Breen sends seven for Churchill fall meet

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Kelly Breen typically is nowhere near Kentucky at this time of year, but the trainer sent seven horses to run at the Churchill fall meet.

“We came for the Chilukki,” said Breen, referring to the runner-up finish by Money’soncharlotte in the Grade 2 race here last Saturday. “I thought I’d bring a few extra.”

Breen, a longtime leading trainer in New Jersey, said his final starter at Churchill likely will be Nov. 19 before he regroups his stable in Florida.

Eight for Commonwealth Turf

Eight 3-year-olds have been entered in the weekend highlight at Churchill, the Grade 3 Commonwealth Turf on Saturday, with likely favorite Mr. Misunderstood shooting for his seventh victory from his last eight starts.

From the hedge, this is the field for the 1 1/16-mile turf race: Sharm El Sheikh, My Bariley, Mr Cub, Parlor, Gorgeous Kitten, Mr. Misunderstood, Tiz a Slam, and Giant Payday.

Poor weather scraps turf

After two races scheduled for the grass Wednesday were moved to the main track because of wet ground, turf racing had taken place on only two of the first seven days of racing at the 21-day Churchill fall meet.

Only four turf races had been run at the meet through Wednesday, but better weather was in the forecast, meaning the turf course likely would be used every day this week starting Thursday.

◗ Princess Warrior exited her eighth in the BC Juvenile Fillies in good shape and is a possibility to run back in the Nov. 25 Golden Rod on the final weekend of the Churchill fall meet, said trainer Kenny McPeek.

Second as the favorite in the Grade 1 Alcibiades last month at Keeneland, Princess Warrior was dismissed at 19-1 in the Juvenile Fillies, her third career race.

– additional reporting by Byron King