Masochistic won't be easy to catch in Churchill Downs Stakes

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Though there are 14 horses entered in Saturday’s Grade 2, $500,000 Churchill Downs Stakes, there is a surprising dearth of early speed for a seven-furlong race. That should play in the favor of the fleet-footed Masochistic, who most certainly will be the horse to catch under Mike Smith from post 2.

Masochistic, disqualified from second-place purse money in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint due to a medication positive, finished second in the Grade 1 Triple Bend on March 11 at Santa Anita. Masochistic set a modest pace by Southern California standards but couldn’t match strides with Denman’s Call, who rallied along the rail to beat Masochistic by one length.

“He got a little tired, but I thought he ran well for not having run in four months,” said Ron Ellis, who trains Masochistic for Samantha Siegel’s Jay Em Ess Stable. “I thought that race would be good enough most times to win the race.”

Ellis believes the tighter the track, the better for Masochistic. The track figures to be on the tight side with all the maintenance it likely will take to get the water off it should the expected rain come.

“He likes to stay on top of the ground,” Ellis said.

Denman’s Call accompanied Masochistic on the flight from California to Kentucky. He was eligible for a first-level allowance when he won the Triple Bend. In fact, he was entered in such a race, but it didn’t fill.

Denman’s Call, who had the rail in the Triple Bend, breaks from post 12 of 14 on Saturday.

“With our outside post, we should be sitting in the garden spot,” trainer Doug O’Neill said.

Bluegrass Singer, who is positioned in post 1, and Limousine Liberal, who was part of the pace in the 2016 Churchill Downs, are possible pace pressers.

If Masochistic gets pressure, the best closers look to be Awesome Slew, the winner of the Grade 3 Commonwealth at Keeneland, Denman’s Call, and Tom’s Ready.

KEY CONTENDERS

Masochistic, by Sought After

Last 3 Beyers: 101-100-110

◗ Looks to be the primary speed, but he did have a clear lead and let it slip away in the Triple Bend.

“He’s had a race under his belt, and he’s trained well since,” Ellis said.

Awesome Slew, by Awesome Again

Last 3 Beyers: 102-98-91

◗ After competing mostly in two-turn races at age 3, he appears to have found a niche as a one-turn runner with a solid second in the Gulfstream Park Handicap at a mile and a win in the Commonwealth.

◗ This will be his first start at Churchill Downs.

“I think he’ll love it here,” trainer Mark Casse said. “Churchill Downs has a big old stretch.”

◗ Does his best running from off the pace.

Denman’s Call, by Northern Afleet

Last 3 Beyers: 104-93-89

◗ Ran a career-best race when he upset Masochistic in the Triple Bend, and he has run his two best races with Tyler Baze in the irons. Baze will be aboard Saturday.

“When Tyler gets along with a horse, look out, and Tyler really gets along with this guy,” O’Neill said. “I think he can do it, I really, really do. He’s got a live chance.”