Tarpy's Goal among local dirt lovers
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLELOUISVILLE, Ky. – They might not be as effective elsewhere, but virtually every horse in the Sunday feature at Churchill Downs has run his career-best races over the local track.
Tarpy’s Goal earned a lifetime-best Beyer Speed Figure of 99 during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill and looks like the horse to beat when a second-level optional $62,500 claimer with a $41,000 purse is run as the ninth of 10 races.
“He had a nice comeback race at Saratoga, and hopefully that sets him up for another big one here,” trainer Dale Romans said of Tarpy’s Goal, who was assigned the outside post in a field of six in the 6 1/2-furlong feature.
The others with top Beyers at Churchill are Ouimet (93), Bagg O’Day (88), and Brink of War (81), all from allowance triumphs at the spring meet, and Positively, who got an 88 in winning here last fall. The only remaining starter, Be Well, won a maiden race here in the fall, meaning the entire field has visited the Churchill winner’s circle at least once.
First post is 12:45 p.m. Eastern, with the feature set for 4:55.
Race 9
KEY CONTENDERS
Tarpy’s Goal (Last 3 Beyers: 84-86-99)
Romans liked the way this 5-year-old Florida-bred ascended the class ladder at Gulfstream Park over the winter, ultimately peaking with the Derby week romp. He draws a favorable outside post while reuniting with Corey Lanerie, who entered this weekend in contention for his sixth riding title at the last seven Churchill meets.
Like Ouimet and Brink of War, Tarpy’s Goal is entered for the $62,500 claiming option.
Ouimet (Last 3 Beyers: 86-93-74)
Chestnut gelding figures to be stalking from the rail when trying for his third win in just five starts over his home surface. He’s in for the tag, but he does exit a minor stakes at Ellis Park.
He’s a co-second choice at 3-1 on the morning line, and it may be worth noting that his three career victories have come at these odds: 10-1, 10-1, 8-1.
Bagg O’Day (Last 3 Beyers: 82-88-78)
Explosive victory in a tough first-level allowance at 16-1 here May 26 was followed by just one subsequent outing, so trainer Steve Hobby is spacing his races judiciously. Hobby shows a positive return on investment of $2.40 from his last 76 starters returning from 31- to 60-day layoffs.