Churchill Downs notes: Leparoux returns to Kentucky

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The most noteworthy thing about Wednesday’s races at Churchill Downs is not which horses are racing, but who is back riding there.

Julien Leparoux, who topped the Churchill Downs rider standings nine times from the spring of 2006 through the fall of 2011, has three mounts Wednesday, his first day back as a Churchill regular after relocating from the West Coast. He has the call on 7-2 shot Victory Island in race 2, 3-1 Place Card in race 6, and 12-1 outsider Solitary Life in race 8.

Five mounts follow on Thursday, led by a ride on Bradester, the Indiana Derby runner-up who races in a stakes-quality allowance in the ninth race.

Leparoux, 30, the champion apprentice rider of 2006, relocated to Southern California in November 2012, largely for family reasons. He is married to Shea Mitchell, daughter of California trainer Mike Mitchell, who had brain surgery in the summer of 2012.

Leparoux saw his business slump this year while riding in California, and venturing to Kentucky only for stakes mounts. He finished 10th during the just-completed Santa Anita meet, and has won with 109 of 676 rides this year, with his mounts making $9.2 million.

From 2006 through 2012, Leparoux won at least 173 races each year. His best year by earnings came in 2009 when his mounts earned more than $18.2 million and he won 246 races.

Reunited with agent Steve Bass, who represented him previously when he was a regular at Churchill Downs, Leparoux plans to ride the winter at Gulfstream Park after the Churchill Downs fall meet ends Nov. 30.

Corey Lanerie is the leading rider this fall with 11 wins entering Wednesday.

BC horses back in Blue Grass

Repeat Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner Groupie Doll was back in her familiar stall in trainer Buff Bradley’s stable Sunday, even if it was only for a day. Monday she left for Keeneland, where she was to be offered at the November breeding stock sale that begins there this week.

Groupie Doll, along with Turf Sprint winner Mizdirection, who went immediately to Fasig-Tipton in Lexington to be shown prior to the mixed sale there, were part of a flight that arrived in the early afternoon Sunday.

A second flight from California arrived in Kentucky late Sunday night, carrying many of the other Kentucky-based horses that competed in the Breeders’ Cup. Traveling on it, among others, were Fort Larned, Will Take Charge, Strong Mandate, Little Mike, My Conquestadory, Laugh Track, Untapable, and Gentlemen’s Bet.

Some of those horses continued on to farms in Lexington, while others were bedded down at their customary Churchill stables.

Solid Appeal likely for Cardinal

Saturday’s stakes is the Grade 3, $100,000 Cardinal Handicap on the grass for fillies and mares.

The likely headliner, according to Churchill Downs officials, is Solid Appeal, winner of the Grade 2 Dance Smartly and Nassau at Woodbine this summer for trainer Reade Baker.

Others considered likely to start include Somali Lemonade, Miz Ida, Starstruck, Abaco, Grandma’s Rules, Prissy, and Beijoca.

Entries for the 1 1/8-mile Cardinal will be taken Wednesday.

Familiar faces

Several prominent horses that saw action at Churchill Downs last week are expected to return in stakes engagements later this month.

Last year’s Super Derby winner, Bourbon Courage, who finished second in the slop in an allowance on Halloween in his first start since May, is on target to return in the Grade 1 Clark Handicap on Nov. 29.

“We would have loved to win, but that was strictly a set-up race for us,” trainer Kellyn Gorder said. “I don’t think that’s his best and he probably doesn’t like the slop as much as he likes a fast track.”

Last year at age 3 Bourbon Courage finished third in the Clark, a length behind winner Shackleford.

On the filly and mare front, Don’t Tell Sophia and Wine Princess could renew their rivalry in the Nov. 28 Falls City Handicap. Don’t Tell Sophia caught Wine Princess with a last-to-first rally in the one-mile Chilukki Stakes Saturday night.

Jill Biden attends races

Jill Biden, the wife of Vice President Joe Biden, took in the races Sunday at Churchill Downs. She was there visiting military families during “Survivors Day at the Races.”