Indiana: Can chalk handle turf?

Father Art towers over his eight Indiana-bred 3-year-old rivals in the $40,000 Governor's Stakes at Indiana Downs.

A winner of all four of his starts by a combined margin of 36 lengths, Father Art must answer only one question in the 7 1/2-furlong Governor's: Can he handle turf? None of the nine entrants in the Governor's has ever raced over the surface.

Father Art, who is coupled in the wagering Tuesday with both Danny Banannie and Bridled Furry, is the only runner in the Governor's to have won around two turns, with that victory coming in his last start, a gate-to-wire 13-length victory over allowance company here going a mile and 70 yards two weeks ago.

Mike Nance trains Father Art, whose Beyer Speed Figure of 95 recorded in his last start is more than 20 points higher than any other runner entered on Tuesday has ever recorded. Tommy Pompell, who has ridden Father Art in all four of his starts, has a return call in the Governor's.

Ruff Buck a winner of his last two starts in gate-to-wire fashion, may prove the main danger to Father Art.