Prather wins first since June
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Kris Prather, the apprentice rider who early in 2001 led North American jockeys in victories, posted her first win since June when she won aboard Plino in the fourth race Wednesday at Churchill Downs.
Prather has been riding since August 2000 but still will be allowed to ride with a five-pound allowance for about six more weeks because of time she has missed with injuries. Her latest layoff was because of a pelvic injury suffered at Churchill on June 29, when she was kicked by a horse she had just ridden.
Prather, 23, had a fabulous run for several months during the winter of 2000-01 at Turfway Park, where she gained national acclaim. She won 110 races in the first 2 1/2 months of 2001, easily the most in North America, before suffering a knee injury.
Plino, trained by Eduardo Caramori, returned $7.20. He led throughout and won the seven-furlong race for $8,000 claimers by seven lengths.
Two for the turf
The turf-course maximum of 12 starters appears likely for the Saturday feature, the $150,000 Mrs. Revere Stakes, a Grade 2 turf race at 1 1/16 miles. Affirmed Dancer and Glia are among the 3-year-old fillies expected to ship in to face the Bill Mott-trained trio of High Maintenance, Showlady, and Styleistick.
The Sunday feature is another grass race, the $150,000 River City, a Grade 3 handicap for older horses. Probables include Jake the Flake, Moon Solitaire, Dr. Kashnikow, Pisces, Roxinho, Maysville Slew, Stage Classic, and X Country.
* Turfway Park will host a memorial service and reception Saturday at 11 a.m. Eastern on the third-floor grandstand in honor of trainer Barbara Holbrook. Holbrook, 52, was killed Nov. 5. Her husband, Roger Holbrook, is being seeked for questioning.
* Top prospects being pointed to the richest race of the meet, the $400,000 Clark Handicap on Nov. 29, include Evening Attire, Tenpins, Dollar Bill, Najran, and Perfect Drift.
* As the 30-day meet hit the midway point Wednesday, fields are averaging slightly more than nine horses per race, narrowly ahead of the average for last fall.
* The nominal features here Friday are allowances carded as the eighth and ninth of 10 races. First post is 12:40 p.m. Eastern.