Churchill: Blues Street carries Albarado to fourth River City victory

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – After biding his time early, Blues Street looped a bunching field at the quarter pole and rolled along to an emphatic 4 1/2-length triumph Saturday in the 34th running of the Grade 3, $111,000 River City Handicap at Churchill Downs.

With Robby Albarado riding for Anstu Stables and trainer Eddie Kenneally, Blues Street returned $7.40 as the second choice in a field of eight older horses. Allie’s Event, a 10-1 shot, rallied to be second, 1 1/4 lengths before Gleam of Hope, while Tajaaweed, the 9-5 favorite, flattened out late to be fourth, another half-length back.

Blues Street, a 7-year-old gelding by Street Cry, completed the 1 1/8-mile distance in 1:51.72 over a firm turf. He was making just his second start since Kenneally assumed his training. The win was his 10th from 30 career starts and was worth $66,756, lifting his bankroll to $647,383.

Kenneally said Blues Street will move soon to the Palm Meadows training center in south Florida to prepare for some of the major winter turf races at Gulfstream Park.

The victory was the fourth in the River City for Albarado, whose previous scores came aboard Dr. Kashnikov (2001-02) and America Alive (2005).

The $2 exacta (6-7) paid $59.60; the $1 trifecta (6-7-3) returned $225.90; and the 10-cent superfecta (6-7-3-8) paid $63.33.

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