Watch for recuperating Shermanesque next year

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - While U D Ghetto finished seventh last Saturday in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, his Tony Reinstedler-trained stablemate Shermanesque was far removed from the action despite having a legitimate claim to ranking among the top echelon of

2-year-olds.

Shermanesque recently underwent minor surgery, but should have plenty of time to rejoin his class on the Kentucky Derby trail, said Reinstedler.

"We had a tiny chip taken out of his hind ankle," said Reinstedler. "Everything went really well. He'll be on the farm for a little while, and then we'll take him down to Oaklawn Park and see how he comes back."

Shermanesque finished a sharp second to Circular Quay, the eventual Juvenile runner-up, in the Bashford Manor at Churchill Downs in July. He finished third in the Saratoga Special in August, then second in his final start of the year, the Kentucky Cup Juvenile at Turfway Park in late September.

Meanwhile, U D Ghetto looks like he will be one of the favorites when the Grade 2, $200,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes is run Nov. 25, closing day of the Churchill fall meet.

"He came out of the race so good, I can't help but think about that race," said Reinstedler. "I was proud of his race in the Breeders' Cup. He stumbled at the start and checked into the turn, but he still kept trying. He could've packed it in, but he didn't."

Leah's Secret heading to Maryland

Leah's Secret, an 18-1 winner of the Grade 2 Raven Run Stakes last month at Keeneland, will ship to Laurel Park for her next race, the $125,000 Anne Arundel on Nov. 25.

Leah's Secret will be stretching out from seven furlongs to 1 1/8 miles by running at Laurel, but trainer Helen Pitts said the fact the Anne Arundel is restricted to 3-year-old fillies was an overriding factor.

Werner wants Kingship to rate

Ronny Werner was pleased with the way Kingship relaxed before rolling to victory two starts back at Louisiana Downs, but the colt "wanted to sail away a little too quick" when pressing the pace last month in the Bryan Station at Keeneland.

"I've changed a couple little things up," Werner said, "and hopefully he won't be on the engine as much Saturday" when Kingship runs in the featured Commonwealth Turf.

Castanon gets mounts from Romans

Dale Romans will saddle four horses here Saturday, and each will be ridden by Jesus Castanon. Does this signal a major shift for Romans, who has employed Mark Guidry as his primary jockey in recent months?

"Not really," said Romans, who has won or shared eight of the last 13 training titles at Churchill. "Mark had some other calls, and I've been wanting to give Castanon a shot. But Mark's still my main guy."

Magna Graduate a 'maybe' for Clark

Magna Graduate is under consideration for a title defense in the $500,000 Clark Handicap on Nov. 24, according to Michael McCarthy, assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher.

"No definite plans right now," said McCarthy.

Magna Graduate faded to 10th as the favorite in the Ack Ack Handicap on the Breeders' Cup undercard when making his first start in more than seven months.

* Calvin Borel has used the momentum of winning the BC Juvenile on Street Sense to take a commanding lead atop the jockey standings. Borel, invariably keeping his mounts close to the rail, won four races Wednesday, giving him a 14-8 lead over his closest pursuer, Shaun Bridgmohan. A Churchill title would be the second for Borel, who topped the standings here in the fall of 1999.

* Entries were drawn Thursday for the Sunday feature, the $100,000 Pent Up Kiss for fillies and mares at five furlongs on the turf. From the hedge, this is the field: Golden Voice, Winged Wishes, Bucky's Prayer, Smitty's Sunshine, Victory Spy, More Than Pretty, Beautiful Bets, Nicole's Dream, and Lady Wrangler.