Churchill Downs Notebook

CHURCHILL DOWNS NOTEBOOK

NOVEMBER 7, 2007

by Steve Collison

Wow. That's how jockey Kent Desormeaux summed up the explosive effort of the

Bill Mott-trained ISTAN (Gone West) upon winning this weekend's one-mile Ack Ack

S. (G3). The five-year-old horse didn't leave much doubt about who was the best

after winning by 8 3/4 lengths over a field of seven rivals while returning

$6.80 as the second choice. He has now won five of seven efforts going one mile,

including most recently the Turfway Park Fall Championship (G3). Nick Zito's Sun

King (Charismatic) ran second as the favorite and now will be moving on to his

next career in the breeding shed.

Also on Saturday, ROLLING SEA (Sefapiano) captured the one-mile Chilukki

(G2), but in totally different fashion as she was hard pressed to hold off the

late charge of High Heels (E Dubai). Coincidently, the three-year-old filly was

also the public's second choice and returned a reasonable $10 to her backers.

On Sunday, there wasn't much suspense in the six-furlong Very Subtle S. as

the heavily favored SUGAR SWIRL (Touch Gold) took care of business as expected

to easily trounce an eight-horse field for trainer Bobby Frankel.

For this coming weekend, there's a light stakes schedule with only two events

on tap. On Saturday, the $150,000 Mrs. Revere S. (G2) for three-year-old fillies

going 1 1/16 miles over the grass will take place. It will be followed on Sunday

by the Commonwealth Turf S. for three-year-old boys with the same distance and

purse as the ladies.

TRAINERS/JOCKEYS

There's certainly nothing new about either Bill Mott or Desormeaux winning

races. However, it may surprise some that Mott is now the leading all-time

stakes winner at Churchill Downs, holding a 73-to-69 winning edge over another

Hall of Famer, Wayne Lukas. Mott is also currently the leading trainer in

Louisville having won six times to lead another top conditioner in Steve

Asmussen. Mott's scorching hot success at this time of year is typical and well

planned. As a matter of policy he always races his horses judiciously and

sparingly and subsequently his runners are always fresh and full of vigor while

others have been squeezed dry.

As for Desormeaux, he's riding Mott's coat tails so to speak for what may be

his first ever Churchill Downs title. For someone whose won virtually everything

there is for a jockey, this is a new thrill for the sometimes controversial

rider. "So far I'm just having fun" is all the Cajun from Louisiana will admit

too. Of course, last week I was exhorting the virtues of Julien Leparoux who

promptly went into a tailspin, so whether Desormeaux can actually hold on to

this small lead is still very much in doubt.

OVER/UNDER

Churchill Downs has added a new betting wrinkle at this meet called the

over/under. The object is to predict whether the saddle cloths of the top three

finishers will be over or under a pre-set number which is calculated before each

applicable race. There are still issues to be ironed out before this play can

work with one concern being the apparent apathy of the betting public. The first

attempt created a handle of just $1,389, with a payoff of just $3.40 for

correctly picking 1-2-4 to be under the target number 14. Only time will tell

whether this innovation will prove worthy, but Churchill at least gets credit

for trying something new.

As mentioned last week, the Churchill surface remains fair and balanced with

horses of all running styles prevailing inside and out. That goes for the grass

as well.

RECENT CLAIMS TO WATCH

Wednesday (10/31)

6TH -- Trainer Tom Amoss wanted SWISS RESERVE (Swiss Yodeler) in his last

start for $10,000 but was out shook (lost the claim) by David Vance. However,

Amoss wanted this horse bad enough to claim him today even at the higher $16,000

tag. His desire for this horse speaks volumes for how he feels about the

gelding's future prospects.

Thursday (11/1)

1ST -- THE SUMMITT (Best of Luck) battled for the lead in his initial outing

over a Turfway surface that wasn't being kind to anyone near the front. Today,

the two-year-old broke slowly and then was forced to move extremely wide while

attempting to make up ground on a rival who enjoyed a lone lead. In both efforts

he still turned in quality performances and should be graduating soon for new

trainer Michael Lake.

2ND -- STORM ON THE BLOCK (Tale of the Cat) had been running well going

against allowance foes, but trainer Steve Asmussen decided to drop him into a

claimer nonetheless. The colt predictably won this effort while being claimed by

trainer Michael Maker, who wins at a respectable 24 percent clip first off the

claim. Horse will probably move back into the allowance ranks with success.

4TH -- Despite just winning the Breeders; Cup Classic (G1), Asmussen still

finds time to maintain his roots by claiming the mare STAR CREST (Frisk Me Now)

for $7,500. And even though they have moved upward and onward, this outfit still

does a solid job with their lower end claims.

4TH -- PRINCESS BG (Open Forum) was claimed by Wayne Catalano. There may be

better trainers first off the claim, but none come to mind just now. This stable

routinely hovers around 35 percent with their newly haltered runners and that's

with plenty of opportunities. Since this horse came from Catalano's home base in

Illinois, it's safe to assume he has had an eye on her for some time. The

downside is that after winning today, a price will be hard to find.

Saturday (11/3)

1ST -- ATREVIDO BANDITO (Yankee Gentleman), a modestly bred two-year-old

colt, had been running well in four previous starts while going against maiden

special weight company. Today, trainer Kenny McPeek dropped her into a claimer

attempting to get the win but was thwarted by a troubled trip to finish out of

the money. In the meantime, the juvenile was claimed by trainer Eddie Kenneally,

who doesn't take many but didn't mind spending $50,000 to get this one.

Sunday (11/4)

2ND -- CART'SFORME (Cartwright), a honest-running gelding, was claimed by the

capable Cody Autrey from this $10,000 claimer. Although certainly nothing

spectacular, this horse has been running well and should score first time around

for new connections.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (10/31)

2ND -- BULLET RAIN (Red Bullet), a well bred three-year-old colt, had been

training in good fashion over the Churchill racing surface in preparation for

his return from nearly seven months of inactivity. Despite suffering an

adventuresome trip, he still managed to gain the place for new trainer Dale

Romans and appears to have a bright future for winning connections.

2ND -- FIESTA TEXAS (Jump Start) has performed well in both career starts

thus far for trainer Wayne Mogge. Today, he was forced to the lead after

breaking from the extreme outside post yet still managed to hang on well against

a quality group. He's definitely on the upswing and deserves consideration if

spotted right the next time around.

7TH -- BIKER BOY (Came Home) made his career debut at seven furlongs, a

difficult distance as the pace is typically swift yet horses must maintain

stamina to get the trip. And, first timers must do this without the benefit of

much-needed conditioning acquired only through live racing. Despite the obvious

obstacles, the Nick Zito-trained juvenile battled for the lead then held on

gamely through the lane to hold the show spot against a tough maiden special

weight contingent.

Thursday (11/1)

3RD -- SPANISH OMELET (Coronado's Quest), a three-year-old filly, returned

from a four-month hiatus today and turned in a much better performance following

a rather dismal debut effort. Although this was technically a $50,000 claimer,

many combatants were dropping in from maiden special weight ranks, making it

much tougher than appears on paper. Watch for trainer Tony Reinstedler to

stretch this one out in the near future.

7TH -- VALIDAIN (Kafwain), a two-year-old filly, received solid tote support

when making her debut today and justified that support. Although she ended up

second, she still showed plenty of ability and was simply beaten by a better

horse this time around.

Saturday (11/3)

4TH -- SEASPEAK (Mizzen Mast), a two-year-old colt, had been training like a

tiger over Keeneland's main surface before exploding to win his career debut

over the grass. He comes from a small stable that doesn't have a lot of success

indicating that this is a talented runner who has the will to win on his own.

Sunday (11/4)

1ST -- BADGER BARRY (Forest Wildcat), first-time starter, received some solid

tote support despite being in against other qualified runners, so it's clear

someone thinks he can run. Although he failed to hit the board today, the

sophomore still flashed signs of that very potential and it won't be long before

trainer Greg Foley gets that ability to pay dividends.

3RD -- SCOLARA (Quiet American), despite not being particularly well bred for

the turf, managed to demonstrate an explosive late move to gain the place after

a dismal start in her career debut. Mott first-time starters always have plenty

of room to improve, which makes this horse look golden next time around on any

surface.

BEWARE OF THESE

Wednesday (10/31)

3RD -- WEEKEND GAMBLER (Carson City) begs a question: why does a horse who

costs his connections $150,000 and wins by daylight for $20,000 get dropped in

class the next time out? He's clearly racing on borrowed time and any moment his

next step could be his last. The three-year-old gelding was claimed from this

effort which is exactly what trainer Cecil Borel was hoping for. Certainly won't

be worth the short odds he'll be in his next adventure.

Saturday (11/3)

3RD -- FLIRTIN WITH FIRE (Smolderin Heart), a four-year-old filly, was

suddenly dropped down in her previous start from the allowance ranks to the

$16,000 level at which time she was claimed by trainer Randy Matthews. After a

little more than a month, Matthews brought her back well below what he had

previously paid for her, signaling a horse with irreversible problems. The filly

ran well today to just get nipped, but it may have taken every bit of magic

Matthews.