Diodoro among new faces at Churchill

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Among the new faces at the September meet is trainer Robertino Diodoro, who has been active this year in Southern California and New York while maintaining a sizable Midwest string that went from Oaklawn to Canterbury Park and Prairie Meadows and now to Churchill for the first time.

The Canadian-born Diodoro, 43, entered this week tied for fourth in North America in wins (148) and is on pace to surpass his career high in stable earnings, set last year with more than $4.6 million.

Big World possible for Spinster

Big World, the winner of the Grade 1 La Troienne here in May, has bypassed the Locust Grove, with a run in the Grade 1 Spinster on Oct. 8 at Keeneland being a possibility, said trainer Tom Amoss.

Owned by Maggi Moss, Big World was fourth in the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis and third in an ungraded stakes on the July 15 Indiana Derby card following the La Troienne. The 4-year-old Louisiana-bred filly shows no works since that last race at Indiana Grand but “is doing fine,” said Amoss.

Melancon on the mend

Larry Melancon attended the races Sunday at Kentucky Downs as the retired jockey continues to make steady progress following the stroke he suffered in early March.

Melancon, 62, is still mostly wheelchair-bound because of partial paralysis to his lower left leg but is speaking clearly and feeling well while continuing to undergo intense therapy. “I’m fighting the good fight,” he said.

◗ Eight stakes for Thoroughbreds will be run at the September meet, which does not count the $100,000 President of the United Arab Emirates Cup, being held on the same Sept. 23 night card as the Dogwood. The UAE Cup is a Grade 1 race for Arabians at 1 1/16 miles.