Canadian International next for Da Big Hoss

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – In the end, the logistics involved in sending Da Big Hoss to Australia for the Nov. 1 Melbourne Cup proved too difficult, but “it sure was exciting” even thinking about participating in one of the world’s most celebrated horse races, said Harvey Diamond, a managing partner in Skychai Racing LLC, the Louisville-based group that owns Da Big Hoss.

“The requirements involving vaccinations and quarantine require more long-range planning than we had time for,” said Diamond. “I did get calls from sportscasters in Australia who interviewed me on the radio, so that was pretty fun and all.”

Instead, Da Big Hoss will be pointed to the Grade 1, $1 million Canadian International on Oct. 16 at Woodbine in anticipation of running back in the Nov. 5 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita, said Diamond.

Da Big Hoss, a 5-year-old horse trained by Mike Maker, has won seven stakes and earned more than $1.4 million since being claimed by Skychai in a three-way shake in June 2015.

◗ After Hall of Fame jockey Calvin Borel guided Paddys Day to an 8 1/4-length romp in the Grade 1 President of the United Arab Emirates Cup here Saturday night, trainer Scott Powell told Churchill publicity that the 5-year-old Arabian horse would run next in a Nov. 6 race in the UAE and that Borel would be traveling overseas to ride him.

But hold on there. Borel’s agent, Frank Bernis, said Monday he was unaware that any such arrangements have been made and that he was more inclined to believe Borel will be staying in the United States with the Breeders’ Cup being run Nov. 4-5. Even if Borel has no Breeders’ Cup mounts, he probably would be in demand for Churchill mounts being vacated by local jockeys riding in the Breeders’ Cup.

◗ Corey Lanerie has won the riding title at 11 of the past 12 meets at Churchill Downs. But with just four cards left to go at the 11-day September meet, Lanerie is tied for second with Brian Hernandez Jr. with seven wins apiece, three behind Robby Albarado.

It’s been a terrific month for Albarado, whose four September stakes wins (two at Kentucky Downs and two at Churchill) include the Sept. 17 Iroquois on Not This Time, arguably the early favorite for the 2017 Kentucky Derby. The 43-year-old journeyman enters this week just 61 wins shy of becoming the 33rd jockey in North America to win 5,000 races.

◗ Attendance at Churchill for the fourth and final Downs After Dark program of the year Saturday night was 16,768, which was up from the 14,786 who turned out for the comparable date at the 2015 September meet. Churchill officials said they were pleased with the turnout, especially considering that the program conflicted with college football games being played by Kentucky and Louisville.

Attendance for the three Downs After Dark cards at the 2016 spring meet averaged 19,317.

◗ The rollover jackpot in the Single 6 for Thursday stands at $55,573 after no payoffs were made Saturday night or Sunday. There are no consolation payoffs in the 20-cent Single 6.

Handle has been relatively light in the Single 6, which requires a solo perfect ticket for the jackpot to be swept. If there are no winners by Sunday, closing day of the meet, a mandatory payout will be held.