Seven of last week's nine stakes winners headed to Fair Grounds

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Seven of the nine stakes winners during the final week of the Churchill Downs fall meet will be stabled at Fair Grounds this winter, not to mention a substantial number of horses who won allowance and maiden races during the same span.

Proxy, winner of the Grade 1 Clark on Friday with a 101 Beyer Speed Figure, “has all kinds of options, thankfully,” for 2023, said trainer Mike Stidham, whose longtime New Orleans residence is just outside the Fair Grounds gate. “Obviously, we’ll take a long look at the [March 25] Dubai World Cup, but we’ve got plenty of time to think things over.”

Proxy, the second straight Godolphin homebred to win the Clark after Maxfield in 2021, departed Churchill on Saturday. Sooner or later, he’ll be joined in New Orleans by the following:

◗ Played Hard, winner of the Grade 3 Falls City (90 Beyer): “She’ll get a break on the farm, then come to me maybe in late January” with an eye on the Grade 1 Apple Blossom, trainer Phil Bauer said.

◗ Dalika, winner of the Grade 3 Cardinal for Al Stall Jr. (97 Beyer): “Plan A is to maybe run in the Pegasus Filly and Mare Turf, then have her bred,” owner Paul Varga said.

◗ Bubble Rock, winner of the Grade 2 Mrs. Revere for Brad Cox (84 Beyer).

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◗ Hoosier Philly, the unbeaten winner of the Grade 2 Golden Rod (81 Beyer) for Tom Amoss.

◗ Instant Coffee, winner of the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club for Cox (82 Beyer).

◗ Powerful, winner of the Ed Brown for Steve Asmussen (73 Beyer).

The two other closing-week stakes winners both are headed for Florida. Red Carpet Ready, winner of the Fern Creek with a 78 Beyer, goes to Palm Beach Downs with Rusty Arnold, and Trademark, winner of the off-the-turf Commonwealth Turf on Sunday (96 Beyer), will be at Payson Park with Vicki Oliver.

Among the other closing-week winners bound for Fair Grounds are Victory Formation (85) for Cox, Confidence Game (83) for Keith Desormeaux, Determinedly (83) for Mark Casse, Royal Take Charge (73) for Stall, Invulnerable (68) for Joe Sharp, and Gun Pilot (67) for Asmussen.

Among the notable winners headed for Florida are Vahva (76) for Cherie DeVaux and the Arnold-trained Ruthless Rua (87). Secret Statement (68) stays at the Trackside training center to run in the Gowell on Dec. 31 at Turfway Park, trainer Jimmy Baker said.

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