With top jockeys at Breeders' Cup, Murrill makes the most of opportunities

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – While most of the top Churchill jockeys were traveling to and from the Breeders’ Cup during parts of last week, Mitch Murrill rode 11 winners to take command atop the local standings.

Murrill rode at least one winner each day from Nov. 3-7, including a three-win Saturday capped by a terrific ride on late-running Necker Island in the $300,000 Bet On Sunshine.

Six of the wins for Murrill, a 27-year-old native of Alabama, came for longtime client Chris Hartman, including Necker Island. Hartman leads the current trainer standings with six wins and is a combined 23 for 63 (36.5 percent) at the three Churchill meets in 2021.

Eight in Wednesday feature

The second five-day week of the dirt-only fall meet at Churchill begins with a Wednesday card anchored by a five-furlong allowance with wide-open conditions. Momos, with Joel Rosario riding for Mike Trombetta, is a lukewarm morning-line choice, clashing with seven other 3-year-olds for a $160,000 purse in the ninth of 10 races. First post is 1 p.m. Eastern, with the feature going under the lights at 5:06.

Purses for all non-claiming/starter races include substantial bonuses restricted to registered Kentucky-breds.

◗ The $300,000 Dream Supreme, the filly-mare counterpart to the Bet On Sunshine, serves as the lone stakes of the coming weekend with its 16th running Saturday. Bell’s the One, Sconsin, Club Car, and Frank’s Rockette are among those likely to be entered in the six-furlong race when entries are drawn Wednesday. Rosario will ride Club Car.