Churchill Downs Notebook

CHURCHILL DOWNS NOTEBOOK

JUNE 7, 2007

by John Mucciolo

A trio of stakes races headlined the four-day race week.

Aristides Breeders' Cup S. (G3): Tea Party Stable's FABULOUS STRIKE (Smart Strike) lived up to his 4-5 billing

with a convincing win beneath Ramon Dominguez. The four-year-old gelding was on

cruise control for the entirety of the race, stopping the timer in a near track

record 1:07 3/5 for six furlongs under little urging for trainer Todd Beattie.

Dogwood Breeders' Cup S. (G3): Bentley Smith Revocable Trust's LADY JOANNE (Orientate) was trapped for much

of this one, but the Carl Nafzger charge found room inside the sixteenth pole

and got up for an impressive tally in here. Ridden by Calvin Borel, the talented

three-year-old miss went one mile in 1:35 1/5 en route to her third consecutive

score upon this surface.

Opening Verse H.: Charles Patton's THERECOMESATIGER (Tiger Ridge) angled four wide into the

stretch and collared 6-5 choice Icy Atlantic (Stormy Atlantic) near the wire to

capture this one for trainer Tom Proctor. The 4-1 longshot in the four-horse

field saved ground early before putting in his final surge, getting 1 1/16 miles

in 1:43 3/5 over the firm turf. Jamie Theriot piloted the gelding.

Track Stats

From 41 contests held at the historic racetrack, favorites won 15 of the

races (37 percent) while the top two betting options combined for 26 of the wins

(63 percent). From 30 frays contested on the main oval, six runners won in

wire-to-wire fashion (20 percent), while two of the 11 grassy winners led at

every call (18 percent).

Meet Totals:

RACES:		265
DIRT:		213
TURF:		52
FAVORITES:		86 (32 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		53 (20 percent)
TURF WIRE:		10 (19 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		45 (21 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (5/31)

7TH – INTERESTING (Sandia Slew) hasn't been headed in two turf sprints over

this course and looks to be stakes bound for conditioner Jeff Talley. The

chestnut mare was given a 90 BRIS Speed number for her 3 1/4-length score here.

Friday (6/1)

4TH – FANTASTIC BUD (Grand Slam) looked especially good late in this maiden

contest and gives the impression of a horse who could stretch out for trainer

Greg Foley. The chestnut was no match against better on the Kentucky Derby (G1) undercard

in his lone two-turn try, but deserves another route try. The colt earned a 100 BRIS Late Pace figure and a career-topping 93 Speed number.

9TH – QUASICOBRA (Wild Rush) ran a winning race and was questionably DQ'd

from the top slot in here for Patrick Biancone. The stakes-quality sophomore has

run three solid races in 2007 and appears to have a bright future. The gelding

registered an 89 Speed number in his turf debut.

Saturday (6/2)

4TH – ITSAWONDERFULLIFE (Ire) (Danehill Dancer) put in a solid late run in

her U.S. bow and should be a big factor in her next venture. The Biancone charge

had little chance with the winner but beat the rest by a good margin after being

in the clouds in the early going. The runner-up scored an 82 Speed number.

10TH – Fabulous Strike was simply awesome in this dash, taking over when the

gates opened en route to a facile two-length victory. The Todd Beattie trainee

was rewarded with a 109 Speed figure, marking the fifth consecutive outing in

which the speedster has garnered a Speed number of 107 or better. Wow!

Sunday (6/3)

6TH – Trainer David Vance had sent out just three first time winners in the

last five plus years before this one, when his juvenile filly KADIRA (Kafwain)

dusted a decent group. The Kentucky-bred was prominent early before pulling away

to a convincing 3 3/4-length score, earning a robust 95 Speed figure. We'll

surely keep an eye on this one down the road.

7TH – NOLA STAR (Three Wonders) dueled through a fast early pace, pulled

clear into the stretch and fought gamely to the wire in a fine runner-up

performance. The sophomore miss earned whopping E1 and E2 Pace numbers of 112 and 118, respectively, and will be tough to deal with next try for Ken McPeek.

A look ahead

The stakes action takes a breather this weekend, as the Louisville, Kentucky,

venue prepares for it's second biggest day of the spring met, Stephen Foster

Day, on June 16. In addition to the $750,000 Stephen Foster H. (G1), five other

graded events will be held on this day: the $300,000 Fleur de Lis H. (G2), $200,000

Jefferson Cup S. (G2), $200,000 Regret S. (G3), $200,000 Northern Dancer

Breeders' Cup H. (G3) and $150,000 Mint Julep H. (G3).