY GOOD FOR THE DOUGHNUT BUSINESS - Agent Steve Bass was a busy and popular man as Churchill Downs' "doughnut king" on Wednesday, the morning after his rider, Julien Leparoux, produced a record-tying seven-victory day at the Louisville track.

"Eighteen dozen doughnuts," Bass said with a smile after his delivery to the Eddie Kenneally barn that sent out Leparoux's seventh win of the day, Runway West. "I got lucky. I had three stops in one at Mike Maker's barn."

Bass was asked if there was a big night of celebration after the banner day or just straight home for milk and cookies.

"It was a regular night for both us," Bass said. "Julien and I both went home and had dinner and that was it."

The seven victories matched a 24-year-old record held by Pat Day. Leparoux's milestone was achieved on seven consecutive mounts with only two aboard post time favorites. Day's feat on June 20, 1984 came with five favorites, three of which were odds-on, his victories were in the first three and last four races on an eight-race program.

"My goal each day is to win one or two and come home safe," Bass said. "Two or three is a good day and when he won the first four yesterday, I was like ‘Wow!' Usually when he starts the day good with some live horses, he finishes good. The day he won six last year (on June 27) was like that."

Leparoux was scheduled to ride eight horses on Wednesday's 10-race card.

The seven-win day allowed Leparoux to open a 12-winner lead over Robby Albarado in the chase for leading rider (31-19) after 12 days of the 26-day meet. Leparoux remains on pace to break Day's Fall Meet record of 55 victories during the 30-day session of 1985.

WRONA'S OPENING DAY AT DOWNS ONE FOR THE BOOKS - Australian-born announcer Michael Wrona has had some memorable days in the announcer's booth at racetracks across the country since his arrival in the United States in 1990.

Those career highlights include announcing Cigar's record-equaling 16th consecutive victory in the Citation Challenge in 1990 at Arlington Park; Laffit Pincay Jr.'s 8,834th victory, which broke the legendary Bill Shoemaker's record for career wins; and milestone victories Nos. 9,531 (which broke Pincay's record) and 10,000 by northern California riding legend Russell Baze.

And then came Tuesday at Churchill Downs, the first of six days on which Wrona is scheduled to serve as the 134-year-old track's guest announcer.

"... And then I walk into Churchill Downs and Julien Leparoux matches a record that has stood for 24 years," Wrona said. "My head was just exploding with all that was going on. It certainly was an eventful first day."

Wrona, one of five guest announcers to call races during the Fall Meet, never had called a race at Churchill Downs before Tuesday.

"The first live race I ever saw here was the first race I called Tuesday," said Wrona, 42, a native of Brisbane. "I was really getting pumped as the day went on."

Wrona's line of the day came after Leparoux's victory in the fourth race (his fourth out of seven consecutive wins): "I tell you, he'd win on a broomstick!"

Wrona, the current voice of racing at northern California's Golden Gate Fields, was preceded on the Fall Meet roster of guest announcers by Bobby Neuman, the announcer at Calder Race Course, and Travis Stone, who describes the racing action at Harrah's Louisiana Downs.

Larry Collmus, the voice of Gulfstream Park, Monmouth Park and Suffolk Downs, will serve as guest announcer next week. England's Mark Johnson will be in the Churchill Downs announcer's booth during the Fall Meet's final week.

ALBARADO FOUNDATION TO MAKE FIRST DONATION FRIDAY - The Louisville-based Coalition for the Homeless, a nonprofit organization established to assist homeless individuals and service providers in the area, will receive $18,000 on Friday from the Robby Albarado Foundation during a winner's circle presentation at Churchill Downs.

The check presentation will mark the first major contribution by the foundation, which was founded by the Churchill Downs-based jockey in 2007.

"When I was a young kid I grew up in a very poor area," said Albarado, the Fall Meet's second-leading rider. "I got a couple of chances from a few people who helped me in racing - and if I can make a chance like that in someone's life, then that's what I'm looking forward to."

The $18,000 check, proceeds raised from the foundation's inaugural Celebrity Golf Classic, will be presented after Friday's eighth race at Churchill Downs.

The goal of the Albarado Foundation is to assist the homeless, socially and economically disadvantaged, and less fortunate individuals in the Louisville area.

NOMINATIONS LIGHT FOR CLARK, FALLS CITY - Nov. 15 is the closing day for nominations for five Fall Meet stakes races, including four Grade II events slated for Thanksgiving Weekend.

The richest of the stakes is the $400,000-added Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (GII) to be run at 1 1/8 miles on the main track on Friday, Nov. 28. On Thanksgiving Day, the fillies and mares will get their chance at the same distance in the $150,000-added Falls City Handicap (GII).

"Right now, the nominations are a little on the light side for both of those stakes," Racing Secretary Ben Huffman said.

Huffman said that four horses are under consideration for the Clark: Tracy Farmer's millionaire and two-time Whitney (GI) winner Commentator; Hobeau Farm's Delightful Kiss, fresh off a fourth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Marathon; Elisabeth Alexander's Magna Graduate, winner of the opening-day Ack Ack (GIII) and 2005 Clark winner; and The Big Stable's Brooklyn Handicap (GII) winner Delosvientos.

Among those under consideration for the Falls City are Mark Stanley's Swift Temper and Talley Racing's Initforthekandy, the third and fourth-place finishers, respectively, from the Nov. 2 Chilukki (GII).

Highlighting the closing-day "Stars of Tomorrow II" card that features all two-year-olds are the Golden Rod (GII) for the fillies and the open Kentucky Jockey Club (GII). Both races are 1 1/16 miles on the main track.

Also closing on Saturday is the Bet On Sunshine, a $61,000 overnight handicap for sprinters 3-year-olds and up going six furlongs on the main track. The Bet On Sunshine is set for Saturday, Nov. 22.

BARN TALK - Trainer Mike Maker and owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey moved closer to Fall Meet records Tuesday. Victories by Diva's Gold in the first and Majestic Feline in the seventh gave the Ramseys their 12th and 13th winners of the meet, two fewer than the Fall Meet record set in 1965 by T. Alie Grissom in a 23-day meet. In addition to Diva's Gold and Majestic Feline, Maker also saddled Variant to victory in the fifth race to raise his total to 17 for the meet, three fewer than the fall mark established by Dale Romans in the 27-day meet of 2003. It was the second three-victory day of the meet for Maker, who also produced a three-bagger on Oct. 26. Variant's victory was the fourth of the meet for Rose Barney's Scarlet Stable out of four starters.

WORK TAB - Silverton Hill Farm's Corlett, winner of the Mountaineer Juvenile Fillies and fourth in this spring's Debutante (GIII) worked six furlongs over a fast track in 1:19.20 for trainer Darrin Miller. ... Make A Hole Racing's Beer Pong, a convincing 2-year-old allowance winner on Nov. 1, worked a half-mile in :48 for trainer Tom Amoss. The move was the second fastest of 35 at the distance.

CHURCHILL'S INAUGURAL "RIDER CUP" SET FOR SATURDAY - Churchill Downs will stage its inaugural "Rider Cup" for charity on Saturday, Nov. 15.

The unique event will showcase American-born jockeys versus foreign-born jockeys in a competition for points in Races 4-8. Before each of the five designated races, celebrity team captains (Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day will captain Team USA and the Team World will be captained Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero Jr.) will choose one jockey to represent their respective team with hope of earning coveted points.

Points will be awarded on a 3-2-1 scale for first, second and third place finishes in each race. If neither jockey hits the board, the rider with the best finish will be awarded a half-point.

The team with the most points at the conclusion of Race 8 will be crowned the winner and a $10,000 donation will be made to the charity of the winning team's choice. The charity of the second place team will win a $5,000 donation.

Pre-race selections by the captains will be showcased on-track with Churchill Downs' John Asher serving as host.

HORSES AND HOPE ON SUNDAY - "Horses and Hope," a new initiative created by Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear with the Kentucky Cancer Program, is scheduled at Churchill Downs on Sunday, Nov. 16. The event, centered on the women who work in the barn areas at Kentucky racetracks, is designed to increase breast cancer awareness and provide education, screening and treatment referral.

In conjunction with the event, the color of pink will be scattered throughout Churchill Downs on Sunday, including the saddle towels and caps for the featured fifth race that will honor "Horses and Hope." Pink will also be featured on jockey's arm bands, groom's vests, outriders, flags, bunting and trophies for winning horse owners. There also will be a special pink cosmopolitan drink on sale with proceeds going to "Horses and Hope."

More than 700 cancer survivors are expected to attend the races in Millionaire's Row Four on Sunday. After the fifth race, there will be a group picture near the Aristides statue in the paddock garden.

ROBBY ALBARADO GLASS GIVEAWAY ON SATURDAY - The week's promotional calendar is highlighted by the second of three collectable hurricane glass giveaways that salute popular Cajun jockeys who ride at Churchill Downs. A Robby Albarado glass, sponsored by GE, will be given away to the first 5,000 paid and pre-paid admissions on Saturday, Nov. 15.

Fans who receive the glass can come back to Churchill Downs on Sunday, Nov. 16 for an autograph session with Albarado on the second floor of the clubhouse between 11-11:30 a.m.

A glass depicting Calvin Borel, sponsored by Thorntons, was given away Nov. 8. A Kent Desormeaux glass, presented by Kentucky Derby Party, will be given away on Nov. 22.

FRIDAY HAPPY HOURS - New Orleans-themed "Friday Happy Hours" - featuring $2 Budweiser Select, $2 hurricanes, $2 Fischer's hot dogs and live jazz music - will be held Friday from 3-5 p.m. in the upper Jockey Club's paddock balcony area.

JUNIOR JOCKEY CLUB WEEKEND ACTIVITIES - A special appearance by the Louisville Metro Police Department Horse Patrol on Saturday, Nov. 15 will highlight this weekend's activities at Churchill Downs' Junior Jockey Club located near the Guest Services Booth inside Gate. 10.

Crafts, featuring embossed horse pictures, will also be featured Saturday for children age 4-10. Sunday's activities include the decoration of pine cones. Coloring books, crayons, individual games and reading material are available as well, and Churchill Downs' mascot Churchill Charlie will be on hand both days for photographs between 1-1:30 p.m.

CALLWOOD DANCER ASSIGNED HIGH WEIGHT FOR CARDINAL - Three Chimneys Racing's Callwood Dancer (IRE) was assigned top weight of 122 pounds by racing secretary Ben Huffman for the 36th running of the $100,000-added Cardinal Handicap (Grade II) next Saturday at 1 1/8 miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up.

            Trained by Roger Attfield, Callwood Dancer is expected to face as many as eight rivals in the Cardinal. Callwood Dancer ran second in the E.P. Taylor (GI) in her most recent start on Oct. 4 at Woodbine.

            Pin Oak Stable's Brownie Points and Earle Mack's Lady Digby were assigned 119 pounds and are considered as "probable" for the Cardinal.

            Trained by Donnie Von Hemel, Brownie Points ran second in this summer's Locust Grove (GIII) over the Matt Winn Turf Course. In her lone Grade I appearance this year, Brownie Points ran second to the undefeated Zenyatta in the Apple Blossom Handicap (GI) at Oaklawn Park.

            Graham Motion trains Lady Digby, who has been idle since running fifth in the Diana Handicap (GI) at Saratoga behind Forever Together, who went on to win the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (GI). Lady Digby has won two stakes in 2008, highlighted by the All Along Breeders' Cup (GIII) at Colonial Downs.

            Other runners considered as probable or possible for the Cardinal are Ballymore Lady (116 pounds), Ciao (116), Meribel (116), Kiss With a Twist (115), Sousaphone (114) and Long Approach (113).

COMMENTATOR COMING TO TOWN ON WEDNESDAY - Trainer Nick Zito said Saturday morning that Tracy Farmer's Commentator was scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs on Wednesday for an anticipated run in the $400,000-added Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (GII).

            "He's in New York right now," Zito said of the 7-year-old gelding who won the Massachusetts Handicap by 14 lengths in his most recent start on Sept. 20.

            Commentator, a two-time winner of Saratoga's Whitney (GI), has won 13 of 20 career starts with earnings of $1,841,936.

            Also joining the Zito barn at Churchill Downs next week will be Anak Nakal, winner of last fall's Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (GII). Anak Nakal ran seventh in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI), third in the Belmont Stakes (GI) and won the Pennsylvania Derby (GII).

            Already in Zito's barn here is Cool Coal Man, who ran 15th in this year's Kentucky Derby.

MAKER CONTINUES TO WIN AT RECORD RATE - The record for number of victories by a trainer at a Churchill Downs fall meet is 20, established by Dale Romans in 2003 over 27 racing days.

            At the rate Mike Maker is going, that mark will be left in the dust of the dirt track beneath the Twin Spires.

            Thundering Jill in Friday's second and He's Long Gone in the 10th gave Maker his 13th and 14th victories in the first nine days of the 26-day meet. Maker has opened a seven-victory lead over his nearest pursuer in the trainer's race, Ken McPeek, with Romans next with six wins.

            The 39-year-old native of Garden City, Mich., has two horses entered Saturday, two on Sunday highlighted by Cherokee Triangle in the Commonwealth Turf (GIII), and three more on Tuesday's Veterans Day card.

SPECIAL VETERANS DAY RACING ON TUESDAY - Churchill Downs will host a special live racing program on Tuesday, Nov. 11 in honor of Veterans Day. The first of 10 live races will be 12:40 p.m. ET.

BYRNE RECALLS "ROCK HARD" DAYS AT DOWNS - The 2004 Kentucky Derby will forever be remembered as the Smarty Party featuring the undefeated Smarty Jones.

            But jockey John Byrne played a role in one of the many subplots surrounding the 130th Run for the Roses serving as the exercise rider of Rock Hard Ten.

            "Hard to believe it has almost been five years," Byrne said Friday afternoon before riding in the seventh race in one of his rare forays to Churchill Downs.

            Rock Hard Ten came to Churchill Downs after being disqualified from second to third in the Santa Anita Derby (GI) for interference. The decrease in purse money left Rock Hard Ten with insufficient graded earnings to make the Derby field.

            But Rock Hard Ten was ready to run as Byrne took the Jason Orman-trained colt to the track shortly after 6 a.m. daily for his morning regimen that began with the colt rearing up almost immediately after leaving the barn.

            "He knew the cameras were going to be there and he gave them a show," Byrne said. "He was just immature at that time. We knew he had a lot of talent and would be much better as a four-year-old. He did everything so easy."

            Rock Hard Ten ran second in the Preakness and then fifth in the Belmont.

            "I remember they brought P Val (Patrick Valenzuela) in to work him before the Belmont and he wouldn't train," Byrne said. "He was just that way then."

            Rock Hard Ten went on to win all three starts as a 4-year-old before a foot injury prior to the 2005 Breeders' Cup led to his retirement. Rock Hard Ten won seven of 11 starts and closed his career with earnings of $1,870,380. His first crop will be 2-year-olds in 2009.

            The road for the 33-year-old Irishman, who won his first race in the United States in 2003 at Turf Paradise, has been ‘rock hard' since then. While the horse was starting a stud career, Byrne suffered a broken collarbone in a spill at Thistledown.

            A broken hip suffered in late April this year sidelined Byrne for two months.

            "I came back in July to ride a couple for John Good at Mountaineer Park," said Byrne, who rode Smiley's Cool Cat to a sixth-place finish for Good. "I am riding one here Saturday and a couple Tuesday and then head to the Fair Grounds."

BARN TALK - Trainer Angel Montano won with his first starter of the meet Friday when Family Fun LLC's Montalvo scored in the seventh race. For Montano, who began training in 1968, it marked his 316th victory at Churchill Downs, which is the sixth-best total in track history. ... Owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey added to their victory total Friday with the scores by Thundering Jill and He's Long Gone. The Ramseys have 10 wins for the meet, seven more than Scarlet Stable, which has sent out three winners from three starters. Julien Leparoux rode both winners for the Ramseys and became the first rider to reach the 20-win mark during the meet. Leparoux has 21 victories and owns a seven-win lead over closest pursuer Robby Albarado.

WORK TAB - Livin the Dream Racing's Dream Empress, runner-up in the Oct. 24 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI) in her most recent start, worked a half-mile in company after the renovation break under Peter Hutton in :49.60. Trainer Ken McPeek was happy with the filly's work, her first at Churchill Downs, and said she would have two more works before a run in the Nov. 29 Golden Rod (GII). ...  W.S. Farish and Mrs. W.S. Kilroy's Mambo in Seattle worked five furlongs before the renovation break in 1:03.80 with a six-furlong out time of 1:17.80 in his second work since a seventh-place finish in the Fayette (GIII) for trainer Neil Howard. Runner-up in the Travers (GI), Mambo in Seattle remains under consideration for the Clark. Grasshopper, who ran second in the 2007 Travers for Howard, is "being freshened up at Keeneland and being tack-walked," according to Howard. ... West Point Thoroughbreds' Macho Again worked a half-mile in :53.60 for trainer Dallas Stewart. Winner of the Derby Trial and Jim Dandy (GII) and runner-up in the Preakness (GI) and Super Derby (GII), Macho Again's next major goal is the Sunshine Millions in January at Gulfstream Park. ... Koolmen Racing Stable's multi-graded stakes-placed A to the Croft worked five furlongs in 1:03 for McPeek.
 

SUNDAY BRUNCH AT THE DOWNS - Sunday Brunch at Churchill Downs returns this Sunday. For $41.50 ($25 for children 12 and under), customers can dine and watch the Nov. 9 races from a reserved seat Millionaires' Row Six, the luxurious 9,000 square-foot room with a four-tier balcony that overlooks the finish line. The brunch, accompanied by live jazz music, is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features a wide selection of food, including stuffed French toast, eggs, maple smoked bacon, homemade biscuits and gravy, carved roast turkey, fresh salads and plenty of sides. Appetizers and a bountiful desert tray will be available until 5 p.m. Brunch and an official program is included in the admission price. Another Sunday Brunch is scheduled for Nov. 23. The reserve a spot, call (502) 636-4400.
 

HANDICAPPING CONTEST WEDNESDAYS, SUNDAYS - Racing fans can pit their handicapping skills against the best Louisville has to offer every Wednesday and Sunday in the popular twice-weekly "Who's the Champ?" Handicapping Contest. For a $30 entry fee ($25 for Twin Spires Club members), participants will compete for weekly cash prizes and an invitation to the Nov. 23 final where the top two finishers will win coveted berths in the Daily Racing Form/National Thoroughbred Racing Association National Handicapping Championship X slated for Jan. 23-24, 2009 in Las Vegas.