Racing rarity on Churchill card

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- A racing rarity occurred here Wednesday when two races resulted in dead heats for win.

Express Yourself and Lady Oak finished on even terms in the second race, just as the photo-finish camera couldn’t separate Crown Royal Queen and Cheatin Heart in the 10th race.

Comprehensive records are not kept so as to determine when, if ever, a similar event has occurred here.

» Harambe, a 2-year-old filly named for the gorilla who has achieved widespread Internet fame in death, was scratched by trainer Murat Sancal from the third race Wednesday from what would have been her career debut. Sancal said he did not want to lose the filly for a $15,000 claim and felt the popularity of her name alone might entice someone to claim her.

Kentucky rules permit a horse to be scratched without an excuse if more than eight betting interests are in a race. The subject race had 10 entries (although it scratched down to seven), and Churchill stewards said she was among the first two allowed out.

» Eagle was among the names missing from the Clark Handicap on Friday, but the multiple stakes-winning earner of $601,006 is expected to resurface in the major handicap events this winter at Fair Grounds.

“He’s shipping down with the rest of the stable after getting a little time off,” said trainer Neil Howard. “We’re really looking forward to a good 5-year-old campaign with him.”

» Two victories from as many starts at his home track Thursday has left trainer Paul McGee just two shy of the 1,000-win mark. McGee, 54, has Go Navy Go (11th race Sunday) as his lone remaining starter at this meet, so he will have to hit the milestone after moving his stable to Fair Grounds for the winter.

» Turfway Park begins four months of winter racing Wednesday as the northern Kentucky track undertakes a five-day-a-week schedule during a holiday meet that runs through Dec. 31. The first stakes, the $50,000 Holiday Inaugural, is set for next Saturday, Dec. 3.