King: Unscheduled match race at Churchill

Monday, May 26, preview

Unscheduled match race in the opener

Following four vet scratches, Monday’s first race at Churchill Downs goes with two horses, meaning it is a match race for $5,000 claimers. The horses left to run are the two highest prices on the morning line, Stereo In Motion and Theodore’s Cash.

Aside from the rarity of a match race, this is a new low.

Granted, Churchill Downs could not help the fact that trainers submitted veterinarian scratches (think of a note from a doctor why your son isn’t at school), but considering it was carded as a six-horse field, it’s not as if it had much wagering appeal to begin with.

For those unfamiliar with match races, they usually go to the early leader. Stereo In Motion seemingly has the better speed of the two, though both typically race from far back.

Regardless, this horseplayer won’t be betting, and handle is sure to be pitiful.

Anahauc gets class test in Winning Colors

Anahauc has already shown that she is one of the fastest older female sprinters, at least on numbers, having run Beyer Speed Figures of 102 and 100 in her last two starts. Now running Monday in the Grade 3 Winning Colors, we’ll see if she is as classy as she is fast.

This marks just her second stakes appearance, following a seventh-place finish in the Bourbonette Oaks last year, when she raced two turns on Polytrack at Turfway Park. And though she didn’t run well in that race, finishing a distant fifth, it didn’t come on her preferred surface, dirt, or going one turn, which is what she does best.

The six furlongs of the Winning Colors suits her, and having already won over the Churchill Downs track at this meet, handling the track is not an issue.

James Graham comes down from Chicago for the mount on Anahauc. He has been aboard for three of her four victories.

Lanerie could build upon Sunday’s momentum

With Rosie Napravnik riding in California on Monday, Corey Lanerie – trailing her by one win in the jockeys’ standings – has an opportunity to catch up, if not surpass her, on the Memorial Day card at Churchill. He has seven mounts.

Spot plays

Race 2

BIG JOHN B (#1, 6-1) did not fire last out for $50,000 claiming on the Polytrack at Keeneland but was claimed by sharp connections who know value, and now he is in good hands. He scratched out of an off-the-turf race for $50,000 last week and finds a softer spot for $40,000.

Race 5

FORMAT V. (#6, 3-1) looks like he can score a repeat victory after winning on the Polytrack last month at Keeneland. Although he has never won on dirt, he has run second five times on it. He also starts for winning connections – owner Maggi Moss and trainer Tom Amoss.

Scratches

Race 1:
#1 Dream Commander
#2 Holiday Weave
#3 No Crime
#5 Why Pretend

Race 3:
#7 Americailoveyou