Coalport in for a tag in Thursday turf feature
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The weather in this region has gone abruptly from summer to fall. Seasonal temperatures in the 70s have replaced recent figures in the 90s, and a welcome rain was even falling Monday.
That’s one less excuse for local fans to miss the Twilight Thursday program that kicks off the final four-day stretch of the 11-day September meet at Churchill Downs. The heat may have dissuaded some fans from coming out last week, but more pleasant conditions are forecast for when an eight-race card begins at 5 p.m. Eastern.
Two allowances (races 2 and 7), both scheduled for turf, are on tap, with the later not only serving as the nominal feature but also as perhaps the most competitive race of the day, assuming it stays on the grass. It’s a $47,000, second-level race with no clear-cut favorite and an oversubscribed lineup of older horses.
Coalport, an earner of $578,283, is eligible for the feature by way of a $62,500 claiming option and figures as a main contender. The Illinois-bred 7-year-old has changed hands several times through the course of a 27-race career but is competing again under the red-and-white silks of his breeders, Ken and Sarah Ramsey.
After Thursday, first post for the remainder of this meet (Friday through Sunday) is 12:45 p.m.
Keeneland starts its 17-day fall meet Oct. 7.
KEY CONTENDERS (race 7)
Coalport, by Kitten’s Joy
Last 3 Beyers: 89-92-92
◗ A winner of four stakes, including the Grade 3 Connally Turf Cup at Sam Houston in January 2015, he was claimed back by the Ramseys in August at Saratoga for the same $62,500 tag and promptly was a good second in an ungraded stakes on the Louisiana Downs turf.
Flashlight, by Shamardal
Last 3 Beyers: 89-69-89
◗ Well drawn here in post 2, he’ll try to validate his runner-up effort earlier this month in the Guilliams Memorial at Ellis Park, where he took the victorious Pleuven to the limit.
West Village, by Lemon Drop Kid
Last 3 Beyers: 86-80-85
◗ Ontario-bred colt has an effective late kick under the right circumstances and could be moving best of all at race’s end under Channing Hill, son-in-law of trainer Wayne Catalano.
Hesinfront, by War Front
Last 3 Beyers: 89-85-85
◗ This 5-year-old horse has proven competitive with this brand on numerous occasions and now returns to turf after a solid runner-up finish on dirt on opening day of the September meet.
