Churchill Downs Notebook

CHURCHILL DOWNS NOTEBOOK

JULY 2, 2008

by John Mucciolo

A single graded event highlighted the penultimate week of racing at

Churchill, which will conclude its 52-day meet on Sunday.

Debutante S. (G3): Twin Creeks Racing Stable's GARDEN DISTRICT (Dixie

Union) took a short lead at the top of the lane and stubbornly held off a trio

of challengers to annex this affair for conditioner Todd Pletcher. The juvenile

lass has never been worse than second in three career outings and could be the

type that handles a route of ground due to her one-paced style. The

Kentucky-bred went six furlongs in 1:11 under Robby Albarado.

Track Stats:

A total of 50 races were held last week at the Louisville, Kentucky, venue,

with favorites winning at a 30 percent rate and the top two betting choices

combining for 44 percent of the wins. From 39 races on the famed main oval, nine

animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (23 percent), while one of the 11 grassy

tests was won in front-running style (9 percent).

Six of the 17 main-track events through Friday and Saturday were won in

wire-to-wire fashion. The surface, in our opinion, has played to a regular tune

throughout the meet.

The average early Pick 4 payout for the week was skewed by Thursday's return

of $15,629.20. The interesting thing about the sequence is that the

highest-priced commodity in the wager returned $20.40! With the first race

offering six runners, two more with seven and the finale with 10, you could have

bought the thing for $2,940.

Meet Totals:

RACES: 474

DIRT: 383

TURF: 91

FAVORITES: 181 (38 percent)

2ND CHOICES: 97 (20 percent)

TURF WIRE: 22 (24 percent)

DIRT WIRE: 63 (18 percent)

Post Positions (wins):

RAIL: 55 (10 percent)

1-3: 192 (40 percent)

4-6: 203 (43 percent)

7-out: 79 (17 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (6/25)

1ST -- PRETTY SIMPLE (Silic [Fr]) was well clear in second in here and should

graduate before long for trainer Gary Hartlage. The four-year-old spotted weight

to the winner in here and has found a level at which she fits in.

5TH -- NICE RING (Dixie Union) was less than a length shy of the place award

in here and is bred to win early for Michael Tomlinson. The juvenile colt could

be a nice one down the road.

9TH -- FURUSATO (Sendawar) rallied well from far back to earn a solid

third-place finish in this spot, her U.S. debut and first effort since October.

The Helen Pitts charge appears to have some quality.

Friday (6/27)

1ST -- PROUD JEFE (Proud Citizen) was always best in here for Tom Amoss and

should be stakes bound after this convincing score under Miguel Mena.

3RD -- BOLD START (Jump Start) was just three ticks off the track record in a

scintillating performance for Ken McPeek. The talented four-year-old will be

returning to graded company in his next outing.

Saturday (6/28)

10TH -- CORLETT (Outofthebox) was shut off badly in the lane when she had

momentum, thus costing her a placing in this graded dash for trainer Darrin

Miller. The fleet miss will be tough to handle in her return with clear sailing,

and she should offer a solid price.

11TH -- LITTLE SPRINGER (Jump Start) didn't beat much in here but looked good

in doing so for Rick Hiles, streaking clear by three at the wire. The sophomore

filly had shown next to nothing in her prior starts, but the light may have

switched on for her. We'd use her right back.

Sunday (6/29)

5TH -- We always take notice when David Vance sends out a debut winner, and

THIS KAT TALKS (Tale of the Cat) made two moves to win this race. It would be

wise not to dismiss this filly in her return engagement.

7TH -- SMOKIN BAYOU (Smoke Glacken) went fast early and fought back bravely

after being headed in the stretch, winning by a length under Shaun Bridgmohan.

The Kentucky-bred improved vastly from her debut and might be another nice

Asmussen juvenile filly.

8TH -- IRON BUTTERFLY (Forestry) is slowly starting to show the promise that

we always though she possessed, getting clear in the lane to finish two lengths

clear in this grass test. This filly was once second to the great Rags to Riches

(A.P. Indy).