Cosmic Burst returns in featured allowance

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A heat wave accompanied by rain was in the forecast for this region for the latter part of this week, so the good news is that none of the three allowances on a nine-race Friday card at Churchill is scheduled for turf.

The 1 1/16-mile co-features are $91,000 third-level allowances with identical conditions, except that race 3 is for fillies and mares and race 8 is for 3-year-olds and up. Cosmic Burst, the winner of the Zia Park Oaks last fall, looks like the horse to beat in race 3, while Hawaakom and My Boy Jack are among the principals in race 8.

The remaining allowance, an $87,000 first-level race for 3-year-olds and up at seven furlongs, goes as race 7. First post is 12:45 p.m. Eastern.

◗ Lynn Penrod, the wife of Churchill racing official Steve Penrod, died Tuesday night at a Louisville hospital following a lengthy illness. She was 63. Steve Penrod, who retired in 2011 from a distinguished training career for Claiborne Farm and other high-profile clients, said there will not be a memorial service.

◗ A pair of $100,000 stakes for fillies and mares, the Grade 3 Winning Colors at six furlongs and the overnight Keertana for marathoners, will be run Saturday as the weekend highlights at Churchill. Entries are to be drawn Wednesday.

◗ The usual four-day race week will be extended by one day when racing is held here Monday for the Memorial Day holiday.