Swift Temper

SWIFT TEMPER SCRATCH FROM FALLS CITY, RETIRED – Mark Stanley’s Grade I-winning millionaire Swift Temper, the 5-2 second choice in the morning line for today’s 94th running of the $150,000-added Falls City Handicap (GII) at Churchill Downs, has been scratched from the race because of an injury and retired.

Trainer Dale Romans said the 5-year-old daughter of Giant’s Causeway suffered a fractured splint bone in her final training for the race.  The 1 1/8-mile Falls City had been scheduled to been the final race of Swift Temper’s career.

“She fractured a splint bone, but she’s completely sound and it’s not a big issue,” said Romans.  “She was going to be retired after this race anyway, so she can go ahead and start her career as a broodmare.”

Swift Temper steadily improved throughout a racing career that started in the late summer of 2006.  She joined Romans’ barn during her 3-year-old season and her final year of racing was her finest.  Her three victories in 10 races in 2009 included victories in the Personal Ensign (GI) Saratoga and the Delaware Handicap (GII) at Delaware Park.

“I didn’t pick her up until she was three, and she always seemed like she could improve,” Romans said, “but nobody could have predicted she could go to that level.”

She concludes her racing career with a record of 6-4-3 in 31 races with earnings of $1,296,688.

“She’s a special filly and has been special for our barn,” Romans said.  “We hate to see her go, but I think she’s going to have a great career as a broodmare.”

KISS THE KID LOOKS FOR BREAKTHROUGH IN CLARK – There is a slight chance of precipitation falling in the Louisville area late Thursday and early Friday and for the connections of Hardacre Farm’s Kiss the Kid, that “would be just fine.”

So says Barry Menifee, assistant to trainer Amy Tarrant, of the 6-year-old Kiss the Kid, who will be making his 23rd consecutive stakes start in Friday’s 135th running of the Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (Grade II).

Kiss the Kid, who arrived at Churchill Downs on Tuesday, has just missed in his two most recent dirt starts.  The son of Lemon Drop Kid will be going for his first graded-stakes victory on dirt in the 1 1/8 mile Clark to go with two Grade III turf scores.

“He’s been as sound as hickory, just a good solid horse,” said Menifee. “He’s never really missed any significant time. He’s going to run next year … he’s good and sound and we are going to keep going with him.”

Kiss the Kid has a lifetime record of 8-4-6 in 34 races with earnings of $736,267. His dirt record is 3-2-4 in 12 races, but he is 2-2-0 in four runs on wet tracks. Those recent runner-up finishes on dirt were a neck loss to Clark rival Etched in the Meadowlands Cup (GII), and a near-miss, also by a neck, to Get Serious in the off-the-turf Oceanport at Monmouth Park on Aug. 2.  Both races were run on sloppy tracks.

Paco Lopez, who has been aboard for Kiss the Kid in his past two starts, has the riding assignment in the Clark, which will be the 6-year-old’s final race of 2009.

“He is going straight to Florida after the race,” Menifee said. “We have a training center in Ocala first for a while and then on to Gulfstream Park where we’ll probably look for a couple of grass races.”

RAHY’S ATTORNEY MAKES RARE ROAD TRIP OUT OF CANADA – A cold breeze began blowing through the Churchill Downs barn area a couple of mornings ago, right after Rahy’s Attorney arrived for a start in Friday’s 32nd running of the $100,000-added River City Handicap (GIII).

"Hey, don’t blame us; it’s been warm up there,” said Jeff Bowen, assistant to Rahy’s Attorney’s trainer Ian Baker.

Rahy’s Attorney arrived at Churchill Downs at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday after vanning south from his home base at Woodbine in Toronto. The River City will be only the third start away from Woodbine for Rahy’s Attorney who has compiled a record of 10-3-4 in 23 races record at the Canadian track.

"There is no need to travel,” said Bowen, a six-year Baker’s assistant. “I’m a little biased, but I think we have the best turf course in North America. The money is great and the stakes program is geared toward the Atto Mile and the Canadian International.”

A true “rags to riches” horse, Rahy’s Attorney has earned $1,527,723 in a career that features seven stakes wins at Woodbine, four in graded company highlighted by a score in the Grade I Woodbine Mile in 2008.

His lone trips away from Woodbine were a sixth-place finish in the Shadwell Turf Mile (GI) in 2008 at Keeneland and a ninth-place finish in the Mile Championship (GI) at Kyoto, Japan, to close out 2008.  Rahy’s Attorney effort in that last trip to Kentucky was compromised by a wide trip after breaking from the 12 post.  “The outside post killed us there,” Bowen said.

Three years ago, Rahy’s Attorney could have been claimed for $32,000.

“He hadn’t shown us much and the second time when we ran him for $32,000 he opened up a big lead and just got caught,” Bowen said. “We thought ‘Hey, maybe we have something here.’ No more tags after that.”

Owned by Elle Boje Farm, Dean Read, Mitch Peters and Jean and Jim MacLellan, Rahy’s Attorney broke his maiden in his third start as a 3-year-old in 2007 and later that year won his first three starts on the grass.

“Ontario has a great breed program and as a 3-year-old we let him build up his confidence in those races,” Bowen said.

Robert Landry, who rode Rahy’s Attorney in his first 12 starts, has the call Friday in the River City and will break from post position four. Landry was reunited with Rahy’s Attorney last month in a three-length victory in the Bunty Lawless Stakes at Woodbine.

BARN TALK – Steve Asmussen saddled two winners on Wednesday to move four victories ahead of Dale Romans in the race for leading trainer of the meet. With three days to go in the 21-day meet, Asmussen owns a 16-12 lead over Romans. Asmussen, who has won three Spring and three Fall training titles here, has six horses running on the Thanksgiving Day card and Romans, who has won five training titles here outright and shared three others, has five runners on the 12-race card. Romans could make a serious dent in the deficit Friday when he has eight horses entered on the 12-race card to only two for Asmussen. On Saturday’s “Stars of Tomorrow II” card exclusively for 2-year-olds, Romans has 10 entrants and Asmussen seven.…

    Julien Leparoux rode two winners Wednesday to increase his lead over Calvin Borel to 24-22 in the race for leading rider. Leparoux has 10 mounts Thursday and Borel nine, but this will be Leparoux’s final day to ride here this meet as he will be riding this weekend in the Japan Cup in Tokyo. On the final two days of the meet, Borel is named on 21 mounts – nine Friday and 12 on Saturday. ...

Ken and Sarah Ramsey strengthened their hold on a bid for a record 16th leading owners title Wednesday when two of their four starters won to give the couple nine victories for the meet. To Tell the Truth ($4.40) won the fourth and Rising Barometer ($4.80) took the eighth to give the Ramseys a five-win lead over Brereton Jones, the Heiligbrodt Racing Stable and the partnership of L.T.B. Inc. and Miles Childers. The Ramseys have won eight Spring titles and seven Fall titles.

WORK TAB – Haras Santa Maria de Araras’ Simmard breezed through the stretch Thursday morning in :27.20 in advance of Friday’s River City for trainer Roger Attfield.

SURGING CUSTOM FOR CARLOS FOLLOWS IN SWIFT HOOFPRINTS FOR KENNEALLY – A month after Kelly’s Landing was winding down his stellar career, a possible replacement debuted for trainer Eddie Kenneally at Gulfstream Park in Custom for Carlos.

Racing for Homewrecker Racing and Avalon Farms, Custom for Carlos closed out his 3-year-old campaign with a 3 ¾-length victory over Churchill Downs Stakes (GII) winner Accredit in Saturday’s Bet On Sunshine overnight stakes. Custom for Carlos covered the six furlongs in 1:09.71 and improved his record at the distance to 3-1-0 in four races with the lone loss coming by a nose in the Gallant Bob Handicap at Philadelphia Park on Oct. 10.

“He’s a nice horse and we’ll look at the Mr. Prospector to start next year,” Kenneally said of the six-furlong Grade III test at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 16.

Kelly’s Landing had run twice as a 3-year-old for trainer Tom Burgin before beginning his racing career with Kenneally at age 4. Under Kenneally’s care, Kelly’s Landing won 8 of 25 starts with the biggest victory coming in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (GI) as a 6-year-old.

“There are a lot of similarities between the two at this stage of their careers,” Kenneally said. “Custom for Carlos could become a top sprinter.”

Custom for Carlos is 2-for-2 at Churchill Downs at six furlongs, the same distance as the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (GI) that will be contested beneath the Twin Spires on Nov. 6, 2010.

HANFORD, OLDEST KENTUCKY DERBY WINNING JOCKEY, DIES AT 91 -- Ira “Babe” Hanford, who won the 1936 Kentucky Derby aboard Bold Venture, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 21 in Ocala, Fla. after a lengthy illness. He was 91.

Hanford was the oldest living Kentucky Derby-winning jockey and was the first apprentice to win the “Run for the Roses.”

Tne of 10 children, Hanford grew up in Fairbury, Neb., and followed his two brothers to the East Coast to become a jockey. His oldest brother “Buddy” died after sustaining a head injury in a race at Pimlico Race Course in 1933. His brother Carl, now 93, is the Hall of Fame trainer best known for training five-time Horse of the Year Kelso.

Ira Hanford was at Churchill Downs for the 2006 Kentucky Derby.

“Babe and I enjoyed celebrating the 70th anniversary of his winning ride by attending the 2006 Kentucky Derby,” said Virginia “Ginny” Hanford, his wife of 67 years.

In addition to his wife and brother, Hanford is survived by his two sons Glenn and Gary and numerous nieces and nephews, including trainer Gail Hanford.

A private funeral is scheduled for Saturday. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that a donation be made to the Kentucky Derby Museum to help its recovery from August flood damage.

RAMSEY-OWNED TURF STAKES WINNERS TOP GRAND CANYON, CARESSING  NOMINEES – Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s Dean’s Kitten and Kera’s Kitten, both stakes winners on the grass, top a list of 24 nominations for Saturday’s $60,000-added Grand Canyon, an overnight stakes race for 2-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on the grass.

Mike Maker trains both sons of Kitten’s Joy. Dean’s Kitten, winner of the Vision Stakes at Belmont Park on Oct. 25, is the only Grand Canyon nominee to have run in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf on Nov. 7 at Santa Anita. He finished sixth in the field of 12, beaten only 2 ¾ lengths by Pounced.

Kera’s Kitten is undefeated in two career starts, both on the grass. He broke his maiden going six furlongs at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 21 and then won the one-mile El Joven Stakes at Retama Park on Oct. 24.

Trainer Dale Romans has nominated the only two colts among the nominees to have won grass races at Churchill Downs during the current meet. Lost Aptitude, owned by Michael Bruder and Frank Jones, won a 1 1/16-mile allowance race on Nov. 8. Romans Reward, owned by Jones, broke his maiden going 1 1/16 miles on Nov. 1.

The Ramsey-Maker tandem also has one of two turf stakes winning fillies nominated to Saturday’s $60,000-added Caressing at a mile on the Matt Winn Turf Course. A total of 37 2-year-old fillies were nominated to the Caressing.

Lisa’s Kitten won the La Senorita on Oct. 24 at Retama Park before finishing 10th, beaten only 6 ¾ lengths, in the Nov. 6 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita.

Rich Pearl, owned and trained by Jerry Todd, is undefeated in two grass starts and won the Donnie Wilhite Memorial going a mile at Louisiana Downs on Aug. 15.

Entries for both overnight stakes will be taken Wednesday for the final day “Stars of Tomorrow II” card that will feature 12 races exclusively for 2-year-olds.

SWIFT TEMPER COULD START BIG WEEKEND FOR ROMANS – Dale Romans has been the trainer of Swift Temper for her past 14 races and during the 17-month span the millionaire mare never had thrown in two clunkers in a row … until her past two starts.

So it is that Swift Temper, owned by Mark Stanley, enters Thursday’s 94th running of the Falls City Handicap (GII) at 1 1/8 miles with plenty of questions surrounding her after a 10th-place finish in the Spinster (GI) at Keeneland on Oct. 11 and a sixth-place showing in the Chilukki (GII) here on Nov. 7.
“I hope she wakes up,” Romans said. “She didn’t care for the Polytrack (at Keeneland) and she didn’t have the best of trips in the Chilukki.”

Under Romans’ care, Swift Temper has compiled a record of 14-4-2-3. In the Falls City, Swift Temper will be reunited with jockey Alan Garcia.

“She seems to run really well for him,” Romans said of Garcia who has guided Swift Temper to two victories and two runner-up finishes the four times he has been aboard.

While Romans may be bidding Swift Temper farewell after the Falls City, Saturday’s “Stars of Tomorrow II” card for 2-year-olds could portend a big 2010 for the trainer.

Romans, who already has Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Tapitsfly in his barn, will be active in Saturday’s two graded stakes on the main track as well as the overnight Grand Canyon on the turf.
“(Pocahontas winner) Sassy Image is doing great and I may also put a maiden, Quiet Temper, in the Golden Rod,” Romans said. “Mr. Saturdaynight shipped in a couple of weeks ago from California for the Kentucky Jockey Club and the two grass horses, Lost Aptitude and Romans Reward, are going to run Saturday.

“Quite a few of them look like they can mature into nice horses.”

BOREL WILL STAY ON THE MOVE AFTER MEET CONCLUDES – Calvin Borel, on his way to a possible third Churchill Downs riding title, will be a man on the move when the Fall Meet ends Saturday.

Borel and Garrett Gomez will represent the United States in the World Super Jockey Series at Hanshin racecourse in Japan on Dec. 5 and 6. The top seven flat riders in Japan will take on an overseas continent of eight riders in the event that is in its 23rd year.

When Borel returns from Japan, he will be the grand marshal for the Christmas parade in his hometown of Catahoula, La., according to his agent Jerry Hissam. Following the parade, the town will unveil two signs to be placed at city entrances that will proclaim Catahoula to be “The birthplace of two-time Kentucky Derby winner Calvin Borel”.

At the start of 2010, Borel may ride New Year’s Day at Delta Downs and then head to Hot Springs, Ark., on Jan. 11 for the Jan. 15 opening of the Oaklawn Park meet.

Borel, who had a 21-18 lead on Julien Leparoux heading into the final five days of the meet, previously won Churchill Downs riding titles during the 1999 Fall Meet and shared the 2006 Fall title with Shaun Bridgmohan.
    
BARN TALK – Superstar filly Rachel Alexandra has jogged lightly once around the track at the end of training hours with regular exercise rider Dominic Terry up accompanied by assistant trainer Scott Blasi on a pony. Undefeated in eight starts in 2009 including three victories over males and a 20 ¼-length victory in the Kentucky Oaks (GI), Rachel Alexandra has not run since winning the Woodward (GI) at Saratoga on Sept. 5. Rachel Alexandra began walking under tack in trainer Steve Asmussen’s shedrow last week and Monday’s appearance on the track was her first since arriving here Oct. 7. …

Julien Leparoux rode two winners Sunday to move into 15th place all time at Churchill Downs with 397 victories. He moved past Rafael Bejarano (396). Sitting immediately ahead of Leparoux is Earlie Fires with 403 victories beneath the Twin Spires.

WORK TAB – Iroquois (GIII) winner Thiskyhasnolimit worked a half-mile in :50.60 over a “fast” track for trainer Steve Asmussen on Tuesday as a prelude to Saturday’s Kentucky Jockey Club (GII). Also working for the Kentucky Jockey Club was Activity Report, who covered three furlongs in :35.80 for trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Another who worked three-eighths for Lukas was Debutante (GIII) winner and Pocahontas probable Decelerator (:37). Rich Pearl worked a half-mile around the “dogs” on a “firm” turf course in :49.80 for owner-trainer Jerry Todd in advance of Saturday’s Caressing. … On the Monday tab, Denis of Cork worked a half-mile over a “fast” track in :49.80 as he continues his comeback from a couple of injuries. Trained by David Carroll, Denis of Cork ran third in the 2008 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) and second in the Belmont Stakes (GI).   

Team Valor International’s Unbridled Belle and Mark Stanley’s Swift Temper, each a Grade I stakes winner in her career, will carry top weight of 122 pounds and concede 6-8 pounds when they take on four rival fillies and mares in Thursday’s 94th running of the $150,000-added Falls City Handicap (Grade II) at Churchill Downs.

The 1 1/8-mile Falls City will go as the 11th race on the 12-race Thanksgiving Day card that begins at 11:30 a.m. (all times ET). Post time for the Falls City is approximately 4:24 p.m.

Unbridled Belle has finished behind Swift Temper on three occasions this year, but the daughter of Broken Vow enters the Falls City off a 4-length victory in the Turnback the Alarm Handicap (GIII) at Aqueduct on Oct. 31 and has been installed as the 7-5 morning line favorite by Churchill Downs oddsmaker Mike Battaglia. Winner of the Grade I Beldame in 2007, Unbridled Belle is trained by Todd Pletcher who won the 2005 Falls City with Indian Vale.

Ramon Dominguez, who has ridden Unbridled Belle to five graded-stakes victories and six of her eight career victories, will ride Thursday and break from post position five.

he highlights of 2009 for Swift Temper have been a 1 ¾-length score in the Grade I Ruffian at Belmont Park and a front-running victory in the Delaware Handicap (GII). Trained by Dale Romans who won the 2004 Falls City with Halory Leigh, Swift Temper is the second choice in the morning line 5-2. The 5-year-old daughter of Giant’s Causeway ran fourth in last year’s Falls City and this year was third in the Louisville Distaff (GII) and second in the Fleur De Lis (GII).

Alan Garcia, who rode Swift Temper in both the Ruffian and Delaware Handicap, has the riding assignment Thursday and will exit post position four.

The field for the Falls City, from the rail out, is as follows: Best Lass (K. Desormeaux, 114 pounds, 10-1), Morena (Per) (S. Bridgmohan, 115, 6-1), Copper State (R. Albarado, 116, 7-2), Swift Temper (A. Garcia, 122, 5-2), Unbridled Belle (R. Dominguez, 122, 7-5) and Serenading (J. Leparoux, 116, 8-1).

EINSTEIN ASSIGNED TOP WEIGHT OF 123 FOR CLARK HANDICAP – The most recent time Einstein (Brz), Macho Again and Bullsbay met in the same race was the Stephen Foster Handicap (Grade I) here on June 13 with Einstein conceding 7 pounds to the two rivals.

Should they line up as expected next Friday in the 135th running of the $400,000-added Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (GII), the gap will be smaller.

Einstein, owned by Stronach Stables, was assigned the top weight of 123 pounds by Churchill Downs Racing Secretary Ben Huffman, one fewer than in the Stephen Foster in which he finished third behind Macho Again and a neck ahead of Bullsbay.

Macho Again, owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, and Bullsbay, owned by Mitchell Ranch, Frank Lewkowitz and Joe Rice, carried 117 pounds each in the Foster. For the Clark, Macho Again was assigned 121 and Bullsbay 119.

Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s Furthest Land, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (GI) in his most recent start, was assigned the Clark’s second high weight of 122 pounds.

Einstein, winner of the Clark last year, and Bullsbay turned in poor performances over the Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) finishing 11th and ninth, respectively, in their most recent starts. Macho Again has not run since finishing fourth in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (GI) at Belmont Park on Oct. 3.

Other horses considered as probable for the 1 1/8-mile main track test by Churchill Downs racing officials are Godolphin Racing’s Etched (120), Hardacre Farm’s Kiss the Kid (118), David Holloway Racing’s Dubious Miss (116), Virginia Tarra Trust’s Giant Oak (115), Edmund Gann’s You and I Forever (115) and Circle E Racing, Caesar Kimmel and Philip Solondz’s Timber Reserve (114).

Entries for the Clark Handicap will be taken Tuesday.

SWIFT TEMPER, UNBRIDLED BELLE SHARE FALLS CITY TOP WEIGHT – Mark Stanley’s Swift Temper and Team Valor International’s Unbridled Belle, both Grade I stakes winners during their impressive careers, were assigned top weight of 122 pounds by Racing Secretary Ben Huffman for Thursday’s 94th running of the $150,000-added Falls City Handicap (GII) for fillies and mares going 1 1/8 miles on the main track.

Trained by Dale Romans, Swift Temper ran fourth behind Miss Isella in last year’s Falls City and was second to the same rival in this June’s Fleur De Lis (GII) at 1 1/8 miles.  Her brightest moments this year came in back-to-back victories in the Ruffian (GI) at Belmont Park and the Delaware Handicap (GII) at Delaware Park.

Unbridled Belle is scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs on Monday and join Swift Temper in the starting gate. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Unbridled Belle won Turnback the Alarm Handicap (GIII) at Aqueduct in her most recent start on Oct. 31.  She won the Grade I Beldame at Belmont Park in 2007.

Other fillies and mares considered as probable for the Falls City by Churchill Downs racing officials are Vision Racing’s Copper State (116), John and Glen Sikura’s Seranading (116) and Magdalena Racing’s Best Lass (114). Regarded as possible starters are Richard, Bertram and Elaine Klein’s Whirlie Bertie (117) and Jerry Jamgotchian’s Sweet and Flawless (111).

Entries for the Falls City will be taken Sunday.

BREEDERS’ CUP DIRT MILE WINNER FURTHEST LAND TOPS RIVER CITY WEIGHT LIST – Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s Furthest Land, a three-time winner of the turf this year and winner of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (GI) over a synthetic surface in his most recent start, was assigned top weight of 123 pounds by Racing Secretary Ben Huffman for next Friday’s 32nd running of the $100,000-added River City Handicap (GIII) at 1 1/8 miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course.

The Green Lantern Stables’ Karelian, who dead-heated with the Amerman Racing Stables’ Demarcation in last year’s River City, was assigned the next high weight at 122 pounds. Karelian is not expected to run in this year’s race.

Demarcation, who was assigned 117 pounds, is nominated to both the Clark Handicap and River City Handicap and no decision has been made as to which race the 5-year-old gelding will go in.

“I entered him this morning in a money allowance for Tuesday,” trainer Paul McGee said of Demarcation. “If it doesn’t fill, I won’t lose any sleep over it because he can come back in the River City. That’s the direction we’re leaning, but the Clark has not been ruled out.”

The probable starting high weight at 121 pounds is Rahy’s Attorney. Owned by Elle Boje Farm, Dean Reed, Mitch Peters and Jean and Jim MacLellan and trained by Ian Black, Rahy’s Attorney has won three of six starts in 2009 including scores in the King Edward Handicap (GII) and the Nijinsky (GII) at Woodbine.  He upset Ventura to win last year’s Woodbine Mile (GI) at Woodbine.

Other horses considered by track racing officials to be probable for the River City are Catherine Day Phillips and Todd Phillips’ Jambalaya (120), Nyala Farm’s Banrock (119), Kiaran McLaughlin’s Brave Tin Soldier (117), Edward Evans’ Pleasant Strike (116), Ashbrook Farm’s Wicked Style  (116), Eldon Farm Equine’s Wheels Up At Noon (115), Paul Gutheil’s Cryptolight (114) and  Robert Courtney Jr.’s Rahystrada (114).

Entries for the River City Handicap will be taken Tuesday.

JOCKEYS TO CONTRIBUTE TO JULIA BRIMO FUND -- On Saturday, Nov. 28, jockeys across North America will be asked to contribute one mount fee to the Julia Brimo Fund, set up to assist with her expenses during rehabilitation for her injuries.

Brimo suffered head and back injuries in a spill at Keeneland on Oct. 30 and is currently a patient at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto.  Early next week, she is expected to be transferred to the Lyndhurst Centre, a leading spinal cord rehabilitation facility also in Toronto.In honor of Brimo and to raise awareness of the plight of seriously injured jockeys, riders across North America will wear two patches on their boots that day.  One patch will feature her name, “Julia”, on it while the other will highlight the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF).

The Julia Brimo Fund was established at Fifth Third Bank by Cindy Werner, the wife of trainer Ronny Werner.  Contributions can be made to the Fund by sending a check made out to the Julia Brimo Fund and sent to Cindy Werner at 1116 Flat Rock Road, Louisville, KY 40245.

BARN TALK – Freddie Lenclud, the only apprentice rider to win a race at the current Fall Meet, will have a new agent when the meet ends next Saturday and a new winter destination. “Doc Danner is going to have my book and I am going to Oaklawn Park the first of the year,” said Lenclud, who has ridden six winners through the first 13 days of the meet. Lenclud, who had entertained thoughts of riding at Aqueduct in the winter, will remain in Kentucky to ride at Turfway Park through December before going to Arkansas

WORK TAB – West Point Thoroughbreds’ Macho Again, prepping for next week’s Clark Handicap, worked five furlongs in 1:01.20 over a “fast” track Friday morning. The move was the 11th fastest of 20 at the distance. … Vision Racing’s Copper State, working for an expected start in Thursday’s Falls City Handicap, worked a half-mile in :49, the 20th fastest of 47 at the distance.    

The presence of Mark Stanley’s Grade I winner Swift Temper and the return to the races of G. Watts Humphrey Jr. and the Louise Ireland Humphrey Revocable Trust-2008’s One Caroline serve as the main attention grabbers for Saturday’s 24th running of the $150,000-added Chilukki (Grade II).
    
    But the story of the race figures to be Payton d’Oro, who is scheduled to be the final starter for Kentucky-born trainer Larry Jones.
    
    Jones, who saddled Proud Spell to win the 2008 Kentucky Oaks (GI) and sent out Hard Spun and Eight Belles to runner-up finishes in the 2007 and 2008 runnings of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI), is retiring after Saturday and turning the operation of the stable to his wife Cindy.
    
    Jones, a 53-year-old native of Hopkinsville, also will saddle Brereton Jones’ On the Menu in Saturday’s Dream Supreme, the day’s eighth race. After Saturday, he and Cindy will retain 23 horses that they own totally or in partnerships.
    
    Winner of the Remington Park Oaks last time out and the Grade II Black-Eyed Susan at Pimlico in May. Payton d’Oro is owned by Michael Pressley, John Ferris, Mike Riley, Lee Robey and Barry Higgins and will be ridden by Terry Thompson.

One Caroline, trained by Rusty Arnold, has been installed as the 8-5 morning line favorite by Churchill Downs oddsmaker Mike Battaglia. A winner of five of six career starts, One Caroline has not started since a runner-up finish to Miss Isella in the Louisville Distaff (GII) on May 1.

Leandro Goncalves will ride One Caroline and break from post position four under a 122-pound impost.

Swift Temper, 3-1 on the morning line, will tote high weight of 124 pounds in the Chilukki and break from post seven under Chris Emigh. Trained by Dale Romans, Swift Temper’s resume is highlighted by a victory in the Grade I Ruffian at Belmont Park in September. Swift Temper ran third in last year’s Chilukki behind Leah’s Secret.

The Chilukki goes as the ninth race on Saturday’s 10-race card with a 4:58 p.m. (all times EST). Post time for the first race on the program that includes simulcast of eight Breeders’ Cup World Championship races from Santa Anita, is 12:40 p.m. The Breeders’ Cup races kick off with the Juvenile Turf at 1:45 p.m. and concludes with the Classic at 6:45 p.m.
    
    The field for the Chilukki, from the rail out (with jockey, assigned weight and morning line odds), is as follows: Copper State (Shaun Bridgmohan, 118 pounds, 12-1), Royale Michele (E. Baird, 118, 10-1), Malibu Prayer (C. DeCarlo, 115, 8-1), One Caroline (L. Goncalves, 122, 8-5), Color Me Up (J. Court, 118, 30-1), Be Fair (I. Ocampo, 115, 20-1), Swift Temper (C. Emigh, 124, 3-1), Payton d’Oro (T. Thompson, 119, 10-1) and Dubai Majesty (J. Theriot, 120, 9-2).

- END -

Elaine Jones’ Miss Isella squeezed through a narrow opening on the rail under Calvin Borel in the upper stretch and then fought off a challenge from Swift Temper to win Saturday’s 35th running of the $221,600 Fleur De Lis Handicap (Grade II) by three-quarters of a length at Churchill Downs.

            Distinctive Dixie and Jesus Castanon set the pace in the race for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up with fractions of :24.24, :48.18 and 1:12.07 with Santa Teresita stalking to her outside under Aaron Gryder and Borel a little further back tucked along the rail.

            Distinctive Dixie and Santa Teresita hit the top of the stretch as a team as Borel looked for an opening at the rail. At the three-sixteenths pole, Miss Isella hit the rail as she brushed past Distinctive Dixie and burst to a narrow advantage with Swift Temper looming on the outside.

            Miss Isella, who carried top weight of 122 pounds, five more than Swift Temper under Garrett Gomez, drew off in the final yards to complete the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.59 over a fast track.

            Miss Isella returned $5.40, $3.20 and $2.20 as the favorite in the field of nine. Swift Temper paid $6.80 and $4.20, finishing 4 ½ lengths ahead of Temple Street, who rallied to finish third under Julien Leparoux and pay $5.60 to show. Santa Teresita, Distinctive Dixie, Copper State, Kiss With a Twist, French Kiss and Unforgotten completed the field in order.

            Trained by Ian Wilkes, Miss Isella is a 4-year-old daughter of 1997 Kentucky Derby winner Silver Charm out of the Last Tycoon mare La Cucina. Now 5-for-7 at Churchill Downs and 6-for-15 overall, Miss Isella increased her career earnings to $568,629 with the $131,896 winner’s check.

POST-RACE QUOTES – THE FLEUR DE LIS HANDICAP

CALVIN BOREL, jockey of MISS ISELLA (winner)

            “She came off the pace pretty good today. When I got up into the hole, Distinctive Dixie kind of came back down and shut me off.  She brushed my filly a little bit, but they had a lot of room when I drove her in there.  I put a little pressure on her, but it wasn’t that bad.  It looked bad because it threw her into the air and off stride, but that’s the name of the game.”

IAN WILKES, trainer of MISS ISELLA (winner)

            “She’s game. She loves it and loves that part of it. She’s a game filly. You’ve just got to love her. She loves what she does.”

            Q: What goes through your mind when Calvin Borel goes through the rail like that?

            “Nothing really. When Calvin (Borel) goes through I think he’s got enough horse. If he doesn’t have enough horse, he’s not going in there. If he only gets a little way in, he’s in trouble. If has enough horse to get through there I’m all for it.”

            Q: It’s been a nice two days for owner Elaine Jones (she won a first level allowance on Friday with 3-year-old colt Guam Typhoon). . .

            “Yeah. Her (Miss Isella) half-brother (Guam Typhoon) won yesterday. I’m very pleased and excited for her.”

            Q: What might be next?

            “I’ve got no plans yet but I do want to take her to Saratoga and take a shot at some Grade Is.”

GARRETT GOMEZ, rider of SWIFT TEMPER (runner-up)

“It happens all the time around here. I don’t know.  It’s very frustrating to ride a tactical smart race and and you gave up ground to be in a garden spot and then see him (Borel) get through.  To come off the fence and just let him through – and it’s not just once or twice, it’s like all the time. It takes a lot of heart out of your horse. It’s difficult to swallow when it keeps happening over and over.”

Q: Your mare ran a good race . . .

“She ran a lot better today.  The other day (in the Louisville Distaff) she just looked dull and I was telling him (trainer Dale Romans) after the race that getting just two weeks off after the Sixty Sails probably took a lot out of her.  She’s not very big, but she runs very hard and she was just kind of a dull horse in that race.”

JESUS CASTANON, rider of DISTINCTIVE DIXIE (fifth and involved in bumping with Miss Isella in upper stretch)

“I was running out of horse in that spot and I thought he’d (Borel) do that business he always does.  My horse was trying to drift inside and at the same time he kind of went through.  I was trying to save my position as I was running out of horse, then he got through.  We made some contact, but he got through.  His filly was much the best in this race.”

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Domino Stud of Lexington’s Miss Isella squeezed through a narrow opening along the rail in defeating 1-2 favorite One Caroline by three-quarters of a length  to win the 24th running of the $379,700 Louisville Distaff (Grade II) on Friday afternoon at Churchill Downs.

Trained by Ian Wilkes, Miss Isella gave Borel his fifth victory in the Louisville Distaff.

One Caroline, who had won her first five career starts with two victories at Churchill Downs, shot to the lead out of the gate under Edgar Prado and led the field of six through fractions of :23.96, :47.65 and 1:11.72.

Turning for home One Caroline was challenged on the rail by Miss Isella and Swift Temper on the outside.

The trio raced as a team to the eighth pole when Swift Temper dropped back, leaving One Caroline and Miss Isella to battle it out with the latter drawing clear at the sixteenth pole.

Miss Isella returned mutuels of $19.40, $4.40 and $3.20. One Caroline paid $2.20 and $2.10 in finishing 8 1/4 lengths clear of Swift Temper, who paid $3.40 to show under Garrett Gomez.

Miss Isella, who closed 2008 with a victory in the Grade II Falls City Handicap at Churchill Downs, covered the mile and a sixteenth on a “sloppy” track in 1:42.75.

Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Moss’ Zenyatta, the undefeated 2008 Eclipse Award-winning mare, was scratched from the race by trainer John Shirreffs because of track conditions.

The victory was worth $235,414 and increased Miss Isella’s earnings to $438,157 with her fifth win in 14 starts and fourth at Churchill Downs.

LOUISVILLE DISTAFF QUOTES

CALVIN BOREL (rider of winner Miss Isella) – “I don’t know if (One Caroline) finished the way (Edgar Prado) thought she would or she wasn’t handling the track or whatever, but she went nice and comfortable on the lead. But my filly loves this racetrack. She’s an incredible filly on this track. She’s a totally different filly on this track and any other track. The whole track was fine. I just couldn’t get out of (the inside) with two horses outside of me. He got his filly relaxed two or three (paths) off the fence and I took the opportunity to move on in there and go on.”

IAN WILKES (trainer of winner Miss Isella) – Home-court advantage? “I think so. We have a muddy track and our filly loves the mud. Rusty’s (Arnold) filly ran good. She’s a nice filly.  Let’s give her all credit. She did all the work up front and we had a cozy little trip.”

EDGAR PRADO (rider of second-place finisher One Caroline) – “We were in tight there coming for home, but it wasn’t a case of a foul. I knew he was there and there was just enough room for him to get through. My filly tried hard. She just couldn’t get it done today.”

RUSTY ARNOLD (trainer of second-place finisher One Caroline) – “I don’t know who was doing what, but they were in there pretty tight. It’s horse racing. I’m not surprised the way the race played out. She got out there easy on the lead and was coasting right along. The other filly just ran a big race. Give her credit.”

GARRETT GOMEZ (rider of third-place finisher Swift Temper) – “I had a good trip. I saved all the ground around the first turn and I was in a good spot. She gave it her best. She couldn’t quite get there today.”