Hancock has top contender for Bashford Manor

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - No one loves racing at Ellis Park more than “Big John” Hancock, but before the 29-day summer meet gets started Sunday at the western Kentucky track, the trainer has some unfinished business at Churchill. He will send out one of the favorites in Alec and Arthur in the Grade 3 Bashford Manor, one of three stakes that call an end to the 38-day Churchill meet Saturday.

Alec and Arthur, a Successful Appeal colt owned by Hat Creek Racing, has won two of three starts, ending with a June 6 allowance romp at Churchill with Tyler Gaffalione aboard.

“I’ll tell ya, he’s doing awfully good right now,” Hancock said this week from Ellis. “I think we can win this – my jock says we will.”

The $125,000 Bashford Manor is accompanied on a 12-race Saturday finale by its sister race, the $125,000 Debutante, with both at six furlongs. The $120,000 Kelly’s Landing at seven furlongs is the third stakes. Entries for all races were drawn Wednesday.

Ellis will run Fridays to Sundays, with racing also held on July 4 and Labor Day (Sept. 2). The track was recently sold for the second time in less than a year.