Churchill Downs notes: Lanerie in the clear in DQ
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Churchill Downs stewards have held jockey Corey Lanerie blameless for his role in the disqualification of his mount, Runkle, from first to third in the eighth race Saturday.
Runkle, trained by Kellyn Gorder, was racing closest to the rail in a tight three-horse duel to the wire in the 4 1/2-furlong race for 2-year-olds when he initiated minor contact with the middle horse, Big Gator. The disqualification allowed Sandbar to “kiss in” as the winner, with Big Gator elevated to second.
“I thought it was the kind of brushing incident that happens a lot, but the stewards obviously didn’t see it that way,” Gorder said.
Napravnik bloodied but fine
Standout jockey Rosie Napravnik took off the remainder of her mounts Sunday at Churchill after suffering a bloody nose during the running of the sixth race on the main track.
“She got hit real hard with a dirt clod, and she just couldn’t get her nose to stop bleeding,” agent Steve Bass said. “It wasn’t a big deal. She’s fine.”
Another top jockey, Calvin Borel, escaped serious injury Sunday when his mount in the ninth race, Unknown Gem, broke down in midstretch. Unknown Gem, a 3-year-old colt, was euthanized.
** Little Mike, winner of three Grade 1 turf races last year, including the Arlington Million and Breeders’ Cup Turf, had his first workout since returning from a layoff, breezing an easy half-mile in 50.80 seconds over the Churchill turf Tuesday.
Little Mike is being pointed to the July 6 United Nations at Monmouth Park, trainer Dale Romans said.
** Horseplayers who also have an affinity for hockey will have an obvious hunch play Friday when Stanley Cup runs in the eighth race. Stanley Cup, a 4-year-old gelding trained by Greg Foley, looks like one of the logical favorites in the $20,000 maiden-claiming sprint.
The Stanley Cup finals pitting Boston versus Chicago were set to start Wednesday.
**Four allowances should make the Friday twilight card a good one. First post for the 11-race program is 2:45 p.m., with the last race going at 7:54.