Jess Jackson

Stonestreet Stable’s Kantharos overcame a stumble at the break to cruise to a 9 ½-length victory over Lou Brissie to win the 109th running of the $108,200 Bashford Manor Presented by Fasig-Tipton (Grade III) on Saturday afternoon at Churchill Downs.

Trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Robby Albarado, Kantharos spotted the field of six a couple of steps at the break as longshots Thewayitusedtobe and Gold for Cash led the field through the first quarter-mile in :21.81

Midway on the far turn, Albarado sent Kantharos after the leaders and quickly assumed command and was never threatened in completing the six furlongs on a fast main track in 1:09.89.  The victory was worth $66,413 and increased Kantharos’ earnings to $95,213 with two victories in two starts.

Kantharos is a Kentucky-bred son of Lion Heart out of the Southern Halo mare Contessa Halo.

It was the third Bashford Manor victory for Asmussen, who won the race in 2004 with Lunarpal and 2007 with Kodiak Kowboy. Albarado won the race for the second time, having scored in 2003 with Limehouse.

Kantharos, who won at first asking by 11 ¾ lengths on May 13, returned $3.40, $2.10 and $2.10. Lou Brissie, ridden by Corey Lanerie, returned $2.20 and $2.10 and finished a half-length in front of Speed Demon, who paid $2.60 to show under Jamie Theriot. It was three lengths back to Saturday Dance, who was followed by Gold for Cash and Thewayitusedtobe.

The 42-day Spring Meet comes to a conclusion Sunday with an 11-race program beginning at 12:45 p.m. (EDT). Highlighting the card is the 20th running of the $175,000-added Firecracker Handicap (GII) that goes as the day’s 10th race (5:26 p.m. post time) and the return to the races of 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird. There’s also a Pick 6 carryover $7,208 on races 6-11 with a mandatory payout.

BASHFORD MANOR QUOTES

ROBBY ALBARADO (jockey, KANTHAROS, winner): “For him stumbling and everything, he picked himself up. He’s a very athletic colt. He put himself in the race easily. At the three-eighths pole he let know me he was ready and he just sprinted home. Very, very impressive. I felt unbelievable from the eighth pole home. It was nothing for him; the sky is the limit. I don’t know how good he can be. I haven’t squeezed him yet and neither has (trainer) Steve (Asmussen). It’s scary good. Saratoga will be exciting. I always say, ‘You need one good horse to go to Saratoga with’ and this might be my one good horse. This is a special colt.”

STEVE ASMUSSEN (trainer, KANTHAROS, first): “He’s a very exciting horse. He is a very straight-forward horse. John Moynihan bought him out of the March OBS sale from Eddie Woods, and he came into the barn a professional. He’s not made a mistake and his two races so far have been exciting. Hopefully we can make some of the right moves with him because he has a tremendous amount of talent. He looked great coming down the stretch and it was such an exciting race. We’ll talk to (owner) Mr. (Jess) Jackson about his next race, but we’ll get him out of the weather and move north with him.”

COREY LANERIE (jockey, LOU BRISSIE, second): “It was a good trip. My horse laid back there and I kept him back three or four wide. I had the winner in my sight the whole time but he was just too much horse today and kicked away from me at the top of the lane.”  

MINE THAT BIRD ZIPS IN WORKOUT, COULD RACE THIS WEEKEND – Mine That Bird, upset winner of the 2009 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I), turned in a sharp five-furlong work on Monday at Churchill Downs in preparation for a possible return to racing at the historic track this weekend.

Jockey Calvin Borel was in the saddle as Double Eagle Ranch and Buena Suerte Equine’s 4-year-old Birdstone gelding zipped over a muddy track for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas in a “bullet”:59.80, the fastest work of 26 at the distance.

Churchill Downs clockers caught Mine That Bird in fractional times of :12.20, :24.20, :36.20 and :47.80 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.60.  The track had been listed as sloppy earlier in the morning following overnight rains, but was drying out by the time Mine That Bird stepped on the one-mile oval at around 8:30 a.m. (all times EDT), just after the mid-session break for track maintenance.

“I told Calvin we needed to let him do it with no prompting today, just let him do it on his own,” Lukas said.  “I told him I’d like to see him finish up and if he’d get it in a minute to 1:01, that would be about right.  Once I turned him loose and I rode over by the rail to see how deep it was, I thought ‘If he does that, he’s going to be really going good’.  And then he goes 59-and-four.”

“He’s just blossomed out,” said Borel.  “How good is he?  I don’t know – but we’re going to find out.  I think he’s a good horse.  I don’t care what anybody says – he wasn’t a fluke.”

“I couldn’t be happier,” Lukas said.  “Every step has been right down the line.  I like the way that he’s changing – mentally and physically.  That’s the big thing.  We know he can run if everything’s right.  Physically, he’s so much stronger – he might be 150 pounds heavier than he was last year.  And mentally, he’s really getting good.”

Mine That Bird has not raced since a ninth-place run behind unbeaten Zenyatta in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) over Santa Anita’s synthetic Pro-Ride surface, but Lukas is ready to see the winner of Derby 135 wear one of his signature white bridles for the first time.  The closest opportunities for a return to racing come this weekend at Churchill Downs: a 1 1/16 mile allowance race on the main track at Churchill Downs on Saturday, July 3 and the $175,000-added Firecracker Handicap (GII) at a mile on turf on Sunday, July 4 – the closing day of the 42-day Spring Meet.

“We’d like to start him here,” Lukas said.  “I used that Firecracker as a back-up.  I know he’s never been on the turf.  I really don’t want to ship him.  I have the ($250,000)  Salvatore Mile (GIII on dirt on July 3) at Monmouth, but I’d like to just leave him in his own stall and try him.  If he gets beat, this first one is a means to an end.

“We’ll wait and see how the next two days look.  I have no reason to believe he won’t bounce back from this work.  He does every one of them so easy.  He has amazing efficiency of motion.  I’ve had some pretty good horses that I thought could get over the ground.  I don’t know if any of them got over it lighter than he does.”

Mine That Bird has failed to win in five races since his 50-1 shocker in the Kentucky Derby.  He finished a length behind eventual Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness (GI) and finished third to eventual 2009 3-year-old champion Summer Bird after grabbing a clear lead in the homestretch in the Belmont Stakes (GI).  But he faltered in his final three starts of the year, finishing third in the West Virginia Derby (GII) at Mountaineer Park and sixth in the Goodwood (GI) at Santa Anita before his dull effort in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

His career record stands at 5-2-2 in 14 races with earnings of $2,196,581.

HORSE OF THE YEAR RACHEL ALEXANDRA CRUISES OVER WET FOOTING, PREPARES TO TRAVEL – Reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra completed a solid body of work during the spring and early summer at Churchill Downs with an easy five-furlong workout over sloppy footing on Monday at Churchill Downs.

Rachel Alexandra covered the distance under jockey and regular work partner Shaun Bridgmohan in 1:03 in her final major training before she travels north on Wednesday to summer at New York’s Saratoga Race Course.

Owned by Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stables and Harold McCormick, Rachel Alexandra worked over the wet track around 6:30 a.m. She covered the distance in fractional times of :12.80, :25.60, :38.40 and :50.60 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:17.

Trainer Steve Asmussen was pleased with the move and the said the sloppy track condition after overnight rains was no reason for concern as Rachel Alexandra stepped onto the one-mile main track for Monday’s training move.

“She handles it really well,” Asmussen said.  “She went good.  We’ve got travel plans this week and want everything to go smoothly.”

Asmussen had originally planned to ship Rachel Alexandra and most of his Churchill Downs division to Saratoga next week, but moved those plans up a week because of the heat wave that has settled over the Ohio Valley in recent weeks.

"It’s time,” said Asmussen.  “I’ll be very happy when she’s settled in there and we can get into our routine up there.”

Rachel Alexandra is coming off a 10 ½-length victory in the $200,000 Fleur de Lis (GII) at Churchill Downs on June 12, her first victory of 2010 following back-to-back upset losses in the New Orleans Ladies at Fair Grounds and the La Troienne (GII) at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Oaks Day, April 30.  Her 12-4-0 record in 17 races includes earnings of $3,216,730.

WORK TAB (Track: SLOPPY before maintenance break, MUDDY after break) – Acoma, defending winner of the Locust Grove (GIII), breezed a half-mile in :49 over sloppy footing. … Macho Again, winner of the 2009 Stephen Foster Handicap (GI) breezed four furlongs on a muddy track in :51.60. … Kensei breezed five furlongs in 1:02 on a sloppy track. … Friesan Fire breezed six furlongs in 1:14.80.                                                  

CHAMPION RACHEL ALEXANDRA TAKES IT EASY ON MUGGY MORNING AT CHURCHILL DOWNS – Reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra returned to serious training after her 10 ½-length romp in the $200,000-added Fleur de Lis (Grade II) on June 12 with an easy half-mile work on a muggy Monday at Churchill Downs.

Trainer Steve Asmussen’s 4-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro breezed four furlongs over a fast track in :51.20.  Jockey Shaun Bridgmohan was in the saddle as Rachel Alexandra covered the distance in fractional splits of :12.40 and :25.20 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:05.20.

"She went fine,” said Asmussen.  “It’s a ridiculously hot morning, you know?  That’s a big concern.  It’s time to get out and go north.”

Asmussen had planned to ship Rachel Alexandra to New York’s Saratoga Race Course on July 5, the day after the 42-day Spring Meet at Churchill Downs closes.   But as an unusually warm spring in the Louisville area turns the page to summer today, he is considering moving travel plans up a few days for Rachel Alexandra and other members of his Churchill Downs stable.

It was a humid 81 degrees when Rachel Alexandra breezed around 6:30 a.m. (all times EDT) and conditions were so humid that camera lenses immediately fogged up when lens caps were removed by photographers hoping to record the champion’s work.

“I think we’ve got to get out of this weather,” he said.  “The flag’s stuck to the pole today.”
Asmussen was concerned in the days after her victory on a hot afternoon in the Fleur De Lis that there might be some residual effect from her big effort in those conditions, but he said she appeared fine when she returned to training in the middle of last week.

“She acts like the rest of us do right now – it’s hot,” he said.  “Her weight’s good and she’s very sound, and her strength is good.  But it’s hot.  We’d all feel better if it was about 20 degrees cooler.”

Owned by Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Farm and Harold McCormick, Rachel Alexandra’s has a career record of 12-4-0 in 17 races and has earned $3,216,730.  The Fleur de Lis victory was her first in three starts in 2010.

BARN TALK – Trainer Ken McPeek returned to the blast furnace that was Kentucky on Sunday night after 2 ½ weeks in England where he ran three horses at the Royal Ascot meet. “It was in the 60s over there and it was great for the horses,” McPeek said. “All three horses are doing well and will fly to New York on Wednesday.” Headlining the trio was fifth-place Kentucky Derby (GI) finisher Noble’s Promise, who ran fifth in the St. James’s Palace Stakes (GI) at a mile. McPeek’s other runners, both 2-year-olds, finished third: Tiz My Time in the six-furlong Group III Albany Stakes and Casper’s Touch in the Chasham Stakes at seven furlongs. First up on McPeek’s docket at Churchill Downs is Saturday’s Debutante Stakes (GIII), in which the trainer will seek his first victory in the race with Salty Strike. “She is a real nice filly and Calvin (Borel) will ride her,” McPeek said of the homebred filly owned by Craig Singer. Salty Strike broke her maiden in her first start on May 14, winning by 4 ¼ lengths in one of the faster five-furlong sprints of the meet (:57.79).  The two fillies right behind her that day, Blue Orleans and Le Mi Geaux, came back to break their maidens in their next starts. …

Trainer Tom Amoss said that plans are indefinite for Backtalk, who ran third Saturday night in the $400,000 Red Legend at Charles Town in his first start since finishing 20th in the Kentucky Derby. “He came out of the race fine and he is back here,” Amoss said. “The horse that won (Comedero) is a good horse and we knew that going in. We just took a chance.” …

Ready’s Rocket, one of only seven horses since 1976 to win eight times at Churchill Downs, gets his shot at No. 9 on Friday in the second race, a seven-furlong starter/allowance test.

WORK TAB – Hull, winner of the 2009 Derby Trial, worked a half-mile in :47.20 over a fast track, best of 54 at the distance. … Eight Belles (GIII) runner-up Visavis covered the same distance in :47.40, which ranked as the second-fastest half-mile work. … Other half-mile works of notes included Matt Winn winner Thiskyhasnolimit (:49), Aristides (GIII) winner Riley Tucker (:49.80), fifth-place Belmont Stakes (GI) runner Stay Put (:51.20) and four-time Churchill Downs stakes winner Acoma (:51.80). Grade I winner Hot Dixie Chick worked five furlongs in 1:01.40 and 2009 Jim Dandy (GII) winner Kensei worked six furlongs in 1:14.60.

Reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra shrugged off a challenge from Distinctive Dixie at the head of the stretch and cruised to a 10 ½-length victory in the 36th running of the $214,000 Fleur de Lis Handicap (GII) for fillies and mares on Saturday afternoon at Churchill Downs.

Ridden by Calvin Borel, who was posting his fourth victory of the afternoon, Rachel Alexandra won for the first time in three starts in 2010 after an undefeated eight-for-eight campaign in 2009. Rachel Alexandra is owned by Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stables and Harold McCormick and trained by Steve Asmussen.

Jessica Is Back, ridden by Garrett Gomez, took the lead out of the gate with Borel angling Rachel Alexandra to the outside of the leader going into the first turn. Jessica Is Back maintained a narrow advantage through fractions of :23.93 and :47.25 with Distinctive Dixie running a close third.

At the three-eighths pole, Rachel Alexandra swept past Jessica Is Back with Distinctive Dixie ranging up to her outside under Robby Albarado. At the head of the stretch, Distinctive Dixie got within a half-length of Rachel Alexandra, but that was as close as she would get.

Carrying high weight of 124 pounds on a muggy afternoon, Rachel Alexandra ran the 1 1/8 miles on a fast main track in 1:48.78. The victory was worth $132,680 and increased Rachel Alexandra’s earnings to $3,206,730 with a record of 17-12-4-0.

Rachel Alexandra, a 4-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro out of the Roar mare Lotta Kim, returned $2.20 and $2.10. Distinctive Dixie, carrying 116 pounds, paid $5.60 to place and finished two lengths in front of Jessica Is Back. Completing the field in order were Multipass and Made for Magic. There was no show wagering.

The Fleur de Lis Handicap trophy was presented by Nancy Lasala, executive director of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

FLEUR DE LIS HANDICAP QUOTES

CALVIN BOREL (jockey, RACHEL ALEXANDRA, winner): “She’s just getting back. You have to give her a chance. She’s a filly and she did the impossible when she was a 3-year-old. I think you’ll see a great future now. She did everything right today. (Trainer) Steve (Asmussen) told me just to run my race and see where were at. She showed up today. She felt the same. I just don’t think she was ready before. Steve knows what he’s doing. She showed up today. She was perfect and we couldn’t ask for more.”

STEVE ASMUSSEN (trainer, RACHEL ALEXANDRA, winner): “I’m very proud for everybody involved that she won. We are all grateful that (co-owner) Mr. (Jess) Jackson and (Jackson’s wife) Barbara (Banke) put a Horse of the Year back in training and take all the advice or criticism or whatever, but she is a tremendously sound filly. She’s a machine and she ran a great race today, and hopefully this is a step in the right direction for the rest of the year. It’s an honor to train a horse like her. We will take her back to the barn and there will be a lot of petting her, and peppermints, and loving on her.”
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Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stables and Harold McCormick’s reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra will try to regain her winning ways on Saturday when she faces four rivals as an overwhelming favorite in the 36th running of $200,000-added Fleur de Lis Handicap (GII) for fillies and mares at Churchill Downs.

The Fleur de Lis, 1 1/8-mile test for fillies and mares ages 3 & up, serves as Saturday’s secondary feature to the $600,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap (GI). One of five graded stakes on Saturday’s Kentucky Derby Alumni/Stephen Foster program, the Fleur de Lis will be run as the sixth race at 3:26 p.m. (all times EDT) on the 11-race card that begins at 12:45 p.m.

The other Saturday stakes feature 3-year-olds: the 13th running of the $125,000 Northern Dancer (GIII) at 1 1/16 miles on the main track, the 41st running of the $125,000-added Regret (GIII) for fillies at 1 1/8 miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course and the 35th running of the $100,000-added Jefferson Cup (GIII) at 1 1/16 miles on the grass.

Jackson made it official Wednesday morning when he released a statement in which he announced that Rachel Alexandra would make the Fleur de Lis the third start of 2010 campaign.

“Rachel Alexandra continues to turn in strong works,” Jackson said in the statement. “As long as she continues to progress, we intend to race her with the expectation she will obtain her fitness level of last year or better. Our ultimate goal and hope is to enter the Breeders’ Cup (at Churchill Downs) in November.”

Regular rider Calvin Borel, who won last year’s Fleur De Lis on Miss Isella, will be aboard Rachel Alexandra, the odds-on 2-5 favorite in Churchill Downs oddsmaker Mike Battaglia’s morning line odds.  Rachel Alexandra, who drew post position four, will carry high weight of 124 pounds and concede 7-11 pounds to her rivals.

After compiling a perfect, eight-for-eight campaign in 2009 en route to Horse of the Year honors, Rachel Alexandra has run second twice in her two 2010 starts. She started the year with a three-quarter length loss to Zardana in the New Orleans Ladies at Fair Grounds on March 13 and then was beaten a head by Unrivaled Belle in Churchill Downs’ La Troienne (GII) on April 30.

Trained by Steve Asmussen, Rachel Alexandra defeated males on three occasions in 2009, closing out that campaign with a triumph over older males in the Woodward (GI) at Saratoga. The 4-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro has compiled a 3-3-0 record in seven races at Churchill Downs highlighted by her record-smashing 20 ¼-length victory in the 2009 running of the $500,000-added Kentucky Oaks (GI).

Second high weight in the Fleur de Lis is L-Bo Racing and Michael Lamb’s Made for Magic, who will carry 117 pounds and be ridden by Omar Berrio. In her most recent start, Made for Magic won the Milady Handicap (GII) at Hollywood Park for trainer A.C. Avila.

Made for Magic will break from post position two and is a 10-1 risk in Battaglia’s morning line.

The second choice in the Fleur De Lis is Farnsworth Stable LLC’s Jessica Is Back, runner-up in the Sixty Sails (GIII) at Hawthorne in her most recent start for Calder Race Course-based trainer Martin Wolfson.  Garrett Gomez will ride the 4-1 shot whose three 2010 starts also include a victory in the $75,000 Ocala and a runner-up finish to Sweet Repent in the Sunshine Millions Distaff, both at Gulfstream Park.

The field for the Fleur de Lis Handicap, from the rail out (with jockey, weight, morning line odds), is as follows: Multipass (Jose Lezcano, 113 pounds, 15-1), Made for Magic (Omar Berrio, 117, 10-1), Distinctive Dixie (Robby Albarado, 114, 12-1), Rachel Alexandra (Borel, 124, 2-5) and Jessica Is Back (Garrett Gomez, 116, 14-1). 

* * * * * * *

The Heiligbrodt Racing Stable’s Crider, runner-up in the Lone Star Derby (GIII) to fourth-place Belmont Stakes (GI) finisher Game On Dude in his most recent start on May 8, heads the field for the Northern Dancer that goes as the eighth race Saturday with an approximate post time of 4:29 p.m.

Crider is trained by Steve Asmussen, who has saddled the Northern Dancer winner twice: Compendium in 2001 and Pyro in 2008. Shaun Bridgmohan, who rode Pyro to victory in this race, has the call Saturday on Crider, who will break from post position two and carry 116 pounds under conditions of the race.

Donegal Racing’s Vow to Wager, winner via disqualification of the John Battaglia Memorial at Turfway Park in February, will carry top weight of 120 pounds and be ridden by Miguel Mena for trainer Dale Romans. Fourth in his most start in the Matt Winn on May 15, Vow to Wager will break from post position five.  

The field for the Northern Dancer, from the rail out, is as follows: Worldly (Robby Albarado, 116 pounds), Crider (Bridgmohan, 116), Spoon River Lew (Jamie Theriot, 116), Colizeo (Garrett Gomez, 116), Vow to Wager (Mena, 120), Prince Will I Am (Calvin Borel, 116) and Max Silverhammer (Francisco Torres, 118).

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Lewis Lakin’s Dynazaper, winner of the Edgewood on April 29 at Churchill Downs in her most recent start, heads a field of 13 for the Regret that goes as Saturday’s ninth race with an approximate 4:59 p.m. post time.

Trained by Bill Mott, who has saddled the Regret winner a record three times, Dynazaper will be ridden by Robby Albarado and break from post position 10.

Also coming off a stakes victory is Gary Chervenell’s Joharmony, winner of the Hilltop Stakes on May 14 at Pimlico. Trained by Leigh Delacour, Joharmony will be ridden by Javier Castellano and breaks from post position four.

Three runners that finished behind Blind Luck in this year’s 136th renewal of the Kentucky Oaks (GI) are in the Regret field: Beautician (fourth), It’s Tea Time (ninth) and Jody Slew (13th). Also in the field is Snow Top Mountain, a half-sister to 2009 Regret winner Keertana.

The field for the Regret, from the hedge out, is as follows: Go Ask Alex (Jon Court, 116 pounds), La Gran Bailadora (Eibar Coa, 116), Caminadora (Corey Nakatani, 116), Joharmony (Castellano, 118), Queen of the Creek (Jose Lezcano, 116), Jody Slew (Miguel Mena, 118), Ambitioness (Jamie Theriot, 116), It’s Tea Time (Garrett Gomez, 116), Queen Hazel (Brian Hernandez Jr., 116), Dynazaper (Albarado, 116), Beautician (Alex Solis, 116), Snow Top Mountain (Freddie Lenclud, 116) and Laura Babe (Calvin Borel, 116).

* * * * * * * * *

Joseph Riccelli’s Asphalt and Michael Bruder’s Guys Reward, the 2-3 finishers in the American Turf (GII) run here April 30, head a field of nine for the Jefferson Cup that goes as the seventh race with an approximate post time of 3:57 p.m.

Trained by Eddie Kenneally, Asphalt ran third in the Hallandale Beach and fourth in the Palm Beach (GIII) this winter at Gulfstream Park prior to his American Turf effort. Asphalt, who will be ridden by Jose Lezcano on Saturday, will break from post position three.

Trained by Dale Romans, Guys Reward was a fast-closing third in the Transylvania (GIII) at Keeneland prior to the American Turf. Guys Reward will break from post position four under jockey Robby Albarado.

Romans has a second starter in the race in Bruder and Frank L. Jones Jr.’s Lost Aptitude, winner of the Grand Canyon overnight stake here last fall. Garrett Gomez has the call on Lost Aptitude, who will break from post position seven and carry top weight of 119 pounds.

The field for the Jefferson Cup, from the hedge out, is as follows: Formulaforsuccess (Corey Nakatani, 117 pounds), Gleam of Hope (E.T. Baird, 117), Asphalt (Lezcano, 117), Guys Reward (Albarado, 117), Scottkeith’skitten (Jon Court, 117), Don’t Tell Kitten (Florent Geroux, 117), Lost Aptitude (Gomez, 119), Our Douglas (Alex Solis, 117) and Psychic Income (Corey Lanerie, 117).

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KENTUCKY DERBY LEGENDS OF THE 1970S TO SHINE ON ALUMNI DAY – Saturday is Kentucky Derby Alumni Day at Churchill Downs, saluting connections of some of the stars from the 1970s.
There will be a commemorative print giveaway sponsored by GE that will be distributed to the first 5,000 guests through the gates that open at 11 a.m. (EDT).  From 1-3 p.m. in the Paddock Pavilion, connections of some of the Kentucky Derby winners from the 1970s will be on hand signing the print.
Connections on hand for the autograph session will be:

• 1970 – Dust Commander: Trainer Don Combs and jockey Mike Manganello.
• 1972-73 – Riva Ridge and Secretariat: Owner Penny Chenery and jockey Ron Turcotte.
• 1974 and 1976 -- Cannonade and Bold Forbes: Jockey Angel Cordero Jr.
• 1975 – Foolish Pleasure: Jockey Jacinto Vasquez.
• 1977 – Seattle Slew: Trainer Billy Turner and jockey Jean Cruguet.
• 1978 – Affirmed: Owners Patrice Wolfson and Steve Wolfson Sr. and jockey Steve Cauthen.

ASHER TO SPECIAL “GET IN THE GAME” TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE -- John Asher will host a special edition Saturday of the “Get in the Game” seminar in which he will talk to the winning connections and discuss their historic journey through their Triple Crown victories and Kentucky Derby wins in the 1970s.
“Get in the Game” will be located in the paddock starting at 11:45 a.m. and will be featured on all in-house monitors.

Fans also will be able to save up to 50 percent on discounted products from the Official “Art of the Kentucky Derby” Collection from 11:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

JOCKEY TRADING CARD GIVEAWAY, AUTOGRAPH SESSION SLATED SUNDAY -- The first 2,500 guests to arrive on Sunday, June 13 will receive a free set of jockey trading cards. Gates will open at 11 a.m. (EDT) on Sunday with the trading cards being distributed at Gates 1, 10, and 17.
 The cards feature a mixture of current and Hall of Fame jockeys not limited to Churchill Downs’ current jockey colony. Churchill Downs jockeys will be available for an autograph session in the Paddock Pavilion from 11 a.m. to noon.

OFFICIAL LIMITED EDITION RON TURCOTTE BOBBLEHEAD SALES SET SUNDAY -- Official limited edition Ron Turcotte bobbleheads will be on sale between the Churchill Downs store and Gate 17 from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 13.

Turcotte, who won the Triple Crown aboard Secretariat in 1973, will be on site to autograph and sell his limited edition bobbleheads.

Only 1,973 of these bobbleheads were manufactured with 500 being available for purchase at $50 each. A portion of the funds raised from the sale will be donated to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

Reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra is targeting Friday’s Grade II, $400,000-added La Troienne Stakes on the Kentucky Oaks (GI) undercard at Churchill Downs for her next start, majority owner Jess Jackson said by phone Saturday.

The La Troienne, formerly known as the Louisville Stakes, is a 1 1/16-mile race for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and up. It was on the same racing program in 2009 that Rachel Alexandra scored a record-smashing 20 ¼-length victory in the $500,000 Kentucky Oaks.

“Right now we’re pointing there,” Jackson said. “We’d like it to be. Her workout Monday will tell us a lot more. It’ll be light; it’s not going to be a bullet. We want to see that she stays on track and improves every time she goes out and that’s what’s been happening the last two or three times. She’s getting ready.”

Jackson expressed his pleasure with Rachel Alexandra’s progress since her arrival at Churchill Downs from Fair Grounds, the New Orleans track where she finished second to Zardana in her 2010 debut in the New Orleans Ladies.

“She’s happy at Churchill,” Jackson said. “Lexington is her home, but Churchill is her favorite track and she’s surely giving us every sign of being ready to run. She’s going to need another race before she really defines herself the way she did early last year but I think she’s 85 percent to 90, maybe 95, right now.”

Rachel Alexandra galloped 1 ½ miles Saturday morning, according to Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen. Regular exercise rider Dominic Terry was aboard.

“It was a very aggressive gallop,” said Blasi, who accompanied Rachel Alexandra to the track aboard his pony.

The 4-year-old filly came onto the sloppy main track with the second set of horses from Asmussen’s barn, as per her usual routine, at about 6:15 a.m. (EDT).

Entries for the La Troienne and other races on Friday’s Kentucky Oaks program will be taken on Tuesday, April 27.

Rachel Alexandra, 4-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, will bring a career record of 11-3-0 in 15 races with earnings of $2,988,354.

Kentucky Oaks (Grade I), Preakness (GI) and Woodward (GI) winner Rachel Alexandra – the 3-year-old filly who is a front-runner for honors as America’s “Horse of the Year,” returned to her home base at Churchill Downs early Wednesday.

    Owned by Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stables and Harold McCormick, the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro has settled into familiar surroundings in trainer Steve Asmussen’s Barn 38 following a long van ride from Saratoga, where she spent much of the summer and the early days of fall.  She arrived at Churchill Downs around 4 a.m. (EDT).

    “She walked the shed this morning,” Asmussen said.  “It was a little cool here this morning, but it feels great.  She’s in her stall resting comfortably.”

    Rachel Alexandra has no racing objectives on her near horizon.  Jackson has reiterated his stance that she will not compete in the Breeders’ Cup early next month at Oak Tree at Santa Anita and Asmussen said his superstar filly has been taking it easy since her dramatic victory over Stephen Foster Handicap (GI) winner Macho Again and other males in the Woodward on Sept. 5.

    “We’re just trying to keep her happy,” he said.  “I’m very pleased with her attitude and her weight and how she’s doing.  I think the time in Saratoga with everything gone was very beneficial to her.  It just took a lot of the pressure off.”

    The filly has won all eight of her starts in 2009, with three of those wins coming at the expense of males.  She defeated Kentucky Derby (GI) winner Mine That Bird in the Preakness as well as Belmont Stakes, Travers (GI) and Jockey Club Gold Cup (GI) winner Summer Bird in the Haskell Invitational (GI) at Monmouth Park.  Her Woodward win was the first by a female in that prestigious fixture, a race in which she was pressed on a hot pace throughout and fought off the late charge by Macho Again.

    “After reading all the quotes, I thought (trainer) Graham Motion’s quote summed it up as he said, ‘She had 10 reasons to lose and didn’t use any of them,’” Asmussen said.  “I don’t think anything will ever do it justice unless you were there.”

    If Rachel Alexandra does not race again this year, Jackson has indicated she will compete next year as a 4-year-old.  After her perfect eight-race campaign thus far in 2009 her career record has improved to 11-2-0 in 14 races with earnings of $2,948,354.

Preakness Stakes (Grade I) and Kentucky Oaks (GI) winner Rachel Alexandra turned in solid six-furlong workout Monday at Churchill Downs as the team behind the 3-year-daughter of Medaglia d’Oro considers her next start.

            Rachel Alexandra covered the distance over a “fast” track in 1:13.80.  Regular exercise rider Dominic Terry was in the saddle as Churchill Downs clockers caught her in fractions of :13, :25.60, :37.60, :49.40 and 1:01.20.  She galloped out seven furlongs in 1:28.

            Trainer Steve Asmussen was happy with the move, but said there’s no decision yet from majority owner Jess Jackson of Stonestreet Stables regarding Rachel Alexandra’s next start.

            “She went a nice, smooth three quarters,” Asmussen said.  “She went beautiful, like she always does.  She’s in a nice rhythm and seems very happy right now.  We’ll report back to Jess and the gang and see what we do next.”

            Jackson had earlier mentioned Belmont Park’s Mother Goose (GI) on Saturday, June 27 as one option for Rachel Alexandra.  The Mother Goose is a 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-old fillies.

            Rachel Alexandra has won six consecutive races, with her victory over Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird in the Preakness being her latest triumph.  She has a career record of 8-2-0 in 11 races and has earned $1,618,354.

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With firm knowledge that the Preakness (Grade I)-winning filly Rachel Alexandra would pass on a possible run in the third jewel of the Triple Crown, trainer Bennie “Chip” Woolley Jr. and jockey Calvin Borel are both enthusiastically looking forward to the Belmont Stakes and a bid to take two-thirds of the crown with Kentucky Derby (GI) winner and Preakness runner-up Mine That Bird.

    Owner Jess Jackson of Stonestreet Stables, co-owner of Rachel Alexandra with Harold McCormick, announced Friday afternoon via press release that the winner of the Preakness and the Kentucky Oaks (GI) would skip the Belmont Stakes on June 6 at New York’s Belmont Park.  Jackson’s statement said that the filly was “healthy,” but “deserves a well-earned vacation.”  Jackson’s statement freed Borel, who had ridden Mine That Bird to victory in the Kentucky Derby but chose to ride Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness, to return to the saddle aboard the Derby winner for the 1 ½-mile “Test of the Champion” next week at Belmont Park.

    Woolley was signing autographs in a gift shop Churchill Downs and Borel was riding at the Louisville track when each received the news.  Woolley got a personal telephone call from Jackson, while the news was relayed to Borel by agent Jerry Hissam after he talked by telephone with Jackson.

    “It showed a lot of class on Mr. Jackson’s part,” said Woolley.  “We really appreciate him letting us known and letting us make our decision.  Now we’re just looking forward to going on to the Belmont.”

“Whatever Mr. Jackson wanted to do, I was a hundred and ten percent behind,” said Borel.  “But I think he did the right call.  I think Mr. Jackson is all about the horse, not the races.  It’s not money – it’s his horse.  I think he has more confidence in his horse and he wants to keep her safe and make sure she’s healthy and everything.  She run hard the other day.  She struggled a lot, like I said when I come back (from the Preakness).  I think he did it for the horse.”

Woolley said the call from Jackson was not a complete surprise.  He thought there was a chance the Steve Asmussen-trained Rachel Alexandra would pass on the Belmont.

“You know it’s grueling to put these races back-to-back,” said Woolley.  :”She run one day earlier than I did in the Derby, but it’s hard to put these races back-to-back and even harder on a filly.  So that really didn’t surprise me and it’s one reason I’ve held out for Calvin, thinking possibly that she might not run.”

    Borel worked Mine That Bird last Monday and said he was very happy with the effort by the Kentucky Derby winner.  He will be the saddle again when Mine That Bird has his final pre-Belmont Stakes work on Monday.

    “With three races back-to-back like that, you just want him to go into the race happy and I think Chip’s got him happy,” Said Borel.  “So we’re to hope for the best and have a good trip and, like I said, I want to thank them for putting me back on the colt and giving me this much time, and thank Mr. Jackson for announcing it today.”

Woolley said the gelded son of Birdstone would work after the break for track maintenance on Monday, June 1.  Mine That Bird is scheduled to fly to New York on Wednesday, June 3.
    
BENNIE “CHIP” WOOLLEY JR. – trainer of MINE THAT BIRD
“Mr. Jackson called me personally prior to releasing it to the media to inform me that they had decided not to run Rachel in the Belmont, and that would release Calvin from any conflict. So, when he called me I called Jerry Hissam (Calvin Borel’s agent) and he’d already talked to Jerry.  He was going to release it to the media, so we gave it a little while before we told anybody else to give him the opportunity.  It showed a lot of class on Mr. Jackson’s part.  We really appreciate him letting us known and letting us make our decision.  Now we’re just looking forward to going on to the Belmont.”
Q: Chip were you surprised to hear that Rachel wouldn’t run and that you’d get Calvin back for the Belmont?
“I actually wasn’t too surprised.  I wondered whether she would go on and run the mile and a half.  You know it’s grueling to put these races back-to-back.  She run one day earlier than I did in the Derby, but it’s hard to put these races back-to-back and even harder on a filly.  So that really didn’t surprise me and it’s one reason I’ve held out for Calvin, thinking possibly that she might not run.”
Q: Let’s talk about your horse and having Calvin back in the saddle for the Belmont…
“You know, we’re tickled with that.  Calvin’s done us a great job.  He won us a Derby and we were committed to letting him ride for us, if possible.  So we’re really glad to have him back.”
Q: Was it a relief to get the call today…would it have mattered to wait three or four more days?
“It wouldn’t really have mattered to wait two or three more days.  One thing that was for sure was the people that were open today would have been open in two or three days.  So, that wasn’t so much of a problem.  We’re just tickled to have Calvin and tickled to have this behind us and move on to the Belmont.”

Q: Your horse just seems to look better and better in the mornings…
“You bet.  He’s looking super.  I actually thought this morning was probably the best day he’s had on the racetrack since he’s been here.  We’re real tickled with him.  He’s just marchin’ around there and feelin’ good.”
Q: You still plan to work him Monday after the maintenance break?
“We’ll work him after the break on Monday, then we’ll ship him Wednesday on an airplane to Belmont.  Calvin will work him Monday right after the break.”

CALVIN BOREL – jockey on MINE THAT BIRD
Q: How did you get the news?
“Jerry was the one that told me.  Mr. Jackson got in touch with him.  First of all, I want to thank Chip and the owners of Mine That Bird for hanging in there.  I want to thank Mr. Jackson for coming out as soon as he did, because I didn’t think we’d get an answer until next Monday and I probably would have sat out the race.  I just want to thank Mr. Jackson for coming out as early as he did with the announcement, and thank Chip and the owners for an opportunity to ride the colt back.  We’re gonna get the job done.”
Q: You had said before that you would like to ride Mine That Bird…did you think you’d be able to do it again?
“It was just a matter of timing.  Chip loves the way I fit the colt.  I couldn’t see why he wouldn’t let me ride the colt back, because I fit him a hundred and ten percent.  I love the filly – she’s the greatest thing in the world, I think.  And I just want to thank Mr. Jackson for making the decision this early so I can give chip an answer at the right time.”
Q:  What about Mine That Bird in the Belmont – it’s a different kind of race, a mile and a half, big turns, big racetrack…
“I’m just going to ride it like it comes up, you know.  It’s nothing different – just turn left when you get in the turns.  It’s like any other racetrack.  I’ll tell you what, the colt worked really good the other morning.  I was very happy with his work.  I worked him real easy and he was bouncin’ – he was a happy camper.  That’s all you want.  With three races back-to-back like that, you just want him to go into the race happy and I think Chip’s got him happy.  So we’re to hope for the best and have a good trip and, like I said, I want to thank them for putting me back on the colt and giving me this much time, and thank Mr. Jackson for announcing it today.”
Q: Were you disappointed that Rachel is not going into the Belmont?
“Whatever Mr. Jackson wanted to do, I was a hundred and ten percent behind.  But I think he did the right call.  I think Mr. Jackson is all about the horse, not the races.  It’s not money – it’s his horse.  I think he has more confidence in his horse and he wants to keep her safe and make sure she’s healthy and everything.  She run hard the other day.  She struggled a lot, like I said when I come back (from the Preakness).  I think he did it for the horse.”
Q: Was it a relief to get the call today:
“It was a big relief.  You know, for Chip and them, to let them know because they sat chilly.  They’ve been good to me and I’ve just got to thank ‘em again.”

The stars of the 2009 Triple Crown season ignored rainy weather at Churchill Downs on Monday as Kentucky Derby (Grade I) winner and Preakness (GI) runner-up Mine That Bird and the Preakness-winning filly Rachel Alexandra turned in workouts over a “sloppy” track.
    Mine That Bird had jockey Calvin Borel, his pilot in the “Run for the Roses”, in the saddle as he breezed four furlongs in :51 in his first serious training move since the Preakness.  Rachel Alexandra cruised a half mile in :50.20 under exercise rider Dominic Terry, with a steady rain pelting the filly during much of her first work since her historic triumph in the second jewel of the Triple Crown on May 16 at Pimlico.
    Two major questions remained without answers following the Memorial Day works.  Will Rachel Alexandra run in the June 6 Belmont Stakes (GI) and attempt to become the first filly to win two legs of the Triple Crown?  And, if she does not run in the 1 ½-mile “Test of the Champion,” would Borel have an opportunity to ride Mine That Bird in the Triple Crown’s final jewel?
    Majority owner Jess Jackson of Stonestreet Stables said a decision of the Belmont Stakes status of Rachel Alexandra would not be made until next week at the earliest.  Rachel Alexandra is scheduled to work then and her camp would know more after that effort...
    “She is recovering nicely from the Preakness,” Jackson said.  “The key thing is her attitude.  She thinks can run through a brick wall.  We have to pull her back because she wants to run.”
    Trainer Steve Asmussen said he was pleased with the work, which came under unusual conditions.  A brief, but heavy, rain shower started to pelt the track as Rachel Alexandra entered the far turn, about an eighth of a mile into her work.
    “She looked beautiful, like Rachel does,” said Asmussen.  “The weather was not exactly cooperating this morning.  We a pretty good shower right in the middle of her breeze, but she handled it well, like she does everything else.  She came back very relaxed and looked good.”
    Jackson huddled after the work with Borel, who has ridden Rachel Alexandra throughout her winning streak of six consecutive stakes races, and Jerry Hissam, Borel’s agent.  Jackson said that Robby Albarado, the rider of his two-time “Horse of the Year” Curlin, could be called on to ride Rachel Alexandra if the decision was made to run the filly in the Belmont and Borel had another Belmont riding commitment.  
    Trainer Bennie “Chip” Woolley Jr. said he was happy with the easy move by Double Eagle Ranch and Buena Serte Equine’s Mine That Bird, which came shortly after the mid-session break for track maintenance.  
Woolley said he and co-owners Mark Allen and Dr. Leonard Blach would wait a few more days before making a decision on a rider for the Belmont Stakes.  The left the door open for Borel to return to the saddle aboard the Kentucky Derby winner if Rachel Alexandra’s camp decides against a Belmont bid.
    Borel was in the irons for the 6 ¾-length romp by the Birdstone gelding in the Kentucky Derby, but chose to ride Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness.  Mike Smith was aboard the Derby winner at Pimlico, but a previous commitment will keep him from riding Mine That Bird in the Belmont.