CHURCHILL DOWNS NOTEBOOK
JULY 2, 2009
by Frank Cotolo
On June 26, another Friday night program ensued at Churchill presenting 11
races and again the joint was jumping with new and old fans. This was the second
evening program in the 135-year history of the classic Louisville, Kentucky, facility.
Four favorites won on the racetrack but all horses were treated to cold water
no matter where they finished in order to quickly cool as the sweltering heat
lasted well until after sunset. Such weather can cause deadly heat stroke in Thoroughbreds.
The third and final night program for this meet is on Thursday beginning at 6
p.m. (EDT). Churchill officials will review the three evening-card experiments before
making decisions about future night racing.
The spring meet ends July 5. We will still offer Horses to Watch (see below)
so that you can follow them during the last week if they show up at Louisville
and wherever they go to race beyond July 5.
Track stats
With the last week of racing for this meet upon us, it does not look as if
the rate of favorites will alter but a point or so. Through June 28, favorites
have won 144 times, putting the percentage of public-choice winners at a solid
34 percent. Even if the final 41 or so races remaining offered no winning favorites (a
doubtful scenario), the meet will have produced a common figure for the
public-choice victories. As we mentioned last week, the stat includes all
distances, turf and dirt, and all track conditions.
On the trainers’ front, it appears that team Steve Asmussen will take the title for
conditioners unless his nearest competitor, Michael Maker, can muster up more
than a handful of wins. However, the most important statistic — trainer with
best winning percentage — will most likely belong to James Baker. Going into the
final week he has a remarkable 41-percent tally, overtaking Bret Calhoun, whose
stock calmed down after a great May into June.
Coming up
Three top stakes highlight the final three days of the meet.
On Friday, juveniles go six furlongs in the Bashford Manor S. (G3).
On the following day, three-year-olds and up battle a mile on the turf in the Firecracker
H. (G2). And on the final day of the meet, distaffers will take on nine furlongs to choose a winner in the
grassy Locust Grove H. (G3).
D. Wayne Lukas won the featured Debutante S. (G3) last week, his seventh
victory in the event. He has also won with horses in the Bashford a record
five times and will try for six on with two entries — SOUNDMAN
(Songandaprayer) and WESTROCK GOLD (Touch Gold).
Looking to make noise in Saturday’s Firecracker is defending-champion
THORN SONG (Unbridled’s Song). The Dale Romans-trained horse upset Einstein
(Brz) (Spend a Buck) in last year’s running.
The main competition here is TIZDAJAVU (Tiznow) and MR. SIDNEY (Storm Cat).
ACOMA (Empire Maker), trained by David Carroll, should go off favored in the closing-card stakes,
the Locust Grove, on Sunday. The turf event could also feature GLORIA GOODBODY
(Arch),
TENSAS YUCATAN (Ide), CLOSEOUT (Repriced), FLAMING SLEW (Slew City Slew) and STEALIN’ KISSES
(Sky Mesa).
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (6/25)
4TH — VOW BUSTER (Broken Vow) dueled hard and impressively the first part of this maiden
claimer to stay on the lead.
5TH — CLASH OF ARMS (Speightstown) had a terrible trip three deep and still got to the
front by a hair only to be passed late.
6TH — HIDDEN BAY (Seeking the Gold) flashed wicked early speed at 11-1 as a wake-up call,
though he was caught at the half.
7TH — TOUCH HERE (Touch Gold) was sharp with speed to the half in this maiden
special
weight and could drop and romp.
Friday (6/26)
1ST — NO IMAGE (Stone Bridge) was tough chasing a big winner in this mile where he went off
at a surprising 16-1.
3RD — SIR FIVE STAR (Five Star Day) looked sharp coming in from Indiana and at 6-1 wove
through late and held well for second.
5TH — UNION BELLE (Dixie Union) looked good in a late rush after leaving from post 9 and
walking for a pair of panels. She was four wide closing in this maiden claimer.
8TH — KSAR GHILANE (Grand Slam) opened some eyes while getting third, which was attained
during a five-wide trip.
11TH — CAPT OBVIOUS (Came Home) started from post 12 and was sharp under
Jesus Castanon, going
four wide and gaining slowly to place.
Saturday (6/27)
3RD — ART WORLD (Five Star Day) was caught dueling for third at the quarter and half with a
17-1 shot while stalking dangerously.
5TH — TRICKLE ME GOOD (Matty G) set the pace launching from post 10 at 76-1 and was
strong until the stretch in this seven-furlong adventure.
6TH — BRIDGETOWN (Speightstown) had a wonderful debut going five furlongs on the green,
tracking the top one to finish second at 10-1.
8TH — KINSEY (Delaware Township) was well meant at 5-1 in his first start and finished fourth.
Sunday (6/28)
2ND — SINUS RHYTHM (Cuvee) set the pace strongly in this 1 1/16-mile dirt affair but came
up short.
5TH — FUTURE EMPRESS (Teton Forest) was claimed after showing good presence in this short
dash and goes into the hands of Cecil Borel.
9TH — SELECTIVE (Tapit) was bothered repeatedly while trying to obtain the lead and
still wound up second.