Bashford Manor Stakes

Dogwood Stable’s Lou Brissie will attempt to become the fifth horse complete a Kentucky Juvenile-Bashford Manor double Saturday when he faces five 2-year-old rivals in the 109th running of the $100,000-added Bashford Manor (GIII) at Churchill Downs.

The Bashford Manor, run at six furlongs on the main track, will go as the 10th race Saturday with an approximate post time of 5:26 p.m. (all times Eastern). The Locust Grove is the ninth race on the 11-race program with an approximate post time of 4:54 p.m. First post Saturday is 12:45 p.m.

The Bashford Manor shares the spotlight on the next-to-last day of the 42-day Spring Meet with the $100,000-added Locust Grove (GIII) for older fillies and mares on the Matt Winn Turf Course.

Trained by Neil Howard, Lou Brissie broke his maiden in his first start on April 15 at Keeneland and came back 15 days later to win the Kentucky Juvenile (GIII) at Churchill Downs. Corey Lanerie will ride Lou Brissie for the first time Saturday and break from post position five.

Lou Brissie, who will carry high weight of 122 pounds, is a son of Limehouse, who won the 2003 Bashford Manor and came back to Churchill Downs the following spring to run fourth in the Kentucky Derby (GI) behind Smarty Jones.

The most recent horse to sweep the Kentucky Juvenile and Bashford Manor was Lunarpal in 2004. Others to do it were the Dogwood-owned and Howard-trained Summer Squall (1989), To Freedom (‘90) and Horse of the Year Favorite Trick (’97).

Expected to challenge Lou Brissie for favoritism is Stonestreet Stables’ Kantharos, trained by two-time Bashford Manor winner Steve Asmussen.  Kantharos won at first asking as an even-money chance by 11 ¾ lengths over a sloppy track here on May 13. Robby Albarado, who rode Limehouse to victory in the Bashford Manor, has the return call on Kantharos, who will break from post position three under 118 pounds.

Albarado rode Just Louise to victory in last Saturday’s Debutante (GIII) for 2-year-old fillies and will attempt to become the first rider since Pat Day in 1997 to sweep the Spring Meet’s most important 2-year-old races.

The field for the Bashford Manor, from the rail out, is as follows: Gold for Cash (Jon Court, 118 pounds), Speed Demon (Jamie Theriot, 118), Kantharos (Albarado, 118), Saturday Dance (Victor Lebron, 116), Lou Brissie (Lanerie, 122) and Thewayitusedtobe (Julio Felix, 118).

KUNTZWEILER REVELS IN RETURN TO RACES – It was a walk she had not made in more than 4 ½ years … heading into the paddock to ride at Churchill Downs.

"I was nervous. It felt like the first time,” Greta Kuntzweiler said of her emotions before climbing aboard 70-1 shot Clear Conscience in Thursday’s fifth race.

Then came the post parade beneath the Twin Spires.

“It was just awesome. I forgot how much fun it was,” said Kuntzweiler, whose riding career was put on hold because of legal issues. “I saw a lot of familiar faces and there were people calling my name. It was great.”

Clear Conscience finished last, but Kuntzweiler came back in the next race to ride 54-1 shot Foxy Valley Girl to a fourth-place finish and then just missing in the day’s feature race on Broken Dreams for trainer Tom Proctor.

“I really wish I could have won that one,” Kuntzweiler, 34, said. “It was great that he (Proctor) would put me on a horse like that. Everyone has been very supportive.”

Kuntzweiler is named on one mount Friday and one Saturday. She will ride the remainder of the meet that ends July 4 and then ride at Ellis Park this summer.

FINAL WEEKEND STAKES FIELDS TAKING SHAPE – Kentucky Juvenile (GIII) winner Lou Brissie, owned by Dogwood Stable, is expected to be the headliner next Saturday for the 109th running of the $100,000-added Bashford Manor (GIII) for 2-year-olds going six furlongs on the main track.

Other colts considered as probable for the race by Churchill Downs officials are Stonestreet Stables’ Kantharos, an 11 3/4-length debut winner on May 13 in the slop, Let’s Go Stable’s Razmataz, a winner here on June 11 in his second start, Carl Moore Management’s Speed Demon, a maiden winner here April 28, Butterfly Stable’s Gold for Cash, a maiden winner here on June 11 in his third start, and Thewayitusedtobe, winner of an Illinois-bred maiden race at Arlington Park on June 4 owned by Jose Gonzalez.

Possible for the race is Dale Wessels’ Vouch for Victory, a first-out maiden winner at Arlington Park on May 20. Entries for the Bashford Manor, won last year by Backtalk, will be taken Wednesday.

ng top billing on July 3 with the Bashford Manor will be the 29th running of the $100,000-added Locust Grove Handicap (GIII) for fillies and mares three-years-old and up going a mile on the Matt Winn Turf Course.

Heading the list of probables are the 2-3 finishers from the June 5 Early Times Mint Julep Handicap (GIII): Helen Alexander and Helen Groves’ Acoma and Barbara Hunter’s Keertana. Other probables include Magdalena Racing’s My Baby Baby, Vegso Racing Stables’ Happiness Is and Alfred Nuckols Jr.’s Danzon.
 Weights for the Locust Grove will be announced Saturday and entries taken Wednesday.

Nine horses are considered as probable for the 20th running of the $175,000-added Firecracker Handicap (GII) at a mile on the Matt Winn Turf Course on July 4, the closing day of the 42-day Spring Meet.

Topping the probables is Don Benge’s Wise River, winner of the Dallas Turf Cup Handicap in his most recent start on May 31. Trained by Clark Hanna, Wise River ran sixth in last year’s Firecracker behind Mr. Sidney in a race contested on yielding turf.

Other probables for the Firecracker include Silverton Hill’s Driving Snow (GB), Marilyn and Jim Helzer’s Euroears, Farnsworth Stables’ Jet Propulsion, Jessica Coudelaria’s Negro Da Gaita (BRZ), Peter Karahalios’ Public Speaker, Heiligbrodt Racing Stable’s Skipadate, Michael Cooper and Pamela Ziebarth’s Tizdejavu and Mike McCarty’s Unbridle’s Dream.

Possible for the Firecracker is Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s Inca King, a six-time winner on the Matt Winn Turf Course and runner-up in last year’s Firecracker.

Weights for the Firecracker are set for Sunday release and entries will be taken Thursday.
        
BARN TALK – With seven racing days left in the 42-day Sprint Meet, one track record has been established. That was courtesy of Silver Timber in winning the five-furlong Churchill Downs Turf Sprint (GIII) on April 30. Silver Timber was timed in :55.45, erasing the course mark of :55.54 established by Unbridled Sidney in 2005. …
    One of the more intriguing notes of the meet, the highest Pick 6 payoff occurred on Stephen Foster Handicap Day, June 12. The payoff was $209,853.60 and the first leg of the sequence included a virtual free square: Rachel Alexandra at 1-10 in the Fleur de Lis Handicap (GII).

Calvin Borel, in quest of his first Spring Meet riding title at Churchill Downs, has had the best single day performance of the meet with five victories on April 24. Borel also had a four-win day on June 12 as did Corey Lanerie on May 15.

WORK TAB – Winning Colors (GIII) winner Dubai Majesty worked a half-mile on a fast track in :49. … Firecracker Handicap (GII) probable Euroears worked a half-mile in :51.60. … Locust Grove Handicap (GIII) probable Danzon worked five furlongs in 1:02. … At the Trackside Training Center, Firecracker possible starter Inca King worked five furlongs in 1:02.

DECISION ON MINE THAT BIRD RIDER LIKELY SUNDAY – Trainer Chip Woolley said Saturday morning that a rider would “likely be named” Sunday for Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I) winner Mine That Bird’s schedule run in the West Virginia Derby (GII) on Aug. 1 at Mountaineer.

    “Mark (Allen of Double Eagle Ranch) and Doc (Leonard Blach of Buena Suerte Equine) are going to talk it over today and I’ll likely name a rider in the morning,” Woolley said after Mine That Bird’s morning activity of a 1 ½-mile gallop under exercise rider Rudy Gallegos.

    Calvin Borel, who rode Mine That Bird to victory in the Kentucky Derby and a third-place finish in the Belmont Stakes (Grade I) in the gelding’s most recent start on June 6, could not give a commitment to the West Virginia Derby, which left Woolley in need of a rider.

    Mine That Bird is scheduled to work on Monday at Churchill Downs.

ALL IS WELL ON THE MORNING AFTER FOR TOP BASHFORD MANOR RUNNERS – Connections of the top three finishers in Friday’s Bashford Manor Stakes (GIII) reported their runners came out of the race in good order.

    Frank Bernis, assistant to trainer Tom Amoss, said that everything was good with the undefeated Backtalk on Saturday morning but that no plans for the Smarty Jones colt’s next start had been made.

    Merrill Scherer, trainer of runner-up Flatter Than Me, was eyeing Saratoga with the son of Flatter who he owns in partnership with Dan Lynch and Ken Sentel.

    “I am 70 years old and never started a horse in the state of New York, but I may as well start now,” Scherer said.

    Flatter Than Me may have company at Saratoga in Miss Diane, a 2-year-old Montbrook filly who Scherer also is a part owner of. Miss Diane broke her maiden in her debut June 19, clocking the fastest 4 ½ furlongs of the meet in :50.99.

    Millsap Stables’ Brassy Boy, who finished third, is going to get a short break according to trainer Hal Wiggins.

    “There is not much for him at Ellis Park,” Wiggins said. “We are looking at the Razorback Futurity for Arkansas-breds at Louisiana Downs on Oct. 3 with a race before that in September.”

    Brassy Boy’s full brother, Brassie Prince, won the Razorback Futurity in 2005.

    One colt who did not make the Bashford Manor was Twin Creeks Racing Stable’s Mission Impazible, who was scratched the morning of the race.

    “He just had a minor setback,” said Mike McCarthy, assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher. “He is expected back by the end of the summer and if he checks out OK he’ll likely go to Saratoga.”

AT LAST, STARDOM BOUND ARRIVES AT CHURCHILL DOWNS – One of the major anticipations of the winter and spring was a possible Kentucky Oaks (Grade I) showdown between the rising star Rachel Alexandra and Stardom Bound, the champion juvenile filly of 2008.

    Rachel Alexandra made it to the Oaks, winning it in record fashion and starting a run of three consecutive Grade I victories.

    Stardom Bound finally made it to Churchill Downs on Thursday, nearly three months after her expected arrival. After a third-place finish in the Ashland (Grade I) at Keeneland at April 4 snapped a run of five consecutive Grade I victories, Stardom Bound was given a break.

    “She has been on vacation and yesterday was the first day she had tack on since she went on vacation,” said Michelle Nevin, assistant to trainer Rick Dutrow.

    Stardom Bound is in Barn 17, along with another Dutrow runner, Zee Zee, who is running in Sunday’s Locust Grove Handicap (GIII).

    “Stardom Bound will go back to New York with Zee Zee on Monday,” Nevin said. “We are going to put her back in training and start all over again.”

GENERAL QUARTERS ON THE MEND FOR MCCARTHY – One of the feel-good stories of the Triple Crown campaign was that of former claiming horse-turned-Kentucky Derby contender General Quarters, who was then the only horse in the stable of veteran owner-trainer Tom McCarthy.

    Winner of the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (GI) on April 11, General Quarters ran 10th in the Kentucky Derby and ninth in the Preakness (GI).  The Sky Mesa colt then went on the shelf following May 27 surgery to remove a chip in his right front knee.

    “He is doing well,” McCarthy said Saturday morning as he walked General Quarters around the shedrow in Barn 37. “I am going to turn him out for about three weeks and then put him back in training the first of August.”

    After his two races in the Triple Crown, General Quarters has a career record of 3-3-1 in 13 races with earnings of $641,735.  General Quarters was claimed by McCarthy for $20,000 out of his racing debut on May 30, 2008 at Churchill Downs.

    Meanwhile, the population of horses in McCarthy’s shedrow soon will double.

    “I have a 3-year-old filly over a Trackside named Miss Sunrise,” McCarthy said. “I have always had about two horses, but when General Quarters got started, I had to put more time in with him.

    “I thought she was going to be better than him. She is a full sister to Mohigan Hill who won nearly $100,000 ($83,745) and was a three-time winner at Churchill Downs.”

BARN TALK – Julien Leparoux completed his Spring Meet beneath the Twin Spires with 62 victories and holds a four-win lead over Calvin Borel with two days remaining. Leparoux, who has won two spring and two fall riding titles at Churchill Downs, will be at Arlington Park on Saturday to ride Informed Decision in the Chicago Handicap (GIII) and on Sunday he will be at Hollywood Park to ride Magical Affair in the American Oaks (GI) and Street Magician in the Triple Bend Handicap (GI).

    Leparoux won last year’s American Oaks aboard Churchill Downs-based Pure Clan.  Borel also will miss the Saturday card as he rides Warrior’s Reward in the Dwyer Stakes (Grade II) at Belmont Park. Borel, who has two fall riding titles here to his credit, returns on closing day and is named on 10 mounts.

    The leading trainer and owner titles have been wrapped up by Steve Asmussen and Ken and Sarah Ramsey, respectively.

    Asmussen saddled his 27th winner of the meet on Friday when Awesome Grannie took the fourth race. Asmussen has an insurmountable advantage over second-place Mike Maker, who has 18 wins. The title is Asmussen’s third in the spring and sixth overall.

    The Ramseys have won 18 races during the meet, 10 more than their closest pursuer, Maggi Moss. The spring title is a record eighth for the Ramseys, breaking a tie with Calumet Farm. The couple has won 15 leading owner titles overall.    

MILESTONE WATCH -- William Connelly, who has 999 career victories, failed to reach No. 1,000 late Friday when Knownforstone finished third in the 11th race at Churchill Downs. Connelly’s last chance to reach the milestone at the current meet will be Seaside Princess in Saturday’s first race.

WORK TAB – Gary and Mary West’s Keep the Peace worked a half-mile in :47.20 on Saturday morning over a fast track in preparation for a start in next Saturday’s Princess Rooney (GI) at Calder. The move was the second fastest of 44 at the distance. West Point Thoroughbreds’ Macho Again, winner of the Stephen Foster Handicap (GI) in his most recent start, worked a half-mile in :49.80.

FLINT HAS SCREEN YOUR FRIEND BACK ON TRACK - Veteran trainer Bernie Flint did not get to fully enjoy a banner summer at Churchill Downs. He notched his 400th career victory beneath the Twin Spires in June and had to watch from home as Screen Your Friend won the Bashford Manor (GIII) on July 5.

"I had a back operation in early June and was stuck in the house for six weeks," Flint said on a drizzly Friday morning from his barn at Churchill Downs. "I am doing better ... not as fast as I used to, but at my age (68) that's to be expected."

Also doing better is Screen Your Friend, who is owned by William Carl. Screen Your Friend worked five furlongs in 1:00.60 on Wednesday as he nears a return to the races.

"He is doing really good," Flint said. "We stopped on him after he ran at Mountaineer (in the Aug. 2 Mountaineer Juvenile). He got sick on the trip up there and we had to stay a couple of extra days. We gave him a lot of time after that and we have been bringing him back and he is working forward."

Flint said that Screen Your Friend would "probably make an appearance at the end of the month or early December, probably at the Fair Grounds."

As for the rest of the barn, Flint is optimistic.

"We have cut back a little, but I think we have a good group of horses; lots of young horses and three-year-olds," said Flint, who ranks fourth all-time at Churchill Downs with 406 victories, the most recent of which came Wednesday when Extreme Warrior won the fourth race.

RIDING ON YOUR BIRTHDAY ... PIECE OF CAKE FOR BOREL - Calvin Borel turned 42 on Friday and celebrated the day by doing what he does every day: riding horses.

Borel worked several horses in the morning and then was listed to ride eight mounts in the afternoon. After that, would there be cake?

"I might have a little piece of cake," Borel said with a laugh. "I know (fiancée) Lisa will probably have something cooked up, but I will probably stick mostly with the vegetables."

Borel, who guided Street Sense to victory in the 2007 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands, has ridden eight winners this fall to rank fourth in the jockey standings. He has ridden 871 winners at Churchill Downs, fifth best in track history.

So, before hitting 43 next fall, what would Borel like to achieve?

"I'd like to get closer to 5,000 wins, that's my goal," said Borel, who has 4,539 career victories. "And, I'd like to find another Derby horse!"

CALVIN BOREL GLASS GIVEAWAY ON SATURDAY - The week's promotional calendar is highlighted by the first of three collectable hurricane glass giveaways that salute popular Cajun jockeys who ride at Churchill Downs.

A Calvin Borel glass, sponsored by Thorntons, will be given away to the first 5,000 paid and pre-paid admissions on Saturday. Also, Borel will be available to sign glasses the following day on Sunday in the second floor of the clubhouse between 11-11:30 a.m.

Glasses depicting Robby Albarado and Kent Desormeaux will be given away on Nov. 15 and Nov. 22, respectively.

MEIER SEEKS ELUSIVE FIRST CHURCHILL DOWNS WIN - Apprentice jockey Brandon Meier has savored the sweet taste of victory 62 times in his first year as rider with success coming at storied venues such as Arlington Park, Santa Anita and Keeneland.

However, the winner's circle at Churchill Downs has proved to be an elusive enclosure to find for the 20-year-old son of journeyman rider Randall Meier.

"It is frustrating for sure. There have been a lot of seconds and thirds, but no winners," said Meier, whose 0-for-34 streak to start the meet has included five runner-up finishes and five thirds.

"My dad and I talk a lot and he says that streaks like that are part of the game and to just keep working hard and work through it."

After Arlington Park closed in September, Meier moved his tack to California for a brief stay at Santa Anita before coming to Keeneland, where he had a chance to watch and learn from a wide variety of jockeys.

"There are a lot of good riders at both places," said Meier, who plans to ride this winter at Turfway Park when the current meet ends.

As for the getting off the schneid at Churchill Downs, Meier hopes it comes quickly.

"I am riding seven [Friday], one for this man," Meier said of trainer Jinks Fires. "He's the one who put me on my first winner at Keeneland."

BARN TALK - Ken and Sarah Ramsey, winners of six Fall Meet owners titles this decade, are well on their way to a seventh with eight victories from 20 starters. The Ramseys have four horses entered on Friday's card. The Fall Meet record for wins by an owner is 15, set by T. Alie Grissom during the 23-day meet in 1965. ... Trainer Dallas Stewart said it is likely that Horton Stable's Pearl of Valor will run back again before the end of the meet on Nov. 29. "That's the plan," Stewart said of the daughter of Medaglia d'Oro, who broke her maiden on her fifth try Thursday in winning by a length at 1 1/16 miles. A $385,000 Keeneland September Sale purchase last year, Pearl of Valor's best races have come at Churchill Downs, where she finished second in her debut in June. ... Nominations close Saturday for the $100,000-added River City Handicap (GIII) to be run at 1 1/8 miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course on Nov. 22. Weights for the 32nd running of the race will be announced Nov. 15.

 

WORK TAB - Thomas Van Meter and Ken Meng's Be Smart worked a half-mile in :49.80 over a fast track Friday morning at Churchill Downs. It was the first work for Be Smart since she finished 12th in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI) at Santa Anita on Oct. 24. Prior to that, Be Smart had finished second in the Darley Alcibiades (GI) at Keeneland. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas was undecided as to whether the Smarty Jones filly would run in the closing-day Golden Rod (GII). ... Summerplace Farm's veteran sprinter Kelly's Landing worked a half-mile in :52 for trainer Eddie Kenneally. Kelly's Landing won the 2004 Aristides here and is coming off an Oct. 17 allowance victory at Keeneland.

 

JOCKEY TALK ON SATURDAY - Every Saturday during the Fall Meet, members of Churchill Downs jockey colony will be on hand for a meet and greet with the fans in the paddock area between 11:30 a.m. and 12 p.m.

This Saturday's special guests will be Julio Garcia and Miguel Mena.

"IN SEASON" AIRS ON WAVE-3 SATURDAY - "In Season," Churchill Downs' weekly magazine-style television program hosted by John Asher, will air Saturday on NBC affiliate WAVE-3 in the Louisville area. The live half-hour program will be broadcast from 9:30-10 a.m. ET.

This week's features include interviews with guest track announcer Travis Stone, trainer David Carroll, Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Calvin Borel and Churchill Downs' Tom Aronson will talk about the new Z-5 (Super Hi-5) wager.

SUNDAY BRUNCH AT THE DOWNS - Sunday Brunch at Churchill Downs returns this Sunday. For $41.50 ($25 for children 12 and under), customers can dine and watch the Nov. 9 races from a reserved seat Millionaires' Row Six, the luxurious 9,000 square-foot room with a four-tier balcony that overlooks the finish line.

The brunch, accompanied by live jazz music, is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features a wide selection of food, including stuffed French toast, eggs, maple smoked bacon, homemade biscuits and gravy, carved roast turkey, fresh salads and plenty of sides. Appetizers and a bountiful desert tray will be available until 5 p.m. Brunch and an official program is included in the admission price.

Another Sunday Brunch is scheduled for Nov. 23. The reserve a spot, call (502) 636-4400.

JUNIOR JOCKEY CLUB WEEKEND ACTIVITIES - A special appearance by the Louisville Fire Department Fire Safety Trailer and a fire truck display will highlight this weekend's activities at Churchill Downs' Junior Jockey Club located near the Guest Services Booth inside Gate. 10. The LFD will be on hand Saturday and Sunday between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

There also will be cloth pumpkin crafts for children age 4-10. Coloring books, crayons, individual games and reading material are available as well, and Churchill Downs' mascot Churchill Charlie will be on hand for photographs between 1-1:30 p.m.

SPECIAL VETERANS DAY RACING ON TUESDAY - Churchill Downs will host a special live racing program on Tuesday, Nov. 11 in honor of Veterans Day. The first of 10 live races will be 12:40 p.m. ET.

As usual, Calvin Borel went about his business Sunday morning with a smile on his face.

Working horses for his brother Cecil, Borel was back at it with a milestone victory in his back pocket: career victory No. 4,500.

The victory, which made him the 32nd North American rider to reach 4,500, came aboard Screen Your Friend in the Bashford Manor (GIII) for Borel's first stakes win of the meet and 36th overall under the Twin Spires.

"I have liked him all along," said Borel, who has ridden the colt three times including his maiden score on June 4. "It was good to see him take that step up yesterday."

Borel, who hurt his knee when he came off a horse during training hours on June 13, is going to take some time off when the meet closes Sunday.

"I am going to ride a few weekends around the country, but for the most part just rest it over the summer," Borel said. "It is still a little sore."

Which means the climb to 5,000 wins will get off to a slow start.

"That's my next goal," said Borel, 41. "Hopefully I can get it in three years."

Presently, there are 22 North American riders in the 5,000-win club. Sitting just ahead of Borel on the all-time North American list is Kentuckian Don Brumfield with 4,573 victories.

 

SCREEN YOUR FRIEND DOING WELL AFTER BASHFORD MANOR WIN - William Carl's longshot Bashford Manor winner Screen Your Friend came out his victory in Saturday's stakes debut in good order according to Georgia Jackson, assistant to trainer Bernie Flint.

"He's doing good this morning," Jackson said. "It was a great way to end the meet for us. We started slow, but finished with nine wins."

Among the nine wins was a victory by Saltgrass Trail on June 11 that gave Flint his 400th score at Churchill Downs.

However, Flint was not able to enjoy either victory at the track because he was at home recovering from back surgery.

"He tried to get out here a couple of weeks ago, but those things just take time," Jackson said.

 

CHAMPION CURLIN SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY WORK - Reigning "Horse of the Year" Curlin is scheduled to work on Monday at Churchill Downs in preparation for a scheduled debut on the turf next weekend either at Belmont Park or Arlington Park.

The Steve Asmussen-trained son of Smart Strike, an easy winner this year of the $6 million Dubai World Cup (GI) at Nad Al Sheba and the $1 million Stephen Foster Handicap (GI) at Churchill Downs, is scheduled to work over the main track in Asmussen's second set of horses on Monday. Curlin should step onto the one-mile dirt oval at approximately 6:15 a.m. (EDT).

Curlin breezed seven furlongs on the Matt Winn Turf Course in 1:31.20 last Tuesday in his first training effort over the surface. With an eye toward a possible run in France's famed Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in early October, Asmussen plans for Curlin to make his turf debut on Saturday, July 12 in either the $500,000 Man O' War (GI) at Belmont or the $200,000 Arlington Park Handicap (GIII) at the Illinois track.

Published reports have had Asmussen leaning toward the New York race, but licensing issues related to the colt's minority ownership must be settled in either jurisdiction to allow the winner of the 2007 Breeders' Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (GI) to compete.

 

TOP RIDERS HEADED TO SARATOGA, PRESQUE ISLE - With the close of the 52-day Spring Meet on Sunday, the leading jockeys in the rider standings will be heading to various destinations.

Headed to Saratoga are leading rider Robby Albarado, Julien Leparoux, Shaun Bridgmohan and, for the first time, Jamie Theriot. Miguel Mena and Jesus Castanon, who have combined for 93 victories for agent Steve Elzey, will be headed to Presque Isle.

Leparoux, who guided Churchill Downs-based Pure Clan to victory in the American Oaks Invitational (GI) on Saturday for trainer Bob Holthus, will return to Hollywood Park this coming Saturday to ride Fab Oak Stable's Nownownow in the Grade II Swaps Stakes. Leparoux rode Nownownow to victory in the inaugural Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf last fall at Monmouth Park.

Mena and Castanon leave Tuesday for Presque Isle, where Mena has mounts beginning Wednesday and Castanon on Thursday.

Larry Sterling Jr., who with 11 victories is tied for 11th in the rider standings, is going to Arlington Park to rejoin the Chicago circuit on which he has been a regular since 1998.

Other riders in the top 10 -- Corey Lanerie, Brian Hernandez Jr., and John McKee - are slated to go to Ellis Park, which is set for a belated opening on Friday, July 11.

"It's great to have a job," Hernandez said of the agreement reached that will preserve the meet at Ellis Park. "We got lucky."

 

TRAINER, JOCKEY TITLE CHASES DRIVE TO RESOLUTION - The race for leading trainer is down to a two-man race as both Tom Amoss and Steve Asmussen picked up a victory each on Saturday.

Amoss enters Sunday's final program with a 33-30 lead on Asmussen, but Asmussen has seven horses entered on the 11-race card to only three for Amoss.

Amoss is seeking his first outright title at Churchill Downs. A 46-year-old native of New Orleans, Amoss shared the 2002 Spring title with Dale Romans.

Asmussen, who enters Sunday's card with 299 career victories at Churchill Downs, won both trainer titles at Churchill Downs in 2007 in addition to the 2004 Spring title and Fall crowns in 2001 and 2004.

With two victories Saturday, Robby Albarado may have put a vise grip on his first leading rider title. Entering Sunday's card, Albarado holds a 70-63 lead over Miguel Mena, who was blanked on Saturday.

Albarado has seven mounts Sunday; Mena has 10.

 

BARN TALK - It's on to Saratoga for West Point Thoroughbreds' Phosphorescent, stylish winner of his career debut Saturday for trainer Dale Romans. A son of Rock Slide, Phosphorescent won the first six-furlong maiden race for 2-year-olds at the meet in 1:11.38. "He is going to run in one of those stakes at Saratoga," Romans said. Ironically, the winner of the first such race last summer was Pyro, who has turned into a three-time graded stakes winner. "I hope he is as good as Pyro," Romans said. ... The other half of the split baby race was won by Winchell Thoroughbreds' Zion in 1:11.89 for trainer Steve Asmussen. Winchell Thoroughbreds also owns Pyro. ... Trainer D. Wayne Lukas is two wins away from 4,500. He has four horses entered on Sunday. ... Trainer David Vance has 2,999 career victories. He has two horses entered on Sunday's card. "I'm ready for it, I just hope the horses are," Vance said Sunday morning regarding the 3,000 mark, a figure attained by 21 North American trainers.... Ken and Sarah Ramsey, who have locked up their 13th overall leading owner title, have four horses entered Sunday. The Ramseys have 19 winners this meet and they own the record 21 winners for a meet of 57 days or fewer.

 

WORK TAB - Arindel Farm's 2006 3-year-old filly champion Wait a While, pointing for the July 26 Diana Handicap (GI) at Saratoga, worked five furlongs on a "fast" track in 1:01.60 for trainer Todd Pletcher. ... West Point Thoroughbreds' Derby Trial winner Macho Again, runner-up in the Preakness (GI) and fifth in the Belmont Stakes (GI), worked a half-mile in :49.20 for trainer Dallas Stewart. ... Gainesway Thoroughbreds' Ocean Colors, the next-to-last foal of 1988 Kentucky Derby winner Winning Colors, worked five furlongs in 1:02.40 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

 

2008 SPRING MEET LEADERS

Through Saturday, July 5 Jockeys Starts 1-2-3

Robby Albarado 281 70-44-38

Miguel Mena 355 63-49-50

Julien Leparoux 298 54-55-49

Calvin Borel 294 51-42-38

Jamie Theriot 284 48-37-39

Shaun Bridgmohan 224 44-42-32

Jesus Castanon 268 30-28-31

Corey Lanerie 229 21-33-30

Brian Hernandez Jr. 202 18-29-23

John McKee 150 14-21-20

Trainers

Tom Amoss 84 33-15-13

Steve Asmussen 140 30-26-21

Ken McPeek 85 26-14-11

Mike Maker 70 20-14-11

Dale Romans 147 19-27-24

Ian Wilkes 54 15-13-7

Eddie Kenneally 64 12-10-10

Paul J. McGee 52 12-8-6

Greg Foley 68 10-10-9

Cody Autrey 56 10-9-11

Steve Margolis 50 10-7-11

Robert O'Connor II 23 10-3-4

D. Wayne Lukas 63 10-2-6

Bret Calhoun 26 10-2-5

Owners

Ken and Sarah Ramsey 71 19-11-15

Maggi Moss 33 14-7-5

Zayat Stables, LLC 55 9-12-11

Richard, Elaine & Bert Klein 39 9-7-7

Jay Em Ess Stable 26 6-4-2

Heflin & Driver Racing 29 5-5-6

Heiligbrodt Racing Stable 17 5-1-0

Seven (7) owners tied at four (4) wins