Rain would brighten day for 11 of 12 Cardinal entrants
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Rain and strong winds are forecast for this area Saturday, which might actually be good news for some horsemen with starters in the Grade 3 Cardinal Handicap at Churchill Downs.
Trainer Ignacio Correas insists Dona Bruja will not make the trip from Lexington for the Cardinal Handicap if the turf course has too much give to it. Otherwise, the 5-year-old Argentine-bred surely would be a solid favorite as the 122-pound highweight.
If Dona Bruja is scratched from post 12, leaving the Cardinal to her 11 opponents, then suddenly the 44th running of this 1 1/8-mile race for fillies and mares pops wide open.
Given this likely scenario, Ian Wilkes might hold the strongest hand as the trainer of the uncoupled entry of Linda and Res Ipsa. In what remains her best race, Linda was an emphatic 2 1/2-length winner of the Grade 2 Mrs. Revere over the Churchill turf nearly a year ago, while Res Ipsa has gone 2 for 2 since undergoing minor throat surgery this summer.
“Obviously that’s been a big help,” said Wilkes.
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Beauly, most recently fourth at 54-1 in the Grade 1 Flower Bowl at Belmont Park, defeated Linda in an ungraded stakes in July at Indiana Grand.
“She’s doing very well,” said Brendan Walsh, who trains Beauly for Rebecca Hillen. If Dona Bruja is scratched, “hopefully we’ve got an even better shot.”
Other notables in the Cardinal lineup include Tricky Escape, winner of the Grade 3 Violet at Monmouth Park in August for trainer Lynn Ashby, and Fair Point, a turf-sprint specialist on a rare stretchout for Shug McGaughey.
The Cardinal, first run in 1974, will be held under the lights as the 10th of 11 Saturday races. First post is 1 p.m. Eastern, with the feature going at 5:24.
Earlier Saturday, Limousine Liberal will be heavily favored when he looks to complete an unprecedented sweep against seven other older horses in the $80,000 Bet On Sunshine (race 5, 2:55) at seven furlongs.
Trained by Ben Colebrook for K.K. and Mike Ball, Limousine Liberal won all three stakes in his division here in the spring – the Churchill Down, Aristides, and Kelly’s Landing. Limousine Liberal finished a troubled third as the favorite in the Grade 2 Phoenix last month at Keeneland. He drew post 8 for the Bet On Sunshine.
“We’re trying to end the year on a happy note,” said Colebrook.
Local traffic could be impacted by the Syracuse-Louisville football game at nearby Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium, where kickoff is 3:30.
Cardinal Handicap
KEY CONTENDERS
Dona Bruja, by Storm Embrujado
Last 3 Beyers: 95-101-99
◗ A winner in 10 of her first 12 starts, including the Mint Julep at Churchill and Modesty at Arlington, she undoubtedly would be the horse to beat if she starts.
Beauly, by Sea the Stars
Last 3 Beyers: 96-89-87
◗ This stretch-running British-bred has done her part to make 2017 a breakthrough year for Walsh, whose 61 wins and $3.35 million in stable earnings (through Wednesday) are career highs.
Linda, by Scat Daddy
Last 3 Beyers: 89-91-89
◗ This 4-year-old Whitham homebred has gone winless in six starts since romping here last fall, but has shown herself to be very competitive with this brand.
Tricky Escape, by Hat Trick
Last 3 Beyers: 88-95-92
◗ If Dona Bruja defects, this East Coast invader would become the 119-pound highweight. She has finished no worse than fourth in all 13 career starts.