Churchill Downs Update: Sixth Consecutive September Meet Crown in Sight for Gaffalione

Sep 27, 2025

Jockey Tyler Gaffalione will try to secure his sixth straight September Meet riding title during the final two days of the meet while holding a 22-15 advantage over Irad Ortiz Jr., who is riding his first full meet at Churchill Downs.

Gaffalione, a 13-time leading rider beneath the Twin Spires, has won the last five September Meets. Two years ago, he set a September Meet record with 27 victories. He was named to ride in all 21 races remaining at the meet.

Ortiz’s brother Jose Ortiz is third with 11 wins but will ride at Aqueduct on Saturday and Remington Park on Sunday.

Luis Saez entered Saturday in fourth with 10 wins followed by Edgar Morales (7), Corey Lanerie (5), Florent Geroux (4), Brian Hernandez Jr. (4), Julien Leparoux (4) and Luan Machado (4).

The race for leading trainer remains undecided with Brad Cox holding a 9-6 lead over David Jacobson. Cox has 11 horses entered for the weekend, while Jacobson has five. A title would give Cox his fourth consecutive September Meet crown and ninth overall. Jacobson is seeking his first Churchill Downs leading trainer title.

There is a six-way tie for third in the trainers’ standings with four wins apiece between Tom Amoss, Norm Casse, Eric Foster, Mike Maker, Joe Sharp and Dallas Stewart.

The owner standings are tightly contested with Jacobson’s four wins in front of four-time local leader Godolphin and C R K Stable, who are tied for second with three victories.

Sunday’s closing day program will feature mandatory payouts in all wagers, including the 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot, which stood at $199,103 into Saturday’s card.

TOP JUVENILES BLACKOUT TIME, BIG DOM, IT’S OUR TIME POST SATURDAY WORKS – Several promising 2-year-olds recorded workouts Saturday morning at Churchill Downs, including standout maiden winners Blackout Time (five furlongs, 1:00.40), Big Dom (five furlongs, 1:01.40) and It’s Our Time (five furlongs, 1:01.40).

Blackout Time, owned by Brookdale Racing and Lance Gasaway, was a dominant 9 ¾-length maiden special weight winner in early August at Ellis Park. The Kenny McPeek trainee is probable for next Saturday’s $650,000 Breeders’ Futurity (GI) at Keeneland.

Also possible for the Breeders’ Futurity is Greenwell Thoroughbreds’ Big Dom, who worked in company with his Tom Amoss-trained stablemate It’s Our Time. While Big Dom targets the Breeders’ Futurity, Double Down Horse Racing’s 17 ¾-length Saratoga debut winner It’s Our Time is probable for next Saturday’s $500,000 Champagne (GI) at Belmont at the Big A.

The Breeders’ Futurity and Champagne are part of a trio of Road to the Kentucky Derby “Prep Season” races next Saturday along with Santa Anita’s $300,000 American Pharoah Stakes (GI).

DOWN THE STRETCH – Saturday’s Lukas Classic Day program began at 12:45 p.m. featuring the $500,000 Lukas Classic (GII) and $400,000 Ack Ack (GIII). The day also doubled as Thoroughbred Aftercare Day with nine of the country’s leading aftercare organizations on-site to give fans a glimpse at off-track careers for retired racehorses. … The Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby began Saturday at Newmarket with 8-5 favorite Bow Echo (IRE) winning the one-mile Tattersalls Online Royal Lodge Stakes (GII) by three-quarters of a length over Humidity (GB). Billy Loughnane rode the winner for trainer George Boughey and owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum. Action (IRE) was third, Pacific Avenue (IRE) was fourth and Daytona (IRE) was fifth. … For more information about the Churchill Downs September Meet, visit www.churchilldowns.com.