Anak Nakal

Trackside at Churchill Downs will open early at 9 am (all times Eastern) on Saturday, March 28, to import the six lucrative stakes races that compromise the 14th annual Dubai World Cup program from Nad Al Sheba Race Course in the United Arab Emirates.

            The $21 million extravaganza is anchored by the world’s richest race, the $6 million Dubai World Cup (Group I), which has lured North American horses such as Donn Handicap (GI) champ Albertus Maximus, Goodwood Handicap (GI) winner Well Armed, Meadowlands Cup (GII) hero Arson Squad and Pennsylvania Derby (GII) champ Anak Nakal. The Americans will face a stellar international cast that includes Japan’s Casino Drive, winner of last year’s Peter Pan (GII), and 2007 UAE Triple Crown winner Asiatic Boy, the runner-up to Curlin in last year’s World Cup.

            The Dubai World Cup, scheduled as the seventh race at 1:30 p.m., culminates the action-packed program.  The first import will be the $1 million Godolphin Mile (GII), which is carded as the second race at 9:40 a.m., and is followed by the $2 million UAE Derby (GII) at 10:15 a.m.; the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen (GI) at 10:55 a.m.; the $5 million Dubai Duty Free (GI) at 11:55 a.m.; the $5 million Dubai Sheema Classic (GI) at 12:40 p.m.; and Dubai World Cup. Win, Place, Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta and Pick 3 wagering will be offered.

            The 1 1/8-mile UAE Derby is an important steppingstone to Kentucky Derby 135 for Godolphin’s UAE 2,000 Guineas champ Desert Party, who’ll be ridden by Frankie Dettori. The prominent global outfit will also start Regal Ransom and Jose Adan.

            Other familiar Northern American stars scheduled to run on the program are Archipenko (Duty Free), Black Seventeen (Golden Shaheen), Diabolical (Golden Shaheen), Doctor Dino (Sheema Classic), Gayego (Godolphin Mile), Hyperbaric (Duty Free), Indian Blessing (Golden Shaheen), Kip Deville (Duty Free), Marsh Side (Sheema Classic), Quijano (Sheema Classic), Red Rocks (Sheema Classic), Tiz Now Tiz Then (Godolphin Mile) and Two Step Salsa (Godolphin Mile).

            The roster of winners for the 1 ¼-mile Dubai World Cup includes Cigar (1996), Singspiel (1997), Silver Charm (1998), Dubai Millennium (2000), Captain Steve (2001), Street Cry (2002), Pleasantly Perfect (2004), Roses in May (2005), Invasor (2007) and Curlin (2008).

            Trackside at Churchill Downs will offer free general admission from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. After 11:30 a.m., general admission is $3, but only $1 for Twin Spires Club members and seniors.  Also, a $4.75 breakfast special – featuring eggs, sausage or bacon, biscuits and gravy, hash browns and coffee or juice – will be on sale in the ITW food court on the second floor of the clubhouse.

Later in the afternoon, Churchill Downs also will simulcast the Florida Derby Day program from Gulfstream Park with the important Grade I race scheduled as Race 10 at 5:44 p.m.

            Churchill Downs, the world’s most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America’s greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875. Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN) also operates Trackside at Churchill Downs, which offers year-round simulcast wagering at the historic track. Churchill Downs will conduct the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2009. The track’s 2009 Spring Meet will take place from April 25 through July 5. Churchill Downs is scheduled to host the Breeders’ Cup World Championships for a record seventh time on Nov. 5 and 6, 2010. Information about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.churchilldowns.com.

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Joseph Rauch and David Zell’s Capt Candyman Can, a smashing three-length winner of the Iroquois (Grade III) at Churchill Downs on Nov. 1, is the marquee name in a field of 10 entered Wednesday for the 83rd running of the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (GII) to be run at 1 1/16 miles on Saturday.

The Kentucky Jockey Club is the centerpiece of the closing-day “Stars of Tomorrow II” card that features races limited exclusively to 2-year-olds. First post time is 11:30 a.m. with general admission gates opening at 10 a.m. (all times Eastern).

In addition to the $150,000-added Kentucky Jockey Club, there will be the 66th running of the $150,000-added Golden Rod (GII) for fillies at 1 1/16 miles, plus two $56,000-added overnight handicaps on the grass – the Grand Canyon at 1 1/16 miles and the Caressing at one mile for the fillies.

Also, Curlin, North America’s reigning Horse of the Year and the continent’s richest racehorse of all time with earnings of $10,501,800, will be paraded one final time at Churchill Downs between the fifth and sixth races before he is retired to stud duty in 2009. After a trip to saddling paddock, Curlin will be saluted in the winner’s circle.

Saturday’s future stars have some huge horseshoes to fill from the 2007 juvenile showcase day that produced such 2008 graded stakes winners as Anak Nakal and Pure Clan and a first-time starter named Denis of Cork who came back this year to run third in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) and second in the Belmont Stakes (GI).

Julien Leparoux, who rode Anak Nakal to victory in last year’s Kentucky Jockey Club, goes for a repeat on Capt. Candyman Can for trainer Ian Wilkes. Capt. Candyman Can has won both of his dirt starts with his only setback coming in a sixth-place finish over the Polytrack at Arlington Park in the roughly run Arlington-Washington Futurity (GIII).

Capt. Candyman Can will break from post position eight and is the only stakes winner in the field for the Kentucky Jockey Club, which goes as the 11th race on the card at approximately 4:27 p.m. ET.

The field for the Kentucky Jockey Club, from the rail out: Coal Baron (Julio Garcia), Big Surf (Jesus Castanon), Beethoven (Calvin Borel), Stormalory (Kent Desormeaux), Jazzandthemagician (Miguel Mena), Zion (Shaun Bridgmohan), Brother Keith (Robby Albarado), Capt. Candyman Can (Julien Leparoux), Star of David (Jamie Theriot) and Giant Oak (Eusebio Razo Jr.). All starters will carry 122 pounds.

Eldon Farm’s Sara Louise, a 3 3/4-length winner of the Grade III Pocahontas on Nov. 1, tops a field of seven for the Golden Rod that also attracted Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI) runner-up Dream Empress.

Trained by Dale Romans, Sara Louise has won two of three career starts and will be ridden by Robby Albarado who is seeking his second victory in the Golden Rod. Sara Louise will break from post position one.

Livin the Dream Racing’s Dream Empress won the Grade I Darley Alcibiades at Keeneland prior to her Breeders’ Cup effort and the Golden Rod will mark her debut on a conventional dirt track for trainer Ken McPeek. Kent Desormeaux has the call Saturday and will break from post position three.

The Golden Rod, which goes as the ninth race on the card at 3:28 p.m. ET, also lured two other intriguing prospects: Dolphus Morrison’s Rachel Alexandra and Ron Winchell’s War Echo.

Rachel Alexandra, trained by Hal Wiggins, finished second to Sara Louise in the Pocahontas and this summer was runner-up in the Grade III Debutante. War Echo, trained by Steve Asmussen, is a half-sister to multiple graded-stakes winner Pyro and ran fourth in the Grade I Frizette in her most recent start.

The field for the Golden Rod, from the rail out: Sara Louise (Robby Albarado, 119 pounds), Super Poni (Godofredo Laurente, 119), Dream Empress (Kent Desormeaux, 119), Rachel Alexandra (Calvin Borel, 119), Dance With Daddy (Diego Rodriguez, 114), Pearl of Valor (Jesus Castanon, 119) and War Echo (Shaun Bridgmohan, 119).

Marylou Whitney Stables’ Ninth Client, trained by D. Wayne Lukas will carry high weight of 121 pounds and face 11 rivals in the Grand Canyon, which goes as the fifth race on the card at 1:28 p.m. ET. Third in the Grade III Bourbon at Keeneland on Oct. 5 and most recently ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, Ninth Client will be ridden by Robby Albarado and break from post position three.

The field for the Grand Canyon, from the hedge out: Rockin’ Joe (Shaun Bridgmohan, 120 pounds), Chilliness (Jamie Theriot, 115), Ninth Client (Robby Albarado, 121), Jack Spratt (Julien Leparoux, 117), Presents for Berti (Calvin Borel, 117), Smart Shot (Julio Garcia, 116), My Boy Jo (Jesus Castanon, 112), South Fork Lodge (Kent Desormeaux, 117), Relvado (Eusebio Razo Jr., 114), Tenmor (Orlando Mojica, 114), Proceed Bee (Miguel Mena, 115) and Changing Storm (Richard Monterrey, 112). On the also-eligible list are Charlie Trumper (Robby Albarado, 111), Irish Blarney (Miguel Mena, 111) and Allittakesisone (Diego Rodriguez, 110).

In the Caressing, which goes as Race 10 at 3:58 p.m. ET, Wayne Calabrese’s Sugar Mom, winner of the Kentucky Cup Juvenile at Turfway Park in September and seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf in her most recent start, will tote top weight of 122 pounds and concede 2-9 pounds to seven rivals.

Trained by Wayne Catalano, Sugar Mom has three wins and two seconds from seven starts and will be ridden by E.T. Baird and break from post position two in a full field of 12.

The field for the Caressing, from the hedge out: Yo Eleven (Eusebio Razo Jr., 113 pounds), Sugar Mom (E.T. Baird, 122), Romin Robin (Orlando Mojica, 113), Seminole Lass (Julien Leparoux, 115), Trust N Seven (Rafael Hernandez, 115), Banker’s Choice (Calvin Borel, 119), Striking Dancer (Robby Albarado, 118), Devil by Design (Jesus Castanon, 114), Abbott Hall (Jamie Theriot, 120), Foxy Bailey (Kent Desormeaux, 114), War Tigress (Julio Garcia, 119) and It’s Tiffin Time (Miguel Mena, 113). On the also-eligible list is Guarda (Miguel Mena, 113).

Tracy Farmer's Commentator, Elisabeth Alexander's Magna Graduate and Midnight Cry Stable's Einstein (BRZ), who have combined to earn $5,769,604 in their stellar careers, headline a field of eight for Friday's 134^th running of the $400,000-added Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (GII) at Churchill Downs.

            The Clark Handicap, named for the family of Churchill Downs founder Meriwether Lewis Clark, was first run at the track's inaugural meet in 1875 and, like the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) and the Kentucky Oaks (GI), has been run annually without interruption since.  The 1 1/8-mile race over the main track will be the 11^th race on the 12-race card with an approximate post time of 4:29 p.m. (all times Eastern). Post time for the first race is 11:30 a.m. and admission gates open at 10 a.m.

            The 7-year-old Commentator has won 13 of 20 careers starts for earnings of $1,841,936 while racing for five years under the care of trainer Nick Zito. Ridden by John Velazquez in all five of his starts this year, Commentator has won four times, highlighted by a second victory in the Grade I Whitney at Saratoga, and enters the Clark off a 14-length victory in the Massachusetts Handicap on Sept. 20 at Suffolk Downs.

            The New York-bred gelding by Distorted Humor is enjoying the finest year of his career with four victories in five races and earnings of $1,025,700.  His only loss came in a runner-up finish to Divine Park in the Metropolitan Handicap (GI) at Belmont Park.  Commentator will carry top weight of 124 pounds and break from post position four under Velazquez.  He easily won his only previous start at Churchill Downs in 2004.

            Now trained by Steve Asmussen, the 6-year-old Magna Graduate has won 10 of 34 career starts with six seconds and six thirds for earnings of $2,561,237. Two of those victories have come at Churchill Downs, one in the 2005 Clark Handicap for former trainer Todd Pletcher and the other in this year's Grade III Ack Ack Handicap on Oct. 26.  Shaun Bridgmohan, who rode Magna Graduate in the Ack Ack, will be aboard Friday.  Magna Graduate will break from post position two and carry 120 pounds.

            The 6-year-old Einstein, trained by Helen Pitts, is a two-time Grade I winner on the grass this year and has built a career resume of eight wins in 21 starts for earnings of $1,366,431. Idle since finishing a troubled fifth in the Grade I Arlington Million on Aug. 9, Einstein last started on the dirt in the Stephen Foster Handicap (GI) at Churchill Downs on June 14 when he ran second to 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin.

            Julien Leparoux, who rode Einstein in the Stephen Foster, will ride Friday and break from post position three. Einstein will carry 119 pounds.

            Bidding for a return to form in the Clark will be Silverton Hill LLC's Dominican, winner of the 2007 Toyota Blue Grass (GI) at Keeneland.  The Darrin Miller-trained son of El Corredor defeated Street Sense by a nose over the Polytrack course that day, but finished 11^th to that rival on the dirt in the Kentucky Derby.  Dominican snapped a six-race losing streak in an allowance win over the synthetic Tapeta surface in July at Pennsylvania's Presque Isle Downs, and has since finished third to Delightful Kiss in the Turfway Fall Championship (GIII) and was runner-up to longshot Ball Four in the Fayette (GIII) at Keeneland.  Robby Albarado will ride.

            Three other graded-stakes winners on dirt in 2008 are in the Clark field: Four Roses Thoroughbreds' Anak Nakal, winner of the Grade II Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 1 at Philadelphia Park, World Thoroughbreds Racing's Wayzata Bay, winner of the Grade II Cornhusker Handicap at Prairie Meadows on June 28, and Hobeau Farm's Delightful Kiss, winner of the Turfway Park Fall Championship on Sept. 6 and the All American Stakes at Golden Gate on Sept. 27.  Delightful Kiss most recently finished fifth to Albertus Maximus in the $500,000 Breeders' Cup Marathon over the Pro-Ride course at Santa Anita.

            The field for the Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare, from the rail out, is as follows: Delightful Kiss (Calvin Borel, 116 pounds), Magna Graduate (John Velazquez, 120), Einstein (Julian Leparoux, 119), Commentator (John Velazquez, 124), Anak Nakal (Jesus Castanon, 118), Timber Reserve (Kent Desormeaux, 116), Wayzata Bay (Israel Ocampo, 117) and Dominican (Robby Albarado, 115).

            Appearing on the Clark Handicap undercard on Friday will be Robert LaPenta's Da' Tara, the upset winner of the Belmont Stakes (GI) who derailed Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown's bid for a Triple Crown.  The Nick Zito-trained son of Tiznow has lost three consecutive races since then, with the most recent setback coming in a sixth-place finish to Tale of Ekati in the Jerome Handicap (GII) at Belmont Park. 

Da' Tara will face seven rivals in the 1 1/16-mile allowance optional claiming race for 3-year-olds and up.  He will be the first Belmont Stakes winner to run at Churchill Downs since 1999 winner Lemon Drop Kid finished fifth to Tiznow in the 2000 Breeders' Cup Classic (GI).  Victory Gallop, the 1999 Belmont Stakes winner, won the Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs the following year.

IS EIGHT ENOUGH FOR CANELA UNDER THE TWIN SPIRES? - Canela will attempt to become the first horse since 1976 to have won nine races at Churchill Downs when he starts in Saturday's $100,000-added River City Handicap (GIII).

    According to Equibase Company LLC, horse racing's official statistical database, only six horses have won eight career races under the Twin Spires since 1976, which is the first year detailed information was gathered.

            Now trained by Mike Maker, who claimed Canela for $25,000 on May 7 this year for Scarlet Stable (Rose Barney),  Canela has made 13 of his 41 starts at Churchill Downs with eight victories, one second, one third and two fourth-place finishes. A 5-year-old son of El Corredor, Canela has won four races on the main track and is a perfect four-for-four on the Matt Winn Turf Course over which the River City will be run.

            "I had always been a big fan of his when he was running starter/allowance races," said Maker, who has seen Canela win all three times he has started him at Churchill Downs. "Plus, he is a great-looking  horse and he had been running well going a mile and a quarter even though it wasn't against the same level that he'll be facing (Saturday)."

            Canela started his career with trainer Paul McGee, who also trained one of Churchill Downs' eight-race winners: Bet On Sunshine, who ran here from 1995-2002 and at age nine in 2001 won the Grade III Aristides to become the oldest graded-stakes winner in track history.

            "We bought him as a yearling and as a two-year-old he hadn't shown much in straight maiden races," McGee said of Canela. "He broke his maiden for $7,500 at Turfway. He had started up the ladder and won a non-winners of two for $20,000, but he got claimed off me and then (Tom) Amoss got him."

            Wilson Vittur had Canela for one race before Amoss got him for owner Maggi Moss. Canela raced 22 times for Amoss, winning 10 times, before being claimed by Maker for $25,000 on May 7 this year.

            "He had a throat obstruction as a two-year-old, but we didn't do the surgery then," McGee said. "That probably affected him early on."

            More than two years after losing Canela, did McGee ever think Canela would be mentioned in a same sentence with Bet On Sunshine, a horse he calls one of the top three he has ever trained along with Suave and Honor In War?

            "Probably not," McGee said with a laugh. "I didn't like losing him. I had a feeling he was going to go up and he turned out to be a nice horse."

            In the race before the River City on Saturday, Churchill Downs will offer the $56,000-added Bet On Sunshine, an overnight handicap for sprinters going six furlongs.

            McGee will be represented in that with Success Success, owned by David Holloway, who also owned Bet On Sunshine.

The other local eight-win horses are Athenium (1991-94), Crown Lease (1991-95), Lord Rusty (1993-2000) and Maxxed (1995-98). Eleven others had won seven races.

COMMENTATOR WORKS HALF-MILE IN TUNEUP FOR CLARK HANDICAP - Tracy Farmer's Commentator, who figures to be the favorite for the Nov. 28 Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (GII), tuned up for the 1 1/8-mile $400,000-added event by working a half-mile in :48.60 over a fast track with Julien Leparoux up.

            "I liked the way he worked this morning," trainer Nick Zito said. "He finished up strong and galloped out strong. Julien is a good horseman and the work went perfect."

            It was Commentator's first work at Churchill Downs and fifth since winning the Sept. 20 Massachusetts Handicap in his most recent start. The other works had come at Saratoga. John Velazquez, who has ridden Commentator to four wins and a second in five 2008 starts, is scheduled to ride in the Clark.

            Also working Thursday morning for Zito was Four Roses Thoroughbreds' Anak Nakal, who worked a half-mile in :49.80.

            "There's an outside chance Anak Nakal could run in the Clark," Zito said. "I have to talk it over with Mr. (Kassem) Masri, but this is a horse that was third in the Belmont (GI), won the Pennsylvania Derby (GII) and was second in the Meadowlands Cup (GII) in his last start. Plus, he won the Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) here last fall, so we know he likes this track."

            In addition to Commentator and possibly Anak Nakal, the possible field for the Clark also includes Hobeau Farm's Delightful Kiss; The Big Stable's Delosvientos; Silverton Hill Farm's Dominican; Elisabeth Alexander's Magna Graduate; and World Thoroughbred Racing's Wayzata Bay.

            Weights for the Clark will be released Friday.

INDYGO MOUNTAIN MAKES WAIT WORTHWHILE FOR THERIOT - One of the most impressive victories by a 2-year-old at the current meet came in Wednesday's 10^th race when Clarence Scharbauer's Indygo Mountain romped to a 6 ¼-length score in 1:35.54 going a mile under Jamie Theriot. It was the second start for Indygo Mountain, who had debuted with a second-place effort at Keeneland on Oct. 15 under E.T. Baird.

            "I had been working him for about six months and I knew what kind of horse he was," Theriot said. "But the day he ran over there was the day I took off for surgery. He was like 12-1 on the morning line and I knew he was live."

            Theriot had been injured in a spill on Oct. 3 and had oral surgery on Oct. 14 and was forced to sit out the day after the procedure to recover. Wednesday's performance undoubtably eased any remaining pain, not to mention help cover the bill.

            "He is the total package people are looking for," Theriot said. "His muscle tone, his pedigree (A.P. Indy out of a Mountain Cat mare) and turn of foot. If he stays sound, people will hear from him. He could easily be a (Kentucky) Derby horse."

            It has been more than 20 years since Scharbauer has been in the Kentucky Derby picture as his late wife Dorothy and daughter Pam owned 1987 winner Alysheba. Trainer Bret Calhoun never has had a Derby starter.

            "Bret was thrilled and the owner was very happy with his race," said Dennis "Peaches" Geier, Calhoun's assistant at Churchill Downs. "That was a good race that he came out of at Keeneland and a lot of those horses have come back and run well."

            Indygo Mountain was a $600,000 yearling purchase last year by Scharbauer, who also paid $700,000 for Silver City, a maiden winner last month at Keeneland who is scheduled to run here next weekend.

            "We will see what happens with Indygo Mountain," Geier said. "He will go to the Fair Grounds and usually with Bret he likes to look at nonwinners of two lifetime or an AE/other than. I know this one (Indygo Mountain) can run long; I'm not sure yet about Silver City. You've got to make him do it. We are looking at a 6 ½ (furlong) race for him closing day."

BARN TALK - Trainer Ken McPeek was beaming Thursday morning, a day after first-time starter Danger to Society won a mile maiden event for 2-year-olds by 1 ½ lengths in 1:36.13 for owner Lansdon Robbins III. "I'm going to talk it over with the owner," McPeek said of the colt's next start. "I was really happy for Lansdon because he has put a lot of money into the game and he deserves a good horse." Danger to Society, a $300,000 yearling purchase, is a son of 2002 Kentucky Derby favorite Harlan's Holiday, who was trained by McPeek. "The thing I liked is that he is the third Harlan's Holiday to win this meet," McPeek said. "There was Lady On Holiday and The Right Face, and the horse that ran third in the same race (Saratoga Sinner) is a Harlan's Holiday." ...  Six horses are considered as "probable" by Churchill Downs racing officials for next Thursday's 94^th running of the $150,000-added Falls City Handicap (GII). The sextet includes Pin Oak Stable's Brownie Points; Glencrest Farm's Devil House; Talley Racing's Initforthekandy; Stronach Stable's Spring Waltz; Mark Stanley's Swift Temper and Robert Adams' Unforgotten. Weights for the Falls City will be announced Friday. ... Calvin Borel is one of the five finalists for Santa Anita's 60^th George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award.  The award, which is voted on by their fellow riders, honors and recognizes riders whose careers and personal character earn esteem for the individual and the sport of Thoroughbred racing. Other finalists for the award are Gary Baze, Javier Castellano, David Flores and John Velazquez. The winner will be announced in January. ... Julien Leparoux rode two winners Wednesday to reach 40 for the meet. He is the first rider to reach 40 wins at a Fall Meet since Pat Day rode 41 in the 27-day meet of 2003. With eight racing days left in the 26-day meet, Leparoux remains on pace to break Day's Fall Meet record of 55 set in 1985 over a 30-day meet. Robby Albarado, who won the Spring Meet title, added four victories to his Fall total Wednesday to stand at 31.

WORK TAB - Mark Stanley's Swift Temper, third in the Grade II Chilukki in her most recent start, tuned up for an anticipated run in the Thanksgiving Day Falls City Handicap (GII) by working five furlongs over a fast track in 1:01.80 on Thursday morning for trainer Dale Romans. ... Robert LaPenta's Da' Tara, winner of the 2008 Belmont Stakes (GI), worked a half-mile in :49.80 for trainer Nick Zito. ... Haras Santa Maria de Araras' Scolara, third in the Mrs. Revere (GII) in her most recent start, worked a half-mile in :48.20 for trainer Bill Mott. ... Zayat Stables' Thorn Song, the Romans-trained defending winner and likely favorite for Saturday's River City Handicap (GIII), worked on Wednesday.   The half-mile breeze in :48.20 was the only recorded work of the morning and came just before the track closed at 10 a.m.  The Wednesday work schedule was limited because the track was frozen through most of the morning.

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

The canned goods can be delivered to Churchill Downs on those dates or any Louisville area Forcht Bank through Nov. 22 in exchange for the complimentary admission pass.

All donations will benefit Kentucky Harvest.

FINAL FRIDAY HAPPY HOURS OF THE MEET - The final "Friday Happy Hours" of the 2008 Fall Meet are scheduled for Friday, Nov. 21. The New Orleans-themed event features $2 Budweiser Select, $2 hurricanes, $2 Fischer's hot dogs and live jazz music by Hambone in the upper Jockey Club's paddock balcony area from 3-5 p.m.   

KENT DESORMEAUX GLASS GIVEAWAY ON SATURDAY - The week's promotional calendar is highlighted by the last of three collectable hurricane glass giveaways that salute popular Cajun jockeys who ride at Churchill Downs. A Kent Desormeaux glass, sponsored by Kentucky Derby Party, will be given away to the first 5,000 paid and pre-paid admissions (includes patrons who bring two canned goods for admission in conjunction with the Kentucky Harvest Thanksgiving Food Drive) on Saturday, Nov. 22.

            Fans who receive the glass can come back to Churchill Downs on Sunday, Nov. 23 for an autograph session with Desormeaux on the second floor of the clubhouse.

            A glass depicting Calvin Borel, sponsored by Thorntons, was given away Nov. 8. A Robby Albarado glass, presented by GE, was given away Nov. 15.

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 noon. This Saturday's jockeys for "Jockey Talk" will be announced Friday.

JUNIOR JOCKEY CLUB WEEKEND ACTIVITIES - Crafts to create a Thanksgiving Banner of Blessings and special tours of the paddock highlight this weekend's activities at Churchill Downs' Junior Jockey Club located near the Guest Services Booth inside Gate. 10. Coloring books, crayons, individual games and reading material are available as well, and Churchill Downs' mascot Churchill Charlie will be on hand both Saturday and Sunday for photographs between 1-1:30 p.m.

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. 23 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. To reserve a spot, call (502) 636-4400.

TALENTED ZITO TRIO TOPS LIST OF 25 CLARK NOMINEES - Tracy Farmer's two-time Whitney Handicap (Grade I) winner Commentator, Robert LaPenta's 2008 Belmont Stakes (GI) winner Da' Tara and Four Roses Thoroughbreds' 2007 Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) winner Anak Nakal, all trained by Nick Zito, headline a list 26 horses nominated to the $400,000-added Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (Grade II) to be run Friday, Nov. 28 at Churchill Downs.

            Weights for the 134th running of the 1 1/8-mile main track race will be released Friday by Churchill Downs Racing Secretary Ben Huffman.

            Among others nominated to the Clark are 2005 race winner Magna Graduate, owned by Elisabeth Alexander; the Helen Pitts-trained turf standout Einstein, who ran second to 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin in this summer's Stephen Foster Handicap (GI) on the main track here; and 2008 Travers (GI) runner-up Mambo in Seattle for trainer Neil Howard.

            Kicking off the Thanksgiving Weekend of racing will be the 94th running of the $150,000-added Falls City Handicap (GII), which drew 17 nominations.

            Topping the nominees are Pin Oak Stable's Brownie Points, trained by Donnie Von Hemel, and Abergwaun Farm's Model, trained by Neil Drysdale. Both have run second this year to likely Eclipse Award winner Zenyatta; Brownie Points in the Grade I Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park and Model in the Grade II Clement Hirsch at Del Mar.

            Weights for the Falls City will be announced Friday.

Two-year-olds will be the focus of the closing-day "Stars of Tomorrow II" card, highlighted by the 83rd running of the $150,000-added Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) and the 66th running of the $150,000-added Golden Rod (GII) for fillies, both at 1 1/16 miles.

Joseph Rauch and David Zell's Capt. Candyman Can, winner of the Nov. 1 Iroquois (GIII) in his most recent start for trainer Ian Wilkes, heads a list of 25 nominees for the Kentucky Jockey Club that has had four of its winners come back the following spring and win the Kentucky Derby (GI), most recently 1973 victor Cannonade.

Twenty-one fillies were nominated to the Golden Rod, including the second-, third- and seventh-place finishers in last month's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI) at Santa Anita. Comprising that trio are runner-up Dream Empress, owned by Livin the Dream Racing, third-place finisher Sky Diva, owned by Puglisi Racing, and William Pacella, George Bonomo and Fred Barbara's C.S. Silk.

Also nominated are the 1-2 finishers from the Nov. 1 Pocahontas (GIII): Eldon Farm Equine's Sara Louise and Dolphus Morrison's Rachel Alexandra.

            Marilyn and James Helzer's undefeated Euroears, the Millard Seldin Revocable Trust's Greeley's Conquest, runner-up in the Forego (GI) and Ack Ack (GIII) in his two most recent starts, and Summerplace Farm's Kelly's Landing, winner of the 2007 Dubai Golden Shaheen (GI) top a list of 18 nominees for the $56,000 Bet On Sunshine, an overnight handicap to be run at six furlongs on Saturday. Kelly's Landing was assigned top weight of 123 pounds by Churchill Downs Racing Secretary Ben Huffman; Greeley's Conquest 121 and Euroears 120.

SELVA GIVES CARROLL ANOTHER RISING STAR - Trainer David Carroll has enjoyed a banner 2008 with Denis of Cork running third in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) and second in the Belmont Stakes (GI) early in the year, and with Acoma adding the Grade II Mrs. Revere and the Grade III Valley View to her resumé in the past month.

            On Saturday at Woodbine, Carroll showed he may have a filly to watch in 2009 as he saddled the undefeated Selva to her third consecutive victory, a two-length score in the Glorious Song at seven furlongs.

            "It was a great trip," said Carroll who trains Selva for the same ownership as Acoma, Helen Alexander and Helen Groves. "She ran a super race. She was three- or four-wide all the way around and Emma (Wilson) rode her beautifully."

            A homebred daughter of Forest Wildcat out of the Silver Deputy mare Bayou Mist, Selva broke her maiden at Saratoga on Aug. 7 and then stepped into stakes company for her second start and won the six-furlong Sorority at Monmouth Park on Aug. 31.

            "I worked her a couple of times at Keeneland and she handled the Polytrack well," Carroll said of the preparations for his first starter at Woodbine. "But then you never know how they are going to do on it until they race on it."

            Selva returned to her home base at Churchill Downs immediately after the victory, but Carroll says not to look for her to wheel back in two weeks for the closing-day Golden Rod (GII).

            "She won't run back here," Carroll said. "Helen (Alexander) wants to stretch her out one time. I think ultimately she will be a one-turn filly."

EASY GRADES RETURNS TO THE RACES WEDNESDAY - Four horses that ran in the 2002 Kentucky Derby have offspring entered on Wednesday's card. One horse that ran in the 2002 Kentucky Derby is running this afternoon.

            Easy Grades ran 13th behind War Emblem on that sun-splashed May afternoon six years ago. Today, he makes his return to the races off an 11-month layoff in the fifth race, a $5,000 claimer going six furlongs.

            Owned by TBS Farms LLC, Easy Grades was claimed by trainer Dave Vance at Churchill Downs on Nov. 8, 2007 for $25,000. He made one start for Vance last Dec. 9, running fourth in a $40,000 claimer at Turfway Park.

            "The last time he ran was the night Dad had his accident," said Vance's daughter Trisha, who has been running the barn since her father suffered major spine and neck injuries in a traffic accident heading to Turfway that day.

            "Easy Grades had a minor ankle injury and we just gave him plenty of time off. He is a neat, old horse and has a lot of class to him."

            When Easy Grades came to Churchill Downs for the first time, he was coming off a second-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby (GI). In his career, Easy Grades has run 62 times with 11 victories, 14 seconds and five thirds for earnings of $559,159.

            "He has had three good works," Trisha Vance said. "I love him. I just hope we don't lose him."

            For the record, the 2002 Derby starters that have offspring entered Wednesday are Proud Citizen, Came Home, Harlan's Holiday and Johannesburg.

BARN TALK - Julien Leparoux added to his meet-leading victory total with one triumph Sunday to give him 38 through the first 17 days of the meet. Should Leparoux maintain his average of 2.2 wins a day over the final nine days of the meet, he would conclude with 57 victories and break the 23-year-old standard established by Pat Day with 55 wins in a 30-day meet. ... Nominations close Saturday for two $56,000-added overnight handicaps on the turf for 2-year-olds to be run on closing day, Nov. 29.  The Caressing for fillies will be run at a mile and the open Grand Canyon is at 1 1/16 miles. ... A happy 42nd birthday today to jockey E.T. Baird.

WORK TAB - There were no works Tuesday morning because the track was closed to training because of frozen conditions. The cold weather persisted Wednesday morning and no works were recorded. The work tab runneth over on a brisk Monday morning with 137 horses earning times over track labeled as "muddy" before the renovation break and "good" afterward. Bullet works were put in by a couple of runners prepping for anticipated runs on Saturday. Amerman Racing Stables' Demarcation, slated for the Grade III River City Handicap, covered five furlongs on a "good" surface in 1:00.40, the best of 53 at the distance, for trainer Paul McGee. Summerplace Farm's Kelly's Landing worked a half-mile in :47.20 over a "good" surface, the best of 67 at the distance, for trainer Eddie Kenneally in advance of Saturday's Bet On Sunshine overnight handicap. Also working toward the Bet On Sunshine was Marilyn and James Helzer's undefeated Euroears, who covered a half-mile in :50.60 (good) for trainer Bret Calhoun. Other notable works included stakes-winning 2-year-old fillies C.S. Silk (:47.80, good) and Sara Louise (:50.40, good) for trainer Dale Romans, Corlett (1:03.60, muddy) for trainer Darrin Miller and Sugar Mom (1:03.80, good) for trainer Wayne Catalano. Travers (GI) runner-up Mambo in Seattle worked five furlongs in 1:05.60 (muddy) for trainer Neil Howard and Macho Again, winner of the Derby Trial and Jim Dandy (GII) worked five furlongs in 1:02.60 (good) for trainer Dallas Stewart. 

MILESTONE WATCH - Trainer Mike Maker needs one victory to establish a new standard for wins by a trainer during a Churchill Downs Fall Meet. He and Dale Romans (2003) currently share the record with 20 winners. Maker, who will begin Week 4 of the five-week Fall Meet with a 20-11 advantage over Ken McPeek, has five horses entered at Churchill Downs on Wednesday . . . Maker led all trainer with six wins from 11 starters last week (Nov. 11-16). Eddie Kenneally went 5-for-11 and Todd Pletcher was 4-for-7 . . . Through Tuesday, trainer Steve Asmussen had 547 winners this year, just eight victories shy of his 2004 North American record of 555 wins in a year. He has four horses entered Wednesday: two at Churchill and two at Aqueduct . . . Owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey have already won a Fall Meet record 16 races through the first 17 days of the meet, a dozen more than Maggi Moss, Rose Barney's Scarlet Stable and Bill Casner and Kenny Troutt's WinStar Farm. The record for wins by an owner at any Churchill Downs meet is A.J. Foyt Jr.'s 27 during the 1984 Spring Meet, which was held over 93 dates . . . The Ramseys led all owners with five wins from nine starters last week. Overbrook Farm went 2-for-2.

THIS WEEK'S GUEST ANNOUNCER: LARRY COLLMUS - Veteran racecaller Larry Collmus, the voice of Gulfstream Park, Monmouth Park and Suffolk Downs, will describe this week's racing action (Wednesday, Nov. 19 through Sunday, Nov. 23) as Churchill Downs continues its search to replace the late Luke Kruytbosch as the next "Voice of the Kentucky Derby".

There will be a different track announcer each week during the five-week Fall Meet. Calder's Bobby Neuman, Louisiana Downs' Travis Stone and Golden Gate's Michael Wrona made guest appearances in the first three weeks of the meet, respectively. England's Mark Johnson will take his turn behind the mic on closing week (Nov. 26-29).

Churchill Downs officials are seeking input from customers and encouraging comment via email at announcer@kyderby.com.

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

The canned goods can be delivered to Churchill Downs on those dates or any Louisville area Forcht Bank through Nov. 22 in exchange for the complimentary admission pass.

All donations will benefit Kentucky Harvest.

MEET'S FINAL FRIDAY HAPPY HOURS SCHEDULED THIS WEEK - This Friday is the final "Friday Happy Hours" of the 2008 Fall Meet. The New Orleans-themed event features $2 Budweiser Select, $2 hurricanes, $2 Fischer's hot dogs and live jazz music by Hambone in the upper Jockey Club's paddock balcony area from 3-5 p.m.   

 KENT DESORMEAUX GLASS GIVEAWAY ON SATURDAY - The week's promotional calendar is highlighted by the last of three collectable hurricane glass giveaways that salute popular Cajun jockeys who ride at Churchill Downs. A Kent Desormeaux glass, sponsored by Kentucky Derby Party, will be given away to the first 5,000 paid and pre-paid admissions (includes patrons who bring two canned goods for admission in conjunction with the Kentucky Harvest Thanksgiving Food Drive) on Saturday, Nov. 22.

            Fans who receive the glass can come back to Churchill Downs on Sunday, Nov. 23 for an autograph session with Desormeaux on the second floor of the clubhouse.

            A glass depicting Calvin Borel, sponsored by Thorntons, was given away Nov. 8. A Robby Albarado glass, presented by GE, was given away Nov. 15.

 JUNIOR JOCKEY CLUB WEEKEND ACTIVITIES - Crafts to create a Thanksgiving Banner of Blessings and special tours of the paddock highlight this weekend's activities at Churchill Downs' Junior Jockey Club located near the Guest Services Booth inside Gate. 10. Coloring books, crayons, individual games and reading material are available as well, and Churchill Downs' mascot Churchill Charlie will be on hand both Saturday and Sunday for photographs between 1-1:30 p.m.

 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. 23 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. To reserve a spot, call (502) 636-4400.