Sonneteer makes it look easy in Champions Day Marathon

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Victory came nearly two years later than what Brad Kelley and Keith Desormeaux would have preferred, but Sonneteer became a winner at Churchill Downs when dominating the inaugural running of the $115,600 Champions Day Marathon on a warm Tuesday of Kentucky Derby week.

Sonneteer had finished 16th as a maiden behind Always Dreaming in the 2017 Kentucky Derby before becoming a very useful performer for his owner-breeder, the Calumet Farm owned by Kelley, and Desormeaux, his trainer. The $70,610 winner’s share lifted his career bankroll to $583,776 from 25 starts.

Confidently ridden while kept in the clear by Corey Lanerie, Sonneteer was always close to the pace in the 1 1/2-mile race, overtaking Pinson, then Royal Artillery, on his way to a 7 1/4-length triumph. The winner returned $5.80 as favorite in a field of six older horses after finishing in 2:30.42 over a fast track. The clocking is a track record for the infrequently-run distance.

“You never know until they do it, but I had a feeling he’d like the extra ground,” said Desormeaux, who will saddle his 2018 Derby starter, My Boy Jack, for an allowance on the Derby undercard Saturday. “He’s turned into a pretty nice horse.”

Royal Artillery, a 19-1 shot under Robby Albarado, held well to be second, another 1 1/2 lengths before Biblical. Then came Lookin for Eight, Pinson, and Krewe Chief.

The $2 exacta (3-5) paid $85, the $1 trifecta (3-5-1) returned $146.40, and the 10-cent superfecta (3-5-1-2) was worth $29.43.

Racing continues here through Derby Day, with Wednesday first post set for 12:45 p.m. Eastern.