Kentucky Downs undercard races offering beaucoup bucks
Besides the $400,000 Tapit on the opening-day card Thursday at Kentucky Downs, a $180,000 allowance sprint that drew an overflow field of fillies and mares (race 5) is among the many excellent supporting events.
The top two trainers in track history, Mike Maker (67 wins) and Wesley Ward (42), have top contenders in Amalfi Princess and Red Ghost, respectively. Those 4-year-old fillies are among a well-matched group that also includes Social Chatter, Saranya, and a second Maker filly, Phantom Vision, as major players.
It’s one of four allowances on an action-packed card that also includes three maiden-specials. Including Kentucky-bred bonuses, all of those races have purses of $150,000 or more.
◗ The 23-day Ellis Park summer meet ended Sunday with John Ortiz earning his first-ever training title with 12 winners, one more than both Brad Cox and Steve Asmussen. Gerardo Corrales was the leading jockey with 22 wins, while Gary and Mary West led all owners with seven wins.
◗ Mullion, a 2-year-old full brother to 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Mandaloun, earned a 79 Beyer Speed Figure when beaten a nose in his career debut Sunday in a six-furlong maiden race at Ellis. Brad Cox trains the Into Mischief colt for owner-breeder Juddmonte Farms.
◗ Plainsman, a multiple stakes-winning earner of more than $1.4 million from 32 starts, has been retired by Shortleaf Stable after finishing far back in his final race, the Aug. 19 Governor’s Cup at Remington Park. Plainsman, a 7-year-old horse, was based at Churchill with Cox.
◗ Howling Time, scratched from the H. Allen Jerkens on Saturday at Saratoga, will return to his Churchill base before making his next start, said trainer Dale Romans. “He was just a tiny bit off,” said Romans. “I’ve got to figure out what we’re going to do with him.”
◗ Ivar, the Grade 1 winner trained by Paulo Lobo, breezed six furlongs Saturday at the Thoroughbred training center, staying on target for the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile on Sept. 17. The Brazilian-bred 6-year-old has been on a steady work pattern since early August.
◗ James Graham missed the final weekend of the Ellis meet to ride in a jockey’s challenge in Japan.