Trademark notches first stakes triumph with Commonwealth Turf

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Trademark registered his first stakes victory as Churchill Downs closed its 19-day fall meet Sunday with an off-the-turf renewal of the $300,000 Commonwealth Turf.

A field of just six 3-year-olds started in the 1 1/16-mile Commonwealth Turf following five early scratches. Trademark, given a well-gauged ride by Martin Garcia, put away Stolen Base at the top of the stretch before drawing off to a four-length triumph. Vicki Oliver trains the Upstart gelding for BBN Racing.

Under the lights and over a sloppy track on a miserable rainy evening, Fighter in the Win was headstrong early as Garcia eased Trademark back to second. By the far turn, Trademark had taken over, and he proved clearly best from there. He paid $9.12 after finishing in 1:46.39.

“I thought Martin did the right thing in letting (Fighter in the Win) go out early,” Oliver said. “Maybe he got a little sour trying him on the Derby trail, I don’t know. But now he’s finally running like we’ve known he can, thankfully.”

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Trademark was coming off a breakthrough triumph last month in a Keeneland allowance, snapping a seven-race winless streak. He was entered earlier this month in the Horses of Racing Age Sale at Keeneland, but failed to meet his reserve. He was entered but scratched from the Clark on Friday with the hope of the Commonwealth Turf being transferred.

Stolen Base was 11 3/4 lengths ahead of Red Danger in third, while Actuator, the 9-10 favorite, labored home a distant fourth.

The $2 exacta (2-1) paid $55.60, the $1 trifecta (2-1-10) returned $153.12, and the 10-cent superfecta (2-1-10-7) was worth $29.41.

The Commonwealth Turf was part of a Derby City 6 sequence (races 7-12) that, like all wagering pools Sunday, was forced out because of the meet coming to an end. New handle chasing a jackpot carryover of $23,661 from Saturday was $291,872, with 5 of 6 returning $4,605 on a 20-cent bet. There were no perfect tickets.

This was the 17th Commonwealth Turf, which last was run over grass in 2019. The race had been on hiatus in 2020 (pandemic) and 2021 (no turf availability). It carries a Grade 3 ranking, but that is now subject to an automatic post-race review by the American Graded Stakes Committee because of the surface switch.

In all, eight turf races were run this meet over a $10 million course that was problematic after coming into use in late April. Churchill officials are optimistic the coming off-season will be of great benefit to the new course.

Saez earns another title

Luis Saez, riding his first full Churchill meet, was the leading jockey with 23 wins, two more than Tyler Gaffalione. Saez rode six winners here Saturday, one shy of the Churchill record held jointly by Pat Day (1984) and Julien Leparoux (2009). Gaffalione had four winners Sunday.

Mike Maker was the leading trainer with 12 wins, one more than Steve Asmussen, while there was a seven-way tie for leading owner (three wins each).

*** Action on the Kentucky circuit now moves to the Tapeta at Turfway Park, where four months of winter racing starts Wednesday evening.

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