Iroquois Stakes

ON FIRE BABY EYES NEXT STEP IN GOLDEN ROD – “That was one for the good guys,” Hall of Fame trainer D Wayne Lukas said to Gary Hartlage as Lukas passed the viewing stand just past the six-furlong pole.

It was one of many congratulations Hartlage received Monday after Anita Cauley’s On Fire Baby’s three-quarter length victory in the Grade II Pocahontas on Sunday’s opening-day card of the 21-day Fall Meet.

“Right place at the right time,” Hartlage said. “I’d like to enter her today for the Breeders’ Cup like they did in the old days when they ran the Derby Trial on the Tuesday before the (Kentucky) Derby.”

Instead of the Breeders’ Cup, the next stop for On Fire Baby likely will be the $150,000-added Golden Rod (GII) to be run Nov. 26.

On Fire Baby is a half-sister to High Heels, who was owned by Cauley and trained by Hartlage. High Heels ran third in the 2006 Golden Rod.  High Heels’ 3-year-old season included a win in Oaklawn Park’s  Fantasy (GII) at Oaklawn Park and ran third to eventual Belmont Stakes (GI) winner Rags to Riches in the 2007 Kentucky Oaks (GI).

The Golden Rod is not in the cards for Helen Groves’ And Why Not, who rallied from far back to get second in Sunday’s race.

“She’s a May 20 foal and she has had four races as a 2-year-old, so she is going to be turned out,” trainer Michael Matz said. “Hopefully, we can come back with her in the spring.”

MOTOR CITY DOING WELL MORNING AFTER IROQUOIS VICTORY – Lantern Hill Farm LLC’s homebred Motor City, last-to-first winner of Sunday’s Grade III Iroquois, returned to the track early Monday morning for a jog.

“He’s good this morning and the next step most likely is the Kentucky Jockey Club (GII),” trainer Ian Wilkes said referring to the race on Nov. 26.

What made Sunday’s victory all the more sweet for Wilkes was the fact that Motor City’s sire is Street Sense, winner of the 2007 Kentucky Derby (GI).

“That was Street Sense’s first graded stakes winner,” said Wilkes, who rode the Street Sense express along with trainer Carl Nafzger, with whom he shares Barn 26.

The victory was the second in the Iroquois for Wilkes, who won the race in 2008 with Capt. Candyman Can.

“It is hard to compare horses, but this horse can rate and Capt. Candyman Can couldn’t,” Wilkes said. “This bodes well for two turns.”

Trainer Al Stall Jr., who owns Iroquois runner-up Seven Lively Sins in partnership with Stewart Madison and Justin Querbes III, said the colt would head to Louisiana for the $1 million Delta Jackpot (GIII) to be run Nov. 19 at Delta Downs.

“Hopefully, this will get him in with the graded stakes earnings (of $21,967 from the Iroquois),” Stall said. “That’s a hard race to get in to as there are only nine spots available.”                                                                             

ARIZONA-BRED UH OH BANGO STEPS UP IN IROQUOIS – Three weeks ago, trainer Kory Owens ran his first starter at Keeneland and did all right for himself in picking up a $25,000 check to take back to Remington Park.

His Ez Dreamer, who races for Triple AAA Ranch, ran third in the Phoenix (Grade III), beaten less than a length by Breeders’ Cup Sprint (GI) pre-entrants Fatal Bullet and Capt. Candyman Can.

Owens loaded up the van again this week and returned to Kentucky, bringing Ez Dreamer’s half-brother, Uh Oh Bango, to Churchill Downs for Sunday’s 28th running of the Iroquois (GIII) at a mile on the main track.

“They are quite a bit alike and at this stage of their careers both were able to rate,” said Owens, who is well-versed on the pedigree of both horses.
“I trained the dam (French Debutante), the granddam (To the Post) and the great-granddam (Steady Gate). Rocky Bar is a son of To the Post and he is the sire of Carlsbad (who ran second in the TCA at Keeneland).”

Uh Oh Bango, an Arizona-bred son of Top Hit, debuted at Prairie Meadows in spectacular fashion by winning a five-furlong sprint by eight lengths. He followed that up with a runner-up effort to Grand Slam Andre in the Clever Trevor at Remington Park and then won the Prairie Meadows Freshman by 10 ½ lengths at six furlongs.

“I was wanting to try a mile with him and I looked around this area and the only other option was Delta Downs,” said Owens, who splits his time between Remington Park and Turf Paradise.

Glenn Corbett, who has ridden Uh Oh Bango is all of his starts, has the call Sunday. Uh Oh Bango, who will break from post position seven, is the co-second choice at 5-1 in a field of 12 on the morning line.
Corbett will be making his first trip back to Churchill Downs since riding Lusty Latin in the 2002 Kentucky Derby.

HOBBY HOPES TIZ MIZ SUE FOLLOWS RACHEL ALEXANDRA’S PATH – Before trainer Steve Hobby heads west on Monday with Telling for the Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Turf (GI), he hopes to pick up a little shipping money in Sunday’s 41st running of the Pocahontas (GIII) with Cresran LLC’s Tiz Miz Sue.

“That’s the plan,” said Hobby, who has 10 horses stabled here for the fall meet that begins Sunday.
    But, first things first, Hobby is focused on the Pocahontas.

Tiz Miz Sue, a homebred daughter of Tiznow, enters the Pocahontas off a runner-up finish in the Arlington-Washington Lassie (GIII) on Sept. 5 at Arlington Park. Listed as the co-second choice at 5-1 in a field of 13 2-year-old fillies, Tiz Miz Sue will break from post position four under Jesus Castanon.

“She had heatstroke after the race at Arlington and we backed off her,” Hobby said.

Tiz Miz Sue has a record of 3-1-2-0 with all races coming at Arlington Park. Going the one-turn Pocahontas distance of a mile in her most recent start, Tiz Miz Sue finished second to She Be Wild, who is headed to the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI).

“It looks like she will have a shot in the Breeders’ Cup,” Hobby said of She Be Wild. “Her last race at Keeneland (a runner-up finish in the Grade I Darley Alcibiades) was solid.”

A good showing in the Pocahontas could propel Tiz Miz Sue on to the closing-day Golden Rod (GII) at 1 1/16 miles.

“I hope we go on to the Golden Rod,” Hobby said. “We want to follow the path that Rachel Alexandra paved last year.”

Rachel Alexandra ran second in the Pocahontas and then came back to win the Golden Rod, the first of nine consecutive victories for the filly who is now the frontrunner for “Horse of the Year” honors.
    
GLOBAL HUNTER, MIDSHIPMAN TOP-WEIGHTED FOR ACK ACK – Global Hunter-ARG, winner of this summer’s Eddie Read (GI) at Del Mar, and Midshipman, champion 2-year-old of 2008, were assigned the top weight of 121 pounds by Churchill Downs Racing Secretary Ben Huffman for Friday’s 17th running of the Ack Ack (GIII).

Sharing the next high weight of 119 pounds were Girolamo, a Godolphin Racing stablemate of Midshipman, and the 7-year-old Jonesboro, winner of the Cornhusker Handicap (GII) and Texas Mile (GIII) this year. Trained by Randy Morse, Jonesboro is considered a “probable” starter by track racing officials.

Weighted next at 118 pounds were 3-year-olds Kensei and Regal Ransom along with B. Wayne Hughes’ My Pal Charlie, whose retirement from racing was announced Friday. My Pal Charlie will stand at stud in 2010 at Elite Thoroughbreds near Folsom, La.

Probable starters as of Saturday and their weight assignments are Greeley’s Conquest (117), Riley Tucker (115), Que Paso (114) and Spotsgone (114).

Entries for the Ack Ack will be taken Tuesday.

BARN TALK – When Sunday’s 11-race “Stars of Tomorrow I” card kicks off the 21-day Fall Meet, the luminaries from the 2008 autumn season will be back in action.

Julian Leparoux, who posted a Fall Meet-record 63 victories in 2008, is named on seven mounts on the card including rides in both stakes. Leparoux, who has won five riding titles total beneath the Twin Spires, will ride Raging Wit for trainer Bill Mott in the Iroquois (GIII) and the undefeated Running Bride for trainer Eddie Kenneally in the Pocahontas (GIII). Leparoux won four stakes last fall, including the Iroquois on Capt. Candyman Can.

Mike Maker, who claimed his first leading trainer title in 2008 with a Fall Meet-record 31 victories, will have one starter on Sunday’s card. Maker’s entrant is Stately Victor in the third race.

Ken and Sarah Ramsey, who have dominated the owner standings this decade, will send out one runner Sunday: Sparkle of Light in the fourth. Winners of the past four meet leading owner titles, the Ramseys own a track-record 15 leading owner titles: Eight in the Spring and seven in the Fall, including the past two. The seven Fall Meet titles share the track record with the late John Franks.  

2010 CHURCHILL DOWNS WALL CALENDAR GIVEAWAY ON SUNDAY’S OPENING DAY – The first 5,000 fans in attendance on Sunday, Nov. 1 – opening day of the 2009 Fall Meet – will receive a free 2010 Churchill Downs Wall Calendar, sponsored by Humana. The colorful calendar features major event listings and vivid and memorable images from the Kentucky Derby and around the historic racetrack.
Opening day of the anticipated 21-day stand doubles as “Stars of Tomorrow I” with 11 live races entirely devoted to rising 2-year-old stars who have aspirations of trail-blazing their way to next year’s Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks (GI). The featured events are the open Iroquois and the fillies’ Pocahontas, a pair of Grade III, $100,000-added events run at one mile on the main track.

The day will also will feature the debut a new free Sunday morning public workout program from 8-10 a.m. entitled “Daybreak at the Downs” and a special 2-year-old handicapping seminar and breakfast in the Paddock Pavilion from 9-11:30 a.m.

Admission gates for the day’s racing card will open at 11:30 a.m. and first post is 12:40 p.m. ET.
Churchill Downs 120th Fall Meet, featuring world-class horse racing, will continue for a four-week stand through Saturday, Nov. 28.

General admission is $3, but only $1 for senior citizens and members of the track’s free-to-join Twin Spires Club. Children 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Parking is free in the Longfield Avenue lot (Gates 10 & 12) and $3 in all other lots. Valet parking is $5.

For more information or to reserve seats, call (502) 636-4400 or visit www.ChurchillDowns.com.

SPECIAL 2-YEAR-OLD HANDICAPPING SEMINAR SET ON OPENING DAY FROM 9-11:30 A.M. – Churchill Downs will host its annual “Stars of Tomorrow” 2-Year-Old Handicapping Seminar on Sunday, Nov. 1 in the Paddock Pavilion from 9-11:30 a.m.

Churchill Downs racing analyst Jill Byrne will host this year’s seminar with jockey Jon Court, trainer Ian Wilkes and workout clocker John Nichols. The quartet will provide insight on how to improve handicapping skills for 2-year-old racing and in-depth analysis of the entire “Stars of Tomorrow I” racing program with a question and answer session.

One of the most attractive aspects of the seminar is a special trip to the saddling paddock for an up-close inspection of a 2-year-old and its confirmation, behavior and equipment.

The cost to attend is $25 and includes breakfast buffet, official program, Brisnet.com past performances, and a reserved seat in Skye Terrace 5. There also will be a raffle for door prizes, including a VIP day at the races, two rounds of golf at Belterra Casino Resort & Spa, signed framed photographs of past Kentucky Derby winners and a chance to watch a race from the Churchill Downs announcer’s booth with track commentator Mark Johnson.

Access to the “Stars of Tomorrow” handicapping seminar is available through either Gate 1, off Central Avenue., or Gate 10, off Longfield Avenue.
Call (502) 636-4400 for reservations.

“WHO’S THE CHAMP?” HANDICAPPING TOURNAMENT RETURNS SUNDAYS & WEDNESDAYS – Churchill Downs’ popular “Who’s the Champ” Handicapping Tournament will return for the 2009 Fall Meet with contests every Sunday and Wednesday through Nov. 22.

Horse racing fans can pit their handicapping skills against the best Louisville has to offer for twice-weekly cash prizes and an invitation to the Sunday, Nov. 22 final. The top two finishers in the final will win coveted berths in the Daily Racing Form/National Thoroughbred Racing Association Handicapping Championship XI scheduled for Jan. 29-30 at Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa in Las Vegas.

Prize money for each contest, which requires participants to place mythical $2 Win and Place wagers in Races 3-9, totals $4,000, including a $1,400 first prize.

The top 25 unique participants in each contest through Wednesday, Nov. 18 will be invited to the Nov. 22 final.

The participation fee for each contest is $30 and includes complimentary lunch. It’s discounted to $25 for Twin Spires Club members. Registration will take place in the Champions Club Lounge on the second floor of the clubhouse from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on contest days. Additional contest seating will be available in the Churchill Downs Lounge when necessary.

NEW “DAYBREAK AT THE DOWNS” FREE EVERY SUNDAY FROM 8-10 A.M. – “Daybreak at the Downs” – patterned after Kentucky Derby week’s well-attended “Dawn at the Downs” – will make its debut on opening day, Sunday, Nov. 1, and take place every Sunday from 8-10 a.m. throughout the 2009 Fall Meet.
Churchill Downs’ racing analyst Jill Byrne will host the program with select special guests and she’ll describe the on-track action and provide insightful commentary as hundreds of horses prepare for their upcoming races in morning workouts.

“Daybreak at the Downs” is free each Sunday, and complimentary coffee, donuts and milk will be served to attendees.

Interested patrons should park in the Longfield Lot and enter through Gate 10. The “Daybreak at the Downs” will be presented in Sections 116-117 of the clubhouse. Visitors are welcome to stay for a day at the races free of charge.

Robert Baker and William Mack’s Dublin, winner of prestigious Grade I Hopeful at Saratoga, tops a field of a dozen 2-year-olds entered for the 28th running of Churchill Downs’ $100,000 Iroquois (Grade III) at one mile on the main track on Sunday’s “Stars of Tomorrow I” program that raises the curtain on the historic track’s 21-day Fall Meet.

The Iroquois and the $100,000-added Pocahontas (GIII), a mile race for 2-year-old fillies, share the marquee on the opener of the meet that runs through Nov. 28. First post time for Sunday’s 11-race card is 12:40 p.m. (all times EST) with the Iroquois going as the 10th race with a 5:02 p.m. post time.

Sunday’s program is the first of two Fall Meet “Stars of Tomorrow” cards entirely devoted to rising 2-year-old stars who have aspirations to compete in next year’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) and Kentucky Oaks (GI).  Over the previous four years “Stars of Tomorrow” races have served as launching pads for 15 Grade I winners, including millionaires Rachel Alexandra, Lawyer Ron, Macho Again, Pure Clan, Court Vision, Swift Temper and Any Given Saturday.

Dublin, who runs for the stable of four-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer D. Wayne Lukas, was supplemented at a cost of $5,000 to run in the Iroquois. Dublin was fifth as the odds-on favorite last time out in the Champagne (GI) at Belmont Park on Oct. 10 and the son of Afleet Alex is the 4-1 favorite for the Iroquois in oddsmaker Mike Battaglia’s morning line odds.  He will be ridden for the first time by Rajiv Maragh and the colt will break from post position six under top weight of 123 pounds.

Other stakes winners in the field are Burning Sands Stable’s unbeaten Comedero, winner of the restricted Razorback Futurity at Louisiana Downs; A.C. and Clare Asbury’s Gleam of Hope, winner of the off-the-turf Cradle at River Downs; Vision Racing’s Three Day Rush, who won Monmouth Park’s restricted NATC Futurity; and Triple AAA Ranch’s Uh Oh Bango, a 10 ½-length winner of the Prairie Meadows Freshman

Capt. Candyman Can, who will be running in next weekend’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint, won last year’s Iroquois.

The field for the Iroquois, from the rail out (with jockey and morning line odds), is as follows: Raging Wit (J. Leparoux, 117 pounds, 12-1), Call Shot (R. Albarado, 117, 6-1), Oh Charlie Boy (M. Mena, 117, 30-1), Three Day Rush (E. Prado, 121, 8-1), Brassy Boy (C. Borel, 117, 30-1), Dublin, Uh Oh Bango (G. Corbett, 121, 5-1), Soaring Empire (E. Castro, 117, 15-1), Fist of Rage (K. Desormeaux, 117, 20-1), Thiskyhasnolimit (S. Bridgmohan 117, 6-1), Gleam of Hope (C. Lanerie, 121, 5-1) and Comedero (J. Theriot, 121, 6-1).

CAPT. CANDYMAN CAN TO HAVE FINAL BREEDERS’ CUP WORK SUNDAY – Trainer Ian Wilkes said that Joseph Rauch and David Zell’s Capt. Candyman Can is scheduled for his final work before the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (Grade I) on Sunday and then ship to Santa Anita the next day.

Capt. Candyman Can, who won the first of his four graded-stakes victories in last fall’s Iroquois (GIII) here, has been training at the Skylight Training Center in Goshen over the Pro-Ride synthetic track, similar to what he will run on at Santa Anita.

“He has had two works since the Phoenix (GIII) and is doing well,” Wilkes said of the 3-year-old gelding who ran second to Fatal Bullet in the Phoenix on Oct. 9 at Keeneland. “He will probably work Sunday and then ship Monday.”

Wilkes’ other top 3-year-old in the barn, Warrior’s Reward, has been galloping at Churchill Downs after running fifth as the favorite in the Perryville (GIII) at Keeneland on Oct. 17. After the race, jockey Calvin Borel got off Warrior’s Reward in the first turn and the colt was unsaddled there.

“We are just keeping an eye on him; hopefully all it was just a bad step (in the race),” Wilkes said of Warrior’s Reward, who is owned by A. Stevens Miles Jr. “He is galloping now and I’m not sure (when he’ll run next).”

ROMANS EYES POCAHONTAS REPEAT WITH SASSY IMAGE – Trainer Dale Romans unleashed a true “Star of Tomorrow” in the 2008 Pocahontas when Sara Louise romped to victory by 3 ¾ lengths over Rachel Alexandra.

On Sunday, he hopes history repeats itself when he saddles Jerry Romans’ Sassy Image in the 41st running of the Grade III event for 2-year-old fillies.

“This time last year, Sara Louise was starting to move forward and I hope Sassy Image does the same,” Romans said.

Sassy Image has some big hoofprints to follow in. Sara Louise ran second behind Rachel Alexandra in last year’s Golden Rod (GII) and this year has won the Grade III Victory Ride at Saratoga and was second behind champion Indian Blessing in the Grade II Gallant Bloom at Belmont. Next Friday she will be competing in the Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (GI) at Santa Anita for Godolphin Racing and trainer Saeed bin Suroor.

Sara Louise came into last year’s Pocahontas off a maiden score. Sassy Image, a maiden winner here in June, finished eighth in her most recent start in the Darley Alcibiades (GI) at Keeneland on Oct. 9 after enduring a wide trip.

“She likes this track and she has been training well,” Romans said of Sassy Image, who worked a bullet half-mile of :47.80 in her first work back after the Alcibiades.

Romans will have one Breeders’ Cup starter in Frank Jones Jr.’s Tapitsfly, who is already at Santa Anita. A maiden winner at Saratoga, Tapitsfly won the P.G. Johnson on grass at Saratoga and is pre-entered in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Robby Albarado has the mount.

Romans also reported that Mark Stanley’s Swift Temper remains on track for a run in the Nov. 26 Falls City Handicap (GII). Tenth as the favorite in the Juddmonte Spinster (GI) over Keeneland’s Polytrack surface, Swift Temper worked five furlongs in 1:01.20 on Sunday.

WIGGINS HOPING TO FINISH WITH A FLOURISH – Hal Wiggins hit the apex of his training career this spring when he saddled Rachel Alexandra to her resounding victory in the Kentucky Oaks (GI).

He hopes the final month on the backside gets off to a rousing start on Sunday when he sends out Brassy Boy in the 28th running of the Iroquois (GIII) for longtime client Millsap Stables.

Wiggins, who has 20 horses stabled here, is retiring at the end of the meet on Nov. 28, two days before his 67th birthday.

“It is starting to sink in a little bit,” Wiggins said. “It will probably hit me on the 28th when I get ready to turn another year older. I’m going to go to Houston. My wife, Renee, is already there.

“I am still going to go to sales and still be involved in it because I love the game so much. I don’t want to quit cold turkey.”

Brassy Boy won his first two starts during the spring meet and then ran third in the Bashford Manor (GIII).

“I gave him a month off after the Bashford Manor,” Wiggins said. “He came back at Louisiana Downs (on Oct. 3 in the Razorback Futurity) and ran OK. He was just second best that day.”

The horse that beat Brassy Boy that day, Comedero, also is considered a likely Iroquois starter.
    “I hope Brassy Boy likes a mile better than the other colt,” Wiggins said.

BARN TALK – Lewis Lakin’s Pure Clan came out of her five-furlong breeze of Tuesday in good order according to Betsy Couch, assistant to trainer Bob Holthus. “She ate up everything last night and is in good form this morning,” Couch said. Winner of the Flower Bowl (GI) in her most recent start on Oct. 3, Pure Clan worked five-eighths in 1:01.40 on Tuesday, her second five-furlong work since the Flower Bowl in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (GI) to be run Friday, Nov. 6 at Santa Anita. Pure Clan is scheduled to have a light breeze Sunday morning and ship to California on Monday.

Trainer Ken McPeek said that Anthony Bonomo Jr.’s Connie and Michael would ship to California on Saturday for a start in the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI) on Nov. 6. Connie and Michael broke her maiden at first asking on Oct. 17 at Keeneland going seven furlongs by 7 ¾ lengths from the No. 12 post position. McPeek hoped to have another Keeneland maiden winner on the plane in Fist of Rage, but that colt was sixth on the preference list for the over-subscribed Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI) to be run Nov. 7.

West Point Thoroughbreds’ Macho Again, winner of this year’s Stephen Foster Handicap (GI) here and runner-up to Rachel Alexandra in the Woodward (GI), is on track for a start in the Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (GII) on Nov. 27 according to trainer Dallas Stewart. A cough last week knocked Macho Again out of a possible start in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI).

G. Watts Humphrey Jr. and the Louise Ireland Humphrey Revocable Trust-2008’s One Caroline is scheduled to return to the races in the 24th running of the Chilukki (GII) on Nov. 7. Trained by Rusty Arnold, One Caroline is scheduled to work at Keeneland on Sunday and then ship to Churchill Downs midweek for her first start since running second to Miss Isella in the Louisville Distaff (GII) on May 1. One Caroline will be ridden in the Chilukki by Leandro Goncalves.

WORK TAB – Centaur Farms’ Yes It’s Valid, considered a possible starter for Sunday’s Pocahontas, worked a half-mile Wednesday morning over a “muddy” track in :50.20 for trainer Merrill Scherer.

WILKES NOTCHES ‘FIRST' CHURCHILL STAKES VICTORY WITH ‘CANDYMAN' IN IROQUOIS - Trainer Ian Wilkes has made many visits to the Churchill Downs winner's circle since he first arrived at Churchill Downs from Australia nearly 20 years ago - including a couple of stops in the exclusive Kentucky Derby winner's circle with mentor Carl Nafzger.  But Saturday's "Stars of Tomorrow I" victory by Capt. Candyman Can in the $100,000-added Iroquois (Grade III) marked a first for Wilkes since he went out on his own a couple of years back.

            The three-length victory by the gelded son of Candy Ride was Wilkes' first stakes triumph as a trainer at his home track.  It was a nice milestone for the 43-year-old Aussie, but the performance his horse turned in under jockey Julien Leparoux meant much more.

            "One of the reasons Carl turned some of his horses over to me was to give me recognition," said Wilkes.  "I guess that's a very satisfying aspect of it."

            Wilkes said Capt. Candyman Can came out of the race in good shape and would be pointed toward the $150,000-added Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) at 1 1/16 miles on Nov. 29.  That race will mark Capt. Candyman's debut at a two-turn distance after his flashy performance on Saturday over Churchill Downs' demanding one-turn mile. 

            A strong effort at two turns would allow Wilkes to start thinking about next spring's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) on May 2.  Capt. Candyman Can will have to prove that two-turn races are within his grasp, but Wilkes says his "gut feeling" on that is positive. 

            Wilkes also believes that Capt. Candyman Can could improve significantly off of his Iroquois win and in his training leading up to the Kentucky Jockey Club.

            "He was fit to run - he was ready to run and needed to run," Wilkes said.  "But was he 110 percent?  No, I didn't feel he was.  I felt he had some more improvement in him.  I think he's maturing a little more than you might hope - he's put on some weight and almost done too good.  So I was coming into this race and hoping to move forward, and I'd love to win the next race."

            Capt. Candyman Can was a colt when he came into Wilkes' care, but the decision to geld him was made early in the year.  That move often has an immediate impact on the physical and mental outlook of young horses, and that was the case with Wilkes' star.

            "He had a lot of little issues," he said.  "Gelding got the weight off of him and it really helped him.  I doubt that I would have been in this situation if I didn't geld him."

            The Iroquois marked the second victory in three career starts for Capt. Candyman Can, with the other being a dazzling 7 ½-length romp in his career debut at Saratoga.  In between he finished a close sixth over Polytrack in Arlington Park's Arlington-Washington Futurity (GIII).  His earnings now stand at $105,517.

POCAHONTAS ROMP BY SARA LOUISE NO SURPRISE TO ROMANS- Saturday's first "Stars of Tomorrow" program of the Churchill Downs Fall Meet saw plenty of strong performances by promising horses on the card devoted exclusively to 2-year-olds, but the most impressive of the day could have been the romp by Eldon Farm Equine's Sara Louise in the $100,000-added Pocahontas (GIII).

            The Dale Romans-trained daughter of Malibu Moon rallied from just off the pace and quickly drew off under Robby Albarado to defeat favored Rachel Alexandra by 3 ¾ lengths.  The quality of that dazzling effort was underscored by her stakes record winning time of 1:34.57.  It was the first sub-1:35 clocking since the Pocahontas was extended from seven furlongs to a mile in 1981 and the time was nearly three-fifths of a second faster than the winning time turned in by the gelding Capt. Candyman Can against colts in the Iroquois fewer than 30 minutes later.

            Romans said all was well on Sunday with a horse that he called "a very special filly."  He said she "came out of the race great," and that her dominating effort was no surprise to his stable.

            "She had trained that way, and I've thought she was special since the first time I got to breeze her," said Romans.  "She's been just the total package.  She had the speed when you called on her and she'd relax when you wanted her to, and that's a good horse."

            Sara Louise was beaten in her career debut at Saratoga when she broke last in a field of 10.  She rallied from 14 lengths back to finish fourth, beaten only 3 ¾ lengths, by the well-regarded Be Smart.  She scored a three-quarter length victory at Belmont Park in her next start that was easier than the winning margin would indicate, as the race chart notes that she won under "hand urging" from jockey Edgar Prado.

            Romans said a run back in the $150,000-added Golden Rod (GII) at 1 1/16-miles on Nov. 29 is possible for Sara Louise.  A decision on her next target will come after a discussion with Eldon Farm Equine owner John Luke.

            "We'll look at it real hard," he said.  "I don't like to make those decisions after the emotion of a big win like that.  In about a week or so we'll have a conference call with Mr. Luke and all of his people and decide what to do."

            Sara Louise is the only horse Romans currently trains for Luke.  He has had a handful over the years, with Spin Master, winner of the $100,000 Matt Winn at Churchill Downs in 2007, being the best of those before Sara Louise walked into Romans' barn.

            The Pocahontas victory boosted the career earnings for Sara Louise to $101,381.

EINSTEIN BREEZES, POSSIBLE FOR CLARK ‘CAP - Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (GI) winner Einstein is moving closer to his first race since a disappointing run in the Arlington Million (GI), and that race could be a return to the dirt in the 135th running of the $500,000-added Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (GII) at Churchill Downs on Nov. 28.

            Midnight Cry Stable's 6-year-old son of 1985 Kentucky Derby winner Spend A Buck breezed an easy half-mile over a "fast" track in :52 on Sunday at Churchill Downs.  It was the first breeze for Einstein since he finished fifth, beaten only two lengths, by front-running longshot Spirit One in the Million on Aug. 9 at Arlington Park. 

            Einstein stumbled badly at the start of that race.  The veteran turf star was found to have pulled muscles in his back end following his troubled run in the Million.

            "He probably did it when he left the gate," said Pitts.  "I sent him for a bone scan and you could see where it was just black where he had pulled all those muscles in his back end."

            Pitts said Einstein bounced back from the injury well, and his strong recovery has Pitts thinking over a bid for the 1 1/8-mile Clark.  Although Einstein's major victories have come on turf, he has run very well over the main track at Churchill Downs.  He finished second to reigning "Horse of the Year" Curlin in June in the $1 million Stephen Foster Handicap (GI) and notched his first career victory under the Twin Spires in November 2005.   

            A bid for the Clark Handicap could involve a run against two-time Whitney (GI) winner Commentator, who could be pointed to that race by trainer Nick Zito.  A Clark bid has not been completely ruled out for Curlin, who is back on the grounds following a fourth-place finish over the synthetic Cushion Track surface in the Breeders' Cup Classic (GI) at Santa Anita. 

            Pitts said Einstein is far from a sure thing to run in the Clark, but it is an attractive option.

            "I'm going to kind of let him tell me, but the Clark is in the back of my mind," said Pitts.  "I know Commentator is contemplating it, but if I can run second to Curlin I guess I can attempt to beat him.  I don't know what Curlin's doing, but I'm kind of going to let him tell me."

            "If everything goes well it gives him four works and he didn't lose a whole lot," said Pitts.  "He seemed good.  He went just nice and easy today and we'll go from there.  It's not a necessary thing that he has to run, but if it happens that he's doing good then and it comes up a light spot, then I probably would run in the Clark and then sit on him until Florida."

            Pitts said current plans call for Einstein to campaign next year as a 7-year-old, and says the Brazilian-bred is actually younger than that official listing because he was foaled in the Southern Hemisphere.

            "He just turned six two months ago," said Pitts.  "He's only been six for two months.  Everybody thinks he's been six this entire year when he's not." 

            The ultimate goal for Einstein would be a bid to repeat this year's win in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic on Kentucky Derby Day.

            "If we could get a couple of more good races into him next year I'd like to point him toward the Woodford Reserve again," said Pitts.  "Then we'll just kind of go from there.  There's no reason not to."

            Einstein has a record of 3-3-0 in eight races this year and his career slate stands at 8-3-1 in 21 races with earnings of $1,366,431.

MAMBO IN SEATTLE BREEZES, STILL POSSIBLE FOR CLARK - Travers (GI) runner-up Mambo in Seattle turned in an easy half-mile breeze on Sunday at Churchill Downs that kept the 3-year-old in the picture for the $500,000-added Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (GII).

            Mambo in Seattle, who is owned by William S. Farish and Mrs. William Kilroy, breezed four furlongs over a "fast" track under exercise rider Dane Noel in :50.40.  The work was the first for the 3-year-old son of Kingmambo since his disappointing seventh-place finish behind Ball Four in the $150,000 Fayette (GIII) at Keeneland on Oct. 25. 

Trainer Neil Howard believes that Mambo in Seattle failed to handle the synthetic Polytrack surface at Keeneland in that race and he was pleased with what he saw in the colt's return to dirt at Churchill Downs.  He caught Mambo in Seattle going a little faster than Churchill Downs clockers, as Howard had the colt going in ":49 and two, or :49 and three" on his stopwatch.

            "It was exactly what I was looking for," said Howard.  "I was just looking for a little maintenance half-mile in his first work since he ran, and he breezed very nice."

            Howard said he and Farish had discussed the prospect of a bid for the Clark, but said there is no rush to make that call.

            "We're here, so we figure we can just train along," said Howard.  "He's had good year and he's had some tough races, so we're just going to play it by ear just a little bit.  We are looking at the race, but we're not making any commitments yet."

            Mambo in Seattle's career record stands at 4-3-0 in 10 races with earnings of $400,741.   

 BARN TALK - Jockey Julien Leparoux and trainer Mike Maker continued to sustain their sizzling pace on Saturday in the battles for top honors in their respective categories in the Fall Meet. Leparoux won four races for the second time in three days to push his meet-leading victory total to 15.  Robby Albarado, who won three races on Saturday, is a clear second in that category with nine wins.  Maker saddled one winner on Saturday and has scored at least one win on each of the first five days of the 26-day meet.  His victory total stands at nine, with Ken McPeek (six wins) and Dale Romans (five) giving closest chase. ... Brant Laue's Gun Salute, winner of the 2005 Secretariat (GI) at Arlington Park, is entered in the 9th race on Thursday, Nov. 9 at Churchill Downs.  The son of Military is part of a full field in a 1 1/8-mile allowance optional claiming race on the Matt Winn Turf Course.  Gun Salute ran third to Thorn Song in last fall's River City (GIII) at Churchill Downs for trainer Bill Mott, then ran twice earlier this year in Saudi Arabia.  He returned to the U.S. to run second in an Ellis Park allowance race in his only effort for new trainer Cody Autrey.

WORK TAB (Track: FAST) - Commonwealth Turf (GIII) candidate Amazing Results breezed a sharp five furlongs in :59.  The move by Team Block's son of Grand Slam was the fastest of 33 at the distance.  ... Dogwood Stable's Blackberry Road, runner-up in the 2007 Kentucky Jockey Club, breezed five furlongs for trainer David Carroll in 1:02.40. ...Isabull, winner of the 2006 WinStar Derby, breezed five furlongs in 1:01.60 for trainer Tom Amoss.

Capt. Candyman Can, whose name was inspired by a 1970's hit song by Sammy Davis Jr., proved just as popular on the track as he grabbed the lead heading into the far turn under jockey Julien Leparoux and rolled to a three-length victory in Saturday's 28th running of the $111,100 Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes for 2-year-olds on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

The favorite in a field of eight horses, Capt. Candyman Can covered the mile over a "fast" track in 1:35.15 and paid $4.80, $3 and 2.40. Monty's Best, who challenged the winner in the upper stretch, finished second under Robby Albarado and paid $5.80 and $3.60. Star of David finished third under Shaun Bridgmohan and paid $3.60.

A gelded son of Candy Ride owned by Joseph Rauch and David Zell of Florida, the Kentucky-bred Capt. Candyman Can won for the second time in three races and the winner's purse of $66,817 pushed his career earnings to $105,517. The winner is trained by Ian Wilkes, a former assistant to two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Carl Nafzger who scored his first stakes win as a trainer at Churchill Downs. The victory was one of four on the day for Leparoux, who has scored a meet-leading 15 victories in the first five days of the track's 26-day Fall Meet.

"I think he's going to get a little bit more fit with this race," said Leparoux, who won the 2007 renewal of the Iroquois aboard Court Vision. "He got a little tired at the end, so we'll see what happens and see if he if he can improve next time."

Wilkes said that Capt. Candyman Can would likely run next in Churchill Downs $150,000-added Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Nov. 29, with a long range goal of the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands on May 2 at the Louisville track.

"That's a nice race to win and that's a good two-turn race and then we can really see if he can go two turns," said Wilkes. "That's what I really want to find out. Do I have just a miler or a come-from-behind sprinter or do I really have a contender? That's what I want to find out the next time I run him."

Capt. Candyman Can settled into third between horses soon after the start of the Iroquois as Casey's on Call grabbed the early lead from his rail post and Monty's Best pressed from the outside. Casey's on Call started to weaken as he led the field into the far turn, and Leparoux moved Capt. Candyman Can to lead with just under a half-mile to run. Monty's Best challenged the leader in upper stretch, but could not draw even and Capt. Candyman Can pulled away in the final yards. Star of David rallied from third but could not threaten the top pair.

Gresham finished fourth, and was followed by Brave Victory, Casey's on Call, Just Like Biscuit and Chilliness.

POST-RACE QUOTES - THE IROQUOIS

JULIEN LEPAROUX, jockey of CAPT. CANDYMAN CAN (winner): "He relaxed today and was going pretty good. He didn't fight me and he finished a little bit. He got a little tired at the finish. I think he's going to get a little bit more fit with this race. He was not fit, fit, at least that's what [Ian Wilkes] told me. He got a little tired at the end, so we'll see what happens and she if he can improve next time. He broke his maiden very impressively so we've liked him since that day. He's good."

IAN WILKES, trainer of CAPT. CANDYMAN CAN (winner): "As long as he's fine, that was my goal to run in the two races here [the Iroquois and the Grade II, $150,000-added Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes on Nov. 29]. After this race, we only have to worry about one more race for the year and see where we go from there.

Q: Do you think he'll go two turns?

"I think he'll get two turns. I think he's bred to go it, yes."

Q: Can we put him on an early Kentucky Derby 135 watch list?

"Go ahead."

Q: Did you have him ready 100-percent fit or does he have more left?

"I think I've got something left. I didn't want to over-train him and I'd like to win the [Kentucky] Jockey Club. That's a nice race to win and that's a good two-turn race and then we can really see if he can go two turns. That's what I really want to find out. Do I have just a miler or a come-from-behind sprinter or do I really have a contender? That's what I want to find out the next time I run him.

ROBBY ALBARADO, jockey on MONTY'S BEST (runner-up)

"He settled nice leaving there, then that one-horse (Casey's on Call) dropped off that speed horse (Capt. Candyman Can), and I had to be the victim to go press on Julien and I just got outfooted to the wire. But he's still learning and he's a nice colt."

SHAUN BRIDGMOHAN, jockey on STAR OF DAVID (third)

"He was sitting in there really comfortable. I thought I had a lot of horse. I can't take anything away from the winner - he ran a really good race. He battled all the way and had a lot left to win the race. But my horse ran a very credible race."