Fact Finding dangerous in second off layoff at Churchill
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Fact Finding beat just one in his return to the races last month at Ellis Park, but that’s a bit misleading. Not only was the gray gelding making his first start in more than nine months, but he also stumbled badly at the break.
“He got his feet back under him pretty quick, but I’ve got to think that took a little bit of the gas out of him late,” said Reeve McGaughey, who trains Fact Finding for Robert and Bart Evans.
The results could be far different when Fact Finding makes his second start off the lengthy layoff Sunday at Churchill Downs. As the apparent lone speed in a field of seven older horses, he’s a huge wire-to-wire threat after getting that last race under him. Fact Finding is entered for the optional $62,500 claiming tag in the ninth of 10 races, a $141,000 allowance going 1 1/16 miles. Martin Garcia will be aboard from post 2.
McGaughey said Fact Finding has trained forwardly at his Keeneland base since fading to fourth in a field of five in the Tri-State on Aug. 7 at Ellis and that he expects an improved effort. Fact Finding has shown flashes of brilliance in a 21-race career, including a pair of two-race win streaks in 2019 and 2020. It was precisely a year ago Sunday that he earned a 102 Beyer Speed Figure in winning a restricted two-turn stakes at Delaware Park by nearly a dozen lengths.
“Hopefully, he’ll get back to that same form pattern he had last year and take another step forward Sunday,” said McGaughey, the 32-year-old son of Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey and the former longtime assistant to his uncle Charlie LoPresti of Wise Dan fame.
If Fact Finding can’t take them all the way, then Core Beliefs (post 1, Florent Geroux) or Trident Hit (post 7, Tyler Gaffalione) could be the ones to inherit the top. Overall, it’s a well-balanced lineup, with Beaver Hat, Bourbon Calling, Spa City, and Royal Mesa rounding it out.
One other allowance (race 7), a $127,000, first-level race for fillies and mares going 6 1/2 furlongs, also is part of a Sunday card that starts at 12:45 p.m. Eastern. Sunshine and a high of 75 are in the local forecast.
Purses listed here are the maximum, given that non-claiming/starter races at Churchill include sizable bonuses for registered Kentucky-breds only.
After Sunday, Churchill goes dark for three days before the final four-day stretch of the September meet resumes Thursday with an eight-race twilight card. The 12-day meet runs through next Sunday, with live action at the Keeneland fall meet starting Oct. 8.