Tale of Verve drops down, stretches out in allowance
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Tale of Verve was among the footnotes in the American Pharoah saga that unfolded at the recent Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland. Second in the Preakness during the Triple Crown winner’s remarkable sweep, Tale of Verve went virtually unnoticed when ninth in the Bryan Station Stakes on the undercard of the first day of the Breeders’ Cup.
Dallas Stewart wouldn’t mind Tale of Verve drawing more attention to himself at Churchill Downs, where the 3-year-old colt will try allowance company and a turf marathon for the first time in the wide-open Thursday feature.
“I thought he ran pretty well over there at Keeneland,” said Stewart. “Plus, he should like the longer distance and the drop in class.”
Tale of Verve, bred and owned by Charles Fipke, is one of a handful of logical favorites in race 9, a $57,000, first-level allowance to be run at 1 3/8 miles on turf. Others likely to draw tote action in an oversubscribed field include Generous Kitten, Street Tough, and West Village.
Tale of Verve was the third Stewart-trained horse in recent years to finish second in a Triple Crown event, following Kentucky Derby runners-up Golden Soul (2013) and Commanding Curve (2014). Since the May 16 Preakness, Tale of Verve has failed to hit the board in five straight stakes.
First post Thursday is 12:40 p.m. Eastern.
Key contenders
Tale of Verve (Last 3 Beyers: 75-73-75)
* Stewart’s complaints that the colt failed to draw into the Kentucky Derby field despite scratches were largely validated by the Preakness result, but since then, this son of Tale of Ekati has failed to provide any follow-up. His rather unique form consists of six maiden races and six stakes.
Generous Kitten (Last 3 Beyers: 83-79-66)
* A victory over the Churchill turf course on closing night of the spring meet for owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey has been followed by several decent efforts, including a third-place finish Oct. 21 in a Keeneland race also contested by several of these others.
Street Tough (Last 3 Beyers: 78-80-73)
* The added distance poses a question for this colt – as it does for most of the opposition – but he’s given every indication that he can handle it. He’ll be ridden by Corey Lanerie, who is aiming to become the leading jockey here for the 10th time in 11 meets.
West Village (Last 3 Beyers: 69-76-80)
* Winner here on Derby Day makes his first start in nearly four months after being regrouped by Wayne Catalano following up-the-track efforts in two subsequent stakes.