Calhoun eyes Roxelana Stakes for Finley'sluckycharm
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Finley’sluckycharm, the standout sprinter who was not entered in the Grade 3 Bed o’ Roses on Friday at Belmont Park, is being considered for the $75,000 Roxelana on June 23 at Churchill.
“It’ll probably either be that or just wait for the Honorable Miss” on July 25 at Saratoga, said trainer Bret Calhoun. “The mare’s doing very well. All we’re doing is working backward from the Breeders’ Cup” Filly and Mare Sprint on Nov. 3 at Churchill.
Meanwhile, Calhoun was elated with the way Classy Act rebounded from a 10th-place finish in the Kentucky Oaks to easily win a seven-furlong allowance with an 87 Beyer here Friday. Calhoun said he is considering the Grade 3 Victory Ride on July 8 at Belmont or the July 19 Ta Wee at Indiana Grand as a possible next start for Classy Act.
American Anthem impresses
Trainer Bob Baffert said American Anthem is a possibility for the June 23 San Carlos at Santa Anita after the 4-year-old colt returned from a lengthy layoff with an allowance victory with a 97 Beyer here Friday.
“He ran big, didn’t he?” said Baffert. “We’re still talking over what’s next.”
Meanwhile, Solomini has returned to Santa Anita, where he will run Sunday in the Affirmed. Most recently 10th in the Derby, Solomini was scratched from an allowance here Saturday night.
Single 6 jackpot at $408,781
The Single 6 jackpot stands at $408,781 for the resumption of racing Thursday. An eight-race card starts at 5 p.m. Eastern, with the 20-cent Single 6 spanning races 3-8. One allowance (race 7) stands as the feature.
A mandatory payout of $300,000 from the Single 6 on Saturday night spurred $1,321,120 in new wagers, with perfect tickets returning $90,226 (there were no winning favorites). Sunday began with $395,728 in the jackpot.
◗ The lone stakes at Churchill this coming weekend is the Grade 3 Mint Julep, which precedes the Belmont Stakes simulcast Saturday. Likely starters in the 1 1/16-mile turf race for fillies and mares include Dubara, Inveniam Viam, Lovely Bernadette, Res Ipsa, and Sully’s Dream. Entries were to be drawn Wednesday.
◗ Trainer Brad Cox said Long On Value will be pointed to the Grade 1 Highlander, a six-furlong turf race at Woodbine on June 30. The 7-year-old horse became racing’s latest millionaire Saturday when he won the Mighty Beau, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 100.
◗ Into Thursday, and with 23 of 38 spring programs in the books, Steve Asmussen holds a 16-12 lead over Brad Cox atop the trainer standings, while Brian Hernandez Jr. leads Corey Lanerie by a 31-25 count among jockeys.
◗ Apprentice Edgar Morales is now riding with a five-pound allowance after losing a second bug by way of his 40th career victory here Friday aboard Deauville Mist.
