Jockey Canchari to focus on Kentucky circuit
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Alex Canchari has ridden races from coast to coast while establishing himself as a capable journeyman. Now, he’ll ride regularly in Kentucky for the first time.
Canchari will team with one of the top agents on this circuit, Terry Miller, starting Sept. 1 at Ellis. The intent is to ride at the rich Kentucky Downs meet that starts the following day, then through the September meet at Churchill, the 17-day Keeneland meet, and the Churchill fall meet.
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Canchari, 23, is third in the rider standings at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn., where he grew up the son of former jockey Luis Canchari and worked as a teenager in concessions at the track before becoming a jockey. He won his first race in January 2012 at Oaklawn Park, and has become a winter fixture at the Arkansas track while also spending significant time at tracks in California, Illinois, Iowa, Oklahoma, and on the East Coast, always returning home to ride the summer meet at Canterbury.
Miller, widely known as Jaws, has represented numerous leading jockeys on this circuit and had worked for Corey Lanerie before they split in April.
Notables likely at Ky. Downs
Trainer Kenny McPeek said Daddys Lil Darling, second to Abel Tasman in the Kentucky Oaks in May, will make her next start in the Sept. 10 Dueling Grounds Oaks as one of several “name” horses expected during the five-day Kentucky Downs meet. Miss Temple City, a three-time Grade 1 winner, is possible for the Sept. 9 Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf after breezing again Monday at her Fair Hill training base.
Per-day purses are once again expected to average more than $1.7 million at turf-only Kentucky Downs.
◗ John Ortiz has been one of the hottest trainers in the region in recent weeks. Not only does Ortiz have a 4-for-9 mark at Ellis as another three-day weekend resumes Friday, but he also has been striking at Belterra and Indiana Grand. Since July 1, Ortiz has 9 wins, 6 seconds, and 4 thirds from 25 starts.
