Ack Ack

Churchill Downs opens its fall meet Sunday with the 12th running of the
$150,000 Ack Ack H. (G3). FIRE SLAM (Grand Slam) comes off a two-month layoff
and is our pick to win the oddly-distanced 7 1/2-furlong race.

The David Carroll charge stumbled in the King’s Bishop S. (G1) last out and
failed to post better than a sixth-place result. Despite that outcome, however,
he shows the most promise in this field. Pat Day will fly in from Lone Star to
make his sixth straight appearance aboard the three-year-old colt.

BATTLE WON (Honour and Glory) comes off a victory in the Woodford S., where
he sat just off the lead before moving up to take the test in the stretch. Watch
for a first-class performance from the Charles Simon trainee.

SIR CHEROKEE (Cherokee Run) has not raced for more than four months, but has
thrown impressive BRIS Speed figures in his past performances. His last couple
of races resulted in mediocre results, but the four-year-old colt has room to
improve and a good shot of landing on the board here.

STERLING GOLD (Mutakddim) finished 5 1/4-lengths ahead of the nearest runner
last out in a claiming race. The five-year-old gelding will be making his first
run for trainer Joe Woodard. Jesus Castanon has the call. CAPPUCHINO (Capote) is
the only horse to have experience at this distance and has one win in his three
tries. The five-year-old horse will defend his Ack Ack title from 2003 and
enters off a victory in the Turfway Park Fall Championship S. (G3) last out.

PRIVATE HORDE (Brunswick) comes off a disappointing seventh-place outing and
may hit the board should jockey Rafael Bejarano get him out in the clear. SLATE
RUN (Hennessy) ran a notable allowance race in his last trip and could impress
in the end.