Carroll set to continue hot streak

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Last fall at Churchill Downs, David Carroll enjoyed one of the best meets of his nine-year training career with seven wins and six seconds in just 21 starters.

This spring, Carroll, 42, is off to another solid start at Churchill, having won with two of his first five starters. In Friday's ninth race, Carroll could further improve on his record when he runs perhaps the top contender in the feature, a $46,800 allowance for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on turf.

Cherry Tree Hill, owned by Eugene and Laura Melnyk, is trained by Carroll. A 4-year-old Red Ransom filly who began her career last fall with two smashing victories at Woodbine, Cherry Tree Hill has since raced against seemingly tougher opponents than she faces under a two-other-than condition here Friday. Two of her last three races have been stakes, and although she is unraced in nearly four months, she shows a solid recent workout pattern.

Lasting Sensation and Glory Glory appear to be the main challengers. If the race comes off the grass because of weather, then Allamerican Bertie could draw in as a major threat.

First post is 3:10 p.m.

Eight for Mint Julep

Churchill officials are expecting about eight fillies and mares Saturday for the $100,000 Mint Julep Handicap, the lone stakes of the coming weekend.

Megans Bluff, with 118 pounds, is the probable highweight in the 1 1/16-mile turf race over Solvig (117) and Quick Tip (116). Other probable starters are Cozy Island, Dahlia's Krissy, Dorothy Ann, Royal Sting, and Sitka.

- Trainer Niall O'Callaghan said he "will consider" running the Lone Star Derby winner, Wiseman's Ferry, in the June 8 Belmont Stakes. O'Callaghan said his decision will depend largely on how Wiseman's Ferry trains over the next couple of weeks and how the Belmont field shapes up in the aftermath of the Preakness.

- Through the first 12 days of this 52-day meet, Pat Day was in a familiar position atop the jockey standings with 19 wins, nine more than Robby Albarado. Day was scheduled to ride Thursday through Saturday at Pimlico. Albarado also will ride at Pimlico on Friday and Saturday.

Among trainers, Lynn Whiting has six wins going into Wednesday, one more than Dale Romans. Six other trainers had four wins.

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