Hogy fast on both turf and dirt
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Wednesday’s sixth race at Churchill Downs, a $49,000 allowance with a $100,000 claiming condition, has the makings of a high-quality turf sprint, having drawn stakes-winning grass sprinters Hogy, Sum of the Parts, and Saint Leon.
But with showers likely in Louisville on Tuesday and Wednesday, the five-furlong race is in jeopardy of being transferred to a wet main track.
For some, such as the versatile Hogy, the move to dirt may not matter. Although 20 of his 24 starts have come on either turf or synthetic tracks, he has 2 wins and 2 seconds from 4 starts on dirt. And his two highest Beyer Speed Figures on dirt came over off tracks.
Fitness is a concern for Hogy, who has recorded just two workouts, both at Fairmount Park, leading up to his first start since a 12th in the Grade 3 Hanshin at Arlington on May 24.
Shaun Bridgmohan has the mount on Hogy, who is trained by Scott Becker and owned by William Stiritz.
Key contenders
No Distinction (Last 3 Beyers: 84-84-91)
◗ He is among the horses most likely to capitalize if the race is moved to dirt. Three of his four victories have come on dirt, with two of those coming on the Churchill Downs surface.
◗ He is untested on a wet dirt track.
Sum of the Parts (Last 3 Beyers: 85-82-99)
◗ He is the leading money earner in the field, with a bankroll of more than $850,000.
◗ He has won six stakes – on turf, synthetic, and dirt – with his most prestigious victories coming in the Grade 3 Phoenix in 2012 and 2013 on Keeneland’s old Polytrack surface.
◗ Although he is more erratic on dirt than other surfaces, his blazing speed is an advantage going Wednesday’s distance of five furlongs.
Hogy (Last 3 Beyers: 70-102-90)
◗ He has won 12 of his 24 races and earned more than $600,000.
◗ He returns for a trainer typically dangerous with comebackers.
Saint Leon (Last 3 Beyers: 88-64-94)
◗ Although he has won four races on dirt, they came in 2008 and 2009 at Mountaineer Park.
◗ A former $5,000 claimer, he elevated his game when shifted to turf and synthetic and is a candidate to regress if this race is moved to the main track.