Indian Maharaja hard to gauge in turf feature

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Beyer Speed Figure-wise and otherwise, there seems precious little separation among a host of contenders in the Sunday feature at Churchill Downs.

Top speed figures in the high 80s are standard equipment for those likely favorites in the eighth of 10 races, a $54,000, second-level allowance scheduled for a mile on turf, and trainer Brendan Walsh is among those having a hard time deciphering it all – particularly the form of Indian Maharaja, whom he calls “a nice horse that kind of lost his way over there.”

Indian Maharaja was formerly based in Ireland with trainer Aidan O’Brien and therefore shows no Beyers on his past performances, “but I know he’s a nice horse,” said Walsh, adding that he was likely to scratch Key to Power from this same race Sunday in favor of the Opening Verse here Saturday. “He’s really come around since he got here. He does have some ability.”

Walsh, 42, is looking forward to Belmont Stakes Day, as he will be in New York to run Cary Street in the Grade 2 Brooklyn at 1 1/2 miles. Last fall, Cary Street won a Grade 2 race at 1 3/4 miles on the Breeders’ Cup undercard at Santa Anita, and Walsh is pointing him to the same race this year at Keeneland.

Indian Maharaja, with Jimmy Graham to ride, will be getting first-time Lasix while among a multitude of viable options in the Sunday feature, which drew an oversubscribed lineup. In all, 13 were entered, although only as many as 10 can start.

One other allowance (race 9) is on a card that starts at 12:45 p.m. Eastern. After Sunday, Churchill goes dark for three days before another four-day race week resumes Thursday evening.

Race 8

KEY CONTENDERS

Indian Maharaja (First start in U.S.)

◗ The most encouraging angle would be to ignore his unproductive 3-year-old campaign and focus on his 2-for-2 record as a juvenile for O’Brien.

◗ Walsh: “He’s a Galileo colt with a lot of upside, and he’s had a handful of nice works at Keeneland since we got him in this spring.”

Woodfield Springs (Last 3 Beyers: 74-82-83)

◗ Two-back victory in an off-the-turf allowance on opening day of the Keeneland spring meet actually wasn’t over his preferred surface, according to trainer Rusty Arnold, who insists that the grass is best for a G. Watts Humphrey Jr. homebred who seems to have found more than his share of tough spots.

Los Borrachos (Last 3 Beyers: 87-81-88)

◗ Bill Mott-trained colt has rounded into form and finally shook his bridesmaid’s tag when knocking out his first allowance condition over the Churchill turf in his most recent start during Derby week.