Churchill Downs Notebook

CHURCHILL DOWNS NOTEBOOK

MAY 17, 2007

by John Mucciolo

Although much of the buzz in Louisville had departed along with Derby Week,

quality racing was still held beneath the famed Twin Spires. Sophomore fillies

going five furlongs on the grass highlighted the week.

Open Mind S.: Robert Dewitt's TALETOBETOLD (Tale of the Cat) led out of the gate and was

never headed en route to the upset in here for trainer Eddie Kenneally.

Disregarded at 27-1, the talented three-year-old miss got the five grassy

furlongs in a swift :57 beneath Brian J. Hernandez.

Track Stats

From 50 contests held at the historic racetrack, favorites won 13 races (26 percent) while the top two betting options combined for 24 wins

(48 percent). From 38 frays contested on the main oval, nine runners won in

wire-to-wire fashion (24 percent), while four of the 12 grassy winners led at

every call (33 percent). In recent years, the turf at Churchill Downs has

appeared to reward early speed, and 2007 is no different, thus far.

Meet Totals

RACES:		114
DIRT:		92
TURF:		22
FAVORITES:		34 (30 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		21 (18 percent)
TURF WIRE:		5 (23 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		17 (18 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (5/9)

7TH -- DINNER GUEST (Orientate) led until the latter stages in a solid

runner-up showing in here. The Dale Romans charge earned an 87 BRIS Speed number for

his cause and shouldn't be a maiden much longer.

8TH -- OBI WAN KENOBI (Skywalker) led every step of the way in here, and

appeared to be getting stronger as the race progressed in this facile score.

The Frank Brothers trainee finished off nine grassy panels in 1:49 2/5, and has

run some of his best races over this turf course. The winner got a 91 Speed

figure.

Thursday (5/10)

8TH -- GIRLS PEARLS (Talk is Money) has now impressively captured three

consecutive races for trainer Ken McPeek, and the three-year-old filly could be

any type after crushing this solid group. Beneath Robby Albarado, the chestnut

pulled away late in a strong effort, scoring a lifetime best 90 Speed number.

9TH -- The Dynaformer offspring generally improve with age, and FIFTY FIVE

(Dynaformer) should be no different after putting in his second straight good

try. The Walter Bindner Jr. pupil was in good position late and finished one

length clear in second, a race which should set him up for a good showing in his

next venture.

Friday (5/11)

2ND -- SUMNEYTOWN (Deputy Commander) was as close a thing to a lock as you

could get at this condition. Tracking a pacesetter for the opening

three-eighths, the consistent four-year-old filly pulled away with little urging to

win this starter allowance by 5 1/2 lengths, and earn a lifetime best 95 Speed figure. The miss

should

likely be quite effective in open company at a square price.

10TH -- MOUNT WILTON (Graeme Hall) is now virtually untested from a pair of

daylight wins, leading one to believe that the sophomore has a very bright

future ahead of him. The Tony Reinstedler pupil was rewarded with a solid 92

Speed rating and could be stakes bound in his next venture.

Saturday (5/12)

6TH -- JUNIOR COLLEGE (Ide), another Reinstedler charge, ran a super one in

his turf debut to take this one under Jesus Castanon. The five-year-old gelding

led at every call, stopping the timer in 1:37 4/5 and earning a 95 Speed fig.

9TH -- SIMPLY DIVINE (Grand Slam) chased the winner for the entirety of the

race, and did well to retain the place spot in her first try versus winners.

Expect the McPeek trainee to continue to have success at the stakes level.

Sunday (5/13)

7TH – EMISSARY (Editor's Note) hit his best stride when the race was in the

balance, and the gelding was getting to the winner in the latter stages. The Ron

Isbell Jr. charge is in the best form of his career, and we recommend using

this one next out, especially if the distance increases. The second place

finisher earned a career topping 88 Speed number.

A look ahead

The $100,000 Matt Winn S. for three-year-olds going six furlongs is the lone

stakes event in the upcoming week of racing.