CHURCHILL NOTEBOOK
MAY 28, 2010
by Frank Cotolo
A big holiday weekend announces the new summer season and with it comes
another month of Churchill Downs racing. Memorial Day offers a full program
before June begins and the Holiday Weekend at the Louisville, Kentucky, track
presents a trio of $100,000 stakes: two on Saturday and one on Monday.
The Aristides H. (G3), a six-furlong run is for three-year-olds and up, is a
Saturday’s co-feature along with one-mile Dogwood S. (G3) for sophomore fillies.
On Monday, fillies and mares will go six panels in the Winning Colors S. (G3).
This past week delivered 41 races on both surfaces and the bettors performed
their best to date with 41-percent winners identified. Over the 190 races since
this meet began, the public has been correct 37 percent of the time. This, for
me, proves the racing so far is competitive and going much to form. That, of
course, relates to favorable conditions for handicappers.
We have been doing well with our Horses-to-Watch list. Below we offer four
more winners from past lists.
Surface report
It was a fast main track all week with 32 events. Although there were only
eight wire-to-wire wins, there were 18 close-to-the-pace victories. Those 18
alone represent 56 percent of the winners, while the eight wire-to-wires make up
25 percent.
Coming from four or more lengths behind was not productive, with only six
winners, which was 19 percent.
On the turf course, there were only nine events but the same held true for
winning style. Sixty-six percent of the nine winners were close to the pace in
their journeys, while only one went gate to wire and two came from far out of
the pack.
Trainers
Eight conditioners had doubles over the four racing programs: Michael Maker,
Ken McPeek, Greg Foley, Bill Connelly, Charles Dickey, Bill Mott, Mike Lauer and
Eddie Kenneally.
Judith Parke saddled the week’s only first-time starter winner.
HORSES TO WATCH
Our Horses-to-Watch lists continue to produce winners. Here are this week’s
in win-price order:
BE RICH (Sarava), $12.40
SPRIGHTLY STAR (Pioneering), $6
CONDITION RED (Red Bullet), $5
HANDS ON (Friendly Lover), $4.40
Thursday (5/20)
9TH — YOU BETTER BELIEVE (A.P. Indy) could have raced better if he wasn’t
bumped badly at the start, though he hustled to get the lead anyway and held on
gamely for third.
Friday (5/21)
2ND — SPLIT FINGER (Smart Strike) was hurt by a duel to the half and lost
position late.
6TH — FIVE PLUS FIVE (Value Plus) dueled three wide to stay in the lead to
the three-eighths and just ran out of steam from the move.
9TH — KARACUDA (Candy Ride [Arg]) is on a roll. The filly went wire to wire
for Maker and is a bet-back proposition stepping up or not.
Saturday (5/22)
8TH — GENIVER (Arch) could not survive a three-wide brush to the top.
11TH — ELLA POOH (Action This Day) dueled, fell back, came on again strongly
but faced another duel that ruined the day.
Sunday (5/23)
4TH — LADY MACQUEEN (Eurosilver) made a good racing debut at 12-1, with
speed that can carry better soon.
6TH — DEPUTY DAMSEL (Deputy Commander) had a slow start, forcing a
five-across charge to gain ground late.