Churchill notes: Wilkes eyes Foster undercard for Tiz Windy, Island Town
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Ian Wilkes is zeroing in on the June 13 Stephen Foster undercard with at least a couple of his horses – Tiz Windy for the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis and Island Town for the Grade 3 Matt Winn.
Tiz Windy was a good fourth in the Grade 1 La Troienne on the Kentucky Oaks undercard, and Island Town was up in the last jumps to win a first-level optional claimer on the Kentucky Derby undercard.
Wilkes said he is unsure of the next start for Gorgeous Bird, who has resumed a steady work pattern since finishing sixth in the April 4 Blue Grass.
◗ Despite missing all four days last week due to suspension, Corey Lanerie still stands an excellent chance of being the leading rider by the time the meet ends June 27. Lanerie has topped the standings at seven of the last eight Churchill meets.
Into Thursday’s action, only Julien Leparoux, with 13 wins, was ahead of Lanerie (9).
◗ It’s pretty rare that there are four 7-2 favorites in any given race – and it’s even more rare when that foursome fills out the entire superfecta. But that’s what happened in the 10th race here Saturday, when Canny Nanny ($9.60) was followed home by Market Magic, Savings Account, and Compelling Case in a field of 11, with the dime superfecta returning $26.17.
◗ After the jackpot was emptied Friday for $87,774 by a solo winner, the handle on Saturday in the new Lucky 7 was just $7,437. The winning ticket Friday was purchased through an advance-deposit wagering account, according to Churchill officials. The carryover into Thursday is a mere $3,251.
◗ Eighty percent of the horses in the second race Saturday went to new homes, as all but Brink of War were claimed for $25,000 from the six-furlong race. Officer Griffin, an 8 3/4-length winner in the field of five, was haltered by Ingrid Mason.
◗ With the Preakness simulcast being the obvious highlight of the coming weekend, the live feature here Saturday is the $65,000 Keertana, a 1 3/8-mile turf race for fillies and mares.