Barn Notes

Hopes for the Allen Paulson Living Trust’s Stratostar were once fairly high, but the 8-year-old gelding has now settled into a groove that any owner and trainer would be thrilled with.

 

Regret (GIII) winner Pure Clan returned to the track Thursday morning for the first time since winning her third stakes race at Churchill Downs – and her first over the Matt Winn Turf Course.

  Reigning “Horse of the Year” Curlin successfully completed the first step in what could be a journey to Paris to run in the famed Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with a solid work under jockey Robby Albarado over the Matt Winn Turf Course on Tuesday at Churchill Downs.

THIRTY-FOUR NOMINATED TO 36TH RUNNING OF CARDINAL - The $100,000-added Cardinal Handicap (GIII), to be run at 1 1/8 miles over the Matt Winn Turf Course on Nov. 15 for fillies and mares three-years-old and up,  drew 34 nominees.

THORN SONG ASSIGNED HIGH WEIGHT OF 122 FOR RIVER CITY - Zayat Stables' Thorn Song, whose victory in the 2007 River City Handicap (Grade III) marked the first of three graded-stakes scores for the Dale Romans trainee, was assigned high weight of 122 pounds for the 33rd renewal of the race scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 22.

IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr.’s Big Brown has a maiden win on turf and an allowance victory on dirt in his two career starts and he drew the unfavorable outside post for Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby (Grade I), but his reputation is so huge that the inexperienced colt was still installed as the 3-1 morning line choice for the 1 1/8-mile race.

DENIS OF CORK SET FOR MEMORIAL DAY WORK FOR BELMO

 

With co-owner Lewis Lakin looking on, three-time Churchill Downs graded stakes winner Pure Clan worked five furlongs on “firm” turf Thursday morning in 1:03.40 with jockey Julien Leparoux up in preparation for the July 5 $750,000 American Oaks Invitational (GI) at Hollywood Park.

As usual, Calvin Borel went about his business Sunday morning with a smile on his face. Working horses for his brother Cecil, Borel was back at it with a milestone victory in his back pocket: career victory No. 4,500.

FAIR GROUNDS OR CALDER NEXT STOP FOR NISTLE'S CRUNCH - A half-length victory in Sunday's Commonwealth Turf (GIII) by Alien Farm's Nistle's Crunch had trainer Ken McPeek eagerly looking ahead to the next start for the New Jersey-bred son of Van Nistelrooy.

TODAY'S TOP STORIES:

THERIOT READY FOR PREAKNESS MOUNT ON KENTUCKY BEAR

LEPAROUX’S AGENT IN SPOILER ROLE IN THIS TRIPLE CROWN PURSUIT – In 1987, Steve Bass was right in the middle of the Triple Crown storm as the exercise rider for Alysheba.

  AMERICAN DERBY NEXT UP FOR TIZDEJAVU – Trainer Greg Fox was still floating on Cloud Nine a week after Tizdejavu’s authoritative four-length victory in the Jefferson Cup (GII) on “Stephen Foster Super Saturday” at Churchill Downs.

 

ACOMA SEEKS TO BUILD GRASS RESUME IN MRS. REVERE - Before trainer David Carroll ran Acoma in the Valley View (Grade III) at Keeneland, he termed the 3-year-old filly's grass debut as "a bit of an experiment."

INDESCRIBABLE PASSES YIELDING TURF TEST IN CARDINAL - Kenny McCarthy, assistant to Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, reported that Courtlandt Farms' Indescribable came out of her stirring victory in Saturday's Grade III Cardinal Handicap in good order and would be headed to Florida at the end of the month.

A trio of contenders for the 134th running of the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I) turned in strong workouts on Sunday at Churchill Downs in preparation for races that will serve as their final preps for the “Run for the Roses” on May 3.

TODAY'S TOP STORIES:

Back in the late summer of 2004, trainer Eoin Harty unveiled a promising son of AP Indy in Southern California, and he thought the colt owned by Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum had the potential to be any kind of horse.

It’s 900 wins under the Twin Spires of Churchill Downs and counting for jockey Larry Melancon, who reached the mark Thursday when he guided A.P. Xcellent to a front-running victory in the eighth race.

Florida invader Renda, in town for Saturday’s 108th running of the $100,000-added Debutante Stakes (GIII) for 2-year-old fillies, made her first trip to the Churchill Downs track Friday morning with trainer Juan Arias in the saddle.

Reigning "Horse of the Year" Curlin worked an easy half-mile over the main track at Churchill Downs on Monday in preparation for what trainer Steve Asmussen plans as the colt's debut on turf this weekend.

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.

  A busy Monday at Churchill Downs saw significant training moves by several major stakes winners, including works by reigning “Horse of the Year” Curlin and Belmont Stakes (Grade I) contender Denis of Cork.

Reigning “Horse of the Year” Curlin could be asked to concede between 10 and 15 pounds to horses under consideration for Saturday’s Stephen Foster Handicap (Grade I) at Churchill Downs.

Twin Creeks Racing Stable’s Garden District completed her major preparations for Saturday’s expected run in the 108th edition of the Debutante Stakes (Grade III) for 2-year-old fillies by working five furlongs in 1:02.20 over a “fast” track Sunday morning at Churchill Downs.

Trainer Helen Pitts was already looking to have an explosive Fourth of July holiday weekend with her stable star Einstein headed for Friday’s Firecracker Handicap (GII). An added bonus could come in Sunday’s one-mile Locust Grove Handicap (GIII) with Meribel. 

FLINT HAS SCREEN YOUR FRIEND BACK ON TRACK - Veteran trainer Bernie Flint did not get to fully enjoy a banner summer at Churchill Downs. He notched his 400th career victory beneath the Twin Spires in June and had to watch from home as Screen Your Friend won the Bashford Manor (GIII) on July 5.

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 hor

TOP STORIES: - Eight Belles, Pure Clan Set for Rematch in Oaklawn's Fantasy- Casse Bids for Another Bourbonette- A to the Croft Returns for McPeek

DERBY WINNER BIG BROWN JOGS AGAIN ON MUDDY TRACK

NOMINATIONS CLOSE FOR $750,000-ADDED STEPHEN FOSTER, FIVE ‘SUPER SATURDAY’ RACES – Nominations close at midnight (all times EDT) Saturday for the 27th running of Churchill Downs’ $750,00

With a dominant 4 ¼-length victory by reigning “Horse of the Year” Curlin in the $1 million Stephen Foster Handicap (Grade I) behind him, trainer Steve Asmussen was looking toward the future for his champion on Sunday morning. And the immediate future could have a distinctive green tint, as in the color of grass

Three-time Grade I turf winner Einstein will be asked to concede between 6-10 pounds to as many as eight rivals in Friday’s 19th running of the $200,000-added Firecracker Handicap (GII) at a mile on the Matt Winn Turf Course.

A strong year for veteran trainer James Baker hit a significant bump when injury prematurely ended the career of stable star Elite Squadron, but Baker hopes to regain some lost momentum when he saddles a pair of rising young stars in the two stakes races that highlight Saturday’s “Stars of Tomorrow” program at Churchill Downs.

RISE OF ROMANS EMPIRE CONTINUES AT CHURCHILL DOWNS - The victory by Zayat Stables' Melo in Thursday's first race was the 450th triumph beneath the Twin Spires for trainer Dale Romans, moving him past D. Wayne Lukas into second place all time at Churchill Downs.

(May 22, 2008) - Two Churchill Downs-based 3-year-olds that are being pointed toward a battle against unbeaten Kentucky Derby (Grade I) winner and Triple Crown winner Big Brown in the Belmont Stakes (GI) were reported to be doing well with just over two weeks remaining before the June 7 “Test

DELIGHTFUL KISS RETURNS TO HIS OLD KENTUCKY HOME – A year ago, trainer Pete Anderson was hopeful of getting a matchup against Curlin on the main track at Churchill Downs in the Kentucky Derby with Hobeau Farm’s Delightful Kiss.

Reigning “Horse of the Year” Curlin and three-time Grade I turf winner Einstein, the 1-2 finishers in the $1 million Stephen Foster Handicap (GI) on dirt on June 14, top a list of 35 nominations for the 19th running of the Firecracker Handicap (GII) over the Matt Winn Turf Course at a mile on July 4.

Zayat Stables' Thorn Song and Patricia Cunningham and Melissa Green, Lessee's Einstein, the one-two finishers in Friday's $200,000-added Firecracker Handicap (GII), were reported to be doing well Saturday morning by their connections.

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.

For the second time in five weeks, Ariege and Golden Doc A tangled in a prep for the $500,000-added Kentucky Oaks (Grade I).  The result in round two was the same as their first meeting as Ariege, owned by IEAH Stables and Pegasus Holding Group Stables, defeating Ron McCauley’s Golden Doc A by a length in Thursday’s Stonerside Beaumont Stakes (GII) at Keeneland.

Stonestreet Stable and Midnight Cry Stable’s Curlin dazzled onlookers with a strong work at Churchill Downs on Monday as the reigning “Horse of the Year” tuned up for planned run in th

Regret (GIII) winner Pure Clan returned to the track Thursday morning for the first time since winning her third stakes race at Churchill Downs – and her first over the Matt Winn Turf Course.

Maggi Moss’ top sprinter Indian Chant, winner of Churchill Downs’ Grade III Aristides in his most recent start on May 31, is headed for Calder’s “Summit of Speed” according to trainer Tom Amoss. “He is going to work Tuesday or Wednesday,” Amoss said of Indian Chant, whose Florida objective is the Grade II Smile Sprint Stakes at six furlongs.

ALBARADO STILL ROLLING, HOPING FOR ANOTHER RIDE ON CURLIN - A strong start on the 26-day Fall Meet at Churchill Downs indicates that jockey Robby Albarado is in no danger of slowing down in a 2008 racing season that is close to equaling a 2007 season that was the best of his career.

THORN SONG ASSIGNED HIGH WEIGHT OF 122 FOR RIVER CITY - Zayat Stables' Thorn Song, whose victory in the 2007 River City Handicap (Grade III) marked the first of three graded-stakes scores for the Dale Romans trainee, was assigned high weight of 122 pounds for the 33rd renewal of the race scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 22.

LEPAROUX STILL TOPS, BUT ALBARADO CLIMBS INTO A TIE

 

With co-owner Lewis Lakin looking on, three-time Churchill Downs graded stakes winner Pure Clan worked five furlongs on “firm” turf Thursday morning in 1:03.40 with jockey Julien Leparoux up in preparation for the July 5 $750,000 American Oaks Invitational (GI) at Hollywood Park.

As usual, Calvin Borel went about his business Sunday morning with a smile on his face. Working horses for his brother Cecil, Borel was back at it with a milestone victory in his back pocket: career victory No. 4,500.

CARROLL BEAMING AFTER ACOMA'S MRS. REVERE TRIUMPH - Trainer David Carroll said Sunday morning that Acoma came out of her triumph in Saturday's Mrs. Revere (GII) in good order.

Trainer Rick Dutrow, still fighting a heavy cough, was back at the track Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs supervising his 12-horse string in Louisville headlined by Big Brown winner of last Saturday’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I).

Ronald Lamarque and Louie Roussel III’s fifth-place Kentucky Derby finisher, Recapturetheglory, has had his Preakness plans put on hold by a fever.

PURE CLAN WORKS FIVE FURLONGS FOR REGRET – With part owner Lewis Lakin looking on, Pure Clan put in her final work for next weekend’s $200,000-added Regret (Grade III) by working five furlongs in 1:02.20 over “firm” turf Thursday morning under Julien Leparoux.

  AMERICAN DERBY NEXT UP FOR TIZDEJAVU – Trainer Greg Fox was still floating on Cloud Nine a week after Tizdejavu’s authoritative four-length victory in the Jefferson Cup (GII) on “Stephen Foster Super Saturday” at Churchill Downs.

 

WILKES NOTCHES ‘FIRST' CHURCHILL STAKES VICTORY WITH ‘CANDYMAN' IN IROQUOIS - Trainer Ian Wilkes has made many visits to the Churchill Downs winner's circle since he first arrived at Churchill Downs from Australia nearly 20 years ago - including a couple of stops in the exclusive Kentucky Derby winner's circle with mentor Carl Nafzger.  But Saturday's "Stars of

INDESCRIBABLE PASSES YIELDING TURF TEST IN CARDINAL - Kenny McCarthy, assistant to Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, reported that Courtlandt Farms' Indescribable came out of her stirring victory in Saturday's Grade III Cardinal Handicap in good order and would be headed to Florida at the end of the month.

Jockey Julien Leparoux, trainer Mike Maker and owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey concluded their assault on the Churchill Downs record book in scoring dazzling victories their respective categories as the 26-day Fall Meet at the historic home of the Kentucky Derby concluded on Saturday, Nov. 29.

A pair of fillies that have spent time chasing the likes of 2-year-old filly champion Indian Blessing and Fair Grounds Oaks (Grade II) winner Proud Spell have the opportunity in Saturday’s $150,000 Bonnie Miss at Gulfstream Park to stamp themselves as major contenders for the $500,000-added Kentucky Oaks (GI).

Mr and Mrs William Warren’s Denis of Cork tuned up for a run at unbeaten Triple Crown contender Big Brown in the June 7 Belmont Stakes (Grade I) with a strong five-furlong workout on Monday at Churchill Downs.

The countdown to the opening of the second half of the 2008 campaign by Stonestreet Stable and Midnight Cry Stable’s reigning “Horse of the Year” Curlin is now down to hours, and trainer Steve Asmussen is ready to see the imposing chestnut colt run in Saturday’s $1 million Stephen Foster Handicap (Grade I).

Florida invader Renda, in town for Saturday’s 108th running of the $100,000-added Debutante Stakes (GIII) for 2-year-old fillies, made her first trip to the Churchill Downs track Friday morning with trainer Juan Arias in the saddle.

Reigning "Horse of the Year" Curlin worked an easy half-mile over the main track at Churchill Downs on Monday in preparation for what trainer Steve Asmussen plans as the colt's debut on turf this weekend.

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.

“Everything’s good here,” trainer Rick Dutrow said Thursday morning after Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown, winner of the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I) was back in Stall 12 at Barn 22 on the Churchill Downs backstretch. With Michelle Nevin up, Big Brown went to the track before 7 o’clock and jogged a mile.

Ashbrook Farm’s Wicked Style, winner of the Lane’s End Breeders’ Futurity (Grade I) at Keeneland and one of the top 2-year-olds of 2007, is set to make his anticipated debut at three in a one-mile allowance race on turf on Wednesday at Churchill Downs.

CURLIN ASSIGNED 128 POUNDS FOR GRADE I STEPHEN FOSTER HANDICAP – Stonestreet Stable and Midnight Cry Stable’s reigning “Horse of the Year” Curlin was assigned 128 pounds for next Saturday’s mile and one-eighth Stephen Foster Handicap (Grade I) at Churchill Downs by Racing Secretary Ben Huffman.

Twin Creeks Racing Stable’s Garden District completed her major preparations for Saturday’s expected run in the 108th edition of the Debutante Stakes (Grade III) for 2-year-old fillies by working five furlongs in 1:02.20 over a “fast” track Sunday morning at Churchill Downs.

Trainer Helen Pitts was already looking to have an explosive Fourth of July holiday weekend with her stable star Einstein headed for Friday’s Firecracker Handicap (GII). An added bonus could come in Sunday’s one-mile Locust Grove Handicap (GIII) with Meribel. 

ACOMA SEEKS TO BUILD GRASS RESUME IN MRS. REVERE - Before trainer David Carroll ran Acoma in the Valley View (Grade III) at Keeneland, he termed the 3-year-old filly's grass debut as "a bit of an experiment."

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 hor

CURLIN SET TO RETURN TO CHURCHILL DOWNS ON MONDAY - Reigning "Horse of the Year" Curlin, fourth to Raven's Pass in the Breeders' Cup Classic (Grade I) on Saturday at Santa Anita, is scheduled to return to trainer Steve Asmussen's barn at Churchill Downs on Monday, Oct.

IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr.’s Big Brown had his presence announced on the track shortly before 7 a.m. Sunday with a loud clap of thunder.

STEWART GLANCES AT FORECAST, WORKS BELMONT STAKES HOPE MACHO AGAIN – West Point Thoroughbreds’ Macho Again, runner-up to Kentucky Derby Presented b

Rob O’Connor has been training horses at Churchill Downs for more than two decades, but he never has had a meet such as the current one.