Ward moves his juvenile streak to Churchill Downs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – They ran out of 2-year-old races for Wesley Ward at Keeneland, so now he’ll just have to put his phenomenal win streak on the line at Churchill Downs.

Ward will have the favorite Thursday in the $100,000 Kentucky Juvenile – the first stakes for 2-year-olds on this circuit – and will be going for his 11th straight victory in a baby race in Kentucky. Luv This Lifestyle, the only filly in a field of nine, is the lone Ward trainee in the highlight of an 11-race “Thurby” card that starts at 12:45 p.m. Eastern.

Luv This Lifestyle was among the 2-year-olds that Ward sent out to win 10 straight 4 1/2-furlong races to end the three-week Keeneland meet. Even for all the success Ward has experienced in this specialized niche since he won his first one at Keeneland in 2007, neither he nor anyone else can remember ever seeing anything quite like this latest blitz.

“It’s pretty humbling, honestly,” Ward said. “My staff and I worked really hard the last six months to get ready for Keeneland, so it was very rewarding to enjoy the results we got.”

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Luv This Lifestyle, with Joel Rosario back to ride, will break from post 4 in the five-furlong Kentucky Juvenile, which goes as the 10th race on a card that ends strongly with the $70,000 Opening Verse (race 8) and two allowances (races 9 and 11). Prior to that alluring pick four, there’s actually the first 2-year-old maiden event (race 5) of the 38-day Churchill spring meet, which began Saturday evening – but Ward doesn’t have a starter in that one.

Luv This Lifestyle, like virtually every Ward winner at Keeneland, broke sharply to make all the pace in her April 8 debut. She lengthened stride to romp by 5 1/4 lengths, and while Ward nominated seven horses to the Kentucky Juvenile, he is banking on the Florida-bred daughter of Lifestyle being all he’ll need to keep his streak alive.

“She came out of it in good shape and showed us she’s ready to roll right back,” he said.

Shanghaied Roo, one of two Bret Calhoun-trained 2-year-olds to win on the April 6 opening-day card at Keeneland – before Ward began his streak two days later – figures as the top threat. Shanghaied Roo will have Gabriel Saez back aboard when he breaks from post 3.

Opening Verse a good one

The Opening Verse, named for the 1991 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner at Churchill, drew a terrific field of 13 older horses going a two-turn mile on the turf. Mr. Misunderstood (post 4, Shaun Bridgmohan), a winner in eight of 11 turf starts, could be the slight favorite for trainer Brad Cox.

He finished sixth, beaten 2 1/2 lengths, in the Grade 1 Maker’s 46 Mile at Keeneland in his last start.

“He didn’t have the best start at Keeneland but still finished up really well,” Cox said. “I’m happy with him.”

Shakhimat, a multiple stakes winner for Roger Attfield, figures prominently from the bell under circuit newcomer Adam Beschizza, who enjoyed very productive meets at Fair Grounds and Keeneland.

Other contenders in a wide-open spot include Flatlined, Mr Cub, Closing Bell, First Premio, and Royal Son.

Thurby in fifth year

The Thurby concept – Thursday of Derby week, get it? – was first rolled out by Churchill in 2014, and it has been an indisputable success in terms of dedicating a day to local fans who might not attend the Oaks or Derby. Ontrack attendance is expected to top 40,000, and Churchill is advising fans to plan ahead because of all the new parking restrictions and security measures in effect.