Dirt-only Churchill fall meet begins

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – No grass, but plenty of green. When Churchill Downs begins its fall meet Sunday, there will be no available turf course once again, but purses will be at an all-time high.

Maiden-specials starting at a whopping $120,000 will be among the major selling points during a 21-day meet that again will be run exclusively on the main track. The $10 million renovation of the Churchill turf course undertaken when the spring meet ended in late June is proceeding on schedule toward being ready for the 2022 spring meet, but until then, no turf.

Still, under those same circumstances during the 12-day September meet, the overall quality of racing was more than tolerable, with field size averaging 8.08 starters per race. The obvious allure is a purse structure fueled partly by the slots-like historical horse racing machines that have proliferated in Kentucky, including at the nearby Derby City facility, and even without grass racing at his disposal, Churchill racing secretary Ben Huffman and his staff should be able to make it through one more meet.

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The 11-race Sunday opener is the first of two juvenile-only cards at a meet that runs through Nov. 28, with the second set for the final Saturday, Nov. 27. The concept of full cards comprised solely of 2-year-old races was initiated at the old Calder some 20 years ago and picked up in 2005 by the top Churchill racing officials of the time, Donnie Richardson and Doug Bredar. Clearly it’s here to stay, rooted not only on its popularity with bettors but also with the legions of top horses who have participated through the years, from Rachel Alexandra and Super Saver through Gun Runner, Monomoy Girl, and many more.

Besides the six-figure maiden races, allowances start at $127,000; it’s always worth noting that all non-claiming/starter races include substantial bonuses restricted to registered Kentucky-breds. The traditional fall stakes schedule has been adjusted for races such as the Mrs. Revere and River City being on hiatus, replaced by new races such as the $200,000 Lively Shively and $200,000 Fern Creek at meet’s end.

In all, 11 stakes are on the schedule, with the most important being the Grade 1, $750,000 Clark on Nov. 26. Maxfield and Midnight Bourbon are among the notables already pointing to the Clark.

Tyler Gaffalione, the leading rider at each of the last five Churchill meets and the top jockey at the Keeneland fall meet, will be back, as will top regulars such as Florent Geroux and Corey Lanerie. Joel Rosario will ride regularly here once the Breeders’ Cup is over.

Mostly sunny skies and a high of 63 are in the local forecast for Sunday.