Proforma gets through on rail in Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint

FRANKLIN, Ky. – Shooting through a rail opening for the long stretch drive, Proforma outfought favored White Flag in a frantic conclusion to the 20th running of the Grade 3, $500,000 Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint on Saturday.

Ridden by Joe Bravo, Proforma returned $17.60 after finishing the 6 1/2-furlong distance in 1:15.72 over a firm course and getting a 94 Beyer Speed Figure. Mike Stidham trains the 4-year-old gelding for the DARRS Inc. of David Ross.

With a furlong to go, the Turf Sprint was wide open, with most of the pack having caught up to early leaders Little Chesney and Done Deal. In the end, Proforma proved strongest when finishing a head in front. It was his first graded victory and his fourth from 10 overall starts.

“When we got through I was like, ‘Yeah, we got it,’” said Bravo. “It was a head-bob in the end, but we got it.”

Stidham said Proforma, a Kentucky-bred by Munnings, could race next in the Oct. 6 Woodford at Keeneland or the Nov. 3 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs. Both go at 5 1/2 furlongs.

“Off that big effort, you’d have to think about it,” said Stidham. “Of all the horses I’ve had over the years, he has to be one of the coolest, smartest horses of all. He does everything just right and loves his job.”

Vici was third, another half-length behind, while less than two lengths separated the winner from the seventh-place finisher, Conquest Panthera. An original field of 12 was reduced to eight with the early scratches of Richiesinthehouse, Jazzy Times, Maniacal, and Master Merion.

Moonlight Romance wins Juvenile Sprint

Earlier Saturday, Moonlight Romance won the first of five straight stakes, the inaugural running of the $496,700 Kentucky Downs Juvenile Turf Sprint, in a race marred by a spill that ultimately led to the euthanization of Chattel.

Moonlight Romance, ridden by Jose Ortiz, always had clear sailing in the 6 1/2-furlong race after breaking sharply from her outside post. She took over for Sovereign Impact after straightening away en route to a three-length triumph over late-running Life Mission. Moonlight Romance was given a 65 Beyer Speed Figure.

Sovereign Impact, a 35-1 shot ridden by Adam Beschizza, finished third but subsequently was disqualified to last for the incident in which Chattel fell. Sovereign Impact was tiring and drifting out when Chattel, ridden by Kendrick Carmouche, appeared to clip his heels from behind.

Carmouche, based in New York, lay prone on the course for several minutes before being transported by ambulance to a hospital in Bowling Green, Ky., about 20 miles away. Fellow jockey Joe Rocco Jr. said Carmouche was conscious and alert when complaining of leg pain. Further updates were expected.

Chattel, owned by David Baxter and trained by Brandon McFarlane, was coming off a victory in the Aug. 17 Skidmore Stakes at Saratoga. The colt was a $2,000 yearling purchase after being bred at the University of Kentucky. He was euthanized because of a fractured shoulder, according to track officials.

Moonlight Romance, owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, was one of just two fillies in the 10-horse field. The daughter of Liaison could make her next start in the new Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint on Nov. 2 at Churchill Downs, said trainer Wesley Ward.