Two allowance races top card as entries dwindle
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The global pandemic is still on blast, but the dynamics of Churchill Downs racing sure have changed in the four months since the historic track reopened its gates.
It was on May 16 that Churchill resumed racing, much to the relief and delight of horsemen and fans. Racing in Kentucky and Louisiana, among numerous other racing jurisdictions, had been halted by the coronavirus crisis since late March. The result was a mad dash to the Churchill entry box, resulting in the first few dates of a revised spring meet drawing more than 200 entries per card, including exclusions and also-eligibles.
Fast forward to today, and trainers are no longer climbing over each other to make their entries. A relative glut of racing has ensued in the interim, here in Kentucky and elsewhere; “elite” meets at Keeneland and Kentucky Downs before and after Kentucky Derby week at Churchill have provided ample opportunities for horsemen to run their best horses all they want. Field-size average for those meets: Churchill spring, 9.46; Keeneland, 9.30; Kentucky Downs, 9.98.
A modest 10-race Saturday card at Churchill provides an illustration as to how things have evolved through the summer. A total of 80 horses are entered, but the number of betting interests will go lower due to stable couplings, also-eligibles, and scratches. Turnout was similar the first two days this week (83 for nine races Thursday, and 76 for 10 races Friday); more of the same is to be expected as Churchill winds down a divided 14-day September meet that ends Sept. 27.
With so many big-money races having been run during Derby week (Sept. 1-5) and the Kentucky Downs meet, which ended Wednesday, there will be only one more stakes on this circuit until Keeneland opens its 17-day fall meet Oct. 2. That’s the Grade 3 Ack Ack on Sept. 26.
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Ben Huffman, the longtime racing secretary at Churchill and Keeneland, said that even though purse levels remain quite lucrative, “it’s definitely been a challenge filling races.”
“Obviously there are a lot of factors involved,” he said. “We had some last-minute cancellations from some high-profile stables, but that’s the world we live in right now. They had reservations about travel and the virus and everything.
“We did have a great Derby week, I thought, with strong programs. Hopefully with Keeneland right around the corner, we’ll have a fantastic opening weekend there. In the meantime, we’ll keep plugging away.”
Meanwhile, the highlights of the Saturday card are a pair of allowances carded as races 3 and 9.
Race 3 is a $79,000 second-level main-track sprint in which only as many as five betting interests will be on offer. Perfect Happiness, second as the favorite in this same type of race during Derby week, looks like the horse to beat with Rafael Bejarano riding for trainer Larry Jones, although three of her rivals – Fair Maiden, Lexi On the Move, and Casual – all are in off subpar stakes efforts after having flashed ability on prior occasions.
Race 9 is a $77,000 first-level turf mile in which there’s no standout among eight fillies and mares. Three inside-drawn fillies could vie for favoritism, those being Redemption Day, Golden Curl, and Siamese.
First post Saturday is 12:45 p.m. Eastern. Three maiden-specials (races 2, 6, 8) help round out the card. Each is worth as much as $75,000, provided all bonuses for registered Kentucky-breds are paid out.
The weather forecast is about as good as it gets: bright sunshine and a high of 69. Live televised coverage is available on FS1 (12:30-4) and FS2 (4 to conclusion).
Because of the pandemic, only essential personnel and participants are being allowed admission to the races. The no-spectator policy also will be in effect at Keeneland for the fall meet and the Nov. 6-7 Breeders’ Cup.