Churchill: Last-out winners facing off in featured allowance

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – When Silver Rock and Let’s Do It were entered in an entry-level allowance on turf at Keeneland on April 9, the race was split, drawing so many horses the racing office divided the entries into two races.

Silver Rock and Let’s Do It ended up in different divisions, and each did their part by registering come-from-behind victories.

Friday, the duo has been entered again at Churchill Downs in the $53,500 second-level allowance that goes as the featured 10th race on a late-afternoon 11-race card. This time, with the race attracting a smaller group of 10 entrants, plus one main-track only runner, they cannot escape each other.

Both are fast, in good form, and proven over firm and wet courses.

Let’s Do It, trained by Graham Motion, ran the quicker race of the two April 9, racing a mile on a “good” Keeneland course in 1:37.12.

Silver Rock went the same distance in 1:38.24 in a slower-paced race, but he won despite a poor start and a wide trip. His performance was validated when the runner-up, Screenplay, returned to win an April 29 allowance race at Keeneland. Shaun Bridgmohan returns to ride for Mark Casse.

Calvin Borel picks up the mount on the Let’s Do It, replacing Leparoux, who is riding Friday at Pimlico on Black-Eyed Susan Day. Fellow Churchill Downs regulars Jesus Castanon and Robby Albarado will also be at Pimlico.

Almoradi could challenge Silver Rock and Let’s Do it. He was second to stakes winner Baletti in an optional claiming race at Gulfstream Mar. 5 before finishing eighth there in a 7 1/2-furlong race there run in course-record time.

“The turf was the firm for those races,” trainer Eddie Kenneally said. “I don’t know if we’ll have that kind of turf on Friday.”

Rain fell Wednesday in Louisville. Friday’s forecast called for partly cloudy skies.

◗ Friday’s late afternoon race card, which begins at 2:45 p.m., includes three other allowances among the 11 races.

Shortly after the last race at 7:54 p.m., musical act Keller Williams will perform in the paddock area. An opening band will perform between live races from 5-8 p.m.

Track admission increases from $3 to $10 after 7 p.m.