CHURCHILL DOWNS NOTEBOOK
MAY 28, 2008
by John Mucciolo
A pair of graded events took place over the Memorial Day weekend.
Louisville H. (G3): Claiborne Farm’s homebred LATTICE (Arch) returned
to his winning ways with a smart, three-quarters of a length win in here for
Albert Stall, Jr. The talented four-year-old saved all the ground under a heady
ride from Robby Albarado, reaching the wire in 2:31 for 1 1/2 miles on the firm
ground.
Winning Colors S. (G3): Team West Side Stables et al’s GRAEME SIX
(Graeme Hall) always looked like a winner in here for Tom Amoss, staying in
close range early before putting away her foes under Julien Leparoux. The
multiple stakes-winning four-year-old is a very talented runner, evidenced by
her final time of 1:09 for six panels.
Track Stats
A total of 61 races were held last week at the Louisville, Kentucky, venue,
with favorites winning at a 31 rate and the top two betting choices combining
for 59 percent of the wins. From 48 races on the famed main oval, seven animals
won in wire-to-wire fashion (15 percent), while two of the 13 grassy tests were
won in front-running style (15 percent).
There have been, as is customary at this meet, a high percentage of
short-priced runners coming through in recent weeks, so it is hard to find fault
with either surface. The dirt at Churchill could be tiring at times, like we saw
on Monday, but speed can hold, as we witnessed on Saturday.
We feel that the place to be is the middle of the track turning for home,
with so many horses use this route on their way to the winner’s circle. A total
of 46 winners from the 61 races broke from posts 2-6.
The lawn has played more fairly than what we expected after the first two
weeks of a front-running bias. While the green doesn’t necessarily aid deep
closers, late-running types aren’t without a chance when the going is firm.
The early Pick 4 continues to be a prosperous endeavor, as the average payoff
for the past week was $1,108, which is huge considering Saturday’s early Pick 4
gave back but $37. On half of the days, the payoff exceeded $1,000, which is
especially generous with many short-priced horses comprising the sequence.
Meet Totals
RACES: 235
DIRT: 193
TURF: 42
FAVORITES: 90 (38 percent)
2ND CHOICES: 49 (21 percent)
TURF WIRE: 10 (24 percent)
DIRT WIRE: 29 (15 percent)
Post Positions (wins):
RAIL: 22 (9 percent)
1-3: 95 (40 percent)
4-6: 100 (43 percent)
7-out: 40 (17 percent)
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (5/21)
4TH — DRAGUM (Menifee) was a clear second behind the 3-5 A to the Croft
(Menifee) in here and rates a big chance with minor improvement for conditioner
Merrill Scherer. The four-year-old miss has useful tactical speed and probably
wouldn’t mind more ground either.
Thursday (5/22)
8TH — MS. MARGARET H. (Point Given) went last to first in this one for
trainer Ian Wilkes, completing his final three furlongs in a swift :35 4/5. The
sophomore filly has won two straight at the meet and appears to have a bright
future.
9TH — SONGSTRESS (Songandaprayer) was confidently handled by Shaun
Bridgmohan and for good reason, as the juvenile miss dusted a sharp field in
here for Steve Asmussen. She looks like a very promising prospect.
Friday (5/23)
9TH — TEQUILAS DAYJUR (Dayjur) is a very nice filly and should be taken
seriously following this impressive tally under Tracy Hebert. The four-year-old
made short work of a decent field in here under virtually no urging until the
final furlong in the lane. A winner in four of her five career starts
(two-for-two this year), it wouldn’t be a shock if the William Anderson trainee
attracts substantial offers from one or more deep-pocketed owners in the near
future.
Sunday (5/25)
9TH — INDIAN ASHTON (Tribal Rule) missed the break in a stakes event of
Derby weekend but rebounded in here with a comprehensive wire-to-wire win under
Elvis Trujillo. The talented turf sprinter will surely be stakes bound in his
next endeavor.
10TH — KNOCK OUT CAT (Giant’s Causeway) was another sharp-looking debuter
from the Asmussen barn, topping a deep field at first asking beneath Bridgmohan.
The Kentucky-bred wore down an interesting prospect in here late and should only
improve with experience.
Monday (5/26)
7TH — THEREGOESJOJO (Brahms) closed like a freight train in this one for
trainer Ken McPeek and the juvenile appears to have a very bright future
following this sharp tally. From a visual perspective, the colt looked like he
was gaining a length with every one of his lengthy strides in the stretch. He
could be any type.
MINE ALL MINE (Belong to Me) won the battle but lost the war in here for
Wesley Ward, but we can’t imagine this one being a maiden for long. The favorite
got the best of a stretch duel with the impeccably-bred Bullion Cache (Seeking
the Gold) but no had chance of holding off the surging winner in the final
yards. He was, however, more than four lengths clear of the show horse.
10TH — MISS MACY SUE (Trippi) lost nearly all chance at the start but still
put in a strong effort in defeat in this dash. The four-year-old lass was at
least four-wide for the majority of the race but still managed to get up for the
place. She’s been compromised by a wicked pace duel and a horrific start in her
last pair, and a little luck should land her in the winner’s circle.
11TH — DELTA STORM (Storm Boot) might turn out to be a terrific claim for
Tom Proctor, as the gelded seven-year-old might have found his niche as a turf
sprinter. The Kentucky-bred demolished a deep field in the lane under Miguel
Mena and appeared to be stakes worthy following this sharp victory. It must be
good to have a claim in on a runner and have him respond like this one did.