Kiaran McLaughlin

The Virginia H Tarra Trust’s Giant Oak was elevated to first place on the disqualification of Successful Dan in a roughly run stretch battle to win the 136th running of the $564,000 Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (GI) for 3-year-olds and up on Friday afternoon at Churchill Downs.

Successful Dan, who covered the 1 1/8 miles on a fast main track in 1:50.82, had finished a head in front of Giant Oak, but because of interference with Redding Colliery in the upper stretch, was disqualified and placed third. It was the first disqualification in the Clark since Quest was elevated above Evening Attire in the 2003 running.

Giant Oak’s victory completed a Falls City Handicap-Clark Handicap double for jockey Shaun Bridgmohan and trainer Chris Block, who had teamed the day before to win the Grade II Falls City with Dundalk Dust.

It marked the first time since 2005 that the same rider-trainer combo had swept the two races with Indian Vale winning the Falls City and Magna Graduate the Clark under John Velazquez for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Regal Ransom led the field of 11 through fractions of :24.64, :48.92 and 1:13.63 while Successful Dan and Redding Colliery raced in mid pack with Giant Oak far back. Turning for home, Duke of Mischief moved past Regal Ransom with Dubious Miss and Demarcation moving with him.

Just behind the leaders, Julien Leparoux on Successful Dan moved out and bumped Redding Colliery, ridden by Rosie Napravnik, for racing room and Giant Oak began to advance with a seven-wide rally.

To the inside of Successful Dan, Demarcation, ridden by Kent Desormeaux, swerved inside impeding Dubious Miss and Duke of Mischief.

With clear sailing on the outside, Successful Dan and Giant Oak raced as a team to the wire. Redding Colliery was another four lengths back in third, finishing a head in front of Demarcation, who was disqualified and placed last.

The victory was worth $328,700 and increased the 4-year-old homebred son of Giant Causeway’s bankroll to $956,677 with a record of 4-5-3 from 23 starts.

Giant Oak returned $24.20, $10 and $5. Redding Colliery returned $6 and $3.80 with Successful Dan paying $3 to show. The revised order of finish was Win Willy, Duke of Mischief, Brass Hat, Apart, Regal Ransom, Stately Victor, Dubious Miss and Demarcation.

Racing continues Saturday with a 12-race “Stars of Tomorrow II” program exclusively for 2-year-olds with first post time of 12:40 p.m. (all times Eastern). Highlighting the program are two Grade II stakes: the 67th running of the $150,000-added Golden Rod for fillies, which goes as the ninth race (4:42 p.m. post time), and the 84th running of the $150,000-added Kentucky Jockey Club, which goes as the 11th race (5:42 p.m. post time). Saturday's card will feature a four-day Pick 6 carryover of $21,555 on races 7-12. There also is a $6,201 carryover on the Super Hi-5 in the 12th race.

CLARK HANDICAP QUOTES

Shaun Bridgmohan (jockey, Giant Oak, placed first from second after disqualification of Successful Dan from first to third): “I was right outside of it all. I saw what was happening. I thought both horses ran hard to the wire. It was all out of my hands. I was hoping I got put up. Both horses ran hard. It’s just unfortunate things like this happen in racing. If he shows up and gives it to you there is no telling how much talent this horse has. I always tell Chris (Block, trainer) one of these days he is going to show up and it just happened to be in a Grade One today.”

Chris Block (trainer, Giant Oak, placed first from second after disqualification of Successful Dan from first to third): “This has been a long time comin’.  This ol’ horse has had a rough, rough go of it.  He’s had some rough trips, but we’ve always known he loved Churchill Downs and I really felt good about today.  The horse trained really great from (Breeders’ Cup) Marathon to this.  His two works were just really, really good here.  I felt coming into it if the pace was solid, and it was OK, I knew he’d come with his run.  We just need him to finish the race. (Jockey) Shaun (Bridgmohan) said today even when he got up to that horse (Successful Dan) he put his head up and just kind of hung with that horse instead of finishing the deal.  But this is sweet to get.  This is very sweet to get.”

Q: Even if he had not won, he was right there with a very good horse in Successful Dan. “Absolutely. I was very proud of him win, lose or draw.  I’d even told Mr. Tarra that Successful Dan, to me, was the horse to beat.  If he’d have been second to him, I’d been real proud of him as I am proud of him for getting kissed up there.”

Q: He seems to be getting better with age – will he be back next year? “Oh yeah, he’s coming back next year.  No doubt about it.  He’s the kind of horse we always thought he’d get better with age, and I think that’s what’ll happen with him.”

Q: Considering all the trouble this horse has had, is it almost ironic that this is how he was able to win …“It is.  It really is amazing to me.  I’ll be very honest with you.  I saw that horse (Redding Colliery) come out, but I thought he came out on his own.  I didn’t know Successful Dan pushed him out like that.  But it is ironic that it finished up like this.”

Q: Was his run in the Marathon a disappointment to you? “It was a disappointment.  I think Garrett (jockey Garrett Gomez) and I kind of got our paths crossed, our communication crossed up from where we actually wanted him.  I thought he was a little further back than what I wanted, and I think Garrett thought I actually wanted him back a little bit and to come with a finish.  And then he ended up wide all the way around there.  But he came out of it so good that I thought, well, we’re going to wheel him right back in here.”

Q: You’ve won three stakes this meet and all with Illinois-breds.  We’re not sure if anyone else has ever pulled off that hat trick … “It’s awful sweet to have these guys come down here and run as good as they have.  They all set up really well for these races and I just glad to be here at Churchill Downs, to be honest with you.”

Q: Where does this rank in career thrills for you? “It ranks right there at the top.  (2006 Queen Elizabeth Challenge Cup winner) Vacare was my first Grade I stakes winner and this guy, we’ve worked so hard getting him where he’s at today, so it has to rank right there with her.”

Q: When you have a horse like this, do you just have to remind yourself sometime that you have to just hang with the horse? “Absolutely. I take my hat off to Mr. and Mrs. Tarra.  They put this horse in my barn.  They bred him, raised him.  They turned down a lot of money for him as a 2-year-old to do what we did today.  They love racing, they love the horse, they love horse racing and I really have to give them a lot of credit for sticking behind the horse.  We’ve had a lot of frustrating conversations, but today it’s sweet to get this one.”

Q: Do you have a winter plan? “He’s going to Ocala on Sunday for probably about 45 days rest, then probably back to Fair Grounds to get him ready for 2011.

Rosie Napravnik (jockey, Redding Colliery, placed second after disqualification of Successful Dan from first to third): “It was kind of a rough ride all the way around.  He got slammed and he came on and finished just as strong as he wanted to.”

Q:  If it was rough all the way around, the head of the stretch was very tough … “Yeah.  He slammed me pretty hard.  He knocked us completely off stride and I don’t see how they couldn’t take him down.”

Q: Do you think you had a chance to win at that point? “Yeah, we were coming around and he was making up ground.”

Kiaran McLaughlin (trainer, Redding Colliery, placed second after disqualification of Successful Dan from first to third, via telephone): “It was a rough-run race for a lot of horses.  I was watching our horse mostly, and he had a rough trip.  But I thought Rosie (jockey Anna Napravnik) rode him well.  He switched off down the backside and then made a nice run turning for home and got bumped hard twice by the eventual winner that was taken down (Successful Dan).  But it was a rough run for a few horses and we’re happy that we got put up to second and we’re a Grade I horse.  We’ve had a great year with our horse and we’ll move forward.”

Q: He has really come into his own and proven he is a top rank horse – what is the plan for 2011? “He is a top horse.  We’ll go to Florida with him and look at the [Grade I] Donn Handicap and maybe the Dubai World Cup (GI).  He’s been a really useful horse for us and we’ve had a lot of fun with him all year, and we’re happy that we got put up into second.  I thought it was a gutsy call by the stewards, and the correct call.”

Q: Do you think he had a chance to win without the bumping? “He was wide throughout, so it was kind of just a rough-run race.  You never know, it’s hard to say.  But he was running and gaining, but I don’t know that he was going to win.  But he definitely got bothered.”

Julien Leparoux (jockey, Successful Dan, disqualified from first to third): “I need to take a look at what happened. I just got slammed all over.”

Charlie Lopresti (trainer, Successful Dan, disqualified from first to third): “It’s a bad call.  It’s a very bad call.”

Q: You thought your horse was hit from the inside and forced out …“My horse got knocked over. That’s a terrible call. I mean, up there in the stretch that horse came over on us and knocked us into the other horse (Redding Colliery). And then after that, we’re clearly the winner.”

Q: He did run a huge race as you expected he would … “He ran a huge race. What can I say?  I can’t say anything else.”

Kent Desormeaux (jockey, Demarcation, disqualified to 11th): “He really faded for me at the three-sixteenths pole, ducked to the rail a little bit. I had to straighten him and lost a lot of momentum. It cost me third.”

Paul McGee (trainer, Dubious Miss, placed 10th, and Demarcation, disqualified from fourth to 11th): “There was some irony there due to the fact my two horses were doing the bumping down the stretch, so I didn’t like that part of the race. It sounded like (jockey) Robby (Albarado) got eliminated with Dubious Miss turning for home when he got bumped and had to check. Demarcation ran a good race, he always does, and he’s a consistent horse. I just wish Dubious Miss would have had a better opportunity.”

Harvey Clarke and Andrew Albstein’s Yankee Fourtune shot past Stormy Lord leaving the far turn and went on to score a one-length victory over Guys Reward to win the seventh running of $121,900 Commonwealth Turf (Grade III) for 3-year-olds on Saturday afternoon at Churchill Downs.

 Ridden by Victor Santiago, Yankee Fourtune raced third in the early stages as Stormy Lord led the field of 13 through fractions of :24.53, :49.30 and 1:13.64 over a Matt Winn Turf Course rated as “good.” Santiago sent the son of Yankee Gentleman after Stormy Lord on the far turn and took command entering the stretch and never was threatened in the run to the wire.

Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, Yankee Fourtune covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.68. The victory was worth $69,532 and increased Yankee Fourtune’s bankroll to $238,512 with a record of 6-5-0-0 with all five victories coming on the turf.

Yankee Fourtune returned $7.60, $5.20 and $3.80. Guys Reward, ridden by Corey Lanerie, returned $32.80 and $17 and finished a neck in front of Turallure, who paid $4.40 to show under Robby Albarado.

It was another 1 ½ lengths back to Mystic, who was followed in order by Mister Marti Gras, Stormy Lord, Celtic New Year, Don Cavallo, Thunder Brew, Dark Cove, Beau Choix, Uareoutlaw (BRZ) and Lighthouse Sound.

 Racing resumes Sunday with a 10-race program beginning at 12:40 p.m. (ET).

COMMONWEALTH TURF QUOTES

VICTOR SANTIAGO, jockey of YANKEE FOURTUNE, winner: “(Trainer) Kiaran (McLaughlin)  told me yesterday morning that there were a couple speed horses and whatever decision I make, go to the front or sit back third or fourth, that just to ride with confidence like I own him. I knew there were some speed horses and they came a little fast from the gate. But I knew I could ask my horse and make him go, then sit a little chilly and save something for the end. You have to see how races are going on the turf, you have to see how the pace is going if they hang on in the front or if they go to the front and stop. You have to see the races and then handicap your horse.”

KIARAN McLAUGHLIN (via telephone), trainer of YANKEE FOURTUNE (winner): “That was a great race for us to win. Victor (jockey Victor Santiago) made a great decision in laying third.  He was just plain old the best horse and he rode him great.  It was nice to see him sit off the pace today.”

Q: How important was it to see him sit comfortably off the leaders today?
“We knew he didn’t always have to have the lead, yet he was just the fastest horse in those races along with the best horse.  Today it looked like there was a couple of speed horses inside of us, so I was just happy Victor made the decision to lay third, and he kicked on and finished very well.”

Q: Talk a little about his development and what you think he might be capable of … “We hope next year he’s going to be a top horse.  We’ll go to Florida with him.  He ships tomorrow, and then we’d love to point him to the Maker’s Mark Mile at Keeneland, and just go from there.” 

Q: Do you think he’s primarily a miler? “He’s a top horse, we think.  He could go a little further.”

HARVEY A. CLARKE, co-owner of YANKEE FOURTUNE, winner: “He is a really nice horse, we are lucky to have him. (Trainer) Kiaran (McLaughlin) has done an amazing job with him, and did a great job picking him out for us. He is a thrill to have and we are excited about this victory.”

COREY LANERIE, jockey of GUYS REWARD, second: “I had a great trip. My horse was a little more aggressive than I thought he would be coming of the Polytrack race. I followed the winner all around. He just had a little quicker turn of foot and that was the margin of defeat.”

DALE ROMANS, trainer of GUYS REWARD, second: “He ran great. I’m very pleased with his race. I wish the race had been a little bit further and there was a little more pace, but I’m happy with how he ran today.”

Churchill Downs, the world’s most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America’s greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875.  Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN) also operates Trackside at Churchill Downs, which offers year-round simulcast wagering at the historic track. Churchill Downs will conduct the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 7, 2011. The track’s 2010 Fall Meet is scheduled for Oct. 31-Nov. 28.  Churchill Downs has hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championships a record seven times and the event will return to the track for its next renewal on Nov. 4-5, 2011. Information about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.churchilldowns.com.

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BREEDERS’ CUP DIRT MILE 1-2 FINISHERS TOP CLARK NOMINEES – Dakota Phone and Morning Line, who finished a head apart in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (GI), top a list of 30 nominees to the 136th running of the $500,000 Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (GI).

The 1 1/8-mile main track test is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 26. Weights for the race will be announced next Friday, Nov. 19.

The roster of Clark nominees also includes three horses that competed in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI): Etched (sixth), First Dude (eighth) and Pleasant Prince (ninth).

Top names among the Clark nominees that did not compete in the Breeders’ Cup include Apart, winner of Churchill Downs’ Ack Ack Handicap (GIII), Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap (GII) winner Redding Colliery and Fayette (GII) winner Successful Dan.

Distinctive Dixie, winner of the Chilukki (GII) here on Nov. 6, heads a list of 15 fillies and mares nominated to the 95th running of the $150,000-added Falls City Handicap (GII) slated for Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25. Weights for the Falls City, to be run at 1 1/8 miles on the main track, also will be announced next Friday.

Astrology and Dancinginherdreams, the winners of the two opening-day stakes on Oct. 31 on the “Stars of Tomorrow I” card, top the nominees for the Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) and Golden Rod (GII), respectively, to be run on Saturday, Nov. 27.

Astrology, winner of the Iroquois (GIII), heads a list of 30 juveniles nominated to the 84th running of the $150,000-added Kentucky Jockey Club at 1 1/16 miles on the main track. Last year’s race was won by Super Saver, who came back to win Kentucky Derby 136 in May.

Dancinginherdreams, a 5 ¼-length winner of the Pocahontas (GII), leads the list of 22 nominees for the 67th running of the $150,000-added Golden Rod. Also among the nominees is Aide, a 19 ¾-length allowance winner here on Oct. 31.

YANKEE FOURTUNE RIGHT AT HOME ON THE GRASS – A year ago, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin was not too high on the prospects of a 2-year-old named Yankee Fourtune.

The son of Yankee Gentleman had made his debut on Sept. 26 at Monmouth Park on the dirt and ran seventh in a field of 12, beaten 14 ¼ lengths.

“He didn’t run well and we just gave him time off to mature,” McLaughlin said.

When Yankee Fourtune resurfaced this July at Belmont Park, it was on the grass and for a $50,000 claiming price.

“We had no idea what we had,” McLaughlin said after Yankee Fourtune scored by 4 ¾ lengths. “He had trained well before he ran the first time. We thought he’d be a little better on turf and it turned out to be a great decision. He’ll never run for $50,000 again.”

From that maiden score, Yankee Fourtune took two races at Saratoga by a combined 10 ¾ lengths and then scored as the even-money favorite by 2 ¼ lengths in wire-to-wire fashion in the Hawthorne Derby (Grade III).

Yankee Fourtune brought his four-race win streak to Churchill Downs on Tuesday night in preparation for Saturday’s $100,000-added Commonwealth Turf (GIII). Victor Santiago has the mount Saturday on Yankee Fourtune, who will break from post position 11 in the field of 13 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course.

“Victor likes him and suits him well and he’s won four straight on him,” McLaughlin said.

All four of Yankee Fourtune’s victories have come over firm ground and there is a 30 percent chance of rain in Louisville on Saturday.

“A yielding course would be a concern,” said McLaughlin, who has won six stakes at Churchill Downs including the 2006 Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) with Invasor (ARG). “I don’t like the uncertainty of a yielding course.”

BRASS HAT GEARS UP FOR ANOTHER CLARK HANDICAP TRY – Trainer Buff Bradley’s back was aching Friday morning and he was eagerly in search of relief.

He got it a little after 8:30.

“Watching him work like that makes me feel better,” Bradley said after his father’s Brass Hat worked five furlongs in 1:00.80 under Calvin Borel over a fast track for the second fastest of 27 works at the distance. “I like it when Calvin comes back smiling.”

The 9-year-old Brass Hat was working for the first time since winning the Sycamore (GIII) at Keeneland on Oct. 21. The victory improved Brass Hat’s career record to 10-8-5 in 39 races for earnings of $2,167,92.

The Sycamore came on the turf at 1 ½ miles, but Bradley is looking at the Nov. 26 Clark Handicap at 1 1/8 miles on the main track as the next target for Brass Hat.

Calvin has always been telling me to run him back on the dirt,” Bradley said. “This is his home track and if the race was not here, we would not think about it. He was hitting the ground good this morning and Calvin never moved on him.”

Brass Hat tried the dirt once this year, finishing eighth in the Cornhusker Handicap (GII) at Prairie Meadows in June.

“Calvin said the dirt at Prairie Meadows was not the same (as it is here),” Bradley said.

Brass Hat ran in the 2007 Clark, finishing second to A.P. Arrow. His most recent victory on the dirt, which came six dirt starts back, came in the 2007 Massachusetts Handicap and the most recent of his four graded stakes victories on dirt came in the Donn Handicap (GI) in 2006.

Bradley plans to work Brass Hat again next week as the final prep for the Clark, which was won last year by 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Blame.

BARN TALK – Pretty soon, Sue Lorimer may find herself on permanent resident status in Kentucky. An assistant to trainer Roger Attfield, Lorimer is back in Kentucky for the fifth time in six weeks, this
time to saddle Don Cavallo in Saturday’s Commonwealth Turf. The journeys from Woodbine began in early October when Lorimer brought Society’s Chairman and Stormy Rush to Keeneland for stakes engagements Oct. 9-10. She returned to Canada and then came back to Lexington for the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (GI) with Perfect Shirl on Oct. 16. The following weekend had Lorimer returning to Keeneland with Musketier (GER) for the Sycamore (GIII) on Oct. 21 and No Explaining (IRE) for the Pin Oak Valley View (GIII) on Oct. 22. Last week, Lorimer brought Society’s Chairman and Miss Keller (IRE) to Churchill Downs for Breeders’ Cup appearances, returned to Toronto and then came back Thursday morning with Don Cavallo. “I’m flying home Sunday to pack the car for Florida,” Lorimer said, adding with a laugh, “At least that’s the plan for now.” …

Asphalt’s winning time of 1:43.10 for 1 1/16 miles on the turf Thursday was the fastest clocking of the meet at the distance. … Thursday’s card produced the largest Pick 3 and Pick 4 payoffs of the meet through its first eight days. The Pick 3 that began in the fifth race returned $5,874.20 and the Pick 4 beginning in the fourth race returned $108,337.80. Both payoffs were for $2 tickets.

Harvey Clark and Andrew Albstein’s Yankee Fourtune, undefeated in four starts on the grass in his career,  headlines a field of 13 3-year-olds entered Wednesday for Saturday’s seventh running of the $100,000-added Commonwealth Turf (Grade III) at Churchill Downs.

The Commonwealth Turf will go as the ninth race Saturday with a scheduled post time of 4:37 p.m. (all times Eastern). Saturday’s 10-race program begins at 12:40 p.m.

Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, Yankee Fourtune enters the Commonwealth Turf off a wire-to-wire, 2 ¼-length victory in the Hawthorne Derby (GIII) on Oct. 9. Victor Santiago, who has been aboard Yankee Fourtune in his four victories, has the call Saturday. Yankee Fourtune will break from post position 11 and carry high weight of 123 pounds.

Also toting 123 pounds is F. Thomas Conway’s Uareoutlaw (BRZ), trained by Mike Maker. A winner of three of five starts on the turf including Group I and II victories in Brazil, Uareoutlaw ran sixth in the Indiana Derby (GII) on dirt in his U.S. debut last month. Miguel Mena will ride Uareoutlaw, who will break from post position one.

Another horse who has found a home on the grass is Four D Stable’s Turallure, who has won his past three starts on the turf since August. Included in that streak is a victory in the Cliff Guilliams Handicap at Ellis Park in which Turallure beat the veteran millionaire Brass Hat.

Trained by Charles Lopresti, Turallure will be ridden on Saturday by Robby Albarado and break from post position eight under 121 pounds.

The field for the Commonwealth Turf, from the inside, is as follows: Uareoutlaw (BRZ) (Mena, 123 pounds), Celtic New Year (Rosemary Homeister Jr., 119), Dark Cove (Jamie Theriot, 119), Guys Reward (Corey Lanerie, 117), Lighthouse Sound (Calvin Borel, 119), Stormy Lord (Jesus Castanon, 121), Mister Marti Gras (Shaun Bridgmohan, 121), Turallure (Albarado, 121), Mystic (Kent Desormeaux, 119), Thunder Brew (Victor Lebron, 121), Yankee Fourtune (Santiago, 123), Don Cavallo (Luis Contreras, 117), Beau Choix (Julien Leparoux, 121).

Sullimar Stables’ Get Stormy and William Stiritz’s Proceed Bee, Grade III turf winners in their most recent starts, headline a field of 10 3-year-olds entered for Sunday’s sixth running of the Grade III $100,000-added Commonwealth Turf.

The Commonwealth Turf, won last year by Nistle’s Crunch, is run at 1 1/16 miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course and will go as the ninth race on Sunday’s 10-race card at 4:37 p.m. (all times EST). First post time is 12:40 p.m.

Get Stormy, trained by Tom Bush, has won his past three starts. The winning streak started with a pair of wins at Saratoga that included an allowance race at a mile on grass at Saratoga and the $80,000 Lure, also run at a mile on turf. Get Stormy then won the Bryan Station at Keeneland by 1 ½ lengths on Oct. 18 under Javier Castellano, who has the mount Sunday. Get Stormy will break from post position one.

Proceed Bee, who has won on grass, dirt and an all-weather track in 2009, won the Hawthorne Derby on Oct. 10 in his most recent start. Trained by Scott Becker, Proceed Bee won the Honor Glide at Arlington Park on Sept. 7 and last fall here on the closing-day “Stars of Tomorrow II” card won the Grand Canyon at a mile and a sixteenth on the Matt Winn Turf Course.

Chris Emigh, who has been aboard Proceed Bee nine times in the gelding’s 14-race career including the past four starts, has the riding assignment on Sunday. Proceed Bee will break from post position 10.

The only graded-stakes winner over the Matt Winn Turf Course in the Commonwealth Turf field is Darley Stable’s Florentino (Jpn), who took the Grade II Jefferson Cup here in June. Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, Florentino will try to join Inca King as the only horses to win the Jefferson Cup and Commonwealth Turf. Inca King achieved his double in 2007.

Miguel Mena has the call on Florentino on Sunday, breaking from post position three. Florentino, Get Stormy and Proceed Bee will carry high weight of 123 pounds each, conceding 4-6 pounds to their rivals.

   The field for the Commonwealth Turf, from the hedge out, is as follows: Get Stormy (J. Castellano, 123 pounds), Pop Tarrt (S. Gonzalez Jr., 119), Florentino (Jpn) (M. Mena, 123), Street Move (J. Bravo, 119), Major Marvel (K. Desormeaux, 117), Quite a Handful (R. Albarado, 117), Grizzled Robert (J. Castanon, 119), Perfect Bull (D. Butler, 119), Spectacular Kid (L. Goncalves, 117) amd Proceed Bee (C. Emigh, 123).

Darley Stable’s Florentino (JPN) took the lead out of the gate and then held off stretch challenges from favored El Crespo and No Inflation to win Saturday’s 34th running of the $163,500 Jefferson Cup (Grade II) for 3-year-olds at Churchill Downs.

Florentino, who was shipped to Churchill Downs after scratching out of the June 5 Hill Prince (GIII) when it was rained off the turf at Belmont Park, was sent to the lead by Alan Garcia. Florentino set leisurely fractions of :25, :50.26 and 1:15.31 with El Crespo and No Inflation in closest pursuit.

Florentino shrugged off an initial challenge from El Crespo at the head of the stretch, kicked clear at mid-stretch and then hung on to edge El Crespo by three-quarters of a length with No Inflation another neck back.

Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, Florentino covered the 1 1/8 miles on the firm Matt Winn Turf Course in 1:51.59 in turning back six rivals.

A son of Swept Overboard out of the Sunday Silence mare Must Be Loved, Florentino returned $9.20, $4.60 and $3.20. El Crespo, ridden by Julien Leparoux, returned $3.20 and $2.40 with No Inflation, ridden by Robby Albarado, paying $2.80 to show. Completing the order of finish were Advice, Jake Wil Gallop, Bruce N Autumn and Har D Boy.

The victory was worth $99,343 and increased Florentino’s earnings to $167,311 with his third victory in eight starts.

POST-RACE QUOTES – THE JEFFERSON CUP

NEAL McLAUGHLIN, assistant trainer of FLORENTINO-JPN (winner)

“That was great. The race (the June 5 Hill Prince at Belmont Park) rained off the turf up there and we had to look for another spot. Here was this race. The mile-and-an-eighth we were worried about and maybe soft turf we were worried about but he goes and throws in a race like that. That was super. What a ride. It was beautiful.”

ALAN GARCIA, jockey of FLORENTINO-JPN (winner)

“He broke a little slow and my horse took an easy lead. We went into the first turn and no other horse wanted to come so we were just all alone. We made the turn for home two furlongs out and I just had more horse than any other rider.”

GEORGE “RUSTY” ARNOLD II, trainer of EL CRESPO (runner-up as the favorite)

“I was pretty happy with where I was. I know it was a little slower than I was looking for, but we had a clean run at him and I thought we were going to get to him, but he didn’t. But he kept running on, and the races get a little bit longer as the year goes, so I’m pretty happy with his run.”

Q: Any ideas where you might go next?

“He’s going back to Arlington for the American Derby.”

JULIEN LEPAROUX, jockey of EL CRESPO (runner-up as the favorite)

“He just outkicked us a little bit. My horse just kept grinding and grinding – he kept on going. He ran good.”

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EINSTEIN ASSIGNED 124 POUNDS FOR FOSTER; MISS ISELLA TOPS FLEUR DE LIS WEIGHTS – Midnight Cry Stable’s Einstein (BRZ) was assigned top weight of 124 pounds by Churchill Downs Racing Secretary Ben Huffman for next Saturday’s 28th running of the $600,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap (Grade I) for 3-year-olds and up going 1 1/8 miles on the main track.
Trained by Helen Pitts-Blasi, Einstein ran second in last year’s Stephen Foster behind Horse of the Year Curlin.  The 7-year-old son of 1985 Kentucky Derby (GI) winner Spend A Buck is scheduled to work a half-mile Sunday morning.  A winner of 11 of 25 races with earnings of $2,609,904, Einstein will be shooting for a third consecutive Grade I victory and his first win at that level on traditional dirt.
A win in the Stephen Foster would allow Einstein to join Lava Man as the only horses to win Grade I races on dirt, grass and synthetic courses.  The two-time winner of Churchill Downs’ Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (GI) on turf and the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (GI) on the synthetic Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita, Einstein won the $500,000 Clark Handicap (GII) last fall on the man track at Churchill Downs.
The next high weight was assigned to Asiatic Boy with 122 pounds. The 6-year-old is coming off a 12th-place finish to Well Armed in the $6 million Dubai World Cup (GI) and the Foster will mark both his U.S. bow and debut for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.  Previously trained by South African Mike de Kock, he has a record of 7-3-2 in 15 races and earnings of $3,068.090.  He was second to Curlin in last year’s Dubai World Cup and won the $2 million UAE Derby as a 4-year-old in 2007.
Other probable starters and their weight assignments include 2008 Meadowlands Cup (GII) winner Arson Squad (118); Finallymadeit, winner of Calder’s Memorial Day Handicap (GIII) and Gulfstream Park’s Skip Away (GIII) (118); Researcher (118), winner of the Queens County (GIII) at Aqueduct and the recent $500,000 Charles Town Classic;  Alysheba (GIII) winner Bullsbay (117), Macho Again (117), runner-up to Big Brown in the 2008 Preakness (GI) and winner of the 2009  New Orleans Handicap (GII).
Domino Stud of Lexington’s Miss Isella, winner of the Louisville Distaff (Grade II) on the May 1 Kentucky Oaks (GI) undercard, was assigned top weight of 122 pounds for the 35th running of the $200,000-added Fleur De Lis Handicap (Grade II) for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up going 1 1/8 miles on the main track.
Trained by Ian Wilkes, Miss Isella has won four of six starts at Churchill Downs, including the Grade II Falls City Handicap last fall.  The daugheter of 1997 Kentucky Derby winner Silver Charm has a record of 4-1-0 in six races under the Twin Spires and has earned $436,733.  Of that total, $400,968 has been earned at Churchill Downs.
Second high weight for the Fleur De Lis is the Eric Guillot-trained Santa Teresita, winner of Santa Anita’s Santa Maria (GI) with 121 pounds. Other probable starters and their weight assignments are Sixty Saile (GIII) and Gardenia (GIII) winner Swift Temper (117); Arlington Matron (GIII) runner-up Kiss With a Twist (115); Unforgotten (115), the runner-up in Churchill Downs Chilukki (GII) and Pimlico’s DuPont Distaff (GII); and Distinctive Dixie (114), runner-up in Oaklawn’s Bayakoa. Considered as possible for the race are Maryland-based multiple stakes winner All Smiles (115) and Humana Distaff (GI) runner-up Temple Street (113).

COURT RELISHES RETURN TO THE BLUE GRASS – A familiar scene from the Spring Meet played out after Friday’s sixth race, where jockey Jon Court’s mega-watt smile illuminated the winner’s circle as a fat, double-figure payoff lit up the tote board.
    Hidden Bay gave Court his 14th winner of the meet and returned $35.20. The average payoff for Court’s winners is $25.10, which nearly triple the average return for a winners ridden by the meet-leading Julien Leparoux and almost double the return on Calvin Borel’s winners, which include the $103.20 Derby mutuel on Mine That Bird.
    “People are hollering back ‘welcome home’ and it just doesn’t get any sweeter than that,” said Court, who last rode regularly at Churchill Downs in the 2003 Fall Meet. “I was just thinking that maybe about this time next year it will wear off, but I hope the rejuvenation doesn’t.”
When Court, 48, left for Southern California to ride regularly five years ago, he held on to his house in Shelbyville. Now, that house is home again.
“I am far more delighted about being back in Kentucky than I thought I would be,” said Court, the 18th-leading rider all time at Churchill Downs with 323 victories. “Second of all, I thought I would miss California a bit, but the warm homecoming has been so overwhelming that I have no longings to go back to California.”
Court feels the return to Kentucky may prolong his career.
“I have found that at my age I get an agent (Tony King) that puts you on the card and your career has some longevity that a year ago you didn’t think was possible,” Court said. “I had people ask last year what I would do after I was done riding.
“At that point, I had no plans on quitting, but apparently the way my career was  moving -- it had slowed down quite a bit – people were thinking I was taking that as an option. I know that is down the road. I just hope it is further down the road.”
Another plus for Court is the fact that his son Justin is here and works as an exercise rider.
“That has been a pleasure to have my oldest son on the track,” Court said. “he is always a joy to be around.”

FINAL LIGHTS ARRIVE FOR NIGHTS NEXT WEEK – “Downs After Dark” night racing debuts June 19 and its final sets of temporary lights arrive next week.
    “They will be installing one set of lights at the top of the stretch and two near the track kitchen on June 10 and 11,” said David Sweazy, Churchill Downs’ vice president, Operations. “There will be eight mobile trailers for the infield that will go up between June 10 and 13.”
    Training hours on Monday and Tuesday, June 15 and 16, will begin at 5 a.m. to give trainers an opportunity to have their horses on track under the lights.
    Two more Downs After Dark programs are scheduled for June 26 and July 2 with the first post time for each card being 6 p.m.

RAMSEYS IN COMMAND OF OWNERS RACE – With 60 percent of the 45-day Spring Meet in the books, the husband-wife team of Ken and Sarah Ramsey appear to be well on their way to a 15th owner’s title at Churchill Downs.
The victory by Pauillac in Friday’s fifth race gave the Ramseys 12 winners for the meet, six more than their closest pursuer, Maggi Moss.
The Ramseys, who have won the past three meet titles at Churchill Downs, had 20 winners during last spring’s 52-day meet.
Steve Asmussen, who has won five training titles at Churchill Downs, leads Mike Maker 16-12 in the chase for leading trainer.
In the race for leading rider, four-time meet leader Julien Leparoux has a 43-35 lead over Calvin Borel. Both jockeys are riding at Belmont Park on Saturday and have mounts in the Belmont Stakes (Grade I): Leparoux on Flying Private and Borel on Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird.

MILESTONE WATCH – Calvin Borel will be back at Churchill Downs on Sunday, with mounts in nine of the 10 races. Borel has 920 career victories at Churchill Downs and needs six wins to surpass Don Brumfield for second place all time at the track. Pat Day is No. 1 all time with 2,482 victories.
David Vance has one starter in at Churchill Downs on Saturday – Westline in the eighth -- in his bid to become the 11th trainer with 300 victories beneath the Twins Spires.

BARN TALK – The disqualification of Calimonco for interference in the stretch of Friday’s 11th race that elevated Victory Notion to the win was only the second DQ of the meet for first place. The other previous win DQ came on May 7 in the seventh race when Cross Village was disqualified and placed third for interference in the stretch.

WORK TAB – Three possible candidates for next Saturday’s Fleur De Lis worked over a fast track Saturday morning at Churchill Downs. Likely starter Unforgotten worked a half-mile in :49.80, the 41st fastest of 70 at the distance. Also working were possible starters Temple Street, who worked a half in :47.40 under jockey Jon Court for the second fastest move at the distance of the morning, and French Kiss, who worked seven furlongs in 1:27.60 under jockey Joe Johnson. Probable Regret starter The Best Day Ever worked five furlongs in 1:03.20, the 20th fastest of 33 at the distance. Posting half-mile works were Matt Winn runner-up Cash Refund (:49.20, 30th fastest) and seventh- place Preakness finisher Terrain (:49.60, 36th fastest), who runs next in the Iowa Derby.

West Point Thoroughbreds, Lakland Farm and R.D. Hubbard’s Justwhistledixie, a winner of five consecutive races including the Bonnie Miss (Grade II) and Davona Dale (GII) at Gulfstream Park, has been scratched from the 135th running of the $500,000-added Kentucky Oaks (GI) because of a foot ailment.

    The 3-year-old daughter of Dixie Union was the 5-2 second choice in the morning line odds for the field of eight in the 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-old fillies, but was scratched less than two hours before the race.  Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said the filly was suffering from an abscess in her left front foot that was discovered as his brother and assistant trainer Neal McLaughlin prepared Justwhistledixie for the race.

    “She took an ‘off’ step in her stall,” said Kiaran McLaughlin said.  “We called the vet over and took a look at her and she was really tender in her left inside front.  We took the shoe off and there was heat in there.”

    Justwhistledixie was considered the biggest threat to Rachel Alexandra, the odds-on favorite in the Kentucky Oaks.  McLaughlin said his filly’s ailment is not serious, but there was no way she could compete in the Kentucky Oaks..

    “It’s just horrible timing,” he said.  “She’ll be fine, but it’s really disappointing.”

    Justwhistledixie’s five-race win streak had lifted her career record to 5-0-2 in seven races.  She has earned $337,927.  She is unbeaten in three races in 2009.

    The well-regarded Justwhistledixie was the 5-2 favorite in this year’s single pool of the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager, which was conducted March 12-15.  Rachel Alexandra was the 3-1 second choice in that four-day pool and reigning 2-year-old champion Stardom Bound was the third choice at 9-2.

Follow the progress of your favorite Kentucky Oaks contender through the Churchill Downs Notes Team, bringing you daily updates on the fillies preparing for the 135th running of the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, May 1.

BE FAIR – Four-time Kentuckcy Oaks-winning trainer D. Wayne Lukas said Thomas Van Meter and Charles Kidder’s Be Fair “galloped strong” under exercise rider Omar Golon on Thursday morning at Churchill Downs. But how far did she gallop?

“Doesn’t matter,” Lukas said.  “She was strong.”

Rafael Bejarano has the Oaks mount on Be Fair, who will work Sunday or Monday.

FITZ JUST RIGHT / JUSTWHISTLEDIXIE – West Point Thoroughbreds’ Fitz Just Right and Justwhistledixie galloped a mile and a half each after the renovation break with exercise rider Danny Wright handling both activities.

Neal McLaughlin, assistant to his brother Kiaran McLaughlin, said both fillies would work “probably a half-mile” after the renovation break Friday with Wright handling both works.

Ramon Dominguez will ride Fitz Just Right in the Oaks and Julien Leparoux has the call on Justwhistledixie.

FLYING SPUR – Mike Rutherford’s Flying Spur galloped under exercise rider Joanne Trout on her first day at Churchill Downs. The Bill Mott trainee has been stabled at Keeneland since finishing second in the March 14 Fair Grounds Oaks (Grade II).

Mott said that Garrett Gomez would have the mount on Flying Spur in the Oaks and that the filly’s final pre-Oaks work likely would be Monday.

GABBY’S GOLDEN GAL – Arnold Zetcher’s Gabby’s Golden Gal galloped a mile under exercise rider George Alvarez for trainer Bob Baffert.

Victor Espinoza has the Oaks riding assignment on Gabby’s Golden Gal, who is slated for her final pre-Oaks work on Sunday or Monday.

NAN – J. Paul Reddam’s Nan galloped a “strong” 1 ¼ miles according to Wally Dollase,  who’s handling training duties for his son Craig while the younger Dollase takes care of other business on the West Coast.

Dollase says it’s not yet determined when Nan will put in her final work for Oaks 135. Corey Nakatani has the riding assignment for the Oaks.

RACHEL ALEXANDRA – L & M Parnters LLC’s probable Kentucky Oaks favorite Rachel Alexandra galloped a mile and a half before the renovation break with exercise rider Rudy Gallegos up.

Trained by Hal Wiggins, Rachel Alexandra is scheduled to work a half-mile on Monday morning with Oaks rider Calvin Borel up

Churchill Downs has provided the following horse-by-horse update on preparations by the contenders for the 135th Kentucky Oaks on Friday, May 1, 2009.

BE FAIR – Thomas Van Meter and Charles Kidder’s Be Fair galloped Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs with exercise rider Omar Golon up. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas, a four-time winner of the Kentucky Oaks, has enlisted the services of jockey Rafael Bejarano to ride Be Fair in the May 1 Kentucky Oaks (GI).

FITZ JUST RIGHT / JUSTWHISTLEDIXIE – West Point Thoroughbreds’ duo of Fitz Just Right and Justwhistledixie are scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs from Keeneland on Wednesday afternoon. The Kiaran McLaughlin trainees will be housed in Barn 42. The fillies are scheduled to work Friday and McLaughlin will be on hand for the works. Ramon Dominguez has the riding assignment on Fitz Just Right and Julien Leparoux will partner Justwhistledixie in the Oaks.

FLYING SPUR – Mike Rutherford’s Flying Spur is scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs from Keeneland on Wednesday afternoon and will be stabled in trainer Bill Mott’s barn (19). In her most recent start, Flying Spur ran second to probable Kentucky Oaks favorite Rachel Alexandra in the Fair Grounds Oaks (Grade II) on March 14. Flying Spur, a homebred daughter of Giant’s Causeway, is a daughter of Lakeway, who ran second in the 1994 Kentucky Oaks.

GABBY’S GOLDEN GIRL – Arnold Zetcher’s Gabby’s Golden Girl jogged before the renovation break Wednesday morning under exercise rider George Alvarez. Trained by Bob Baffert, Gabby’s Golden Girl enters the Oaks off a 13-length victory in the Sunland Park Oaks on March 29. Victor Espinoza, who was aboard for the first time that day, has the Oaks riding assignment.

NAN – J. Paul Reddam’s Nan visited the starting gate and then galloped a mile and an eighth before the renovation break under exercise rider Jose Castanon. Trained by Craig Dollase, Nan is scheduled to work on Friday or Saturday. Corey Nakatani has the Oaks riding assignment.

RACHEL ALEXANDRA – L and M Partners’ Rachel Alexandra continued to show her readiness for next Friday’s Kentucky Oaks by galloping a mile and a half under stout restraint from exercise rider Rudy Gallegos. “She is like that every morning,” trainer Hal Wiggins said. Calvin Borel, who has ridden Rachel Alexandra to four consecutive daylight victories, is scheduled to work Rachel Alexandra a half-mile on Monday as their final tuneup for the Oaks.