Hidden Connection gets back to work
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – While the other top contenders for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on Nov. 5 at Del Mar were scheduled to have their final prep races this weekend or next, Hidden Connection got in her first workout toward the $2 million race when breezing a half-mile in 48.20 seconds on Thursday at Churchill.
Trained by Bret Calhoun, Hidden Connection already earned an expenses-paid berth into the 1 1/16-mile BC Juvenile Fillies by winning the Pocahontas Sept. 18 at Churchill by 9 1/4 lengths. The Connect filly will work several more times at Churchill before leaving for Del Mar.
Field size holds up at Churchill
Skeptics who thought Churchill Downs racing secretary Ben Huffman would have difficulty filling races at the September meet might be surprised to know that field size averaged 8.14 horses per race through the first nine of 12 cards (through Thursday).
That number is solid when compared with other recent September meets – especially considering racing is being conducted only on the main track during an ongoing turf-course renovation scheduled for completion next spring. Those prior numbers – 7.86 during the pandemic (and irregular scheduling) in 2020; 9.26 in 2019; 8.54 in 2018; and 8.87 in 2017.
Calderon in morning spill
Apprentice rider Oliver Calderon escaped major injury in a spill that halted training for about 30 minutes Friday morning at Churchill. Calderon was thrown from a horse he was breezing for trainer Larry Jones when his equipment broke. He was transported to a nearby hospital for observation shortly afterward.
Calderon, a 23-year-old Panama native and a cousin to star jockey Luis Saez, won with his first-ever mount June 20 at Churchill. Since then, he has had only seven mounts while working primarily as an exercise rider.
Peterson to ride in Kentucky
Jockey Ferrin Peterson intends to ride races at the upcoming Keeneland and Churchill meets after recently moving to Kentucky for the fall. Peterson, a licensed veterinarian, has been riding primarily in New Jersey the last two years. She said Friday she will be exercising horses at Keeneland for trainer Graham Motion as she looks into hiring an agent.