Sir Alfred James runs for big purse with tag
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Al Stall Jr. is prepared for the goodbyes. He’ll saddle Sir Alfred James for the Friday feature at Churchill Downs, knowing full well the 5-year-old gelding is most likely to be claimed and go to a new barn afterward.
“I assume they’ll be rocking and rolling for him,” said Stall, “but with these purses being as big as they are, that’s the way the game is played right now.”
Sir Alfred James, in for an optional $62,500 claiming price, figures among the favorites in the ninth of 10 races on a Friday card that starts at 12:45 p.m. Eastern. The six-furlong race is otherwise governed by a second-level allowance condition, with the purse topping out at $134,000, including bonuses from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund. With the Irish-bred Mutakatif a lone exception, the other 10 in a well-matched lineup of 3-year-olds and up are Kentucky-breds.
Sir Alfred James, with Colby Hernandez riding from post 9, exits back-to-back stakes when making his first start in nearly 10 weeks. The son of Munnings was third in the Aristides on May 29 at Churchill, then second in the Good Lord on July 17 at Ellis Park, with both races being won by the standout sprinter Bango.
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First or second in 6 of 11 prior starts, Sir Alfred James is “the kind of horse that needs his races spaced,” Stall said. “He’s the type that shows a little wear and tear but still seems to really be trying. The thing with these huge purses, somebody will reach in and grab him, then run him right back in the same kind of race. If everything goes well the next time, he pretty much pays for himself. It’s almost like thinking you’re getting a real nice horse for free. But like I said, that’s our game right now and a subject for another day.”
Four others in the Friday feature also are in for the optional tag, those being Long Term Thinking, Mutakatif, Drena’s Star, and Mr. Quality. Sir Alfred James, a handy sort who figures to press the early pace, will likely have Coltonator, Verb, and Shoplifted as his chief opposition once the field straightens into the long Churchill stretch.
The Friday card is the sixth of 12 at a dirt-only September meet that runs through Oct. 3. The feature is part of the 20-cent Derby City 6 (races 5-10), which had a jackpot carryover of nearly $40,000 when a four-day week began Thursday evening. Sunshine and a high of 73 are in the local forecast for Friday.