Kelly's Landing

Marianne and Brandon Chase’s homebred Here Comes Ben powered down the historic Churchill Downs stretch Friday night to score a repeat victory in $76,445 Kelly’s Landing overnight stakes by 3 ¼ lengths before a “Downs After Dark” crowd of 25,523.

Here Comes Ben, a 5-year-old son of Street Cry, broke sharply under Jon Court to grab a brief early lead and then settled in third behind pace-setters Captain Cherokee and Cool Bullet through fractions of :24.29 and :47.39. The Charles Lopresti-trained veteran surged to the lead a few strides past the quarter-pole and increased his advantage in the run to the finish.  He completed seven furlongs over a fast track in 1:22.26.

Here Comes Ben broke from the gate as the 5-2 second choice and returned mutuels of $7, $3.40 and $2.80. Stonestreet Stables LLC’s Captain Cherokee finished second to return $2.60 and $2.10, while G. Watts Humphrey Jr.’s A Diehl, who finished another length back in third, paid $3 to show. Cool Bullet finished another 1 ¾ lengths back in fourth and was followed in order by The Program and Spicer.

The victory was worth $46,800 and increased the Kentucky-bred’s bankroll to $406,264 with a record of 7-1-3 from 16 starts. Here Comes Ben, who recorded his fourth career win beneath the Twin Spires, followed last year’s victory in the Kelly’s Landing with victory in the Grade I Forego at Saratoga.

Racing continues Saturday with an 11-race program highlighted by the 111^th running of the Grade III, $100,000-added Debutante. The six-furlong Debutante is the nation’s first graded stakes event for 2-year-old fillies and will be run as Race 10 at 5:25 p.m. (all times EDT). First post for the next-to-last Saturday program of the Spring Meet is 12:45 p.m. and the Pick 6, which has a carryover of $46,741, begins with Race 6 at 3:23 p.m.

MARGOLIS SEEKS FIRST CD STAKES WIN WITH COOL BULLET ON FRIDAY - To say the previous couple of days have been eventful for trainer Steve Margolis would be putting things lightly. The 47-year-old trainer returned to the Churchill Downs backstretch on Wednesday night to find his Barn 23 nearly unrecognizable after a tornado tore its way through the stable area and spent most of Thursday relocating approximately 20 displaced horses that previously called that barn home.

One of those horses, Cool Bullet, was one of the last horses to escape from his tornado-damaged barn on Wednesday night, but Margolis hopes that he will be the first to cross the line in Friday night’s feature race at the historic Louisville track: the $76,660-added Kelly’s Landing stakes for 3-year-olds and upward at seven furlongs on the main track.

“He was one of the last horses that we got out of the barn (on Wednesday),” Margolis said. “He doesn’t have a scratch on him. If he would have had a nick on him or I felt like he had a traumatic experience then I would have passed on running him tonight (Friday), but he’s totally fine.”

Cool Bullet, a 4-year-old gelded son of Red Bullet, bids for his first win of 2011 in the Kelly’s Landing.

“His numbers may show that he’s a little better on synthetic tracks, but he did win the Rumson (at Monmouth) on the dirt and he’s run well here going seven-eighths (when finishing second in the 2010 Matt Winn),” Margolis said. “Hopefully he’ll run good.”

While the Florida-bred Cool Bullet will look for his fourth career stakes victory, his trainer is seeking his first stakes victory beneath the Twin Spires. Margolis, who has 105 career wins at Churchill Downs, is winless in 40 starts in stakes races at the Louisville track.

“We’ve run a lot of big races and have had a lot of seconds and thirds and hopefully we can finally get a win,” Margolis said. “We have Manny Cruz riding for us and he’s been riding good, so that will help.”

Robert and Lawana Low and Winmore LLC’s Cool Bullet will face a tough field in the Kelly’s Landing that includes such accomplished sprinters as Captain Cherokee and Here Comes Ben. Stonestreet Stables LLC’s Captain Cherokee has run second in three Grade II sprints this year and Marianne and Brandon Chase’s Here Comes Ben is the defending Kelly’s Landing champion and winner of the Grade I Forego at Saratoga last September. 

TEXAS-INVADER SHOCKTIME FACES TOUGH TEST IN DEBUTANTE – Wayne Sanders and Larry Hirsch’s unbeaten Shocktime has left little doubt that she was much the best in the first two starts of her career as the 2-year-old daughter of Langfuhr has won those races by a combined 21 ¾ lengths.

On Saturday the Texas-bred Shocktime will step up to face tougher company in the 111^th running of the Grade III, $100,000-added Debutante at Churchill Downs."She’s never done anything wrong in her life,” trainer Bret Calhoun said. “I don’t know what she’s beat, but she’s done it impressively.”

The Debutante will be Shocktime’s first race in open company after previously racing at Lone Star Park against Texas-breds. The homebred filly that shipped in from Texas on Tuesday won the $93,000 Texas Thoroughbred Association Sales Futurity on June 11 in her most recent start.

“We thought she was a nice filly from the beginning and the only reason she went there (Lone Star) was because she was eligible for the Texas-bred stakes,” Calhoun said. “We knew she wasn’t going to stay there.”

While Shocktime’s five furlong time of :58.61 in the TTA Sales Futurity was faster than the winning time turned in by stablemate Lil Cherokee one race earlier in the Futurity’s division for colts and geldings, Calhoun is confident the filly could have run even faster.

“I was watching TV last night and one guy said he was going to pick her, but decided not to because she ran the last eighth in 13 and change. He must not have been paying attention though because he (jockey Clifton Berry) was basically pulling her up the last sixteenth of a mile and she still won by 12.”

Shocktime will face a competitive field of eight in the Debutante, which includes Gold Mark Farm LLC’s Culotte and Stoneway Farm’s Queen Teuta, who ran 1-2 in the first race of their respective careers on May 13 at Churchill Downs.

“It’s a lot to ask her to step up and come back in two weeks, but we feel like she can handle it and that she fits in here well,” Calhoun said.

The six-furlong Debutante is the nation’s first graded stakes event for 2-year-old fillies and the featured 10^th race on the next-to-last Saturday program of the Churchill Downs Spring Meet. The field for the Debutante from the rail out with jockey and weight includes Five Star Momma (Corey Lanerie, 118), Queen Teuta (Calvin Borel, 118), Tippy Toes (Julien Leparoux, 116), My Due Process (Robby Albarado, 116), Flashy Lassie (Kent Desormeaux, 116), Shocktime (Miguel Mena, 120), Culotte (Leandro Goncalves, 118) and Defy Gravity (Wesley Ho, 118).

LEPAROUX TIES LANERIE FOR MEET LEAD WITH EIGHT RACING DAYS REMAINING – Corey Lanerie was tied atop the jockey standings with Shaun Bridgmohan through 15 days of the 38-day Spring Meet, but surged to a ten-win advantage at the completion of day 25.

At that point, Lanerie was eleven wins clear of Julien Leparoux in third, but recent days have been Leparoux’s time to surge.  The French-born star collected 12 wins last week and has now tied Lanerie for the meet lead with eight racing days remaining.

Leparoux, who has won with 14 of his last 29 mounts over the past five racing days at the Louisville track, had an easy explanation for his recent hot-streak.

“I’m drinking Red Bull and it’s giving me wings,” he said. “Seriously though, it has been an awesome week. I’ve read in a couple of places about how many I’ve won, but I’m not thinking about that too much.”

While Leparoux is tied for the most victories this meet, he is currently fourth in number of mounts with 149.  That total is 34 fewer than Lanerie.

“I’ve been away riding at other places a few days during the meet and it’s nice to still be at the top even though I’ve had less mounts than some of the others,” Leparoux said.

The 27-year-old native of Senlis, France is seeking his eighth riding title at Churchill Downs, while Lanerie is bidding his first beneath the Twin Spires.

“If I can’t win it then it would be nice for Corey (Lanerie) to win, but winning the riding title is always the goal,” Leparoux said. “I’m definitely trying to win it again.”

Lanerie and Leparoux will enter Friday’s 11-race Downs After Dark program with 37 wins each and both will be quite busy over the next three racing days. Lanerie has 26 mounts at Churchill Downs this weekend and Leparoux is scheduled to ride 25 horses.

MEET LEADERS AT A GLANCE – Through 30 days of the 38-day Spring Meet, jockeys Corey Lanerie and Julien Leparoux, trainer Steve Asmussen and owners Richard and Karen Papiese’s Midwest Thoroughbreds Inc. are the leaders in their respective categories at Churchill Downs. Below is a look at the leaders entering Friday night’s action:

Top Jockeys

1. Corey Lanerie (37-for-183, 20% win-percentage, $1,156,597 in earnings)

1. Julien Leparoux (37-for-149, 25%, $1,293,658)

3. Shaun Bridgmohan (26-for-152, 17%, $886,599)

4. Calvin Borel (22-for-162, 14%, $793,434)

5. Manoel Cruz (20-for-121, 17%, $789,364

Top Trainers

1. Steve Asmussen (14-for-88, 16%, $1,082,595)

2. Tom Amoss (13-for-35, 37%, $351,282)

2. Ken McPeek (13-for-50, 26%, $737,975)

4. Eddie Kenneally (10-for-39, 26%, $288,148)

5. Dale Romans (9-for-75, 12%, $795,659)

Top Owners

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

2. Donald Adam’s Courtlandt Farms (4-for-22, 18%, $279,804)

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

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

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

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

BARN TALK – Jockey Robby Albarado, who has 923 career wins at Churchill Downs, is just two victories away from tying Don Brumfield for third all-time in wins beneath the Twin Spires. Albarado has 10 mounts Friday night (Races 2-11). …

Peachtree Stable’s Plum Pretty, winner of the 137^th running of the Grade I Kentucky Oaks in her most recent start, is entered to make her return in Saturday’s Grade II Hollywood Oaks for trainer Bob Baffert. A daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, Plum Pretty has a record of 3-0-2 from five starts with earnings of $761,200. …

Churchill Downs will not make up Thursday’s lost day of racing, but additional races will be added to the programs next week, which is the final week of the spring meet. …

WHO’S HOT – The hottest jockey over the last five racing days (June 12-19) is Julien Leparoux (14-for-29). Ken McPeek (5-for-9) is the hottest trainer over the same period. Martin Cherry (2-for-2) is the hottest owner.

WORKTAB – Maggi Moss’ Little Polka Dot, who won the Unbridled Sidney at Churchill Downs on May 14 in her most recent start, worked four furlongs in :49.20 on a fast main track Friday morning for trainer Tom Amoss. 

W.S. Farish and Skara Glen Stables’ Close Ally, who was second behind Glen Hill Farm’s Banned in the Grade II American Turf Presented by Ram prior to a runner-up performance in the Lone Star Derby in his most recent start, worked five furlongs on the main track in 1:01.40 for trainer Neil Howard.

Carl Pollard’s multiple stakes winner Kiss Mine worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 for trainer David Vance. A 5-year-old daughter of Mineshaft, Kiss Mine won the $75,000 Decoration Day Handicap at Mountaineer Racetrack in her most recent start on May 30.

Double Eagle Ranch and Sue Buena’s Raise the Bridle, second in the 2010 Borderland Derby in his most recent start, worked five furlongs in 1:01 for trainer Henry Dominguez on Friday morning.

WEATHER – Friday: partly sunny, 81. Saturday: mostly sunny, 84. Sunday: mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, 84. Monday: partly sunny with a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms, 92. Tuesday: mostly sunny with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, 92. Wednesday: mostly sunny with a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms, 89. Thursday: mostly sunny, 90.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GONCALVES OFF TO FAST START IN RIDERS RACE – Trainer Buff Bradley has found that other trainers are taking notice of the riding talents of Leandro Gonvalves.

"I am not getting to ride him as much because he is getting more clients,” Bradley said of Goncalves, who sits in a four-way tie for second place in the rider standings with seven victories through the first eight days of the 21-day meet.

Goncalves, a 27-year-old native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, already has equaled his victory total from the Spring Meet in only 51rides, nearly half his spring total when he had 100 mounts.

“Everything is better,” Goncalves said of the difference between the two meets. “I am getting on better horses and more people are watching me ride.”

Goncalves won his first U.S. riding title at the September Turfway Park meet and followed that up with six victories at the Keeneland meet, good for a tie for eighth in the standings. He also picked up his first graded-stakes victory when he guided Satans Quick Chick to win the Raven Run (Grade II) on Oct. 24, part of a three-win day.

Represented by Steve Elzey, Goncalves will ride at Turfway Park after the current meet ends Nov. 28 and then move to Oaklawn Park for the first time early next year.

Bradley has been a big supporter of Goncalves.

“He’s a very patient rider and he puts horses in the right place in a race,” Bradley said. “He is very positive and a hard worker. He has a lot of good qualities and I think he’ll be a top rider.”

Goncalves does not pattern his riding style after any one jockey.

“I watch all of the riders,” Goncalves said. “But there are a couple that I really like, John Velazquez and Gary Stevens when he was riding.”
 
EIGHT DISTAFFERS CONSIDERED PROBABLE FOR CARDINAL – Weights for the 36th running of the $100,000-added Cardinal Handicap (GIII) will be announced Saturday and as of Friday eight fillies and mares were considered as probable for the race by Churchill Downs Racing Secretary Ben Huffman.

Topping the list for the 1 1/8-mile race to be contested over the Matt Winn Turf Course on Saturday, Nov. 21, is Helen Alexander and Helen Groves’ Acoma. Trained by David Carroll, Acoma has two graded-stakes wins over the Matt Winn Turf Course: the Mint Julep (GIII) in June and the Mrs. Revere (GII) last fall.

Other graded-stakes winners among the probables are Social Queen, winner of the Gallorette (GIII) at Pimlico in May, and Tizfiz, winner of the San Gorgonio (GII) at Santa Anita in January.

Other probables include Leamington, Lemon Chiffon, My Baby Baby, Polo Lounge and You Go West Girl.  
Three horses are considered as possible for the Cardinal including Long Approach, who ran second to Indescribable in last year’s race. Other possibles are Celtic Princess (Brz) and Finish in Style.

KELLY’S LANDING THRIVING IN NEW CAREER AS PONY – Even though millionaire Kelly’s Landing retired from the races in January, his career at the racetrack is far from finished.

The 8-year-old gelding, whose career highlight was a victory in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (GI) in 2007, is now serving as a pony for his former trainer Eddie Kenneally.

“We retired him after the Mr. Prospector in January at Gulfstream Park,” Kenneally said. “He retired sound. He just wasn’t running at the highest level.”

During his career, Kelly’s Landing amassed $1,853,831 in earnings with a record of 27-10-3-2. He won at least one race each year from 2004-08 with his most impressive Churchill Downs victory coming in the 2005 Aristides (GIII) when he set the track record for six furlongs in 1:07.59, a mark that stood for two years.

A son of Patton, Kelly’s Landing won four graded stakes in her career and competed in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (GI) twice.

“He is perfect for the job,” Kenneally said. “He began in May and is doing just super.”

BARN TALK – Apprentice Freddie Lenclud had a riding double Thursday, scoring on Sea Scamp ($5.60) in the third and Prince Will I Am ($93.80). Lenclud has five victories through the first eight days of the 21-day meet and already has equaled the 2008 total of leading fall apprentice Brandon Meier. … Bill Troilo, who retired from riding this past spring, was a visitor on the backside Friday morning. “I’m here in Louisville for steward’s school,” said Troilo, who retired with 2,514 victories and whose lone graded-stakes victory came here last fall aboard Karelian in the River City Handicap (GIII).

(November 19, 2008) – Zayat Stables’ Thorn Song will face 10 rivals Saturday as he shoots for consecutive victories in the $100,000-added River City Handicap (Grade III) to be run at a mile and one-eighth over the Matt Winn Turf Course.

            Trained by Dale Romans, Thorn Song will have to overcome the outside No. 11 post position if he is to join Same Old Wish (1996-97) and Dr. Kashnikow (2001-02) as a repeat winner of the River City. Thorn Song will be ridden by Robby Albarado and carry high weight of 122 pounds, conceding three-to-nine pounds to his rivals.

            Winner of the Grade I Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland in October as well as the Grade II Firecracker Handicap over the Matt Winn Turf Course in July, Thorn Song enters the River City off a ninth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (GI) at Santa Anita.

            Two other River City starters have stakes victories in 2008, although none is of the graded variety.

            Oxbow Racing’s Steve Double, trained by Ronny Werner, has won the Remington Green at Remington Park and the Unbridled Handicap at Louisiana Downs in his two most recent starts and ran third to Thorn Song in the Firecracker. Steve’s Double will be ridden by Jamie Theriot and carry 117 pounds.

            Amerman Racing Stables’ Demarcation took the Franklin-Simpson at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 15 for trainer Paul McGee. Jesus Castanon will ride Demarcation, who carries 117 pounds.

The field for the 32nd running of the River City (Race 9 at approximately 4:37 p.m. ET), from the hedge out: Yate’s Black Cat (Miguel Mena, 119 pounds), Mr. Sidney (John Velazquez, 113), Star Plus (ARG) (Kent Desormeaux, 116), Pleasant Strike (Chris DeCarlo, 115), Karelian (Calvin Borel, 119), Just As Well (E.T. Baird, 113), Telling (Shaun Bridgmohan, 117), Demarcation (Jesus Castanon, 117), Canela (Julien Leparoux, 115), Steve’s Double (Jamie Theriot, 117) and Thorn Song (Robby Albarado, 122).

Also on Saturday’s card will be the $56,000-added Bet On Sunshine (Race 8 at approximately 4:06 p.m. ET), an overnight handicap at six furlongs on the main track that drew a field of eight sprinters.

High weights Kelly’s Landing (123 pounds under Julien Leparoux) and the undefeated Euroears (120 pounds with Miguel Mena up), will start side by side, breaking from post positions two and three, respectively.

Kelly’s Landing, owned by Summerplace Farm, won the 2005 Aristides (GIII) here and also took the 2007 Dubai Golden Shaheen (GI). He returned to the races on Oct. 17 after a 4 ½-month layoff to win a six-furlong allowance sprint at Keeneland in his most recent start for trainer Eddie Kenneally.

Euroears, owned by Marilyn and James Helzer, has won all six of his career starts for trainer Bret Calhoun. Euroears, who suffered a non-displaced condylar fracture of his right hind leg in late March, has not raced since winning the Duncan Kenner Stakes on March 8 at Fair Grounds.

The field for the Bet On Sunshine, from the rail out: Native Ruler (Jamie Theriot, 116 pounds), Kelly’s Landing (Julien Leparoux, 123), Euroears (Miguel Mena, 120), Godolphin Gray (Aldo Canchano, 110), Success Success (Jesus Castanon, 116), Junior College (Hector Rosario Jr., 117), High Expectations (Shaun Bridgmohan, 118) and Vicarian (Calvin Borel, 116).

First post for Saturday’s 10-race card is 12:40 p.m. ET. The first 5,000 paid and pre-paid admissions will receive a free collectable hurricane glass, courtesy of Kentucky Derby Party, that salutes Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Kent Desormeaux.

Also, Churchill Downs will offer free general admission Nov. 21-23 to all patrons who donate two non-perishable canned goods at Gates 10 and 17 in conjunction with the Kentucky Harvest Thanksgiving Food Drive, sponsored by Forcht Bank.

Grandstand gates open Saturday at 11 a.m.

- END -

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

            Hall of Famer Bill Mott is the all-time wins leader at Churchill Downs with 592.

            "I knew we were getting close to the top few and somebody told me in the spring that I was getting close to Wayne," Romans said. "I've sure got a ways to go to get to Bill."

A 42-year-old native of Louisville, Romans began training in 1986 and saddled his first winner at Churchill Downs on Nov. 12, 1987, with Final Destroyer.

Son of former Churchill Downs trainer Jerry Romans, Dale has won eight training titles (Spring 2000-03, 2005-06 and Fall 2003 and 2005) at Churchill Downs and has 17 stakes wins.

 "Final Destroyer. Man, that goes a long way back," Romans said Friday morning while watching his horses train from the viewing stand by the half-mile pole.

Trainer Ken McPeek was in the stand at the same time.

"Final Destroyer? He was my maiden winner at River Downs in 1985 (Oct. 27)," McPeek said. "My dad and I bought him for $3,000 and your dad bought him off us at Latonia."

Final Destroyer won for a $10,000 maiden tag for McPeek and won one other time in 11 total starts before going to the Romans barn in February 1986. For Dale and Jerry Romans, Final Destroyer ran 30 times with three victories, the last delivering Dale's initial Churchill Downs win.

"What I'd like to do is match Bill's stakes wins here (74)," Romans said, "and Wayne's (Kentucky) Derby wins (four)."

 For good measure in Melo's victory, Romans also saddled the runner-up, Charco for the Heiligbrodt Racing Stable, to complete a $107 exacta.

EUROEARS POINTED TO NOV. 22 BET ON SUNSHINE - Marilyn and James Helzer's Euroears was all set and ready to return to the races two weeks ago from an injury, but it was not to be.

            "He just tied up a couple days before the race," said Dennis "Peaches" Geier, assistant to trainer Bret Calhoun. "He's doing fine and he'll probably run in the Bet On Sunshine next week."

            A 4-year-old son of Langfuhr, Euroears has won all six of his career starts. But soon after taking the Duncan F. Kenner at Fair Grounds in March, Euroears suffered a non-displaced condylar fracture of his right hind leg and was on the shelf for six months.

            Euroears resumed working at Churchill Downs in September and had four works at Keeneland in preparation for the Oct. 30 race. Since scratching out of that race Euroears worked a half-mile in :48 here on Nov. 8.

            Nominations for the six-furlong Bet On Sunshine close Saturday for the Nov. 22 race and in addition to Euroears, it could draw Summerplace Farm's Kelly's Landing.

            "I'm not sure yet," trainer Eddie Kenneally said of Kelly's Landing's participation in the Bet On Sunshine.

            Kelly's Landing, winner of the 2005 Aristides (GIII) here, came back from a 4 ½-month layoff to win a six-furlong sprint on Oct. 17 at Keeneland.

NOMINATIONS CLOSE FOR FIVE STAKES ON SATURDAY- Saturday is closing day for nominations for five stakes, including four Grade II events slated for Thanksgiving Weekend.

            The richest of the stakes is the $400,000-added Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (GII) to be run at 1 1/8 miles on the main track on Friday, Nov. 28. On Thanksgiving Day, the fillies and mares will get their chance at the same distance in the $150,000-added Falls City Handicap (GII).

            Highlighting the closing-day "Stars of Tomorrow II" card that features all 2-year-olds are the Golden Rod (GII) for the fillies and the open Kentucky Jockey Club (GII). Both races are 1 1/16 miles on the main track.

            Also closing Saturday is the Bet On Sunshine, a $61,000 overnight handicap for sprinters 3-years-old and up going six furlongs on the main track on Saturday, Nov. 22.

BARN TALK - Julien Leparoux rode two winners Thursday to hike his total for the meet to 35. Leparoux is averaging 2.5 wins a day through the first 14 days of the 26-day meet and is on pace for 65, which would shatter the Fall Meet record of 55 set by Pat Day in 1985. ... Stonestreet Stable cut loose a promising runner Thursday when Misty Lady (ARG) won the eighth race by five lengths under Shaun Bridgmohan. Breaking from the rail in the six-furlong allowance optional claiming sprint, Misty Lady broke last in the field of six, quickly moved to challenge pace-setting Be Golden while under a snug hold and cruised home in 1:11.87 over a track rated as "good." "I'm not sure what's next for her," said Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen. "She has been in the barn for about four or five months since we bought her in Argentina." Fourth in her U.S. debut last month at Keeneland, Misty Lady now has won five of nine career starts that include Group I and II wins last year in Argentina. ... The smile on jockey John McKee's face was a bit broader Friday morning after the rider snapped an 0-for-49 run to start the Fall Meet with two victories on Thursday. "I was hoping it would be sooner than later," McKee said of the wins aboard Not Me But U ($57.80) in the third and Nafass ($33) in the fifth. "I guess everybody goes through streaks like that." McKee, who was the leading rider of the 2004 Fall Meet with 27 victories, plans to ride this winter at Turfway Park.

WORK TAB - Oxbow Racing's Steve's Double, a four-time stakes winner, worked five furlongs over a fast track in 1:01 for trainer Ronny Werner. Mushka, winner of the 2007 Demoiselle (GII), worked a half-mile in :52.

INAUGURAL "RIDER CUP" ON SATURDAY - Retired Hall of Fame jockeys Pat Day and Angel Cordero Jr. will captain Team U.S.A. and Team World, respectively, in Saturday's inaugural "Rider Cup" for charity.

The unique event will showcase American-born jockeys versus foreign-born jockeys in a competition for points in Races 4-8.

Before each of the five designated races, the celebrity team captains will choose one jockey to represent their respective team with hope of earning coveted points. No jockey can be chosen more than twice in the series. Points will be awarded on a 3-2-1 scale for first, second and third place finishes in each race. If neither jockey hits the board, the rider with the best finish will be awarded a half-point.

The team with the most points at the conclusion of Race 8 will be crowned the winner and a $10,000 donation will be made to the charity of the winning team's choice. The charity of the second place team will win a $5,000 donation.

Pre-race selections by the captains will be showcased on-track with Churchill Downs' John Asher serving as host.

Based on Saturday's entries for Races 4-8, Team U.S.A. will be comprised of Robby Albarado (born in Lafayette, La.); E.T. Baird (Chicago, Ill.); Calvin Borel (St. Martin, La.); Kent Desormeaux (Maurice, La.); Julio Garcia (Santurce, Puerto Rico); Tracy Hebert (Erath, La.); John McKee (Cincinnati, Ohio); Brandon Meier (Elk Grove, Ill.); Larry Melancon (Breaux Bridge, La.); Perry Ouzts (Lepanto, Ark.); Hector Rosario Jr. (Fajardo, Puerto Rico); and Bill Troilo (Philadelphia, Pa.).

Team World will be Shaun Bridgmohan (Kingston, Jamaica); Aldo Canchano (Huancayo, Peru); Jesus Castanon (Mexico City, Mexico); Ramon Dominguez (Caracas, Venezuela); Inez Karlsson (Goteberg, Sweden); Julien Leparoux (Senlis, France); Miguel Mena (Lima, Peru); and Diego Rodriguez (Guanajuato City, Mexico).

DAY, CORDERO AUTOGRAPH SESSION ON SATURDAY - Before the start of Saturday's inaugural "Rider Cup" for charity, Hall of Fame jockeys Pat Day and Angel Cordero Jr. will take part in a free autograph session with area horse racing fans from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the second floor of the clubhouse near the PEB jockey and trainer murals.

ROBBY ALBARADO GLASS GIVEAWAY ON SATURDAY - The week's promotional calendar is highlighted by the second of three collectable hurricane glass giveaways that salute popular Cajun jockeys who ride at Churchill Downs. A Robby Albarado glass, sponsored by GE, will be given away to the first 5,000 paid and pre-paid admissions on Saturday, Nov. 15.

            Fans who receive the glass can come back to Churchill Downs on Sunday, Nov. 16 for an autograph session with Albarado on the second floor of the clubhouse (time to be announced).

            A glass depicting Calvin Borel, sponsored by Thorntons, was given away Nov. 8. The Kent Desormeaux glass, presented by Kentucky Derby Party, will be given away on Nov. 22.

HORSES AND HOPE ON SUNDAY - "Horses and Hope," a new initiative created by Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear with the Kentucky Cancer Program, will be held Sunday. The event, centered on the women who work in the barn areas at Kentucky racetracks, is designed to provide breast cancer awareness, education, screening and treatment referral.

            In conjunction with the event, the color pink will be scattered throughout Churchill Downs on Sunday, including the saddle towels for the featured fifth race that will honor "Horses and Hope." Pink will also be featured on jockey's arm bands, groom's vests, outriders, flags, bunting and trophies for winning horse owners. There also will be a special pink cosmopolitan drink on sale with proceeds going to "Horses and Hope."

            More than 900 cancer survivors are expected to attend the races in Millionaire's Row Four and Skye Terrace Five on Sunday. After the fifth race, there will be a group picture near the Aristides statue in the paddock garden.

 

STEWART GLANCES AT FORECAST, WORKS BELMONT STAKES HOPE MACHO AGAIN – West Point Thoroughbreds’ Macho Again, runner-up to Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I) champ and Triple Crown hope Big Brown in the Preakness (GI), turned in his final major work for next week’s Belmont Stakes in a strong four-furlong move at Churchill Downs on Friday.

            Macho Again covered the distance over a “fast” track under former jockey Kenny Bourque in :48.20.  The move ranked 11th of 55 works at the distance.

            Trainer Dallas Stewart had planned to work the 3-year-old son of Macho Uno, the winner of Churchill Downs’ $100,000-added Derby Trial, on Saturday.  But he called an audible in part because of a weather forecast that called for storms late Friday evening that would continue into Saturday morning.

            “It was the combination of the weather and the shipping (schedule),” said Stewart.  “With the combination of those two, we thought it would be better to work today.”

            Churchill Downs’ clockers caught Macho Again’s first quarter in :25.  Stewart timed his star colt in similar fractions.

            “I’m very happy,” Stewart said.  “He went off in :13 for the first eighth, and then he went like :25-and-a-couple (for the quarter).  He went three-eighths in :37 and then came home in :11 flat for the last eighth.  We just opened him up a little bit the last three-sixteenths.”

            Macho Again is scheduled to board a flight to New York on Tuesday, with a rematch with Big Brown set for Saturday, June 7 in the $1 million Belmont Stakes, the third jewel of the Triple Crown. 

            “He’s doing real well,” said Stewart.  “He came out of that race (the Preakness) good and his work showed the he’s on top of his game.  He was actually pretty fresh cooling out and he had no problems.  We’re excited about taking him up there and going through another fight and see how we do.”

            Macho Again will bring a career record of 3-3-0 in nine races and earnings of $343,761 into the Belmont Stakes.  Despite his colt’s runner-up finish in the Preakness, Stewart knows his colt will be a long shot to upset the heavily favored Big Brown as the Kentucky Derby winner bids to become the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to win the Triple Crown.  But Stewart said Macho Again is ready to challenge the overwhelming favorite in the raced that has been dubbed the “Test of the Champion.”

            “They’ve got to go around there and run,” said Stewart.  “He’s had a couple of bumps in the road.  His trainer is very positive about the way he’s doing, but you know he’s got a couple of hoops to jump through to get him to the race, too.”

            The other Churchill Downs-based Belmont Stakes contender, Mr. and Mrs. William Warren’s Denis of Cork, is scheduled to work at Churchill Downs on Monday. 

            Both horses are scheduled to fly to New York on Tuesday.

 

KENNEALLY SAYS KELLY’S LANDING COULD BE ‘BETTER’ THAN EVER, READY FOR ARISTIDES – Trainer Eddie Kenneally is getting a much later than expected start on the 2008 campaign of Summerplace Farm’s veteran sprint star Kelly’s Landing, but likes the look of the 7-year-old gelding as the son of Patton prepares to bid for a second victory in Churchill Downs’ $125,000-added Aristides Stakes (GIII) on Saturday.

            Kelly’s Landing won the six-furlong race in 2005, then finished a strong second to champion Lost in the Fog in its 2006 renewal. 

            This year’s running of the Aristides will be only the second start of 2008 for Kelly’s Landing, and his second since a fifth-place finish to easy winner Midnight Lute in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint (GI) in the slop at Monmouth Park.  That race was the final start of a 2007 campaign highlighted by a victory in the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen (GI) at Nad Al Sheba.

            “After the Breeders’ Cup he got sick,” said Kenneally.  “We were hoping to run him in January in the (Grade III) Mr. Prospector (at Gulfstream Park), which he won last year before he went to Dubai.  But he was sick all winter.  He had an abscess on his lungs – for whatever reason, we don’t know.  It took forever to get back, to play catch-up and get a prep into him.”

Kenneally’s star made that anticipated return to competition at Churchill Downs on May 11, where he finished third on a “sloppy” track to Aristides rival Indian Chant in a six-furlong allowance prep for the Aristides.  That race matched the past two track record-setters for the Aristides distance at the Louisville track. Kelly’s Landing had established a track record of 1:07.59 in winning the 2005 renewal of the Aristides, in which he eclipsed a record set by Kona Gold in the 2000 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (GI).  Kelly’s Landing’s standard lasted until July 8, 2007, when Indian Chant flew through the distance  in 1:07.55 in winning an allowance race on the Spring Meet’s closing day.

            Indian Chant led most of the way in notching his five-length victory in this spring’s head-to-head meeting with Kelly’s Landing.  But Kenneally’s star, ridden by Julien Leparoux, offered a strong rally over a wet surface that Kenneally said his veteran star clearly disliked.

            “He ran very well,” said Kenneally.  “He just got tired, and Julien didn’t beat him up.  He was very easy on him – he knew that we were prepping for this stake.  He didn’t like the mud – he’s never liked mud.  He’s not a mud horse.  But the horse came out of it good and he’s ready to go.”          

            With that lone start of his 2008 campaign under his belt, Kelly’s Landing will bring a career record of 9-3-2 in 23 starts and earnings of $1,811,557 into the Aristides.  Despite the late start on his 2008 campaign, Kenneally has an ambitious plan for the rest of the year that includes another bid for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, which will be run this year over a synthetic surface at Santa Anita.  He believes that, as good as Kelly’s Landing has been over the past three racing seasons, his star could just be hitting his best stride.

            “I think he’s as good, or better, than ever,” Kenneally said.  “When he’s good, he’s real good – and I think he’s good again.”

 

BARN TALK – The race for leading jockey of the 52-day Spring Meet has been a nose-to-nose battle throughout this week between Robby Albarado, who is looking for his first Churchill Downs riding crown, and Julien Leparoux, who is bidding for his third straight Spring Meet crown and his fourth Churchill title overall.  Each jockey won a pair of races on Thursday and that allowed Albarado to maintain a narrow 30-29 advantage over Leparoux.  Miguel Mena stands in third with 27 victories. …Thursday’s biggest riding star was Jamie Theriot, who notched three wins on the day to improve his Spring Meet record to 14 wins from 108 starts.  Theriot won the 2nd race on Splish ($3.20), the 3rd on Angelica Delight ($3.40) and the 9th with Night Book ($15). …Trainer Eddie Kenneally will seek a stakes double on Saturday’s three-stakes program as he saddles Gary and Mary West’s La Troienne (GIII) runner-up Keep the Peace in the $100,000-added Dogwood.  Winner Game Face is passing the race in favor of Belmont’s Acorn (GI), but Keep the Peace will be joined in the Dogwood starting gate by the 3-year-old fillies that finished in the third-through-fifth positions in the La Troienne: Tiz to Dream, Alina, and Secret Gypsy.  “This filly’s a little bit unlucky,” said Kenneally.  “She’s been second in two graded stakes – she hasn’t won one yet.” … Cougar  Cat, the Ronny Werner-trained runner-up to Fabulous Strike in the 2007 Aristides, breezed four furlongs over a “fast” track on Friday in :49.

 

2008 SPRING MEET LEADERS

          Through Thursday, May 29

 

Jockeys                          Starts   1-2-3

Robby Albarado                  114  30-11-15

Julien Leparoux                  163   29-28-32

Miguel Mena                       161   27-22-23

Calvin Borel                        162  22-23-24

Shaun Bridgmohan             103   22-19-12

Jesus Castanon                   126   17-12-11

Jamie Theriot                     108    14-15-9

Brian Hernandez, Jr.            84     7-13-10

Elvis Trujillo                        34      7-5-9

Corey Lanerie                     98      6-16-9

John McKee                        69     6-11-12

Larry Sterling, Jr.                 47       6-5-7

Kent Desormeaux                 31      5-8-6

Tracy Hebert                       63      5-3-5                  

Trainers

Ken McPeek                        38     17-5-4

Steve Asmussen                  63    14-11-10

Tom Amoss                        39   13-6-6

Mike Maker                         29      8-5-3

Ian Wilkes                           23      8-5-3

Dale Romans                       61     6-13-10

Greg Foley                          39       6-7-5

Eddie Kenneally                  31       6-2-7

   Five (5) trainers tied with five (5) wins

Owners

Ken and Sarah Ramsey         26      8-3-5

Maggi Moss                         15      6-2-3

Zayat Stables, LLC                26      5-5-5

Richard, Elaine & Bert Klein   19      4-4-2

Padua Stables                       6       4-1-0

Heiligbrodt Racing Stable       7       4-0-0

 Four (4) owners tied with three (3) wins