Churchill Downs Inc. had net income of $3.5 million in the third quarter of 2014, a sharp decline from net income of $9.2 million in the third quarter of last year, as revenue from its racetracks and many of its casinos continued to weaken, according to financial documents released by the company on Wednesday.
In his brief but remarkable five-race career, No Nay Never has won graded or group stakes in England, France, and Kentucky. Even in a growing era of international racing, that is unheard of. Fittingly, No Nay Never’s next challenge is one far from trainer Wesley Ward’s Kentucky stable where he is based – Saturday’s $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita.
I felt strongly about KARAKONTIE before the draw, and I won’t abandon him despite his terrible post. His last two starts (big trouble last time, wrong distance two back) are throw outs. He won the French 2000 Guineas three back, was a Group 1 winner last year, and yet will still be a good price.
At first glance, DANK might not seem like the horse she was when she won this race last year, but take a second look at the competition she’s faced this season: The Fugue, Magician, and Treve in one start and Just a Way, who might be the best horse in the world, in the other. Dank hasn’t been out since June but won last year off an August layoff and is in the best of hands.
To view Dank up close this week at Santa Anita, one would have to believe the European star is the same top mare who won the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf one year ago. Physically, she looks that good.
The following are workout reports and impressions for horses racing on Friday’s Breeders’ Cup program who were seen by Mike Vesce and me in New York and California over the past several weeks.
Champion Zenyatta's weanling filly by popular young commercial sire War Front was euthanized on Oct. 28 following a paddock accident.
On Friday night at Hoosier Park, J K Endofanera looks for a significant win in the $275,000 Monument Circle. A victory might give the Art Major-sired colt all the momentum he needs to earn the division title.
