Turf racing set for return with allowance

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The first scheduled turf race since the Arlington Million in August is the second of back-to-back allowances Wednesday at Churchill Downs, where a stop-and-start fall meet will go on hiatus for two days this weekend while the Breeders’ Cup is held just down the road at Keeneland.

A first-level allowance scheduled for a mile on the turf is part of a 10-race Wednesday card that starts at 1 p.m. Eastern. Dry weather is in the local forecast following nearly daylong rain Sunday, but just in case the race is transferred to the main track for any reason, there are 18 entries in the $127,000 race, including a combined eight also-eligibles and main-track-only designates.

Two horses trained by Dale Romans breezed over the turf Saturday morning as a sort of test-drive toward the reintroduction of turf racing at Churchill. Problems associated with the new $10 million turf course first used in late April have been well documented, but after being encouraged by how the course has matured in recent months, Churchill officials have tentatively planned as many as 16 turf races at the 19-day meet. The only allowance on a 10-race Thursday card also is scheduled for turf.

“In my opinion, it’s very safe,” Romans said. “There’s still quite a bit of kickback, but overall, it seems a lot better than it was in the spring.”

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The co-featured ninth race would seem to have no clear-cut favorite if in fact it stays on the grass. Sutherland is in sharp form and has to be considered a major player even though he has never raced beyond 6 1/2 furlongs. Master of the Ring could be a late-run threat adding blinkers and Tyler Gaffalione, but it’s been more than a year since he has been a factor in one of his races. Cadamosto gets first Lasix and sports intriguing form, but he, too, is a question mark at this distance.

The turf allowance directly follows a $134,000, second-level allowance (race 8) going 1 1/2 miles on the main track. Western River, a romping winner at this three-turn distance at the spring meet with an 87 Beyer Speed Figure, exits three failed stakes attempts. He’s eligible to come alive again given this class relief from trainer Rudy Brisset. The gray 3-year-old colt figures to have Offlee Naughty and Scarlet Fusion as his main opposition, as well as Silver Dust, the 8-year-old gelding who will be making his 40th start after tipping past the $1 million earnings mark in his latest out.

Listed purses include sizable bonuses restricted to registered Kentucky-breds.

After Wednesday and Thursday, Churchill will resume live action Sunday following the Friday and Saturday Breeders’ Cup cards at Keeneland. The meet runs through Nov. 27.

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