Churchll's three best races saved for last

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Mother’s Day card at Churchill Downs is back-loaded as if to say, “You and mom can go ahead and enjoy a leisurely brunch first, after which we will cap your afternoon with some terrific racing.”

Indeed, three straight allowance races, all of them interesting and competitive, will conclude a 10-race Sunday program. The earlier fare is not nearly as compelling – each of the first four races drew just six entries – but there’s fair compensation on the back end.

Here’s a quick rundown of each of those allowances:

◗ Race 8: Avanzare, never worse than second in five career starts, is a lukewarm 3-1 program choice for trainer Tom Proctor, who has played a bit role in the success story of California Chrome since the colt arrived here several days before his Kentucky Derby triumph for trainer Art Sherman. California Chrome has been stabled on a quiet, covered side of Barn 20, which is otherwise occupied by Proctor horses.

“I told Art, ‘I’ve got a nice little spot for you; don’t worry about a thing,’ ” said Proctor. “So far, it’s worked out pretty well.”

Avanzare, with Leandro Goncalves to ride, is part of an oversubscribed field competing for a $54,000 purse under a second-level allowance condition. The race is scheduled for a mile on turf.

◗ Race 9: Five of the nine entrants are listed between 7-2 and 9-2, a stark illustration of the competitive nature of this $54,000, second-level, main-track route.

Perfect Title, a rousing last-to-first winner almost a year ago over this track, is one of those would-be favorites. The 4-year-old Perfect Title has raced just twice since that last victory and had the misfortune of facing the highly regarded Mylute in his March 27 return to action. He will have Shaun Bridgmohan aboard when breaking from the rail.

◗Race 10: Knock Em Flat, also with Bridgmohan named, is pegged as a 3-1 favorite even without any grass form. The $52,000 finale carries a first-level restriction and is set for 1 1/16 miles on turf.

Branded Hand, World Is Watching, Clovelly, My Afleet, and Arctic Slope are other logical contenders in a field of 10 3-year-olds.

First post on what always is a very popular day with local families is 12:45 p.m. Eastern, with the first allowance set for 4:18.

After Sunday, Churchill goes dark for three days, with another four-day race week resuming Thursday.