Letruska has final work for Ogden Phipps Stakes
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Letruska was sent through her final pre-race work for the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps at Belmont on June 11 when she went five furlongs Friday in 1:00.40 over a fast Churchill surface.
Letruska was scheduled to leave here no later than Sunday for New York, where she’ll be looking to stay unbeaten in three starts at 6 and seeking to repeat in the Phipps on the Belmont Stakes undercard. The Super Saver mare won the Phipps last year on her way to earning the Eclipse Award for top filly-mare dirt runner.
◗ Marlon St. Julien, the retired jockey with 2,471 career wins, is now working as agent for jockey Jack Gilligan. St. Julien, who retired from race-riding after being seriously injured in 2018, rode 68 winners on this circuit during some of his prime years (1999-2001). At the 2000 Kentucky Derby, he became the first African-American to ride the race in nearly 80 years, finishing seventh on Curule.
◗ The Grade 3 Matt Winn for 3-year-olds is set for next Sunday as the highlight of the coming weekend. The Mighty Beau (Saturday) and Leslie’s Lady (Sunday), both overnight stakes, also are on tap.
◗ Starting this coming week, Churchill is moving to a five-day race week by adding Wednesdays to the schedule. The 44-day meet runs through July 4.