Loaded turf allowance should unfold with quick pace

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A high-end turf allowance that attracted eight graded winners was run May 23 at Churchill Downs. The same sort of multi-conditioned race goes as the feature of the final Friday of the fan-free spring meet – and once again it’s a stakes masquerading as an allowance.

Thirteen older horses are entered in the eighth of nine Friday races, an $88,000 turf mile. Nine of the 10 in the main body have won stakes – and the one who hasn’t, Holiday Stone, is expected to scratch in favor of a shorter race Saturday. All three horses relegated to the also-eligibles list are stakes winners, too.

The 5-2 morning-line favorite is Mr Dumas, whose last-out victory in a May 21 turf race at Churchill equated to a 97 Beyer Speed Figure, which is about what it will take to win this. He’ll have to run another big one, given that the opposition includes such accomplished foes as Mr. Misunderstood, a nine-time stakes winner, and Snapper Sinclair, an earner of more than $1.2 million.

Mr. Misunderstood was seventh in the May 23 race won by Spooky Channel, but his margin of defeat was a mere two lengths. Snapper Sinclair has not won since capturing the rich Tourist Mile last September at Kentucky Downs, but it’s worth noting that all seven of his races in the interim have come over dirt.

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Mr Dumas, trained by Mike Maker, showed more early speed than usual in his last victory, but he and leading jockey Tyler Gaffalione figure to sit midpack through the early going here, given the presence of Get Western, Spectacular Gem, Seven Trumpets, and Great Wide Open. Not only are they all quick, but they’re all returning from layoffs of four months and longer, insuring a pace that should be rip-roaring.

If things melt down upfront, then not only do Mr Dumas or Snapper Sinclair figure to be moving in, but other come-from-behinders such as Doctor Mounty and Made You Look also could have their chances. First Premio, if he’s the one to draw in for Holiday Stone, also would rate high consideration under this scenario.

Two other allowances, both main-track routes for 3-year-olds and up, also are on a program that starts at 1 p.m. Eastern.

Race 3 is an $81,000, first-level race that drew a well-matched field of eight, while race 7 is an $83,000, second-level race in which Intrepid Heart, Blueridge Traveler, and Dinar should be among a core of lukewarm favorites.

Purses for all allowances and maiden specials at Churchill include substantial bonuses restricted to registered Kentucky-breds.

After substantial rain in the area early in the week, dry conditions will prevail Friday with a high of about 90.