Trainer Benson scores one for the Cardinals
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The fierce college rivalry between the Louisville Cardinals and Kentucky Wildcats has made its way into Thoroughbred nomenclature.
In a tongue-in-cheek takeoff borrowing from the Repole Stable star Notacatbutallama, 22-year-old trainer Liam Benson has given one of his unraced 2-year-olds this name: Notacatbutacard.
“I always loved that New York-bred Notacatbutallama, and it’s a great dig at UK, too,” said Benson, a graduate of the equine business program at Louisville.
Notacatbutallama earned nearly $790,000 in a 39-race career. Notacatbutacard, a colt by Discreet Cat, could make his career debut within a few weeks at Churchill Downs, said Benson.
◗ A fund-raising Cajun dinner to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, which will be attended by many of the top jockeys at Keeneland, will be held after the races April 23 at The Castle, the locally famous landmark just west of the track on Versailles Road. Tickets for the event are $75 apiece and are available at www.pdjf.org.
◗ Churchill officials announced Wednesday that the Grammy and Emmy Award-winning performer Harry Connick Jr. will sing the national anthem before the Kentucky Derby this year.