Two Churchill allowances draw overflow fields

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The presence of also-eligibles in any given race tends to make a racing secretary happy. Horseplayers, too.

That’s the setup Friday at Churchill Downs, where a pair of co-featured allowances both drew fields large enough to warrant also-eligibles lists. Even with field size averaging just shy of 8.0 horses per race through the first 18 programs here this spring, the higher-end races have slanted toward large fields. And so it is Friday, when races 4 and 8 anchor a nine-race program that starts at 12:45 p.m. Eastern.

Race 4 is a $102,000 first-level allowance turf mile that drew 11 3-year-olds and upward, with only as many as eight being permitted to start because of a reduced turf-course configuration being in effect. Ian Wilkes has two contenders in the uncoupled duo of Tulfarris and Thrill Ride, while Dallas Stewart has an interesting returnee in Cavalry Charge.

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Tulfarris (post 2, Corey Lanerie) was a decent third as a lukewarm favorite at this same level here three weeks ago and could again be the public choice in a well-matched lineup. Thrill Ride (post 8, Chris Landeros) is somewhat questionable at this two-turn distance when exiting a pair of turf sprints, so it’ll be up to Landeros to ration the front-end speed the colt is likely to flash.

Cavalry Charge (post 7, Tyler Gaffalione) has been away nearly nine months, but both of his races over the local course last year – a maiden-special victory and a runner-up try for this same condition – serve to encourage.

The three also-eligibles – Excession, Ready to Answer, and Gigging – are all main track-only designates, and all would draw substantial tote action if weather happens to force this to the main track. A 70 percent chance of rain is in the Friday forecast.

Race 8 also is a $102,000 first-level allowance mile, although this one is for 3-year-old fillies going one turn out of the Longfield Ave. chute. Battle Bling (post 5, Ricardo Santana Jr.), Marion Frances (post 6, Florent Geroux), and Code Name Kate (post 9, Mitch Murrill) all exit the same key race April 25 at Oaklawn Park, and they figure among a core of lukewarm favorites in another competitive group. In all, 14 are entered, with only as many as 12 allowed to start.

Listed purses for all non-claiming/starter races at Churchill include sizable supplements restricted to horses registered to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund. As an example, KTDF bonuses for each of the co-features total $38,200.