Racing club's first starters ready to run

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Debut dates have been targeted for a pair of 2-year-olds whose ownership groups have been champing at the bit to see those horses in action at Churchill Downs.

Warrior’s Club, a colt by Warrior’s Reward, will be entered to run in a June 23 maiden special weight race, while Dial Me, a filly by Dialed In, is being pointed to a maiden special weight race on closing weekend (July 1-2) of the spring meet.

Both horses are trained by D. Wayne Lukas and owned by the Churchill Downs Racing Club, a new venture announced in April. Members paid $500 each to purchase the horses and pay ongoing bills, with each horse having 200 owners. No one will get his money back, but if sufficient earnings are accrued, another horse (or horses) could be bought to keep the group in action. Members also receive certain perks such as free admission and parking.

Gary Palmisano Jr., the VIP services manager overseeing the club, said anticipation is high. “They are very eager and excited groups,” he said.

Each horse was a private purchase from consignors based out of Ocala, Fla. Warrior’s Club was bought for $60,000 from the Top Line Sales of Jim Gladwell, and Dial Me was bought for $65,000 from Randy Miles.

As of Wednesday, Warrior’s Club had been sent through five breezes and Dial Me through two. Members have been invited out on three occasions to watch the works, with Lukas answering questions afterward.

“Both horses have exceeded Wayne’s expectations to this point,” said Palmisano. “He says both have great minds and unlimited possibilities. He says when he’s at the races, he gets stopped by people all the time. Some ask questions, but they thank him more than anything.”

The Churchill Downs Racing Club is modeled after similar initiatives at Emerald Downs and Canterbury Park, said Palmisano.

“They’ve had a lot of fun while at the same time cultivating owners from their areas, and we thought it was a great concept when the Emerald folks presented it last December at the Racing Symposium in Arizona,” he said.