11/17/2012 10:05PM

Churchill Downs: Centre Court much the best in Mrs. Revere

By Marty McGee
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Churchill Downs/Reed Palmer Photography
Centre Court, under Julien Leparoux, wins her third straight graded stakes in the Mrs. Revere.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Centre Court got a textbook ride from Julien Leparoux in posting a convincing two-length triumph Saturday night in 22nd running of the Grade 2, $202,125 Mrs. Revere Stakes, the anchor of the lone Downs After Dark card at the Churchill Downs fall meet.

Trained to the minute by Rusty Arnold, Centre Court stalked the pace in the 1 1/16-mile race set by longshot English Class before taking over at the top of the stretch. From there, the filly simply widened before being eased up in the final 40 yards by Leparoux, the one-time dominant jockey at Churchill.

Leading Astray finished second, followed by Colonial Flag and Solid Appeal.

“I love when a plan comes together,” said Arnold. “We’ll take her down to Florida, give her the time off she deserves, and look forward to the [Grade 1] Jenny Wiley at Keeneland in April. She ran a tremendous race tonight.”

Centre Court, bred and owned by G. Watts Humphrey Jr., returned $5 as favorite in a field of 12 3-year-old fillies after finishing in 1:42.54 over firm going.

Drs. David Richardson and Hiram Polk, who bred and raced Mrs. Revere in partnership in the early 1980s with trainer Bill Mott, presented the winning trophy.

Ontrack attendance amid terrific autumn weather was estimated by Daily Racing Form at 16,000.

 

 

AROL ABEL More than 1 year ago
The best jock in America....returns to his house to dominate! Great job Leppy...but very nice horse bright future!
Joe Rockhold More than 1 year ago
On turf I may agree with you but on dirt he's not in my top 20.
akhiym james More than 1 year ago
I agree with joe I love leparoux but he not as good on dirt. He doesn't know how to get a horse out the gate. He just gets really good horses but I prefer him on turf.
Frank More than 1 year ago
Leparoux is one of the most overrated jockeys of today. Hell this horse was so much the best in this race -- The morning excerise rider could of won with him. His ride on King David in that stakes race before was very very bad. He obviously had the best horse to finish like he did -- He screwed that horse up bad on the final turn and lost the race. He did the same thing with Union Rags this year -- all it took was a jockey change and the horse wins a classis!