Frivolous might challenge males in Clark Handicap

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Frivolous has run so well over the main track at Churchill Downs that her connections are seriously considering a run against the boys in the 142nd Clark Handicap as a swan song for the 5-year-old mare.

“Unless the race comes up super-tough, we’re thinking sure, why not take a shot?” said trainer Vicki Oliver. “A lot of the top horses have already retired, and we should get a weight break, too. This will be her last race, so we’d love to send her out in a big way.”

Frivolous has been outstanding in winning three of four races at Churchill within the last year. She turned back Don’t Tell Sophia in capturing the 2014 Falls City at 19-1, she won the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis in June over Sheer Drama at 32-1, and she romped by eight lengths in the ungraded Locust Grove in September as a 6-5 favorite.

“She’s shown how much she likes Churchill,” said Oliver, whose father, G. Watts Humphrey, bred and owns Frivolous.

The Grade 1, $500,000 Clark is set for Nov. 27, one day after its filly-and-mare counterpart, the Grade 2, $200,000 Falls City. Both are at 1 1/8 miles.

Frivolous, by Empire Maker, has earned $750,718 from 24 career starts, so a win in the Clark would make her a millionaire. She most recently ran fifth Oct. 30 in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, beaten five lengths by Stopchargingmaria.

“She came out of the race great,” said Oliver. “I thought she ran super.”

The last female horse to win the Clark was Surfside, who did so in 2000 when clinching the Eclipse Award as top 3-year-old filly.

At this early juncture, the top names being mentioned as Clark possibilities include the Bob Baffert duo of Hoppertunity, the winner of the 2014 Clark, and the 3-year-old Dortmund. Keen Ice and Race Day also have been reported as possible.

Meanwhile, trainer Al Stall Jr. said Chide is headed to the Falls City after the 3-year-old filly drew off to win a $59,400 allowance route Thursday by four lengths under Miguel Mena. Bred and owned by Adele Dilschneider and Claiborne Farm, Chide also has demonstrated an affinity for the Churchill surface.

The runner-up and favorite in the Thursday race was another 3-year-old, No Fault of Mine, who also will point to the Falls City, said trainer Chris Block.

The Clark and Falls City are part of a terrific final week of racing at the 21-day fall meet. A second Stars of Tomorrow card on Nov. 28 includes the Kentucky Jockey Club and Golden Rod stakes. Closing day is Nov. 29.

Stewards fine veterinarian

Dr. Jason Wells has been fined $2,500 by the Kentucky stewards for his role in the scratch of Talmada from the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf last weekend.

Wells, a private veterinarian who works for the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, gave Talmada her prerace Lasix shot while unaware that the medication can only be administered by a Kentucky Horse Racing Commission veterinarian, a rule change that came into effect some years ago.

“Dr. Wells was extremely apologetic and took full responsibility when waiving his right to a hearing,” said chief steward Barbara Borden.

Talmada, owned in part by Darley and trained by Roger Varian, was 30-1 on the morning line and would have started from the far-outside post as a drawn-in also-eligible for the Filly and Mare Turf. The error was discovered several hours before the race, necessitating the scratch.

Sullivan brings home longshot

Carson Sullivan got some momentum for the long winter at Turfway Park by riding his first winner on the Kentucky circuit when Obsidian Splendor upset the ninth race Wednesday at Churchill at a $47.40 mutuel for trainer Pete Fugate.

Sullivan, 31, got a late start in racing, even though his family long has been involved in the sport. Having grown up mostly in California and Ohio, he rode his first winner at Parx in June 2013. More than half of his 810 career mounts and 63 wins have come at Golden Gate Fields, where he left this summer to ride sparingly at Saratoga.

Sullivan is represented by agent Nelson Arroyo but will employ Brendan Morris when Turfway kicks off four months of winter action Dec. 3. Morris is giving up his stable after five years as a trainer.

◗ Hogy furthered his reputation as one of the most useful horses in the Midwest by easily winning a five-furlong turf allowance here Thursday after shipping in from Fairmount Park for owner Bill Stiritz and trainer Scott Becker. A 6-year-old Kentucky-bred by Offlee Wild, Hogy has won 14 of 33 starts and earned $687,412. His record breaks down this way: synthetic, 7 for 15; turf, 5 for 9; dirt (fast), 1 for 4; dirt (wet), 1 for 5.

◗ Chad Brown has three of the 42 3-year-old fillies nominated to the Grade 2, $200,000 Mrs. Revere, the lone stakes here next weekend. Brown has nominated Consumer Credit, Partisan Politics, and Tammy the Torpedo to the 1 1/16-mile turf race, which is set for Saturday.

◗ There is no Downs After Dark card at this meet, but there is one “Family Adventure Day,” and it’s this Sunday, with a full roster of activities and specials for children.