No clear favorite in Dogwood Stakes
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A perfect autumn night will be the setting for the season’s fourth and last Downs After Dark program Saturday at Churchill Downs, with the featured Dogwood Stakes as the ninth of 11 races – or right about when the party is at its peak.
Eight 3-year-old fillies are entered in the 41st running of the $100,000 Dogwood, a seven-furlong race lacking a clear-cut favorite. Emmzy would be among the wagering choices for Zayat Stables when breaking from the outside post, but trainer Brad Cox said the filly might run instead Sunday in the 1 1/16-mile Remington Park Oaks in Oklahoma.
With or without Emmzy, the Dogwood still has four more fillies as major contenders, with New York shipper Saharan squaring off against Mines and Magic, Marquee Miss, and One True Kiss. Saharan won a first-level allowance at Saratoga in her latest start.
“We’ve always liked her, and she’s coming into the race as good as she possibly could,” said Kent Sweezy, the traveling assistant for trainer Jimmy Jerkens.
The Dogwood will be followed by the Grade 1 President of the United Arab Emirates Cup (race 10), a Grade 1 race for Arabians. Neither the 20-cent Single 6 (races 3-8) nor the middle pick five (races 4-8) includes the Dogwood or the Arabian race.
The President of the UAE Cup actually is an interesting betting race, with Hall of Fame jockey Calvin Borel picking up the mount on the likely favorite, Paddys Day, the 2015 Horse of the Year among the Arabian breed. A field of nine is entered in the 1 1/16-mile race.
First post is 6 p.m. Eastern, with a $10 general admission after 4. The live entertainment includes a performance (9:30-10:45) by Linkin’ Bridge, recently a top 10 finalist on “America’s Got Talent.”
This is the 40th Downs After Dark card in Churchill history (the first was in June 2009). Attendance at the three night cards during the spring meet averaged 19,317.
The Saturday forecast calls for no chance of rain and a high of 90, with temperatures cooling in the evening.
KEY CONTENDERS
Emmzy, by Eskendereya
Last 3 Beyers: 85-82-81
◗ Sent to Cox from Southern California early this month, this filly most recently was second in the July 16 Indiana Oaks when still trained by Bob Baffert, who won the race with Family Tree.
Mines and Magic, by Mineshaft
Last 3 Beyers: 87-80-80
◗ Her 2-for-2 record over the Churchill main track gets put to the test as she goes from turf to dirt following a creditable effort in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks for trainer Vicki Oliver.
Saharan, by Desert Party
Last 3 Beyers: 86-75-67
◗ Won a May 1 maiden race in the Belmont slop, then raced three times on turf without success before Jerkens moved her back to the dirt to win her latest Aug. 28.
Marquee Miss, by Cowboy Cal
Last 3 Beyers: 84-60-74
◗ Winner of the Dixie Belle and Martha Washington stakes at Oaklawn Park early in the year, she’ll be looking to break a six-race losing skein when going turf to dirt for Ingrid Mason.
One True Kiss, by Warrior’s Reward
Last 3 Beyers: 84-78-84
◗ With 14 career starts, she’s the most experienced in the field and exits a series of graded stakes in New York for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.