Churchill Downs Notebook

CHURCHILL DOWNS NOTEBOOK

JUNE 5, 2008

by John Mucciolo

A pair of graded events took place over the weekend beneath the Twin Spires.

Aristides S. (G3): Maggi Moss' INDIAN CHANT (Suggest) had to fight to

the wire to hold off Noonmark (Unbridled's Song) in earning his well-deserved

inital graded score in this dash. The consistently-good Tom Amoss trainee zipped

six panels in 1:08 2/5 under Jamie Theriot.

Dogwood S. (G3): Helen Alexander and Helen Groves' homebred ACOMA

(Empire Maker) made the big jump from allowance to graded stakes professionally

with an excellent closing run in here for David Carroll and Robby Albarado. The

fast-developing filly got the one mile in a sharp 1:34 2/5 and should only

improve with time and distance.

Track Stats

A total of 40 races were held last week at the Louisville, Kentucky, venue,

with favorites winning at a 40 percent rate and the top two betting choices

combining for 67 percent of the wins. From 31 races on the famed main oval, five

animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (15 percent), while three of the nine grassy

tests were won in front-running style (33 percent).

The main oval and the lawn have been consistent in the past few weeks, which

is likely the reason for so many short-priced horses coming in as of late. I

personally prefer the consistency and low payoffs rather than the opposite, and

let's hope the track remains sturdy.

The early Pick 4 continues to be a prosperous endeavor, as the average payoff

for the past week was $967.45, which is huge considering Sunday's early gave

back but $60. The average of the late Pick 4 wager was $2,491 last week, with

payouts of $3,839 and $4,227 on the first two days.

Meet Totals

RACES:		275
DIRT:		224
TURF:		51
FAVORITES:		106 (38 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		60 (22 percent)
TURF WIRE:		13 (25 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		34 (15 percent)

Post Positions (wins)

RAIL:		28 (10 percent)
1-3:		115 (42 percent)
4-6:		116 (42 percent)
7-out:		44 (16 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (5/29)

4TH - RUNNINGONAPRAYER (Songandaprayer) showed excellent speed in this one

and didn't yield until the late stages for conditioner Steve Asmussen. The

debuting juvenile lass will surely be live in her return engagement.

7TH - YOU AND I FOREVER (A.P. Indy) was clearly best of this lot and could

have a promising career for trainer Bill Mott. The sophomore colt took over

readily under Albarado and left little doubt to the wire, possibly a sign of

bigger things to come.

Friday (5/30)

4TH - LACA (Cherokee Run) could turn out to be a sharp claim for Steve

Margolis following the filly's near-miss in here. The second-time starter had a

sizeable edge in the lane and should be a huge threat to break her maiden next

out.

10TH - BOBBY BLUE EYES (El Prado [Ire]) put in a dazzling display in breaking

his maiden for Kathleen Wadsworth, drawing off by 10 lengths in this grass test. The

promising sophomore ran a solid time and will surely get offers to be acquired

privately by another outfit.

Saturday (5/31)

3RD - MIAMI ALI (Century City [Ire]) ran about as well as a debuter going two

turns on the lawn could, opening up a clear lead in early stretch before

settling for the place spot for trainer Darrin Miller. The three-year-old miss

is an obvious threat next out, and possibly down the line.

4TH - If and when VISIBLE TRUTH (Silver Deputy) puts it all together, the

colt could be a high-quality stakes sprinter for Asmussen. The talented but

headstrong four-year-old often burns up tons of energy fighting his rider, but

the colt is still special enough to close with good energy in the stretch. Even

at four, he's an exciting prospect in our minds.

5TH - FANCY FUSAICHI (Fusaichi Pegasus) had absolutely nowhere to run for a

good portion of the stretch and likely would have won with clear sailing against

this field. We never thought highly of the colt in the past, but his last pair

of outings has swayed our opinion of the Kinsman homebred.

9TH - CORRUPT (Belong to Me) broke last and had much to do turning for home,

but the four-year-old closed fast to notch third in here. The Neil Howard

trainee is rounding back into the form of the bright part of his three-year-old

campaign.

Sunday (6/1)

6TH - MONTALVO (Maria's Mon) didn't have the cleanest of journeys in here but

still showed the will to win in a fine closing effort for Michael Tomlinson. The

four-year-old won't be 9-1 in his next outing.

8TH - DUBIOUS MISS (E Dubai) showed good tactical speed and a strong closing

run to win this allowance/optional claimer for trainer Paul McGee. The

four-year-old wins more than he loses and we were impressed by his :31 final

five-sixteenths.

9TH - FLAMING SLEW (Slew City Slew) was well clear in second behind a

front-running winner and has more talent than many may think she possesses. The

William Connelly charge will surely be a threat next out, especially at this

level.