Cigar Street smooth in Homecoming Classic

Cigar Street (center) led the way home in the Homecoming Classic (Churchill Downs/Reed Palmer Photography)

Jake Ballis and Rashard Lewis’ Cigar Street got back on track in Saturday’s
$135,500

Homecoming Classic Stakes at
Churchill Downs.

“It makes it a lot more fun when you win a race,” said current NBA star
Lewis, who recently signed with the Dallas Mavericks but had his contract
rescinded following a failed physical. “I told myself I wanted to come to
Churchill Downs for the (Kentucky)
Derby first time to be here. But my horse was running today and I wanted to
be here to support him. This is an awesome time.

“It most definitely was a slam dunk. But I’m a three-point shooter, so I’m
going to say it was a three-point shot — it was three points and not two
points. Just the fact that he got the win was the most important thing for us —
even though it was only his second race back. He looked great and we just hope
he continues to get better. We want to just take it one step at a time but today
was a good day.”

A beaming Jake Ballis and Rashard Lewis displayed the Homecoming Classic plate (Churchill Downs/Reed Palmer Photography)

Cigar Street was latched onto the outside of the pacesetter in the early
going before taking over the lead around the far turn. The five-year-old dark
bay horse dug in and fended off his competition in the stretch to prevail by 1
3/4 lengths.

“He’s a big, powerful horse,” jockey Shaun Bridgmohan said. “I’m just happy
they selected me to ride him. We had a perfect trip. All I had to do was be a
mere passenger.”

The son of Street Sense covered 1 1/8 miles over the fast main track in 1:49
4/5 as the 2-1 second choice and paid $6.80 for the score.

Departing, the 6-5 favorite, got up for second and was a half-length clear of
Call Me George in third. Pick of the Litter, Carve and Perfect Title rounded out
the order of finish.

“We had no excuses,” said Al Stall Jr., trainer of runner-up Departing. “We
had enough of the racetrack in front of us from the quarter pole home. Cigar
Street had a very moderate pace and ran like a good horse, and he might be a
good horse. But he tried. We’re not thrilled that he didn’t win, but we’re happy
that we’re back in the game a little bit.”

“I’d say probably the Fayette at Keeneland,” said Stall, when asked where
Departing might go next. “We might look down the road at the Clark. That makes a
lot of sense.”