Temple City Terror uses same winning tactics in Keertana Stakes
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Temple City Terror on Saturday won the $153,500 Keertana Stakes for a second straight year at Churchill Downs when using the same relentless rally in wearing down a stubborn Stand Tall.
Ridden by Adam Beschizza, Temple City Terror was making just her second start since last August when prevailing by a half-length over Stand Tall. The winner is a 6-year-old Temple City mare is trained by Brendan Walsh for Pocket Aces Racing.
Temple City Terror was content to trail in a field of seven fillies and mares going 1 1/2 miles on a firm turf until launching a looping rally with a half-mile to go. Stand Tall was the only one to stick with her down the stretch, with La Lune finishing another four lengths back in third.
“She seemed to be moving very comfortably the whole way,” Walsh said of Temple City Terror, whose rallying triumph in the 2021 Keertana is her only other stakes win from 24 starts. “She’s a pleasure to have, all heart.”
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Temple City Terror and Stand Tall, along with last-place-finisher Disappearing Act, all were sent away at 5-2 odds, with Disappearing Act the slight $2.70-1 favorite. Temple City Terror returned $7.60 as co-second choice after finishing in 2:31.76.
Federalist Papers and Malibu Marlee were early scratches from an original field of nine in the 10th of 11 Saturday races.
The $2 exacta (7-1) paid $28, the $1 trifecta (7-1-4) returned $60.90, and the 10-cent superfecta (7-1-4-9) was worth $37.75.
A rare five-day week at Churchill runs through Monday, with the Grade 3 Winning Colors anchoring a nine-race Memorial Day card.
In earlier Saturday action:
*** Jockey Declan Cannon was a winner for the first time since recovering from a serious back injury when Top of the Charts ($17.20) prevailed on debut in race 3 for trainer Brian Lynch. Cannon, 34, suffered fractured vertebrae in a Sept. 13 spill at Indiana Grand and had gone winless with 41 straight mounts since returning to the saddle March 17. It was his first victory since Aug. 28 at Ellis Park.
*** Totally Boss ($9) rallied powerfully down the stretch in winning a $127,858 allowance going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf in race 4. Ridden by Florent Geroux for Susan and Jim Hill and trainer Rusty Arnold, the 7-year-old gelding had gone unraced since last June 5. He now has earned $785,820 from 21 starts.
*** Awesome Gerry ($7.20) and jockey Gerardo Corrales fought off several challenges in winning race 9, a $137,337 allowance at seven furlongs. The 4-year-old Liam’s Map colt also was a winner of his previous start at Keeneland for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.