Churchill Downs Notebook

CHURCHILL DOWNS NOTEBOOK

JULY 12, 2007

by John Mucciolo

Trainer Steve Asmussen had yet another banner day on Saturday, saddling both

winners of the two-year-old stakes events:

Debutante S. (G3): Heiligbrodt Stable's homebred RATED FIESTY (Exchange Rate) cruised to

the

front under little urging and drew off to an emphatic 6 1/2-length score under

Shaun Bridgmohan. The sharp juvenile miss was never challenged en route to

getting six furlongs in a swift 1:09 1/5.

Bashford Manor S. (G3): Vinery Stable's KODIAK KOWBOY (Posse) took over following a half-mile and

professionally pulled clear of this group in a splendid 1:09 beneath Corey

Lanerie. The multiple stakes winner always looked best in here and will likely

be heading north for the Saratoga meet.

Track Stats

From 49 contests held at the historic racetrack, favorites won 22 of the

races (45 percent) while the top two betting options combined for 32 of the wins

(65 percent). From 41 frays contested on the main oval, just 15 runners won in

wire-to-wire fashion (37 percent), while one of the eight grassy winners led at

every call (12 percent). The final four races on Thursday afternoon, and the

first four on the following day, were oddly all taken in wire-to-wire fashion.

End of Meet Totals:

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (7/4)

8TH – ROMAN'S RUN (Tiznow) returns to the Watch List after posting another

solid tally for trainer Dale Romans. The improving three-year-old closed with

excellent energy to draw off from this solid group, setting him up for a likely

stakes try. The dark bay earned a BRIS 93 Speed number.

9TH – We expected more at this point from EARLY VINTAGE (Jump Start), but the

sophomore lass put in a strong effort in her initial two-turn venture. Setting

the tempo until the latter stages, the filly gamely fought to the wire and could

improve in her next route endeavor. The miss earned a modest 86 Speed figure.

Thursday (7/5)

3RD – SISTER BAY (Acceptable) ran on a winning race on the class drop and was

unlucky in here for conditioner James Baker. The five-year-old mare made a big

move turning for home and fell just a nose short, scoring an 86 Speed figure in

the process.

7TH – Also trained by Baker, ELITE SQUADRON (Officer) handled elders with

ease in posting a front-running 4 1/2-length score in here. The three-year-old

colt went six furlongs in a swift 1:09 1/5, good enough for a whopping 100 Speed

number, and appears to be a different animal in 2007.

Friday (7/6)

9TH – MAROON (Menifee) is another Watch returnee and almost made us look like

geniuses after missing by just a neck at 10-1. The Rusty Arnold trainee closed

from next-to-last with a solid turn of foot, and although he doesn't like to

win, he's an obvious threat next out. The four-year-old was rewarded with a 94

Speed number.

Saturday (7/7)

2ND – PYRO (Pulpit) gamely ran down a clear leader in the final furlong to

win his debut for Asmussen. The homebred could be any type and is in

capable hands to make some noise in his freshman campaign. The 89 Speed figure should ensure a square price in his stakes debut, which should be

forthcoming.

5TH – CALLIE'S JOY (Distorted Humor) was clearly second best in here and

shouldn't be a maiden much longer for trainer Helen Pitts. The juvenile miss led

into the lane but tired in her first start in 11 months, scoring an 88 Speed

number.

7TH – Rated Fiesty was in hand virtually the whole way and couldn't have been

sharper for Asmussen. The freshman lass has been virtually untested from three

lifetime tries and she gives the impression of one who wouldn't mind some added

ground. The speedster was given a 93 Speed fig.

Sunday (7/8)

8TH – INDIAN CHANT (Suggest) set a track-record in this allowance score for

trainer Tom Amoss, and although the track played lightning-fast all day, we feel

that this accomplishment is still worth mentioning. The gelded four-year-old

didn't top the strongest group in here, but did so with style and will be a force

to be reckoned with in his encore performance.

Meet Leaders

Asmussen established a record for wins at the Spring Meet with

46 in the 52-day session, his fourth such honor as leading trainer. On the

jockeys' front, Julien Leparoux earned his second consecutive Spring Meet title

by booting home 70 animals to the winner's circle, topping his main rival, Rafael Bejarano, by 14.