Juveniles will be in the spotlight Saturday at Churchill Downs in the
$100,000 Iroquois S. (G3) and $100,000 Pocahontas S. (G3). A baker’s dozen is
entered for both one-mile, one-turn events.
In the Iroquois, Breeders’ Futurity (G1) runner-up CATCOMINATCHA (Tale of the
Cat) could vie for favoritism under Rafael Bejarano, who captured his first
Breeders’ Cup race aboard Intercontinental (GB) (Danehill) and won the riding
title at the recently concluded Keeneland meet. The Eddie Kenneally-trained colt
also owns a second-place finish in the James C. Ellis Juvenile S. LAITY
(Pulpit), a smashing 11 3/4-length winner of the Cradle S. two starts back, and
Breeders’ Futurity fourth-placer SHARP ATTACK (Storm Cat) both bring fine
credentials into the race.
Jerry Bailey will be in Louisville, Kentucky, to ride FLANDERS FIELDS (A.P.
Indy) in the Iroquois. Out of champion Flanders (Seeking the Gold), the juvenile colt exits a 6
1/2-length maiden score at Belmont Park and will break from the far outside in
his stakes bow. TESTIMONY (Yes It’s True) romped by 7 1/2 lengths over maiden
special weight rivals in New York last out, and RIGHT PLACE N TIME (Coronado’s
Quest) enters off an impressive 10-length tally in his career debut at Keeneland.
The complete field, from the rail with jockeys, is MR. PINSTRIPE (Yankee
Victor), Brice Blanc; HIGH COTTON (Dixie Union), Javier Castellano; MONDAVI
(Maria’s Mon), Mike Smith; Right Place n Time, Shaun Bridgmohan; Catcominatcha;
RED RAYMOND (Deputy Commander), John McKee; Sharp Attack, Robby Albarado;
CHARLEY TANGO (Maria’s Mon), Mark Guidry; Laity, Corey Lanerie; Testimony, David
Flores; GRAND SURVIVAL (Grand Slam), Gary Stevens; BRASSIE PRINCE (Storm and a
Half), Calvin Borel; and Flanders Fields.
The Pocahontas marks the stakes debut for FRENCH PARK (Ecton Park), a
smashing 12 1/4-length winner of her career bow at Keeneland. Guidry
rides the Helen Pitts-conditioned gray filly. Other contenders include Alciabides S. (G2) third-placer PERFORMING DIVA (Storm Cat), COOLWIND (Forest
Wildcat), who finished third in the Arlington-Washington Breeders’ Cup Lassie S. (G3), and
recent Keeneland allowance winner DANCE DAILY (Five Star Day).
WILD TONIGHT (Wild Again) will lead the post parade under McKee. Next comes
Performing Diva, Smith; TRIPPI STREET (Trippi), Albarado; TRICK’S PIC (Favorite
Trick), Stevens; MYKINDASAINT (Saint Ballado), Flores; MORE THAN PRETTY (More
Than Ready), Jesus Castanon; MOTION (Albert the Great), John Jacinto; French
Park; LADY DANZA (Cryptoclearance), Willie Martinez; SWEPT GOLD (Touch Gold),
Bejarano; Coolwind, Eusebio Razo Jr.; MAGGIE SLEW (Seattle Slew), Castellano;
and Dance Daily, Lanerie.