David Carroll

ESPOIR CITY HAS FIRST CHURCHILL DOWNS WORK FOR BC CLASSIC – Espoir City (JPN), Japan’s hope for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) to be run at Churchill Downs on Nov. 6, had the first of his planned two works beneath the Twin Spires on Sunday morning, covering six furlongs over a fast track in 1:18.20 under jockey Tetsuzo Sato.

Espoir City spent about 20 minutes loosening up in the mile chute before beginning his work that consisted of fractions in :14.20, :28.40, :41.60, :54.20, 1:06.40 and out seven furlongs in 1:33.60. After the work, Espoir City walked around outside Barn 42 in the grassy area of the quarantine section for another 20 minutes under exercise rider Toshiyuki Abematsu.

“We are coming to this race with the image of a mile and a quarter race and today was a step in that direction,” Sato said through an interpreter. “The work this morning went as planned. We are not here to pursue speed, just conditioning.”

Espoir City switched leads several times in the stretch, but Sato was not concerned.

“He is up front in most of his races and sometimes he loses a little focus and fools around a bit because he knows he has no competition,” Sato said.

Espoir City arrived at Churchill Downs on Tuesday and Sato was asked how he felt the 5-year-old horse handled the shipping.

“Much better than I had imagined,” Sato said. “He has shipped within Japan and become accustomed to it. He was a little tired when he got here, but he is over it now.”

Trainer Akio Adachi is scheduled to return to Louisville from Japan for Espoir City’s final work, the day of which has not been determined. Sato, who also has been getting on horses for trainers Dale Romans and Todd Pletcher, was scheduled to return to Japan on Monday but would return for the final work.

SPINSTER WINNER ACOMA WORKS FIVE FURLONGS IN 1:01.60 FOR BC LADIES’ CLASSIC – Helen Alexander and Helen Groves’ Acoma had her first work since winning the Juddmonte Spinster (GI) at Keeneland on Oct. 10, covering five furlongs in 1:01.60, the 11th fastest of 32 at the distance.

Working on her own before the renovation break under jockey Tony Farina, Acoma carved out fractions of :12.60, :24.80, :37.20 and out six furlongs in 1:15.40.

“It was a nice work and she did it well within herself,” trainer David Carroll said. “I was going to work her a half, but she went five-eighths to get the edge off. Tony knows her and will give me good feedback.”

The Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic (GI) will be the final race for Acoma, who has spent the majority of her three-year career at Churchill Downs. She has raced here seven times, going two-for-two on the dirt and winning three graded stakes on the grass.

“It’s huge,” Carroll said of what amounts to Acoma’s home-field advantage in the Breeders’ Cup. “If it were anywhere else, we would not be running. She has trained here, had a lot of success here and is very happy here. She has never had a bad race here. She was fourth once (in this summer’s Locust Grove), but she was right there at the wire.”

Robby Albarado, who has ridden Acoma three times, will have the mount in the Ladies’ Classic and Carroll said Albarado may work Acoma in her next work, scheduled for next Sunday.

“She had an extremely good week last week,” Carroll said. “I am confident she can run well. It is just a question of being good enough.”

SWITCH TUNES UP FOR BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY & MARE SPRINT – The first time C R K Stable’s Switch ran against older fillies and mares, she turned in a performance that was nearly one for the record books.

In the Lady’s Secret (GI) at Hollywood Park on Oct. 2, the 3-year-old Switch cut the corner at the top of the stretch, opening a daylight lead on a field of five that included the undefeated Zenyatta.

“It is etched in my mind,” trainer John Sadler said with a laugh Sunday morning. “The thing about it was the place went quiet for a few seconds when Switch spurted clear.  And then Zenyatta came on and the place erupted.”

Zenyatta is scheduled to come to Churchill Downs on Tuesday, Nov. 2, in a bid to complete her career 20-for-20 with a run in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, a race she won last year against males on a synthetic surface at Santa Anita.

Meanwhile, Switch continued to get ready for the Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (GI) by working five furlongs in 1:00.20 on Sunday morning at Churchill Downs under exercise rider Lupillo Alferez.

Working on her own after the renovation break, Switch recorded fractions of :12.20, :23.80, :35.40, :47.40 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.80. The five-furlong time was the second fastest of 32 at the distance and comes on the heels of a bullet half-mile move in :47 on Oct. 17.

“It was nice and smooth and she looked good doing it,” Sadler said. “I told him to go in a minute, so that was fine.”

The Lady’s Secret was run at 1 1/16 miles, but Sadler opted to cut back to the seven-furlong Filly & Mare Sprint rather than 1 1/8-mile Ladies’ Classic.

“I am not sure she wants a mile and eighth as a 3-year-old,” Sadler said. “If the Sprint was six furlongs, she would not run but it is not really a ‘sprint’ sprint. Seven-eighths to a mile is her best distance. Next year we can come back in the (Ladies’) Classic at a mile and an eighth. She was fourth earlier in the year at a mile and eighth when she shipped to Gulfstream Park, but she didn’t get the right trip that day.”

BARN TALK – Turtle Bird Stable’s Haynesfield, winner of the Jockey Club Gold Cup (GI) at Belmont Park in his most recent start, worked six furlongs in company with Kensei after the renovation break at Churchill Downs in 1:13.60 under exercise rider Ceasar Garcia for trainer Steve Asmussen. The two worked on even terms with Haynesfield on the outside through fractions of :12.60, :25, :37.20, :49.20 and galloped out seven furlongs in 1:27.40 with Haynesfield kicking clear of his workmate. It was the second Churchill Downs work for Haynesfield, who covered five furlongs in 1:02.20 last Sunday in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. …

Team Valor International’s Pluck, winner of the Summer (GIII) at Woodbine in last time out, worked five furlongs in 1:01.20 in company with Hammock Beach before the renovation break in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (GII). The move under jockey Garrett Gomez was the fourth fastest of 32 at the distance. The two raced on even terms through fractions of :12.60, :36.40, :48.60 and out six furlongs in 1:14.80. …

Adele Dilschneider and Claiborne Farm’s Blame, winner of the Stephen Foster Handicap (GI) here in June and the Clark Handicap (GII) here last fall, worked five furlongs at Keeneland in :58.80 on Sunday morning in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Working in company with Super Derby (GII) winner Apart, Blame recorded fractions of :12.20, :23.80, :35.80, :46.80 and out six furlongs in 1:11.60. Trained by Al Stall Jr., Blame is scheduled to ship to Churchill Downs on Wednesday and will be housed in Barn 47.

Other Breeders’ Cup works across the nation Sunday included Quality Road (Classic) 1:01.42 for five furlongs at Belmont Park; Uncle Mo (Juvenile) :49.97 for a half-mile at Belmont Park; Stay Thirsty (Juvenile) 1:01.38 for five-eighths at Belmont Park; Rose Catherine (Turf Sprint) 1:04.26 for five furlongs on the main track at Belmont Park; Persistently (Ladies’ Classic) :49.62 for a half-mile at Belmont Park; Gio Ponti (Classic or Mile) 1:03.55 for five furlongs on the turf at Belmont Park; Winchester (Turf) 1:03.86 for five furlongs on the turf at Belmont Park; Gayego (Dirt Mile) 1:00.18 for five furlongs at Belmont Park; Vineyard Haven (Dirt Mile) 1:02.48 for five furlongs at Belmont Park and Air Support (Juvenile Turf) :48.42 for a half-mile on the main track at Belmont Park. At Keeneland, Moontune Missy (Filly & Mare Sprint) worked six furlongs in 1:11.60. At Calder, Jessica Is Back (Filly & Mare Sprint) worked a half-mile in :50.60.

ESPOIR CITY SLATED TO ARRIVE TUESDAY FOR BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC – Espoir City (JPN), Japan’s hope for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI), is scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs early Tuesday morning.

“He is in the air now,” said Mikki Tsuge of the International Racing Bureau, who will serve as interpreter for trainer Akio Adachi and jockey Tetsuzo Sato at the Breeders’ Cup. “The trainer is coming in this afternoon and the jockey will be here on the 22nd.”

Espoir City was being flown from Japan to Chicago, where he would change planes for the flight to Louisville with an expected arrival at Louisville International Airport of 3 a.m. (EDT).  He will be in quarantine at Churchill Downs for 48 hours.

A three-time Grade I winner in Japan, Espoir City has won 11 of 20 career starts with a record on dirt of 13-10-2-0-1. In his most recent start, which followed a five-month layoff, Espoir City finished second in the Oct. 11 Nambu Hai Mile Championship.

NO PLACE LIKE HOME FOR ACOMA TO CLOSE OUT CAREER – The Juddmonte Spinster (GI) at Keeneland on Oct. 10 was supposed to be the last hurrah for Helen Alexander and Helen Groves’ Acoma.

However, a funny thing happened on the way to the farm: Acoma upset a stellar field of 10 and became a millionaire in the process. Now, trainer David Carroll is getting the regally bred 5-year-old daughter of Empire Maker ready for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (GI) to be run Nov. 5.

“She came out of the race fine,” said Carroll, who plans to give Acoma two works leading up to the Breeders’ Cup. “She is two-for-two on the dirt here and she likes it here. We know she can handle the dirt here. If the Breeders’ Cup were at Santa Anita or someplace else, we would not be going.

“Plus, Zenyatta (who is slated for the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 6) is not going to be there. There are a lot of factors involved.”

In addition to being perfect on the dirt here, Acoma has compiled a 5-3-1-0 mark on the Matt Winn Turf Course. Despite that mark, the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) was not a consideration.

“It is a mile and three-eighths and way too tough,” Carroll said. “Plus, the ground is likely to be soft, which she doesn’t like.”

PRINCE WILL I AM COULD GO IN BC MARATHON OR TURF FOR NIHEI – Trainer Michelle Nihei said Monday morning that Casa Farms One’s Prince Will I Am may be pre-entered next Monday in the $3 million Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Turf (GI) as well as the $500,000 Breeders’ Cup Marathon (GIII).

“It is hard to believe he was a maiden here last fall,” said Nihei, a former assistant to Todd Pletcher. “You could tell then that he would mature late. He has a great mind, but his body didn’t catch up.”

Prince Will I Am entered the Breeders’ Cup picture with a victory Oct. 9 in the Jamaica Handicap (GI) for 3-year-olds at Belmont Park going 1 1/8 miles on the grass. The Breeders’ Cup Turf is 1 ½ miles and the Marathon is 1 ¾ miles on the main track.

“I am not worried about the distance either on turf or dirt, but there will be some strong Europeans for the Turf,” Nihei said.  “It is up to Susie (owner Susan Atkins).”

Nihei said that Prince Will I Am, who broke his maiden at first asking at odds of 45-1, “bounced out of the Jamaica great and would have two works prior to the Breeders’ Cup.

BARN TALK – Atta Boy Roy, winner of the Churchill Downs (GII) this spring, is scheduled to come to Churchill Downs from the Trackside Training Center for two works before the Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Sprint (GI) according to trainer Valerie Lund. “He will work Friday or Saturday with Calvin (Borel) up and then on Saturday the 30th,” Lund said. “I will probably bring him over for the Breeders’ Cup on the Monday or Tuesday of Breeders’ Cup week.” Atta Boy Roy finished eighth in the 5 ½-furlong Woodford (GIII) on the grass at Keeneland on Oct. 9 in his most start. “He has done well since that race,” Lund said. “The timing of the race was right, but after the race he told me ‘No grass and don’t run me in the Turf Sprint.’ ” Lund said. …

Three Breeders’ Cup possible starters from the Steve Asmussen barn worked Monday morning over a “fast” track at Churchill Downs. Thiskyhasnolimit, winner of the 2009 Iroquois (GIII) who may go in the Dirt Mile (GI), worked five furlongs in 1:01, third-fastest of 44 at the distance. Also working were Astrology (Juvenile) in 1:01.80 (11th fastest) and Riley Tucker (Sprint) in 1:03.60 (30th fastest). …

    Scheduled to work Tuesday morning for the Breeders’ Cup Marathon (GIII) is A.U. Miner for trainer Clark Hanna. Calvin Borel will have the mount in the Marathon. …

Track superintendent Butch Lehr said the Matt Winn Turf Course would be open for training daily from 9:30-10 a.m. beginning next Monday, Oct. 25, through the Breeders’ Cup.

A rematch of top grass performers Acoma and Keertana, who finished a head apart in the Early Times Mint Julep Handicap (GIII) on June 5, looms in Saturday's 29th running of the $100,000-added Locust Grove Handicap (GIII) at a mile on Chuchill Downs'  Matt Winn Turf Course, the co-featured event on the next-to-last day of racing in the historic track's 42-day Spring Meet.

The Locust Grove is the ninth race on the 11-race Saturday program with an approximate post time of 4:54 p.m. (all times EDT).  First post on Saturday is 12:45 p.m.

Helen Alexander and Helen Groves’ Acoma will carry top weight of 121 pounds and concede from 1-15 pounds to her 11 rivals in the Locust Grove. Barbara Hunter’s Keertana will carry 120 pounds, the impost she carried when finishing third in the Early Times Mint Julep, a head behind Acoma who carried 122 pounds that day.

The Early Times Mint Julep was the first start of 2010 for Acoma, who counts among her eight career victories graded-stakes scores over the Matt Winn Turf Course in the 2009 Cardinal (GIII) and Early Times Mint Julep as well as a win in the 2008 Mrs. Revere (GII).  She rallied to finish second that day to Hot Cha Cha, a setback that was Acoma’s first defeat in six races on turf and traditional dirt at Churchill Downs.

Trained by David Carroll, Acoma will be ridden by Robby Albarado and break from post position four.

Keertana, trained by Tom Proctor, has compiled a record of 3-2-1 in six races over the Matt Winn Turf Course with her biggest victory coming in the 2009 Regret (GIII). Miguel Mena picks up the mount on Keertana, who has won two of three starts in 2010. Keertana will break from post position seven.

The Locust Grove field includes a pair of horses that earned graded stakes winners win on synthetic Polytrack courses: Alfred Nuckols Jr.’s Danzon and William Pacella, George Bonomo and Fred Barbara’s C.S. Silk.

Trained by Jim Baker, Danzon won the 2007 Kentucky Cup Distaff (GIII) at Turfway Park and is four times graded- or group-stakes placed in her career. Danzon, who has won two turf starts at a mile during the current meet, will carry 116 pounds and break from post position six under Alex Solis.

Dale Romans trains C.S. Silk, winner of the Grade III Arlington-Washington Lassie as a 2-year-old in 2008 at Arlington Park. C.S. Silk will carry 115 pounds and break from post position 11 under Francisco Torres.

The field for the Locust Grove Handicap, from the hedge out, is as follows: Winter’s Circle (Oriana Rossi, 106 pounds), Awesome Grannie (Freddie Lenclud, 114), Sweetest Song (Calvin Borel, 113), Acoma (Albarado, 121), Meadow Saffron (Victor Lebron, 116), Danzon (Solis, 116), Keertana (Mena, 120), War Tigress (Corey Lanerie, 113), Happiness Is (Greta Kuntzweiler, 114), Lady’s Laughter (Shaun Bridgmohan, 114), C.S. Silk (Torres, 115) and Go Ask Alex (Jon Court, 109).

EINSTEIN WORKS FOR CLARK; MARAGH PICKS UP MOUNT – Trainer Helen Pitts-Blasi was talking to a passer-by about her stable star Einstein (Brz) when fellow trainer Dallas Stewart rode past on his pony.

“Tell it like it is, Helen,” Stewart said with a laugh. “Tell him how you’re gonna kick Macho Again’s rear end.”

“Hey, Macho’s already got me once this year,” Pitts-Blasi said referring to Macho Again’s victory over Einstein in June’s Stephen Foster Handicap (Grade I).

The rematch comes Friday when Einstein and Macho Again are expected to be the starting high weights in the 135th running of the Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (GII).

Owned by the Stronach Stable, Einstein worked a half-mile in :48.60 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:01 early Sunday morning under Kelly Likes. It was Einstein’s first work since finishing 11th in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) on Nov. 7, the worst showing of his 29-race career.

“I have no answer,” Pitts-Blasi said of the Breeders’ Cup. “We couldn’t find anything. He went very well this morning and I was pleased."

Pitts-Blasi has worked Einstein in the past, but opted for Likes on Sunday for the work over a fast track.

“I wanted to take some weight off him and Kelly is lighter than I am and I could watch him,” Pitts-Blasi said.

Regular rider Julien Leparoux will miss the final two days of the meet to ride in the Japan Cup and Pitts-Blasi has enlisted New York-based Rajiv Maragh to ride Einstein in the Clark.

CARROLL CELEBRATES ACOMA’S “BIGGEST WIN” IN CARDINAL – Trainer David Carroll was still beaming Sunday morning after Acoma’s hard-charging head victory over You Go West Girl in Saturday’s Cardinal Handicap (GIII).

“Absolutely it was her biggest win,” Carroll said of Acoma, who rebounded from a last-place showing in the Grade I First Lady at Keeneland on Oct. 10. “I walked into the paddock and she was 12-1 and I was surprised. My wife Kim gets on her every day and said she was as good as she has ever been. She gets better in the fall.

“She got nothing out of the Keeneland race. We took her to Dr. (Larry) Bramlage to check her out to make sure we didn’t miss anything and she got a clean bill of health.”

A regally bred daughter of Empire Maker out of the Danzig mare Aurora, Acoma is 5-for-5 in her career at Churchill Downs for her owners Helen Alexander and Helen Groves.  Three of those wins – including the 2008 Early Times Mint Julep (GIII) and last fall’s Mrs. Revere (GII) – have been on turf and all in stakes competition.  She also won the Grade III Dogwood on dirt in 2008.

“They are great people to train for,” Carroll said. “They breed to race and this filly … even if she couldn’t run, I could look at her all day. She is so gorgeous, a great combination of talent and looks.”

Carroll said Acoma came out of the Cardinal in good shape and likely was looking at some down time.

“We will probably have the same plan as last year and send her to Payson Park for some R & R and then join us at the Fair Grounds,” Carroll said. “We got her a little early this year for the Azeri at Oaklawn and then she bounced in the Apple Blossom. I don’t foresee doing that again, but it is up to Miss Helen (Alexander).”
    
FIELDS TAKING SHAPE FOR KENTUCKY JOCKEY CLUB, GOLDEN ROD – Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who has won the Golden Rod (GII) a record five times and the Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) a record four times, is expected to have a shot at building on those marks when both races are renewed on Saturday.

Lukas is expected to send Westrock Stables’ Decelerator into the 66th running of the Golden Rod and Activity Report in the 83rd running of the Kentucky Jockey Club. Both races are at 1 1/16 miles on the main track and serve as centerpieces of the closing-day “Stars of Tomorrow II” card that features 12 races exclusively for 2-year-olds.

As of Sunday, Churchill Downs racing officials had five fillies considered as probable to line up against Decelerator, the winner of this summer’s Debutante (GIII) who ran second in the opening-day Pocahontas (GIII) behind Sassy Image.

In addition to Sassy Image, other Pocahontas runners expected to come back in the Golden Rod are third-place finisher All Due Respect, fourth-place finisher Vivid Colors and sixth-place finisher Vertical Vision. Also expected to run is Canadian Storm, a maiden winner at Philadelphia Park.

The Golden Rod was won last year by Rachel Alexandra, the first of nine consecutive victories for the filly.
The Kentucky Jockey Club lineup is expected to feature the 1-4 finishers from the opening-day Iroquois (GIII) in Thiskyhasnolimit and Gleam of Hope. Also considered as probable for the race is William’s Kitten, who ran eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI) in his most recent start.

Other probables are Call Shot, Callide Valley, Mr. Saturdaynight and Super Saver.

Entries for both races will be taken Wednesday.

BARN TALK – Four Roses Thoroughbreds’ Anak Nakal, winner of the 2007 Kentucky Jockey Club, is scheduled to arrive Monday for an expected run in the Clark Handicap. Winner of the Grade II Pennsylvania Derby last year, Anak Nakal finished third in the Meadowlands Cup (GII) behind Clark probables Etched and Kiss the Kid in his most recent start. Jill Baffert and George Jacobs’ Misremembered, winner of the Indiana Derby (GII) in his most recent start, is scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs on Tuesday from his Southern California base. …

Apprentice Oriana Rossi posted her first victory at Churchill Downs in Saturday’s fifth race with a rail-skimming ride aboard Ship’s Cabin ($17.40). It was Rossi’s 16th career win with the other victories coming at Ellis Park and Turfway Park. She recorded her first victory on Aug. 16 at Ellis Park. …

Trainer Steve Asmussen saddled two winners here Saturday to boost his career total at Churchill Downs to 350, fifth all time at the track. Lone Cypress ($5.60) won the third race and Jackpot Joanie ($5) took the seventh to give Asmussen 14 winners for the meet and a four-victory advantage over Dale Romans in the race for leading trainer.  The latter is a half-sister to Summerly, who provided Asmussen with a victory in the 2005 Kentucky Oaks.  Asmussen has won six training titles here – three spring and three fall – and was the leading trainer during the 2009 Spring Meet. …

Even though A. Stevens Miles Jr.’s Warrior’s Reward ran second in the Saturday nightcap, trainer Ian Wilkes was pleased with the effort in the six-furlong sprint, a runner-up finish in which he just failed to catch Flavor after being six lengths back at the eighth pole. “I expected him to run a good race and I thought he ran tremendous,” Wilkes said of the 3-year-old who was vanned off the track at Keeneland five weeks previous after finishing fifth in the Perryville (GIII). “He made up a lot of ground the last eighth. I am going to give him a little break and yesterday I wanted to give him a good experience before the break.”       

Helen Alexander and Helen Groves’ Acoma outlasted You Go West Girl by a head to win the 36th running of the $111,700 Cardinal Handicap (Grade III) for fillies and mares at Churchill Downs.

    Ridden for the first time by Jesus Castanon, Acoma surged past Lemon Chiffon just inside the eighth pole and then repulsed the bid from You Go West Girl to remain perfect at Churchill Downs.

    A 4-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Empire Maker, Acoma has won all five of her starts beneath the Twin Spires with three of the victories coming over the turf in graded stakes and two on the main track.
    
    Zaskar (GB) and Leamington led the field through fractions of :24.11, :48.55 and 1:13.42 over a “firm” Matt Winn Turf Course. Castanon had Acoma racing in mid pack in the run down the backstretch.

    On the far turn, Lemon Chiffon rocketed past the leaders with Acoma following a length behind. Meanwhile, You Go West Girl began to move on the inside and quickly joined Acoma at the front, but could not go by.

Trained by David Carroll, Acoma covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.02. The victory was worth $66,484 and increased Acoma’s earnings to $665,999 with an overall record of 14-8-1-2.

    Acoma rewarded her backers with payoffs of $9.40, $5 and $3.40. You Go West Girl, ridden by Jose Lezcano, returned $5.40 and $3.80 in finishing 3 ¼ lengths ahead of Lemon Chiffon, who paid $3.20 to show under Jon Court in the field of nine.

    In the $58,400 Bet On Sunshine, an overnight stakes for sprinters, favored Custom for Carlos romped to a 3 ¾-length victory over Accredit.

 Ridden by Jose Lezcano for trainer Eddie Kenneally, Custom for Carlos covered the six furlongs in 1:09.71 over a fast track and returned mutuels of $3.40, $2.60 and $2.40. Accredit, ridden by Miguel Mena, paid $4.80 and $3.60 with Golden Country finishing another half-length back in third under Freddie Lenclud and paying $5.80 to show.

 Custom for Carlos, a 3-year-old Kentucky-bred son of More Than Ready, is owned by Homewrecker Racing and Avalon Farms. The $37,040 winner’s check increased Custom for Carlos’ earnings to $290,630 for his fourth victory in 10 starts.

Racing continues Sunday as the 21-day Fall Meet enters its final week with a 10-race program beginning at 12:40 p.m. ET. There’s a four-day Pick 6 carryover of $21,378.88 on Races 5-10 and a $9,848.08 Super Hi-5 carryover for the finale.

POST-RACE QUOTES – THE CARDINAL HANDICAP

JESUS CASTANON, jockey of ACOMA, winner: “She is really just a nice filly. I want to thank the owners (Helen C. Alexander and Helen K. Groves) and the trainer (David Carroll) for putting me up on this one and giving me a shot today. I had a heck of a good trip around today. I waited as long as I could before I made a move toward home. When I finally moved for home, she really had a great turn of foot. When we went around the turn for the first time she was in the bridle, but when we were on the backside she really began to settle in nicely and relax. She really just seems to love it here.”

DAVID CARROLL, trainer of ACOMA, winner: “Home sweet home. She loves it here, obviously (5-for-5). She’d been training beautifully. Normally I’d go into this race with tremendous confidence but she came off a poor race and I was little bit more subdued. When she walked into the paddock today . . . she’s just a beautiful filly. When I saw her warm up she was on her toes. I just told Jesus (Castanon) to ride her with confidence because she’s let you know when she’s there. Down the backside he had a lot of horse. We were a bit wide and I was afraid that we didn’t get enough out of that last race condition-wise. Tom (Proctor)’s filly (You Go West Girl) ran huge, who was a very fit and in form filly.”
    Q: What’s next? “That’s it for this year. We’ll shut her down and get ready for next year. We needed to see that race from her and why not? The Breeders’ Cup is here next year.”
    Q: Is this relief or excitement? “It’s more relief. You take pride in knowing your horses. All the signs were that she was going to run big. But that also was the way she went into Keeneland and she never showed up at Keeneland for whatever reason. Maybe it was the soft turf? Regardless, she was never at the races. When she walked into the paddock how could you not have confidence? She was the pick of the paddock. I’m so proud to have her and she looked fantastic. She popped out of the gate and got good position but was a little wide down the backside. But he had a lot of horse and that’s all I really wanted. I wanted her to indicate that she wanted to run. She was very wide but she was game. She got nothing out of her last race. We had to run. I felt great win or lose. She was back. The win was the cherry on top. I can’t say enough about Miss Helen (Alexander) and her mother. They are unbelievable people to train for. This is a filly with a great pedigree and we look forward to a big year next year.”

TOM PROCTOR, trainer of YOU GO WEST GIRL (runner-up): “She got in a little trouble turning for home.  She runs hard all the time and, actually, I thought the winner won a little easier than it looked. I think she had me measured.”
Q: But you’re pretty happy with her effort? “Yeah, I’d liked to have seen her have a little better trip.”
Q: Will she come back next year? “Oh, yeah.”

JOSE LEZCANO, rider on YOU GO WEST GIRL (runner-up): “At the eighth pole, she was running between horses and she ran hard, but she just couldn’t hold off the winner.  She ran hard and fought in the run to wire.”

JON COURT, rider on LEMON CHIFFON (third): “She ran good – I just couldn’t believe they went by her that way down the stretch.  I had a bridle-full of horse turning for home and she kicked away from the field.  They were dogging me the whole way and then the one (You Go West Girl) and the three (Acoma) kicked away.  She had plenty of kick down the lane – she just couldn’t out-kick the three and the one.  They kicked-on by themselves.”

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LEPAROUX HOPES TO FINISH 2009 IN GRAND FASHION – It has been a banner year for jockey Julien Leparoux, who leads all North American riders in earnings with $18,041,548 through Wednesday and a sparkling showing at the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in which he rode three winners and won the Bill Shoemaker Award as the top rider at the event.

Currently second in the rider standings at the Fall Meet, Leparoux will be out of town Saturday to ride American Lion for trainer Eoin Harty in the Hollywood Prevue (GIII) and miss the closing weekend to ride Just as Well in the Japan Cup (GI).

“I have ridden in Japan before, but not at the Tokyo Racecourse,” said Leparoux, who won the 2006 Eclipse Award as the top apprentice in North America. “After that, I ride one day at Calder (Dec. 5) and then one day at Hollywood Park (Dec.19).”

Leparoux has ridden 230 winners in 2009, good for a tie for ninth in North America. The 26-year-old native of Senlis, France, had a couple of victories that would be at the forefront of the 2009 highlight reel.
“I’d start with the Sunshine Millions,” Leparoux said of It’s a Bird’s 5 ¼-length victory. “And then the Santa Anita Handicap.”

Leparoux guided Einstein (Brz) to victory in the Big Cap and it is Einstein that would provide Leparoux with his biggest do-over if he could.

“There are a few I would like to ride over, but the Stephen Foster for sure,” Leparoux said of the June race here in which Einstein encountered trouble nearly every step of the 1 1/8-mile race.

A winner of five riding titles here, Leparoux plans to spend some time in France over the holidays before beginning 2010 at Gulfstream Park.

CARROLL HOPING ACOMA REBOUNDS IN CARDINAL – Helen Alexander and Helen Groves’ Acoma has been perfect throughout her career at Churchill Downs with two victories on the dirt and two on the Matt Winn Turf Course.

She will try to extend that grass streak to three in Saturday’s 36th running of the $100,000-added Cardinal Handicap (GIII) at 1 1/8 miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course.

"I am more hopeful than confident,” trainer David Carroll said. “Before she ran at Keeneland, she had been training good and it is the same this time.”

The race at Keeneland was the Grade I First Lady in which Acoma finished last in the field of nine over soft turf.

“I am hoping it was just the soft turf that she didn’t like,” Carroll said. “I hope the course is good Saturday. That rain (on Tuesday) bothered me a little bit.”

The First Lady was Acoma’s first start in nearly three months after a last-place effort in the Delaware Handicap on the dirt, a performance Carroll forgives because the filly’s blood work came back bad after the race. But the First Lady was perplexing to the trainer.

“Sometimes fillies can go off form and it is hard to get them back on track,” Carroll said. “I’d like to see her run her race. If she gets beat because of bad luck or a bad trip, well, we’ve got her back. If she runs like she did at Keeneland where she was never in the race, we’ll have to take a good look about next year, because I’d like to keep her racing.”

Jesus Castanon will ride Acoma for the first time on Saturday in the Cardinal in which Acoma carries top weight of 121 pounds.

MAFAAZ BATTLING BACK FROM HEALTH ISSUES – In the spring of this year, one of the most talked about Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I) hopefuls was Shadwell Stable’s Mafaaz (GB).

In March, the colt had won the Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes at Kempton Park in England, a victory that guaranteed Mafaaz a spot in the starting gate for the 135th Run for the Roses. Trainer John Gosden shipped Mafaaz to Keeneland for the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (GI) to see how he would fare against U.S. competition before going on to the Derby.

Mafaaz ran eighth behind General Quarters, was transferred to the barn of Kiaran McLaughlin and the Derby quest abandoned.

Mafaaz has not raced since.

“He is back on the farm and he seems like a happy horse,” said Neal McLaughlin, assistant to his brother. “After we got him, he was gelded and then went to Saratoga the first of June.

“He was there about a week and got real sick. He lost muscle and started losing protein through his liver. It was pretty dangerous and we have no idea what caused it.”

Mafaaz spent more than three months at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in Massachusetts.

“I got a little jealous because the vet there got to spend more time with him than I have,” McLaughlin said. “I only got to see him a few days in the spring and then again at the farm.

"He’s a neat horse and I was excited about American racing for him. I don’t know if he will make it back to the races. Hopefully he will. Things seem to be going well.”

BARN TALK – Jockey Chris Emigh, who was involved in a riding mishap when his mount appeared to clip heels on Nov. 11, will be out 5-6 weeks with a broken collarbone according to his agent Terry Miller. “He rode Sunday, but he was really hurting,” Miller said. “He went back for a CT scan and that revealed the broken collarbone. We were going to go to the Fair Grounds after the meet, but now this will put him out right up to the start at Oaklawn Park.” …
    Bullsbay, owned by Mitchell Ranch, Frank Lewkowitz and Joe Rice, is scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs on Monday to run in the $400,000-added Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (GII) to be run on Friday, Nov. 27. Trained by Graham Motion, Bullsbay has won three of four starts at Churchill Downs including a victory in the Alysheba (GIII) on May 1. Bullsbay finished fourth behind fellow Clark Handicap probable Macho Again in the Grade I Stephen Foster Handicap here on June 13.

WORK TAB – Mark Stanley’s Swift Temper worked five furlongs over a “fast” track Thursday morning in 1:02.60 in preparation for the Thanksgiving Day Falls City Handicap (GII). … Tom McCarthy’s General Quarters, 10th in this year’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) and winner of the Grade I Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, worked a half-mile in :49.80.   

Helen Alexander and Helen Groves’ Acoma, a two-time graded-stakes winner over the Matt Winn Turf Course and unbeaten in four races on turf and dirt at Churchill Downs, will concede 2-6 pounds to eight rivals in Saturday’s 36th running of the $100,000-added Cardinal Handicap (Grade III) for fillies and mares.

The Cardinal, run at 1 1/8 miles on the grass, will be the ninth race on Saturday’s 10-race card with an approximate post time of 4:37 p.m. (all times EST). First post time Saturday is 12:40 p.m.

Trained by David Carroll, Acoma will carry top weight of 121 pounds and be ridden by Jesus Castanon. She is unbeaten in two races over the Churchill Downs turf after closing out her 3-year-old campaign with a victory in the Mrs. Revere (GII) and this spring won the Mint Julep Handicap (GIII). The regally bred daughter of Empire Maker also owns a pair of dirt wins at Churchill Downs that include the 2008 Dogwood Stakes (GIII). Acoma will break from post position three on Saturday.

Sharing second high weight of 119 pounds are Brian Kahn and the Richard O’Neill Trust’s Tizfiz, Hickory Tree Stable’s Leamington and Ron Beegle’s Lemon Chiffon.

Tizfiz, who ran sixth in her most recent start against males over Polytrack in the Fayette (GIII) at Keeneland on Oct. 31, will break from post position two under E.T. Baird. Leamington, fifth in the Grade I Flower Bowl in her most recent start, and Lemon Chiffon, fourth in the Grade I Yellow Ribbon last out, will start from posts eight and nine under Calvin Borel and Jon Court, respectively.

    Augustin Stable’s Long Approach, runner-up to Indescribable in last year’s renewal of the Cardinal, returns Saturday in her first start since April. Kent Desormeaux will ride Long Approach, who will carry 116 pounds and break from post position five.

    The field for the Cardinal, from the hedge out, is as follows: You Go West Girl (J. Lezcano, 117 pounds), Tizfiz (E. Baird, 119), Acoma (J. Castanon, 121), Zaskar (GB) (S. Bridgmohan, 115), Long Approach (K. Desormeaux, 116), Social Queen (M. Mena, 118), My Baby Baby (R. Albarado, 116), Leamington (C. Borel, 119) and Lemon Chiffon (J. Court, 119).

Tim Brown and Phil Gahm’s Au Moon collared Whitley in deep stretch to win Thursday’s $48,191 Upside Therapeutic Riding Center Purse at Churchill Downs by a head.

    Trained by David Carroll and ridden by Robby Albarado, Au Moon covered the 1 1/16 miles on a “firm” Matt Winn Turf Course in 1:43.39.

    Au Moon raced in mid-pack as Original Ink took the field of 10 through fractions of :23.23, :47.09 and 1:11.95. Albarado angled Au Moon off the inside on the far turn and swung four-wide into the stretch. Original Ink surrendered the lead inside the eighth pole to Whitley, who was unable to hold off Au Moon’s final surge.

    The victory, the second in nine career starts for the 3-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Malibu Moon, was worth $29,290 and increased Au Moon’s earnings to $96,646.

    Au Moon rewarded his backers with mutuels of $21.80, $9.40 and $5.40. Whitley, ridden by Julien Leparoux, returned $4 and $3.20 in finishing a nose in front of Austons Sure Cure who paid $8.80 to show under Jon Court.

    Racing resumes Friday at 12:40 p.m. (all times EST) with a 10-race live card plus the simulcast of the first day of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships from Santa Anita. The first of six Breeders’ Cup races is scheduled for 3:35 p.m. Friday’s live card includes a three-day Pick 6 carryover of $9,611.38 on Races 5-10 and a three-day Super Hi-5 carryover of $25,913.86 on the finale.

    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 136th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 1, 2010. The track will conduct its 2009 Fall Meet from Sunday, Nov. 1 through Saturday, Nov. 28. Churchill Downs is scheduled to host the Breeders’ Cup World Championships for a record seventh time on November 5 and 6, 2010. Information about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.churchilldowns.com.

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PURE CLAN HAS LIGHT DRILL FOR BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY & MARE TURF – Lewis Lakin’s Pure Clan put in her final major move for her start in Friday’s $2 million Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (Grade I)  at Santa Anita by working three furlongs in :37.60 over a “fast” track early Sunday morning at Churchill Downs.

With regular morning partner Steve Schmelzel aboard, Pure Clan was on the track at 6:15. Trainer Bob Holthus watched from his usual backstretch viewing stand and expressed satisfaction with the move.
    “It was a nice little work,” Holthus said. “She will load in the morning about 4 and when she gets to Santa Anita, she will gallop on the turf Wednesday and Thursday morning.

Garrett Gomez will have the mount on Pure Clan, who turned in her only off-the-board finish in 15 starts with a 10th-place finish in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, which was also run at Oak Tree at Santa Anita.

“We are on the same schedule as last year,” Holthus said. “She had her last work before the race here and then shipped out. I know it was awful hot last year out there and that could have affected her.”

Temperatures were in the mid-90s last year for the Breeders’ Cup, but the long-range forecast for Arcadia, Calif., on Friday calls for a high of 81.

CAPT. CANDYMAN CAN PUTS IN FINAL WORK FOR BREEDERS’ CUP SPRINT – David Zell and the late Joseph Rauch’s Capt. Candyman Can worked a half-mile in :48.40 under jockey Freddy Lenclud on Sunday morning at the Skylight Training Center.

“It was a good work. I was happy with him,” trainer Ian Wilkes said of the move that was accomplished over a Pro-Ride surface that is similar to the one Capt. Candyman Can will run on Saturday at Santa Anita in the $2 million Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Sprint (GI).

“He will leave from Skylight and go straight to the plane in the morning,” Wilkes said. “He may go to the track at Santa Anita on Tuesday; I’ll want to see how he travels.”

A four-time stakes winner this year, Capt. Candyman Can finished second to Fatal Bullet in his most recent start in the Phoenix (GIII) at Keeneland on Oct. 8 over the Polytrack.  The 3-year-old Candy Ride gelding is a two-time stakes winner at Churchill Downs, with wins in the Matt Win earlier this year and last fall’s Iroquois (GIII).

DENIS OF CORK RETURNS TO DAVID CARROLL’S BARN – Denis of Cork, who ran third in the 2008 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) and followed that with a runner-up effort in the Belmont Stakes (GI) has returned to the barn of trainer David Carroll.

“He is back galloping,” Carroll said. “He got back about a month and a half ago. We jogged him the first month and now he is galloping. We are delighted to have him back.”

Owned by Mr. and Mrs. William K. Warren Jr., Denis of Cork went on the shelf in the summer of 2008 when Carroll found the start of a hairline fracture in the colt’s left hind ankle. Denis of Cork was turned out at a farm in Ocala, Fla., and this January suffered an injury to his right front suspensory.

“It took us that long to get him back,” Carroll said. “We are just taking it day to day and I can’t even tell you when he’ll breeze. We are just trying to put a foundation back in him.”

When the Fall Meet ends here Nov. 28, Carroll will take Denis of Cork with the rest of his stables to New Orleans and the Fair Grounds meet.

Another standout for Carroll, the 4-year-old filly Acoma, may resurface in the $100,000-added Cardinal Handicap (GIII) at 1 1/8 miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course.

A three-time graded-stakes winner at Churchill Downs, Acoma had her perfect record at Kentucky tracks end in her most recent start, a ninth-place finish in the First Lady (GI) at Keeneland on Oct. 10.

“She had trained well for the First Lady, but she caught soft turf and didn’t run at all,” Carroll said of Acoma, who had won all six of her previous starts in Kentucky. “We checked her over after that and she was fine, so hopefully we can go in the Cardinal and finish the year on a positive note.”    

MRS. REVERE DRAWS 40 NOMINATIONS – Nelson McMakin’s homebred Hot Cha Cha, winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (GI) at Keeneland, headlines a list of 40 nominations to the 19th running of the $175,000-added Mrs. Revere (GII).

The Mrs. Revere, won last year by Acoma, is for 3-year-old fillies and will be run at 1 1/16 miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course on Nov. 14.

Hot Cha Cha is not the only Grade I winner nominated to the Mrs. Revere. Waratah Thoroughbreds’ Miss World, winner of the Garden City at Belmont Park in September, ran fourth behind Hot Cha Cha in the QE II.

Other graded-stakes winners on the turf nominated to the Mrs. Revere are Dell Ridge Farm’s Bluegrass Princess, who took a division of the Grade III Valley View at Keeneland; Barbara Hunter’s Keertana, winner of the Regret (GIII) here in June; and, Paul Pompa Jr.’s Mary’s Follies, winner of the Grade III Boiling Springs at Monmouth Park in June.

BARN TALK – Calvin Borel has picked up a second Breeders’ Cup mount according to agent Jerry Hissam. Borel will be reunited with Lets Go Stable’s Ready’s Echo for trainer Todd Pletcher for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (GI). Borel rode Ready’s Echo to a third-place finish in the seven-furlong Forego (GI) at Saratoga on Sept. 5. Borel’s other Breeders’ Cup mount is Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird in the $5 million Classic.

Julien Leparoux, who is confirmed on nine Breeders’ Cup mounts, has picked up the mount on Glen Hill Farm’s No Inflation in the Oak Tree Derby (GII) for trainer Tom Proctor on Saturday at Santa Anita. Third in the Jefferson Cup (GII) at Churchill Downs in June, No Inflation won the Grade III Kent at Delaware Park by 6 ¼ lengths on Sept. 5.

WORK TAB – Warrior’s Reward, who ran fifth as the favorite in the Perryville (GIII) at Keeneland last month, worked a half-mile at Churchill Downs in :50.80 for trainer Ian Wilkes. … Two probable starters for Friday’s $100,000 Ack Ack (GIII), Riley Tucker and Que Paso, put in half-mile moves. Riley Tucker covered the distance in :50 for trainer Steve Asmussen and Que Paso was clocked in :51 for trainer Allen Milligan.

THERIOT EAGER TO RETURN TO THE RACES ON MONDAY – Jockey Jamie Theriot will resume riding on Monday at Indiana Downs following the conclusion of a 30-day suspension stemming from a May 23 incident at Arlington Park.

    “The only time I have been idle longer is when I have been hurt,” said Theriot. “I have never been out this long for a suspension.”

    The 30-year-old Theriot is scheduled to ride three races on Monday night and six on Tuesday night at Indiana Downs and then ride the final four days of the Churchill Downs meet that closes Sunday, July 5.

    Saturday morning was a typical one for Theriot during his suspension.

    “I worked 11 horses this morning and I have been averaging between seven and 10 to 11 a day,” Theriot said. “Fitness-wise, I am ready.”

BASHFORD MANOR FIELD TAKING SHAPE – Six 2-year-old colts are considered as probable starters for Friday’s 108th running of the Bashford Manor Stakes (Grade III) at six furlongs on the main track.

    Of the six, three faced off in a five-furlong allowance race on June 11 won by the Millsap Stables’ unbeaten homebred Brassy Boy. Trained by Hal Wiggins, Brassy Boy won his debut outing in a $30,000 claiming race  4 ½ furlongs on May 29 before coming back to defeat the likes of probable Bashford Manor starters Soundman, who finished third, and Flatter Than Me, who ran fourth.

    Other probable starters include the undefeated Backtalk, a half-brother to graded stakes winner Bsharpsonata, who broke his maiden in his first start on June 11, Westrock Gold, a maiden winner on June 20, and Mission Impazible, a maiden winner at Keeneland who ran third in the Grade III Kentucky Juvenile on April 30 at Churchill Downs.

    Entries will be taken Tuesday.
    
JOHN KELLY DOES JOHN KELLY WARREN PROUD – Trainer David Carroll closed out the second edition of “Downs After Dark” Friday night in grand style when he sent out John Kelly to a 2 ¼-length maiden score in the 11th race.

    So, the question Saturday morning was, “Who is John Kelly?”

    “He is named for Mr. Warren’s son, John Kelly Warren,” Carroll said, referring to the colt’s owner William K. Warren Jr.

    The 3-year-old son of Seattle Fitz was purchased at the 2008 Barretts March Sale for $600,000 and has been in Carroll’s barn since last year. However, John Kelly did not make his racing debut until last month.

    “He has just had some growing pains,” Carroll said. “But he does have talent and he’ll probably go to Saratoga.”

    In 2008, Carroll trained Denis of Cork for Warren with the colt finishing third in the Kentucky Derby (Grade I) and second in the Belmont Stakes (Grade I). Warren named the colt after Father Denis Casey, a priest from County Cork, Ireland.

    The Carroll barn will be trying to strike out of town next weekend when Helen Alexander’s Selva runs in the $300,000 Prioress (Grade I) for 3-year-old fillies at Belmont Park on Saturday.

    “She leaves Tuesday for Belmont Park,” Carroll said of Selva, a three-time stakes winner who has compiled a record of 6-4-2-0. Selva’s most recent race was the Beaumont (Grade II) at Keeneland on April 8 in which she finished second.

MISSION IMPAZIBLE PLETCHER’S HOPE FOR THIRD BASHFORD MANOR – The Spring Meet has been iceberg cold for the Todd Pletcher barn, but that does mean it is “Mission Impossible” for a strong finish after a 1-for-36 start.

Make that Mission Impazible.

Owned by Twin Creeks Racing Stable, Mission Impazible should be one of the favorites in Friday’s Bashford Manor Stakes for Pletcher, who won the race in 2003 with Limestone and in 2006 with Circular Quay.

A son of Unbridled’s Song, Mission Impazible turned in his final work for the Bashford Manor with a half-mile work in :47.80 over a fast track Saturday morning, the fourth best of 67 at the distance. Mission Impazible has not run since finishing third in the Kentucky Juvenile (Grade III) on April 30.

“He has been doing extremely well since his last race,” said Mike McCarthy, who runs Pletcher’s Churchill Downs string. “We did the same thing with Garden District last year and this race was the goal all along.”
Garden District ran second to males in the Kentucky Juvenile and came back eight weeks later to win the Debutante, defeating a group of fillies that included runner-up Rachel Alexandra, who is now among the frontrunners for “Horse of the Year” honors after her 20 ¼-length win in the Kentucky Oaks (GI) and her historic win over Kentucky Derby (GI) winner Mine That Bird and other males in the Preakness (GI).
One horse in the Pletcher barn on the comeback trail is Team Valor International’s King of the Roxy. A two-time Grade II stakes winner, King of the Roxy has not run since April 2008 and rejoined the barn last month.

“He is going to work Sunday,” McCarthy said of the 5-year-old who has had three works since coming back. “He is about a month away from running and he could possibly go to Saratoga.”
    
BARN TALK – Calvin Borel was blanked on the Friday night card and remained three wins (56-53) behind Julien Leparoux in the battle for leading rider of the Spring Meet.  Leparoux missed Friday’s “Downs After Dark” program to ride in stakes races at Prairie Meadows. Borel will be in New York on Saturday to ride Rachel Alexandra in the Mother Goose (Grade I) while Leparoux returns to Churchill Downs and has nine mounts on the 11-race card. Both riders will be here Sunday with Leparoux named on eight mounts and Borel seven.

Belmont Stakes (Grade I) winner Summer Bird will make a brief return to Churchill Downs on Thursday. Trainer Tim Ice is vanning Summer Bird from his home base at Louisiana Downs to Monmouth Park for the Aug. 2 Haskell Invitational (Grade I).

“We are going to stop over there for about 10 hours and then get back on the road that night,” said Ice, who expects to arrive at Churchill Downs around 10 o’clock Thursday morning and be housed in the Stakes Barn (Barn 17). “He had his first work since the Belmont this morning and he went nice and easy (five furlongs in 1:04.42). He’s a happy horse right now and we want to keep him that way.”

Summer Bird finished sixth to Mine That Bird in the Kentucky Derby, but turned the tables on that rival in the Belmont.

    Weights for the 19th running of the $150,000-added Firecracker Handicap (Grade II) will be released Saturday with the race scheduled to headline the Fourth of July holiday card.

    Weights for the 28th running of the $100,000-added Locust Grove Handicap (Grade III) for fillies and mares will be released Sunday. The Locust Grove serves as the feature on Sunday, July 5, closing day of the 45-day Spring Meet.

WORK TAB – Stephen Foster Handicap (Grade I) winner Macho Again worked a half-mile in :50.80 over a fast track. The fastest half-mile works of 67 came from the Eddie Kenneally duo of Keep the Peace and Custom for Carlos, who covered the distance in :47.20. Also working a half-mile was Flying Private, who covered the distance in :53.40 in his second work since finishing sixth in the Belmont Stakes.