Regally Ready, 8, has still got it

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – More than four years after he won the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Churchill, Regally Ready once again showed his fondness for the local course when the 8-year-old gelding dominated the Sunday feature.

Regally Ready led every step of the one-mile allowance, winning by five lengths and increasing his career bankroll to $1,739,481 from 43 starts.

“He’s just such a cool, cool horse,” said trainer Steve Asmussen.

Asmussen, meanwhile, turns 50 on Wednesday and could have plenty more to celebrate before this meet ends, with Gun Runner in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes and Stageplay in the Golden Rod on the Stars of Tomorrow card Nov. 28.

◗ A $57,000, first-level allowance anchors a Wednesday program that kicks off another five-day week at Churchill. Malibu Charlie, claimed out of a win last month at Belmont Park by Asmussen, is a lukewarm morning-line favorite in the five-furlong turf race.

Two starter allowances (races 2 and 6) also are part of a 10-race card that starts at 12:40 p.m. Eastern.

◗ Mike Battaglia will be honored for a lifetime of service to the racing industry when the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners holds its annual awards dinner Saturday evening at Big Springs Country Club in Louisville.

Battaglia has been named the KTO’s Warner L. Jones Jr. Horseman of the Year after more than 40 years of race-calling, television commentating, odds-making, and other contributions to the game.

Tickets to the event are $125 apiece. For more information, call (502) 458-5820.

◗ Chris Richard has won with seven of his first 16 starters at this meet and is tied atop the trainer standings with Mike Maker as this week begins. Since 2007, Richard has compiled these numbers at Churchill while training primarily for Maggi Moss and Midwest Thoroughbreds: 46 wins from 133 starts for a win rate of 34.6 percent.

◗ The Grade 3, $100,000 Cardinal Handicap for fillies and mares on turf is the main attraction this weekend, with the $80,000 Bet On Sunshine accompanying it on the Saturday card. Runners likely for the 1 1/8-mile Cardinal include Annulment, Emotional Kitten, Kiss Moon, and Sistas Stroll. Entries will be drawn Wednesday.

◗ With 11 of 21 fall programs in the books, field size has averaged 9.67 horses per race, or more than one additional horse per race than last fall (8.56). Churchill has even tacked on a few more races per week to accommodate demand.