Chrysalis Stables’ homebred SILVERFOOT (With Approval) walked into the gate
as the two-time defending champion in the $108,400
Louisville H. (G3) on Monday. By the end of the 1 3/8 miles over the turf at
Churchill Downs, the nearly white gelding had called on every ounce of his
courage to wear the crown for the third straight year. Under Mark Guidry, the
Dallas Stewart charge finished the firm-turf contest in 2:16 4/5. In so doing,
he emulated Chorwon, winner of the 1997-99 runnings of this event.
As usual, Silverfoot dropped well back to fourth in the early going, with
Ramazutti (Honor Grades) waltzing contentedly up front through fractions of :26,
:50 4/5, 1:16 1/5 and 1:41 2/5. Into the stretch, Ramazutti set sail for home,
and his pursuers appeared to be making no headway as he passed the eighth pole
in 2:05. Inside the final furlong, however, Silverfoot muscled his way between
rivals and struck top gear. Gradually clawing into the leader’s margin, he drew
alongside and thrust his neck in front at the line. Ramazutti held second by
three-quarters of a length over Quest Star (Broad Brush), who had that same
margin to spare over Watershed Event (Charismatic) in fourth.
Dispatched as the even-money favorite, Silverfoot returned $4, $2.80 and
$2.20. Ramazutti paid $6.20 and $4 at odds of more than 9-1, and Quest Star
yielded $2.80 as the 7-2 second choice. The exotics totaled $26.80 (exacta),
$96.40 (trifecta), and $302.80 (3-2-5-1 superfecta).
Pellegrino (Brz) (Nugget Point [Ire]) was fifth, trailed by Nolan’s Cat (Catienus).
The six-year-old Kentucky-bred is the first foal from the stakes-winning
Northern Silver (Silver Ghost), who has also produced an unnamed yearling colt
by Jump Start.
Silverfoot’s record now stands at 20-9-1-2 with $672,282 in earnings. In
addition to his three Louisville titles, the winner’s resume includes a victory
in last year’s Kentucky Cup Turf H. (G3), a second in the 2005 United Nations H.
(G1) and most recently, a third in the Elkhorn S. (G3) at Keeneland.