Fruit Ludt sets Churchill mile record

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Fruit Ludt set a track record for a mile Friday at Churchill, but it comes with a giant asterisk.

Facing five others under a $40,000 never-won-two claiming condition, Fruit Ludt finished in 1:33.26 on a track labeled fast but undoubtedly frozen. Claimed two starts back by trainer Chris Richard for owner Maggi Moss, the 3-year-old Congrats colt won by 2 1/2 lengths under Corey Lanerie.

The former record of 1:33.31 was set by Infrattini in a 7 1/4-length optional-claiming win on Nov. 22, 2012.

The race was just the second on a Friday card that followed two programs (Wednesday and Thursday) canceled because of a frozen track. Predictably, clockings throughout the Friday card were faster than normal.

In attempting to make up for lost races, racing secretary Ben Huffman said Churchill probably will card an extra race or two through the end of the meet next Sunday (Nov. 30), except for certain cards where 12 already are in the condition book.

◗ Harry’s Holiday, who was entered to make his first start since finishing 16th in the Kentucky Derby in a Thursday allowance that was canceled, was not entered back in a similar spot for Sunday. Trainer Mike Maker said the colt likely will resurface in a Dec. 7 allowance at Gulfstream Park.

Originally for 3-year-olds, the race was redrawn and made open to older horses, with Rocket Time, the 7-5 program favorite for Sunday, one of those back from Thursday.

◗ Sunday is Horses and Hope Day at the Races, when the color pink will be very much in evidence in support of breast-cancer funding and research. Outriders will be outfitted in pink jackets, and all saddletowels will be pink (no, they’re not all No. 8) in a designated race.