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CHURCHILL DOWNS NOTEBOOK JUNE 4, 2009 by Frank Cotolo The abbreviated schedule began on May 29, with only three cards through May 31 and a total of 31 races. The fields were decently sized, for the most part, and the lack of racing programs did nothing to discourage competition. If anything, it helped handicappers hone in on specific events that, as the results proved, presented some good win and exotic prices. Jockey Robby Albarado made good use of day two in the three-day schedule. On Saturday, he became the 57th North American jockey to reach the 4,000-victory plateau when capturing the 9TH race at Churchill. Albarado, who won his first riding title at the Louisville, Kentucky, track last year, has recorded 812 of his wins at Churchill. That is the sixth-largest total in Twin Spires history. Robby capped off the special day by riding BOLD START (Jump Start) to victory in the $112,600 Aristides S. (G3) in the 10TH race. The 35-year-old Louisiana native got his first victory when he was 16 at Evangeline Downs. In the past two years, he's been nationally known for being the pilot aboard two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, who provided his lone Triple Crown victory in the Preakness (G1) and captured the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) as well. After competing in more than 24,000 races, Albarado has earned more than $149 million. Another jockey, Julien Leparoux, kept his lead in the riders' colony over the burning ways of Calvin Borel. Julien stands atop the Churchill standings after riding six winners over the brief recent week. At press time he leads by four wins. And don't forget the Pick-Six carryover into the Thursday's card is $13,528. The exotic is on the last six races daily. Track Stats The average of winning favorites leaned to 32 percent after the 31 races ending May. Though the come-from-behind style is still responsible for the bulk of winners so far this meet on dirt and turf, speed horses continue to play a major role at all distances. The track is playing fairly to the two styles, but it is a bit deceiving since closers are rarely winning if not in the mix early. Trainer Bret Calhoun is still at 50-percent winners, but three other conditioners were even more impressive last week. Thomas Proctor has sent out only 10 starters and seven have picked up one of the payoff spots, with a 40-percent win rate. James Baker continues to far well, with a 37 percent win clip, and Forrest Kaelin’s six win from 18 starts puts him at 33 percent. Again, Steve Asmussen leads with only 19-percent winners, so watch for the others, they are usually bet more lightly anyway. Coming Up The Bob Holthus-trained PURE CLAN (Pure Prize) will return to action in Saturday's $100,000 Mint Julep H. (G3). Unraced since an unplaced finish in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1), Pure Clan has hit the board in her other 10 lifetime starts, winning the American Oaks Invitational (G1) and Regret (G3) last season, with the latter coming over the turf at Churchill. Pure Clan will be the 122-pound high weight, with Mrs. Revere S. (G2) queen ACOMA (Empire Maker) assigned 120 pounds. Acoma is the probable second choice in what should be a competitive running of the 1 1/16-mile turf race. The Mint Julep will be presented prior to the simulcast of the Belmont S. (G1). HORSES TO WATCH Friday (5/29) 2ND -- SILVER DOLL (Meadowlake) dueled twice trying to hold the lead in a strenuous mile that even Borel couldn't save. The favorite won it while close to the pace, so this one is worth a look next out. 3RD -- SECRET HUMOR (Yes It's True) showed good early foot at 6-1, having come back from a race on May 2. 6TH -- PRINCESS WESTLY (Royal Academy) needed a race over this turf track since her Gulfstream efforts. She sprinted well enough here but tired at 1 1/16 miles. 9TH -- CITY SNITCH (Carson City) hadn't raced since 2006 at Saratoga but still mustered up 5-1 status in this, showing speed in the middle. We are still watching all visitors from the New York track, no matter the length of the layoff. Saturday (5/30) 1ST -- ARROWHEAD PENELOPE (Vicar) was an Indiana Downs visitor with only 11 days rest. At 16-1 here, she was strongly in contention late and could be ready to break her maiden next out at the Spires. 3RD -- VICK'S VIOLET (El Corredor) was hard used to the half, dueling three wide at 25-1. Could be a wild overlay next time. 5TH -- JACK IN THE CAT (Tale of the Cat) was second best in his first try while being the third choice and finishing second. Though he was far behind the leader in this 4 1/2-furlong test, he could be a monster breaking his maiden with a clear lead. 6TH -- CHAMPAGNE JANE (Hero's Tribute) was the best of the rest in this turf route, while overlooked at 53-1. She had a long rest before this, being quiet since Keeneland, and is making noise in Louisville now. Sunday (5/31) 4TH -- FASTERTHANFAST (Bernstein) was last at 34-1 in this dirt-cheap claimer but was full of life on the rail early. The lead changed three times in this sprint, so don't dismiss this cheap speed next time, again at a huge price, I imagine. 5TH -- FANCY VINTAGE (Hennessy) had a terrible trip in this crowded maidens-on-the-turf route adventure. The key to her making this list is how she sustained a three-to-four-wide challenge in the first half. 6TH -- CHAFFEE JOHN (Sahm) had the lead at the half, looking way better than his 22-1 status. He held tough but was destroyed, as was the rest of them, by a ground-saving 4-1 shot in this 6 1/2-panel affair.
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