Mr. Misunderstood will try to make up for lost time in River City

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – When Mr. Misunderstood won the River City as an odds-on favorite last fall at Churchill Downs, there was no telling where 2019 would take him.

After all, Mr. Misunderstood had won 11 of 15 starts on turf, including a sweep of his first eight. There was upside aplenty for the gelding, who had become a legitimate mainstay in the Midwest’s upper turf ranks.

But as Mr. Misunderstood seeks a repeat Saturday in the 42nd running of the Grade 3, $175,000 River City at Churchill, his connections have tempered their ambitions. In four starts this year, the 5-year-old gelding is winless.

“We’re looking to hit the reset button,” said owner Staton Flurry. “It’s been a pretty disappointing year.”

Trained by Brad Cox, Mr. Misunderstood was beset with pneumonia early this year at Fair Grounds and has been slow to find his best stride. His latest start, however, was his best of the year, as he was second after making a big move in the Sept. 29 Remington Green.

“The timing was right to run back in the River City,” said Flurry. “Hopefully we’re back on the right path with him.”

Opposition in the 1 1/8-mile River City is expected to include the Mike Maker trio of Bemma’s Boy, Cullum Road, and Space Mountain. Entries were to be drawn Wednesday.

The River City will be the last stakes at Churchill until six graded races are run Nov. 28-30 during the final week of the meet. It will be run for the first time under allowance conditions, as Churchill has eliminated handicap conditions for all its stakes, including the Grade 1 Clark, to be run Nov. 29.