Cozy Kitten gets class relief in turf-route feature
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Churchill Downs experimented with Twilight Thursdays for the first time this spring, and by most accounts, it has gone very well. The later post time has attracted appreciably larger crowds, and although final statistical tallies won’t be available until sometime after the 38-day meet ends Saturday, it certainly appears they’re here to stay.
This Thursday kicks off the final three-day stretch of the meet, and a couple of nice-looking allowances will bring an eight-race card to a close. The last race of the evening serves as the feature; it’s a $58,500, second-level allowance that should be attractive enough to keep most fans around to the very end.
Cozy Kitten, a stakes-seasoned 7-year-old gelding, is a lukewarm morning-line favorite in an oversubscribed field of 3-year-olds and up in the 1 1/8-mile turf race. An earner of more than $300,000, he was bred and is owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, who once again will top the Churchill owner standings at meet’s end.
First post Thursday is 5 p.m. Eastern, with the featured finale set for 8:39. The preceding allowance (race 7) is a $56,300, first-level race pitting 11 fillies and mares at a flat mile on the main track.
KEY CONTENDERS
Cozy Kitten (Last 3 Beyers: 75-88-75)
◗ He wasn’t a factor at 5-1 in his last start in the Louisville Handicap, but the competition in that Grade 3 race was considerably tougher than what he’ll face here.
◗ With 21 wins heading into the last three days of the meet, Mike Maker is on his way to another training title at Churchill.
Highball (Last 3 Beyers: 84-85-87)
◗ This rail-drawn 4-year-old hasn’t won since last September but keeps knocking on the door, having closed stoutly in a similar race here in early May as the 6-5 favorite; this consistent sort should appreciate the extra half-furlong.
Brown Almighty (Last 3 Beyers: 86-88-85)
◗ This oft-claimed 5-year-old has proven himself competitive with this brand and most recently finished well to be third at this same level for Brad Cox, who re-claimed him from a win during the first week of the meet.
Captain Dixie (Last 3 Beyers: 86-84-84)
◗ Yet another capable closer, this 4-year-old colt stands to benefit substantially from his May 19 comeback at Indiana Grand, a race that marked his first start in six months for Kellyn Gorder.
