Alsvid confirms fondness for course in Kelly's Landing

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - There was never any doubt for Alsvid on Saturday night, as the 7-year-old millionaire threw down the gauntlet early and made his own pace to take the $67,000 Kelly's Landing Stakes, the 11th stakes score of his career.

The closing-night win wrapped up a productive Churchill Downs meet for Alsvid, as he finished second in the Grade 3 Twin Spires Turf Sprint on the Kentucky Oaks undercard before winning the Grade 3 Aristides Stakes for the second straight year. He has never finished off the board at this track.

"He loves Churchill," said trainer Chris Hartman, who trains Alsvid, a son of Officer, for Black Hawk Stable. "He started getting a lot better when he got here. He's got another half of the year. He can do either way, turf or dirt, so he's opened a few doors for us there. We have more options.”

Alsvid ($3.80) was away swiftly from the outside post under regular rider Chris Landeros, and quickly cleared the field through an opening quarter-mile in 23.24 seconds, and widened his margin around the far turn through an easy half in 46.42. He held sway under a hand ride in the final stages, hitting the wire 1 1/2 lengths in front while stopping the clock in 1:22.55 for the seven furlongs.

"There wasn't a lot of pace in the race,” Hartman said. “He got to make his own pace, and 46 is a real easy half a mile for him. That's an afternoon gallop. He was just out there strolling along.”

After Alsvid, Schivarelli checked in second, just three-quarters of a length ahead of multiple graded stakes winner Island Town, who was making his first start since September.

Hartman did not immediately name a next target for his stable star.

“I'm gonna wait and let ‘Ali’ tell me when he's ready to run,” Hartman said. “We let him pick his spots.”