Neil Howard

Stoneway Farm’s Exfactor charged down the stretch, made the lead with just over an eighth of a mile remaining and drew clear to win the 110^th running of the Grade III, $111,500 Bashford Manor for 2-year-olds by 2 ¾-lengths on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

Trained by 71-year-old Bernie Flint and ridden by three-time Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Calvin Borel, Exfactor covered the six furlongs on a fast track in 1:10.30. It was the second win in the Bashford Manor for the Flint-Borel duo, as the pair previously teamed up to win its 2008 edition with William Carl’s Screen Your Friend.  Borel, who rode five winners on Saturday, scored his third Bashford Manor win overall as he won the race in 2000 aboard Phillips Racing Partnership’s Duality.

The 5-1 third-choice in the field of seven, Exfactor returned mutuels of $12.60, $5.20 and $3.60. Courtlandt Farms’ Power World rallied from sixth to finish second under Corey Lanerie and returned $4.80 and $3.60, while Dumbarton Stable’s Friscan, who set a rapid early pace under Shaun Bridgmohan, held for third and returned $4.60 to show. It was a neck further back to Klaravich Stables Inc. and William Lawrence’s Sum of the Parts, the 4-5 Bashford Manor favorite who broke in the air, but rushed to challenge Friscan for the early lead before giving way in the stretch.

The victory was worth $67,748 for Exfactor and increased the bankroll for the Kentucky-bred son of Exchange Rate to $109,348.  The winner’s career record stands at 2-1-0 in three starts.

Exfactor broke last in the field of seven and stayed there as Friscan and Sum of the Parts led the field through a quick opening quarter in :21.59.  Borel asked Exfactor for his run with three-eighths of a mile remaining and began to pick off horses as he swung five-wide entering the stretch. Friscan and Sum of the Parts led the field into the stretch, but Exfactor was rolling on the outside, stuck his head in front with an eighth of a mile to go and quickly drew away.  Power World rallied from sixth and closed well in the stretch to gain the runner-up spot, but could not threaten Exfactor.

Chalybeate Springs finished fifth, and was followed past the finish by Bonaparte and Hot Speed. Lil Cherokee, Green Mouse, Tarpy’s Goal and Laurie’s Rocket were late scratches.

Racing continues beneath the historic Twin Spires of Churchill Downs on Sunday, July 3 with a 12-race program that begins at 12:45 p.m. EDT.                                                                  

BASHFORD MANOR QUOTES

Bernard Flint, trainer of Exfactor (Winner)

“The game plan was (Stoneway Farm stablemate) Bonaparte was supposed to go to the front and carry the front end.  But apparently it was quite hot out there and he couldn’t get there.  But that’s OK because he was sick a couple of weeks ago and I had missed a work or two with him, so sometimes you’ve got to go with the one that’s best ready and that was Exfactor.”

Q: You were very confident before the race that Exfactor was going to run well …

“It was a question of whether I was going to hang around on the front end or go from behind (with Exfactor) and today I decided I’m going to go from behind – that’s it.  We have two horses and that’s the purpose for an entry – for one to go on and set the pace, but the other one couldn’t even set the pace.  It was vicious out there.  It was an extremely good race with good horses, and it’s a pleasure to have something like that in the barn.  I thank Mr. Stone for going out and buying these horses.”

Q: Is it more special at this time in your life and career to win a race like this with a young horse?

“This late in your life, you don’t usually get the opportunities.  Everybody forgets about the old man, but the old man don’t forget what he learned.  Mr. Stone must be congratulated for having enough faith in me to come back to me and give me a second chance.  Hey, I’m tickled.”

Q: How much potential does this horse have?

“It’s unlimited, because if I can keep him coming from behind like that we’ve got the Breeders’ Cup right here.  He’s a special horse, he’s been a special horse, but I didn’t have him ready to run the first time. … You can’t squeeze the lemon – you’ve got to be careful with what you do.

“The best 2-year-olds in the country have always come out of Churchill Downs. I don’t care what anybody says, whatever price they were or whatever it is, it’s the pinnacle of 2-year-old racing.  And I’m just tickled to death at my age to have a horse like this.  It doesn’t happen to a 71-year-old man, OK?  But Mr. Stone had enough faith in me to say ‘Let’s go out and let’s go get ‘em.’

“It’s really a joy to win at home, but it’s even a bigger joy to have a truly good 2-year-old.  No one ever commits suicide if they’ve got an untried 2-year-old, and when they’ve got a stakes-winning or graded stakes-winning 2-year-old, for sure you’re not going to commit suicide.”

Q: What do you think might be next?

“I’m going to see how he came out of this race and hopefully we’ll go on to Saratoga and we’ll wait here and lay in the woods and wait ‘til Breeders’ Cup.”

 

James Stone (Stoneway Farm), owner of Exfactor (Winner)

Q: What does this win mean for you?

“This means everything because we haven’t been here in seven or eight years.  I guess we won the Stonerside Beaumont (at Keeneland) back in ’02, ’03, along in there.  It’s that old country song, ‘If it wasn’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.’  But it’s changed.  I’m back to my first trainer, Bernie.  We went through 54 trainers, but we’re back and he’s got all my horses.

“He’s got great eyes for picking just the physical horse.  Don’t show him the pedigree.  He just looks at the horse.  We hooked up about a year or year and a half ago, and he’s got 30 horses in the racing stable, all told.

“You’ve got to have someone you can communicate with.  That doesn’t mean Bernie and I always agree or he does it my way.  He does it his way, but at least we have a great rapport and I’ve been taught more by Bernie Flint than any other individual in the horse business.”

"We’re just rollin’, we’re just loving it.  We’re having fun.  Whatever comes, it’s a pleasure.”

Calvin Borel, jockey on Exfactor (winner)

“I let him drop back out of there.  I knew they’d have a little speed, :21 and :45, that’s pretty good fractions for a 2-year-old.  I just said, ‘If we’re going to teach him, teach him right.  That’s what Mr. Carl (two-time Kentucky Derby winner trainer Carl Nafzger) always told me.  I’ll tell you what, he’s a nice colt and we’re trying to form him to be a nice colt to get on down the road and do bigger things.  So I let him break and was just comfortable.   He felt real, real good coming to the (quarter) pole, so I rode him with a lot of confidence.  He showed up and gave me that punch.  At the wire he was getting a little late, but not bad.  I was very impressed.”

Q: What do you think Exfactor learned out of this race?

“A lot.  I’ve been working him a long time and he’s very versatile.  If you want him there (near the lead), he’s there, but he’ll sit back and make one run.  I like that in a horse.  Today was big plus for him.  They’ll do it in the morning sometimes by themselves, but in the afternoon will they do it?  You’ve got to check ‘em out and hope it works out if you want a good one that will fit down the road, and I think this colt can do it.”

Corey Lanerie, jockey of Power World (second): “My horse was good; he broke good today. He was maybe a little keener than I thought he would have been. But I was in a good spot and at the five-sixteenths (pole) I thought I had them. (Jockey) Calvin (Borel on Exfactor) came around me and swept by me. I kind of cut through a little bit and saved a little more ground but I just couldn’t catch him today.”

Neil Howard, trainer of Power World (second): “I thought he ran good. (Trainer) Bernie Flint’s horse (Exfactor) had been on my mind since he broke his maiden. That was a nice race first-time out. Obviously it would have been great to win it, but I love what I’m seeing with this colt for the future … you know, seven-eighths (of a mile) and the races this fall. He’s a nice colt, I think. I hope at least. This was a good group of two-year-olds.”

Leandro Goncalves, jockey of Sum of the Parts (fourth as the favorite): “He didn’t come out of the gate too good, just like during the first time when he broke a step slow. But (Bonaparte) broke out and (Hot Speed) came in and squished me a little bit. After that, he didn’t really relax for me at all. He got bumped from both horses, got mad and tried to run off the whole way. He didn’t have much finish and that’s why. I was never able to get him to relax for me and he didn’t finish strong like he had been training in the morning or like he did first time out. He’s a good horse, though. He’s just a young horse, very competitive and tried too hard. He just needs to learn to relax.”

HOWARD LOOKS FOR SECOND BASHFORD MANOR WITH POWER WORLD - With 283 career wins beneath the Twin Spires, trainer Neil Howard is no stranger to the Churchill Downs winner’s circle.  One of his most important early wins came in the 1989 running of the Bashford Manor (GII) with Dogwood Stables’ Summer Squall, and he will bid for second win in the race Monday with Courtlandt Farms’  Power World.

The 2-year-old son of Distorted Humor endured a troubled start and rallied from 11 lengths back under jockey Corey Lanerie to win his 4 1/2-furlong debut at Churchill Downs on June 11.

"So far, I’m fairly optimistic about him,” Howard said. “He ran a good race in his last after getting the heck bumped out of him at the start. Given he had such a rough beginning, I think he put in a very mature effort.”

Running in Saturday’s Bashford Manor has brought back good memories of Summer Squall, who would run second to Unbridled in the 1990 Kentucky Derby (GI) and bounce back to beat the rival in the Preakness (GI) to provide Howard with his only victory in a Triple Crown race.

“Summer Squall was very, very precocious,” Howard said. “To be that precocious and then go on to win a classic is something special.”

Summer Squall and Power World appear to have different running styles, but the 62-year-old native of Riverdale, New York believes that will help the latter’s chances on Saturday.“Summer Squall had early speed and I don’t think Power World has that much of it,” Howard said. “It’s going to be a real slugfest on the front-end though and I’m glad that I won’t be a part of it. He’ll come running.”

One of the horses that will likely be close to the early pace is Klaravich Stables Inc. and William Lawrence’s Sum of the Parts, who has been installed as the 3-1 morning line favorite. A son of Speightstown, Sum of the Parts made an auspicious debut in a May 14 maiden race at Churchill Downs in which he defeated Stoneway Farm’s Bashford Manor contender Exfactor by 2 3/4 lengths.  The latter returned to score a 4 ½-length victory at 5 ½ furlongs in his next outing on June 9.

The six-furlong Bashford Manor is scheduled as the 12^th and featured event on a special 13-race program on the final Saturday of the historic track’s 38-day Spring Meet. Post time for the first race is 12:45 p.m. EDT and the Bashford Manor is set for a 6:23 p.m. start.

The field for the 110^th running of the Bashford Manor from the rail out with jockey and weight includes Laurie’s Rocket (Brian Hernandez Jr., 116), Lil Cherokee (Miguel Mena, 120), Power World (Lanerie, 118), Exfactor (Calvin Borel, 118), Chalybeate Springs (Jesus Castanon, 116), Bonaparte (Jon Court, 118), Sum of the Parts (Leandron Goncalves, 118), Hot Speed (Robby Albarado, 120), Tarpy’s Goal (Kent Desormeaux, 118), Green Mouse (Manoel Cruz, 118) and Friscan (Shaun Bridgmohan, 118).

BANNED SHARP IN WORK, SET FOR VIRGINIA DERBY – Glen Hill Farm’s Banned, a two-time graded stakes winner on turf, tuned up for a run in the $600,000 Virginia Derby (GII) with a sharp half-mile work on Churchill Downs’ Matt Winn Turf Course on Thursday.

The 3-year-old son of 2004 turf champion Kitten’s Joy, winner of American Turf Presented by Ram (GII) and the Jefferson Cup (GIII) during the Spring Meet, breezed four furlongs around the dogs over the firm going in :50.40 for trainer Tom Proctor.

"He’s a little keener than I’d like him to be at this point, but that’s okay it was still a good work,” Proctor said.

Proctor gave his rising star a bit of a breather after his Jefferson Cup win, but is now gearing Banned up for the July 16 Virginia Derby.

"I was thinking about working him Tuesday, but I wanted to give him an extra couple days because it’s the summer and hot and you don’t want to cook them,” Proctor said. “I probably could have worked him Tuesday though, because I don’t think he ran too hard in his last race.”

A big effort by Banned at Colonial Downs could convince Proctor to point him to a run in the 1 ¼-mile Secretariat (GI) at Arlington Park.

“We’ll have to see how he comes back from the Virginia Derby, but it’s a big possibility we will run in the Secretariat,” Proctor said. “I don’t know if he’s really bred to go that far and the bottom half of his pedigree says he can’t, but if you look at his action he looks like he could handle 1 ¼ miles.”

Bred in Kentucky by Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey, Banned has a career record of 4-0-1 from seven starts with earnings of $299,076.

LEPAROUX SURGES TO LEAD ATOP JOCKEY STANDINGS - Julien Leparoux will begin the closing week of Churchill Downs’ 38-day Spring Meet with 45-40 lead over Corey Lanerie in the race to be Churchill Downs’ leading rider.

Just 2 ½ weeks ago, Leparoux trailed Lanerie by 11 wins.

Through the first 25 days of the 38-day Spring Meet, Lanerie had a 34-24 lead over Shaun Bridgmohan with Leparoux in third at 23. Since June 12, Leparoux has gone on a 22-of-51 (43.1%) tear over the eight-day period, recording one five-win day (June 17), a trio of three-win days and four two-win days.

Meanwhile, Lanerie is 6-for-62 (9.7%) during than span and has been runner-up on 17 occasions. Ten of those seconds have been decided by a length or less, including five losses by a nose, head or neck. Also, Leparoux and Lanerie finished one-two five times during that period with the former on top in each occasion.

The French-born Leparoux, who will turn 28 on July 15, is seeking his eighth Churchill Downs riding title. He was leading rider at the Downs in 2006 Spring (87 wins), 2007 Spring (69 wins), 2007 Fall (27 wins), 2008 Fall (record 63 wins), 2009 Spring (62 wins), 2009 Fall (27 wins, tied with Calvin Borel) and 2010 Fall (28 wins).

Lanerie, a 36-year-old native of Lafayette, La., is pursuing his first local crown. In last year’s Spring Meet he finished second to Calvin Borel with 29 wins, which was Lanerie’s third top five finish in the Churchill Downs jockey standings. He won multiple riding titles in Texas before he moved to the Kentucky-Louisiana circuit in 2004. He was the leading rider at the 2010 Ellis Park meeting with 33 wins.

Elsewhere, Leparoux will begin Thursday’s action needing five wins to become only the 10^th jockey in Churchill Downs history to win 500 races beneath the historic Twin Spires. He took out his license to ride in 2005 and first rode at Churchill Downs during that year’s Fall Meet.

There’s also a tight race for leading trainer. Nine-time leading trainer Steve Asmussen (Fall 2001, Spring 2004, Fall 2004, Spring 2007, Fall 2007, Spring 2009, Fall 2009, Spring 2010 and Fall 2010) began the week with 15 wins, one more than two-time leading conditioner Tom Amoss (Spring 2002 and Spring 2008) and 2002 Fall training champ Ken McPeek. Asmussen is pursuing his fifth straight local title. Eddie Kenneally, seeking his first local title, was fourth with 12 wins, followed by eight-time champ Dale Romans (Spring 2000, Spring 2001, Spring 2002, Spring 2003, Fall 2003, Spring 2005, Fall 2005 and Spring 2006) with 11 wins and Fall 2008 leading conditioner Mike Maker with 10 victories.

Richard and Karen Papiese’s Midwest Thoroughbreds Inc. is looking to dethrone 17-time leading owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey (Spring 2000, Fall 2000, Spring 2001, Fall 2001, Spring 2002, Fall 2002, Spring 2003, Fall 2003, Spring 2004, Fall 2005, Spring 2006, Fall 2007, Spring 2008, Fall 2008, Spring 2009, Fall 2009 and Fall 2010). They have an 8-5 lead heading into the final week.

Below is a look at the rest of the leaders entering Thursday’s action:

Top Jockeys

1. Julien Leparoux (45-for-171, 26% win-percentage, $1,553,810 in earnings)

1. Corey Lanerie (40-for-207, 19%, $1,283,590)

3. Shaun Bridgmohan (29-for-163, 18%, $982,793)

4. Calvin Borel (25-for-181, 14%, $900,247)

5. Kent Desormeaux (21-for-110, 19%, $977,609)

Top Trainers

1. Steve Asmussen (15-for-96, 16%, $1,149,089)

2. Tom Amoss (14-for-39, 36%, $368,280)

2. Ken McPeek (14-for-57, 25%, $776,988)

4. Eddie Kenneally (12-for-45, 27%, $357,540)

5. Dale Romans (11-for-82, 13%, $884,000)

Top Owners

1. Richard and Karen Papiese’s Midwest Thoroughbreds Inc. (8-for-40, 20%, $167,147)

2. Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey (5-for-31, 16%, $157,163)

3. Donald Adam’s Courtlandt Farms (4-for-27, 15%, $293,602)

3. Robert Baker and William Mack (4-for-16, 25%, $78,649)

3. Martin Cherry (4-for-8, 50%, $67,953)

3. Tom Ludt’s Vinery Stables LLC (4-for-10, 40%, $140,368)

3. Merrill Scherer, Dan Lynch and Ken Sentel (4-for-19, 21%, $100,843)

BARN TALK – Preston Stables LLC’s Flat Out, sixth to Pool Play in the $500,000 Stephen Foster Handicap Presented by Abu Dhabi (GI), will run in Saturday’s Suburban Handicap (GII) at Belmont Park. The Scooter Dickey-trained Flat Out had also been considered for Monday’s $175,000-added Firecracker Handicap Presented by GE (GII) on turf at Churchill Downs. …

Morton Fink’s homebred Wise Dan is now “likely” to run in the Firecracker.  Trainer Charles Lopresti worked the winner of Keeneland’s Phoenix (GIII) a half-mile over a firm Matt Winn Turf Course in :48.80 on Tuesday.  Lopresti said Wise Dan went back to the track at Keeneland on Thursday and appears ready to go.  “We drew some blood on him and if the blood work comes back good on him this (Thursday) afternoon we’re going to run,” Lopresti said.  Tuesday’s work was Wise Dan’s first experience on grass.

Horses under consideration for the 21^st running of the Firecracker Handicap (with trainer, weight) include Baryshnikov (Mike Maker, 117), El Caballo (Ralph Nicks, 114), General Quarters (McCarthy, 117), Joshua Reynolds (Ralph Nicks, 114), Lubash (James Ryerson, 115), Mister Marti Gras (Chris Block, 115), Mystic (Bill Mott, 114), Strike Impact (Pat Dupuy, 117) and Wise Dan (Lopresti, 115). …

Jerry Romans’ Sassy Image, winner of the Grade I Humana Distaff and Grade III Winning Colors at Churchill Downs this spring, breezed four furlongs in a “bullet” time of :46.20 over a fast main track beneath the Twin Spires on Tuesday. “She’s a fast horse,” trainer Dale Romans said. “We’re pointing her to the (Grade I) Princess Rooney (at Calder Race Course on July 9). We’ll see how she comes out of that and then maybe look at the (Grade I) Ballerina (at Saratoga on August 27). …

Joseph M. Cornacchia, co-owner of Kentucky Derby winners Strike the Gold (1990) and Go for Gin (1994) died Sunday in New York at the age of 78. Funeral services will be held at Immaculate Conception Church in Westhampton, New York on Friday. …

Join us for the 3^rd Annual Horsemen’s Golf Scramble at Glenmary’s Country Club on Monday, August 29^th. Registration begins at 11 a.m. EDT and the cost is $100 per player with four players to a team. Lunch will also begin at 11 a.m. and the shotgun start is at 12:30 p.m. Those interested may pick up a form from The Backside Learning Center and return it by Friday, August 12. …

The Churchill Downs Incorporated Foundation (“Churchill Charities”) will continue its new charitable initiative, Pony Up For Charity, this Friday, July 1, at Downs After Dark. Customers may elect to ask their server to add, or “Pony Up,” a dollar or more to their food and beverage tab, which will be designated to New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program. …

The first race for Friday’s “Downs After Dark” nighttime racing celebration at Churchill Downs has been moved up one hour to 5 p.m. because it is now a special 13-race program. Two “make-up” races originally scheduled for last Thursday were added to Friday’s card after an F1 tornado hit the Louisville track’s barn area last Wednesday night and forced a cancellation of the next day’s program. Admission gates will still open on the regular night schedule at 4 p.m. …

WHO’S HOT – The hottest jockey over the last five racing days (June 18-26) is Julien Leparoux (13-for-35). Ken McPeek (6-for-15) and Eddie Kenneally (4-for-9) are the hottest trainers over the same period. Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey (2-for-4) and Midwest Thoroughbreds Inc. (2-for-8) are the hottest owners.

WORKTAB – William S. Farish and Skara Glen Stables’ Close Ally, who ran second to Banned in the American Turf Presented by Ram (GIII) prior to finishing second in the Lone Star Derby (GIII) on dirt in his most recent start, breezed five furlongs over a firm Matt Winn Turf Course on Thursday morning for trainer Neil Howard.

Right Time Racing LLC’s Bouquet Booth, fifth in the Grade I Kentucky Oaks and third in the Regret Presented by Etihad Airways (GIII), breezed four furlongs on a fast main track at Churchill Downs in :49.80 for trainer Steve Margolis.

Mrs. Yoshio Fujita’s Ravi’s Song, who ran second in the Grade III Early Times Mint Julep to Magdalena Racing’s My Baby Baby, worked a “bullet” four furlongs in :47.60 on the main track on Thursday morning for trainer Carl Bowman.

WEATHER – Thursday: sunny, 87. Friday: mostly sunny, 92. Saturday: mostly sunny and hot, 96. Sunday: mostly sunny with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, 93. Monday: partly sunny with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, 91. Tuesday: partly sunny with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, 90. Wednesday: mostly sunny with a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms, 92.

 

PLETCHER WORKMATES LOOK FOR STAKES DOUBLE, POSSIBLE TRIPLE - The Todd Pletcher trained duo of Mission Impazible and Excited trained together in their final major work for stakes races on Saturday’s Stephen Foster Day Presented by Abu Dhabi program at Churchill Downs.  Now the stable hopes both horses will find their way into the winner’s circle in their respective races.

Twin Creeks Racing Stable LLC’s Mission Impazible takes on 10 rivals in the day’s big race, the $500,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap Presented by Abu Dhabi (GI), the final event on Friday’s 12-race card.  One race earlier, Michael Tabor’s Excited will run in the $125,000-added Regret Presented by Etihad Airways (GIII), so the stablemates could comprise a pleasing late daily double with wins for the Pletcher barn.

Mission Impazible, a 4-year-old colt who ran 10^th to Super Saver in last year’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI), worked five furlongs in company with Excited, a 3-year-old filly whose best runs have come on grass, on Monday at Churchill Downs.  Mission Impazible completed the work in 1:00.80, while Excited stopped the clock in 1:01.40.

“The work went very well,” assistant trainer Michael McCarthy said. “I think horses that work in company always get more out of it than when they work alone. They’re more aggressive when they have a workmate.

"Sometimes good horses need something to challenge them. We put Mission Impazible with Excited to try and wake him up a bit.”

Mission Impazible won the Grade II New Orleans Handicap earlier in the year, but will enter the Stephen Foster off a disappointing seventh-place finish as the $2.90-to-1 favorite in the Alysheba Presented by Besilu Stables (GIII) on Kentucky Oaks Day.

“We really don’t have an excuse for why he didn’t run well,” McCarthy said.

Mission Impazible drew post 11 for the Stephen Foster and will be ridden for the first time by Javier Castellano.  McCarthy expects the 4-year-old son of Unbridled’s Song to be forwardly placed in the Foster.

“By drawing so far outside he’s going to have to be up near the pace, but we’ll have (jockey Javier) Castellano play it by ear,” McCarthy said.

Mission Impazible has a record of 3-3-2 from 10 career starts and earnings of $802,439. 

The field for the Stephen Foster (with jockey, weight and morning line odds) from the rail out includes: Flat Out (Corey Lanerie, 114, 30-1), Crown of Thorns (Tyler Baze, 121, 4-1), Apart (Julien Leparoux, 118, 5-1), Worldly (Manoel Cruz, 113, 30-1), El Caballo (James Graham, 115, 15-1), Regal Ransom (Garcia, 117, 6-1), Equestrio (Jose Lezcano, 116, 12-1), Pool Play (Miguel Mena, 116, 20-1), Duke of Mischief (Bravo, 118, 6-1), Giant Oak (Bridgmohan, 122, 7-2) and Mission Impazible (Castellano, 118, 9-2).

While Mission Impazible will look to rebound a disappointing Alysheba run, Excited will attempt to move forward off a strong three-length victory in the $50,000 Hilltop on Preakness Day at Pimlico.

“There are a lot of nice fillies in the race, but I think she looks as good as any of them,” McCarthy said.

One of Excited’s main Regret rivals is Five D Thoroughbreds and Wind River Stables’ Kathmanblu, who has finished ahead of Excited in two previous meetings.   Kathmanblu finished 1 ¼ lengths ahead of runner-up Excited on turf in Gulfstream Park’s Sweetest Chant, and the former finished third while Excited was eighth when they met on Keeneland’s Polytrack course in the Ashland (GI) won by Lilacs and Lace.

Excited, a 3-year-old daughter of Giant’s Causeway, has a record of 2-3-1 from eight career starts with earnings of $130,700. Castellano will also be in the saddle aboard Excited.

The field for the Regret, from the hedge out (with jockey, weight), includes: Bizzy Caroline (Manoel Cruz, 116), Diva Ash (Robby Albarado, 116), Bouquet Booth (Shaun Bridgmohan, 118), Holidaysatthefarm (Jose Lezcano, 116), Kathmanblu (Julien Leparoux, 122), Excited (Castellano, 116), Gaya (James Graham, 118) and Blushandbashful (Freddie Lenclud, 116).

The Pletcher barn could have a third stakes starter Saturday if they elect to run Zayat Stables LLC’s Joe Vann in the $125,000-added Matt Winn Presented by Emirates Equestrian Federation (GIII), which is scheduled to be run as Race 10.

“A final decision has not been made at this time,” McCarthy said. “We could opt to run him in the Iowa Derby.”

The $250,000 Iowa Derby (GIII) is scheduled to be run on June 25 at Prairie Meadows.

The Matt Winn field, from the rail out (with jockey, weight), includes: Alstom (Calvin Borel, 116), Infrattini (Corey Lanerie, 116), Wilburn (Mike Smith, 116), Supreme Ruler (Jon Court, 116), Uncle Brent (Manoel Cruz, 120), Chalice (Julien Leparoux, 116), Scotus (Alan Garcia, 116) and Joe Vann (Castellano, 120).

PERREGAUX’S CONNECTIONS HOPE TALENT RUNS IN THE FAMILY – When Courtland Farm’s  Perregaux makes his stakes debut in Saturday’s $100,000- Jefferson Cup Presented by Abu Dhabi (GIII), his connections will be hoping the colt will display during that 1 1/16 mile run on the Matt Winn Turf Course the class and ability that oozes from both sides of his pedigree.

The Courtlandt Farms homebred Perregaux is a son of Distorted Humor, who has sired more than 100 stakes winners that include 2003 Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide.  But Perregaux is the first foal out of Sweet Talker, who counted the 2005 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (GI) on the Keeneland turf among four career stakes victories that also include the Caressing on the grass at Churchill Downs.

“Sweet Talker was a really nice horse,” trainer Neil Howard said. “I think he (Perregaux) is really training well and I expect him to run good Saturday.”

Perregaux will be making just his second start off his 3-year-old campaign in the Jefferson Cup. The colt was taken out of training for the first part of the year following ankle surgery to remove a small bone chip, but returned to the races earlier in the meet and ran second as the 5-2 favorite in a one mile allowance over the Matt Winn Turf Course on May 27.

“We backed off him and gave him some time after we removed the chip from his ankle,” Howard said. “We brought him back in the allowance and we were hoping he would run well and that we could run here (in the Jefferson Cup). This race has been on the radar for awhile.”

Perregaux’s runner-up performance in the allowance improved his record to 2-1-2 from six lifetime starts with $74,850 in earnings.

Robby Albarado, who has been aboard Perregaux in his last four races, will have the mount Saturday.

The field for the Jefferson Cup from the hedge out (with jockey, weight) includes: Live In Joy (Manoel Cruz, 117), Redboard (Leandro Goncalves, 117), Dream Warrior (Corey Lanerie, 117), Banned (Jose Lezcano, 121), Swagger Jack (James Graham, 117), Perregaux (Albarado, 117), Benergy (Javier Castellano, 117) and Great Mills (Julien Leparoux, 117).

Note: Live in Joy (5^th), Swagger Jack (6^th) and Great Mills (10^th) competed in Wednesday night’s $200,000 Oliver Stakes at Indiana Downs and are unlikely to start Saturday.

FIELD FOR THE PRESIDENT OF UNITED ARAB EMIRATES CUP – Churchill Downs will run its first Arabian race in the storied history of the Louisville track on Saturday. The field for the Grade I, $50,000 The President of United Arab Emirates Cup for Arabians, 4-year-olds and up at 1 ¼ miles on the main track includes, from the rail out (with jockey, weight): T M Fred Texas (Santos Chavez, 118), Dixies Valentine (Calvin Borel, 118), Another Color (Constantino Roman, 123), Ovour the Top (Corey Lanerie, 118), Crownn Royal (Brian Hernandez Jr., 123), Vip (Aldo Canchano, 118), Wodkka (Marcelino Pedroza Jr., 123) and Grilla (William Hollick, 123).

MEET LEADERS AT A GLANCE – Through the 26 days of the 39-day Spring Meet, jockey Corey Lanerie, trainer Tom Amoss and owners Richard and Karen Papiese’s Midwest Thoroughbreds are the leaders in their respective categories at Churchill Downs. Below is a look at the leaders entering Thursday’s action:

Top Jockeys

 1. Corey Lanerie (34-for-154, 22% win-percentage, $988,919 in earnings)

 2. Shaun Bridgmohan (25-for-136, 18%, $811,232)

 2. Julien Leparoux (25-for-125, 20%, $865,407)

 4. Calvin Borel (21-for-145, 14%, $699,950)

 5. Miguel Mena (16-for-111, 14%, $544,381)

 6. Manoel Cruz (15-for-94, 16%, $567,221)

 6. Kent Desormeaux (15-for-94, 16%, $791,929)

 6. Jon Court (15-for-106, 14%, $429,637)

 Top Trainers

  1. Tom Amoss (13-for-30, 43%, $343,106)

  2. Steve Asmussen (12-for-76, 16%, $1,009,122)

  3. Dale Romans (9-for-67, 13%, $746,508)

 4. Eddie Kenneally (8-for-33, 24%, $205,378)

 4. Ken McPeek (8-for-42, 19%, $476,972)

 6. Brad Cox (7-for-34, 21%, $142,337)

 6. Tim Glyshaw (7-for-27, 26%, $116,618)

 6. Ian Wilkes (7-for-47, 15%, $305,063)

Top Owners

1. Richard and Karen Papiese’s Midwest Thoroughbreds (6-for-32, 19%, $133,582)

2. Robert C. Baker and William L. Mack (4-for-16, 25%, $78,649)

2. Tom Ludt’s Vinery Stables (4-for-10, 40%, $140,368)

2. Donald Adam’s Courtlandt Farms (4-for-20, 20%, $255,964)

BARN TALK – Downs After Dark Presented by Budweiser Select returns to Churchill Downs on Friday. Admission gates will open at 4 p.m. and the first of 11 live races will begin at 6 p.m. Friday night’s season premiere will showcase a special performance by legendary music icon Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of Run-DMC fame, who will perform many of his classic hits for an hour after the last race. …

Friday’s “Hot Summer Nights” concept will showcase lots of hot orange and hot pink décor with a bit of a ‘60s vibe, complete with Go-Go dancers on pedestals in the paddock. The Churchill Downs facilities will be adorned by mood lighting, spotlights and seasonal greenery, and colorful bunting will flow throughout the grounds and entrances. With sleek and comfortable conversational seating options, cocktail tables, unique food and beverage stations and music added to the mix, the racetrack – particularly the paddock area – will have the look and feel of an upscale night club. …

The popular sweepstakes promotion Bet or No Bet will also return on Friday. Registration will take place in the paddock area for the chance to take $100 in cash or place a free $1,000 win bet on a horse in the upcoming race. Bet or No Bet will take place during races 6-9. …

Nominations for the 110^th running of the Grade III, $100,000-added Bashford Manor for 2-year-olds at six furlongs on the main track at Churchill Downs will close Saturday. The Bashford Manor, which is scheduled to be run Saturday, July 2, was won last year by Stonestreet Stables LLC’s Kantharos under Robby Albarado for trainer Steve Asmussen. …

Nominations for the 21^st running of the Grade II, $175,000-added Firecracker Handicap for 3-year-olds and upward at one mile on the Matt Winn Turf Course will close Saturday. The Firecracker Handicap, which is scheduled to be run on Monday, July 4, was won last year by Michael Cooper and Pamela Ziebarth’s Tizdejavu under Jesus Castanon for trainer Greg Fox. …

WHO’S HOT – The hottest jockeys over the last five racing days (June 5-12) are Julien Leparoux (8-for-21), Corey Lanerie (8-for-36) and Manoel Cruz (7-for-31). Tom Amoss (4-for-6) is the hottest trainer over the same period. The hottest owner is Maggi Moss (2-for-2).

WEATHER – Thursday: sunny, 87. Friday: partly sunny with a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, 86. Friday night: mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, 70. Saturday: partly sunny with a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, 90. Sunday: partly sunny and hot with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, 94. Monday: mostly sunny and hot, 94. Tuesday: mostly sunny and hot, 94. Wednesday: partly sunny with a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms, 92.

Donald A  Adam’s Prime Cut, third in the Peter Pan (GII) and runner-up in the Coolmore Lexington (GII), will head to New York on Tuesday for a run in Saturday’s $1 million Belmont Stakes (GI) following a strong five-furlong work on Monday at Churchill Downs.

            The 3-year-old son of Bernstein, working in company with 4-year-old stablemate Mine Train, covered the distance over a fast track in 1:01.  Exercise rider Dane Noel was in the irons as Prime Cut started two lengths behind his workmate and finished on even terms after fractional splits of :25 and :37.  Prime Cut galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.20.

            Trainer Neil Howard described the work as “excellent,” and said it earned the colt a trip to Belmont Park for Saturday’s final jewel of the Triple Crown.           

            “We made the decision the other day that we’d go ahead and run, pending everything going good through this week,” Howard said  “He’s doing good.  We don’t feel like we’ve pushed or reached to much with him, and he’s got a nice prep over Belmont.  So we kind of left it that we’d go ahead if everything went well this morning, and it did.”

            The Belmont Stakes will be the sixth start of 2011 for Prime Cut, who has a record of 1-2-2 in his previous five races this year.  The lone win was an allowance victory at Fair Grounds over Adele Dilschneider and Claiborne Farm’s highly regarded Bind, but he was strong in stakes efforts over synthetic Polytrack in Keeneland’s Coolmore Lexington, where he finished second to Derby Kitten, and over traditional dirt at Belmont Park in the 1 1/8-mile Peter Pan, where he finished 3 ¼ lengths behind the victorious Alternation in third. 

            Edgar Prado will ride Prime Cut, whose career record stands at 2-2-2 in seven races with earnings of $123,685.

            Prime Cut is scheduled to travel to Louisville International Airport on Tuesday to board a flight to New York for the Belmont.  Also scheduled for that flight is Tom Walters’ Belmont Stakes contender Santiva, who finished sixth in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) and won last fall’s Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (GII).

Other workouts on Monday at Churchill Downs included a sharp three-furlong breeze by the Howard-trained Machen.  Courtlandt Farm’s winner of the $200,000-added The Cliff’s Edge Derby Trial (GIII) at Churchill Downs covered the distance in :36.

 

            George Bolton and Stonestreet Stable’s Astrology, third in the Preakness (GI) for trainer Steve Asmussen, breezed five furlongs in 1:01.60.  Stonestreet’s Wilburn, an impressive winner of a May 15 allowance race at Churchill Downs, worked six furlongs in 1:13.40.

            Ravi’s Song, winner of the New Orleans Ladies and Pelleteri Stakes at Fair Grounds, breezed three furlongs in :36 for trainer Carl Bowman.

Donald Adam’s Prime Cut, a candidate to compete in the $1 million Belmont Stakes (Grade I) on June 11, worked five furlongs in 1:03.60 on Tuesday at Churchill Downs.

            Exercise rider Dane Noel was in the saddle for trainer Neil Howard as the 3-year-old son of Bernstein covered the distance over a fast track in fractional splits of :13.40, :26, and :38.20 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:16.40.

            “Everything went good,” Howard said.  “I was just looking to go just a nice five-eighths – not too fast, not too slow.  I thought he went well, finished good and galloped out strong.   He’s been running – he’s just come off the Peter Pan – so he’s a pretty fit horse.”

            Howard said Prime Cut remains in the Belmont Stakes picture, but a final decision is pending.

            “He’s a possibility,” Howard said.  “We’re still going to take another couple of days before we make a decision.”

            Prime Cut finished third in his most recent start behind Alternation in Belmont’s Peter Pan (GII), and was runner-up to Derby Kitten in the Coolmore Lexington (GII) prior to that.  His lone win in five races this year was a victory over the highly-regarded Bind in an allowance race at Fair  Grounds.  His career record stands at 2-2-2 in seven races with earnings of $123,685.

            Meanwhile, Howard is making stakes plans for two other talented 3-year-olds in his care.  He said that Gaillardia Racing’s Wilkinson, winner of Fair Grounds’ Lecomte (GIII), would likely compete next in the $125,000-added Matt Winn Stakes (GIII) – formerly known as the Northern Dancer – on Stephen Foster Day, June 18, at Churchill Downs.  Courtlandt Farm’s Machen, winner of The Cliff’s Edge Derby Trial (GIII), will likely run in the Dwyer (GII) on July 2 at Belmont Park.

            Also on the Tuesday work tab was Zayat Stables’ Riley Tucker, who is scheduled to bid for a second consecutive victory in the six-furlong, $100,000-added Aristides (GIII) on Saturday.  The Steve Asmussen trainee breezed five furlongs in :50.80.

            Works on the firm Matt Winn Turf Course included a pair of moves by Tom Proctor-trained stars.  Glen Hill Farm’s American Turf Presented by RAM (GII) winner Banned breezed five furlongs in 1:03.80 in preparation for a possible start in the Jefferson Cup (GIII) on June 18.  Barbara Hunter’s homebred Snow Top Mountain, who is being pointed toward the Early Times Mint Julep (GIII), covered the same distance in 1:00.20, which was easily the fastest time among seven turf works at the distance.

HOWARD HOPES LOU BRISSIE FOLLOWS IN SUMMER SQUALL’S HOOFPRINTS – Trainer Neil Howard has traveled this road before, and he hopes the journey with Dogwood Stable’s Lou Brissie is every bit as good as the trip he had with Summer Squall from 1989-91.

Lou Brissie figures to be one of the prime players in next Saturday’s $100,000-added Bashford Manor Stakes (Grade III), a race Summer Squall won in 1989.

Summer Squall had broken his maiden at first asking at Keeneland and then won the Kentucky Budweiser Breeders’ Cup (now the Kentucky Juvenile) prior to the Bashford Manor. Lou Brissie has done the same, winning in his debut at Keeneland and coming back to win Kentucky Juvenile (GIII).

“They are both genuine horses,” said Howard, who will have Corey Lanerie ride Lou Brissie in the Bashford Manor.

“Summer Squall was really precocious, had speed and he was able to carry it in classic distances, which is a rarity,” Howard said of the 1990 Preakness (GI) winner. “This horse has no speed. He is more mature in his running style, which is not a bad thing for further down the road.”

Lou Brissie is a son of Limehouse, another Dogwood-owned runner who won the 2003 Bashford Manor and finished fourth to Smarty Jones in the 2004 Kentucky Derby.  Since winning the Kentucky Juvenile on April 30, Lou Brissie has had seven works.

“It never hurts to have a break (from racing) with 2-year-olds when they are still developing and growing,” Howard said. “On the other hand, you can run the risk of bad weather to interrupt your training. So far, his training has stayed intact and everything is going smooth with him.”

LANERIE ENJOYING ANOTHER SOLID MEET – Journeyman rider Corey Lanerie enjoyed his best meet at Churchill Downs last spring with 35 winners and going into the final six days of the 2010 Spring Meet, the 35-year-old native of Lafayette, La., is on track to better that figure with 32 victories thus far.

“It has been a very satisfying meet,” said Lanerie, who is second to Calvin Borel in the race for leading rider. “I had 35 last year and this year, I’ll take whatever number they give me.”

Lanerie is winning at a 16 percent clip and has an in-the-money percentage of 50, both career highs for a Spring Meet at Churchill Downs. This is the closest Lanerie has come to leading rider honors, with his previous highest finish in the standings being a tie for fifth in 2005.

While many of the leading riders here are headed to Saratoga for the summer, Lanerie will remain in Kentucky.

“I am going to stay here and ride at Ellis Park,” Lanerie said of the meet that begins at the Henderson track on July 10.

A Saratoga sojourn is not in the foreseeable future for Lanerie.

"“I might go later on if the right opportunity comes along,” Lanerie said.

CHURCHILL DOWNS HORSES STRIKE GOLD IN IOWA – Majesticperfection, ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan for trainer Steve Asmussen, defeated even-money favorite Atta Boy Roy, winner of the Churchill Downs (GII) to win the $125,000 Iowa Sprint Cup by 4 ¾ lengths on Friday night at Prairie Meadows. Majesticperfection ran the six furlongs in track-record time of 1:07.24.

Calvin Borel rode Atta Boy Roy, who finished 6 1/2 lengths in front of Cash Refund, trained by Steve Margolis and ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr.

Secret Gypsy, coming off a second-place finish in the Winning Colors (GIII) here on May 31, romped to a 4 ¾-length victory two races earlier in the $100,000 Saylorville Stakes. Churchill Downs-based jockey Jamie Theriot guided Secret Gypsy to victory for trainer Ronny Werner.

Bridgmohan and Borel will be making return trips later Saturday after riding at Churchill Downs and will be joined by Robby Albarado.

Borel is riding Seeking the Title for Dallas Stewart in the Iowa Oaks (GIII), Down With Dixie for Paul McGee in the Iowa Derby (GIII) and Brass Hat for Buff Bradley in the Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (GII).
Bridgmohan will ride two horses for Asmussen: Remit in the Iowa Oaks and Matt Winn winner Thiskyhasnolimit in the Iowa Derby.  He will also be abaord Golden Yank in the Cornhusker.

Albarado rides the Dale Romans-trained Quiet Temper in the Iowa Oaks and Vow to Wager in the Iowa Derby, and has the mount on Slew’s Tizzy in the Cornhusker.

BARN TALK – Jockey Victor Lebron continues to thrive under the Friday night lights of “Downs After Dark.” Last night Lebron won the third race on Mercedes Class ($9.40) and the seventh on Harlan’s Princess ($18.40). It marked the third consecutive Friday night Lebron had recorded a riding double.

WORK TAB – Inside Information (GII) winner Warbling worked a bullet five furlongs over a fast track in :59, best of 25 at the distance. … Eight Belles (GIII) winner Buckleupbuttercup worked a half-mile in :49.60. … Fourth-place Kentucky Oaks (GI) finisher Beautician worked a half-mile in :48.60. … Demarcation, fifth in the Stephen Foster Handicap (GI) in his most recent start, worked a half-mile in :52.80.

(November 13, 2008) – W.S. Farish and Joseph Shields Jr.’s Diverse prevailed best by a nose after a deep stretch duel with Kiss the Queen to win Thursday’s featured $44,100 Kentucky Derby Museum Purse at Churchill Downs.

            Trained by Neil Howard and ridden by Robby Albarado, Diverse rated off the pace of dueling leaders Geri Road and Diamond Song in the run down the backstretch of the one-mile race. Kent Desormeaux moved first on Kiss the Queen with Diverse in immediate pursuit leaving the far turn and that duo collared Diamond Song at the eighth pole.

The two raced as a team to the wire with Diverse getting the nod for her second victory in 13 career starts and earned $27,606 for the victory to increase her career earnings to $118,239. Diverse, a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Kingmambo out of the Darn That Alarm mare Foil, covered the mile over a Matt Winn Turf Course rated as “good” in 1:38.75.

Diverse returned mutuels of $5.20, $3.40 and $2.40 as the favorite in the field of 10. Kiss the Queen paid $6.80 and $4.40 with Park At Dark, who finished 4 ¼ lengths back in third under John McKee, returning $2.80 to show.

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(May 23, 2008) – The Neil Howard-trained Mambo in Seattle kicked home gamely to defeat Solemn Promise by one length in Friday’s $41,040 allowance feature at Churchill Downs to win the 1 1/8-mile race in 1:51.38.

Ridden by Robby Albarado, Mambo in Seattle tracked early leaders Pacific Gulf and Mister Fusaichi from third through fractions of :24.04 and :49.88 in the early stages of the first-level allowance. Into the final turn, the Kentucky-bred son of Kingmambo made a three-wide move, assumed a narrow advantage with a half-mile to run and put away Mister Fusaichi at the top the lane. He held off a late charge by Solemn Promise for his second win in five career starts.

The triumph for owners/breeders Will Farish and Mrs. W.S. Kilroy was worth $27,031. Mambo in Seattle, who broke his maiden at Churchill Downs last November, has now earned $79,843.

Mambo in Seattle returned $7.40, $3.60 and $2.80 as the 5-2 third betting choice in the field of seven 3-year-olds. Solemn Promise paid $4.20 and $3. Blackberry Road, the Kentucky Jockey Club and LeComte Stakes runner-up who returned to allowance company after nine straight appearances in graded stakes races, finished third as the 2-1 favorite and returned $2.40.

Albarado, who collected his 700th Churchill Downs’ victory on Thursday, won two races on Friday’s 10-race card. He finished the day tied atop the local jockey standings with Julien Leparoux, who had one victory. Both riders had 22 wins through the first 20 days of the 52-day Spring Meet. Jockeys Calvin Borel, Shaun Bridgmohan and Miguel Mena are in close pursuit, one victory behind the leaders.

Live racing resumes Saturday at Churchill Downs with an 11-race program that begins at 1:15 p.m. ET. The action is topped by the 71st running of the $150,000-added Louisville Handicap (Grade III), which goes as Race 10 at approximately 5:51 p.m. ET. Millionaire Brass Hat and three-time race winner Silverfoot head the field of 11 older horses in the 1 ½-mile turf race. There also is a Pick 6 carryover of $6,713.40 on Races 6-11.

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