Churchill Downs Update: Sunday, May 29, 2022

May 29, 2022

A total of seven stakes races, including a trio of Grade III events, will be on tap Saturday and Sunday from Churchill Downs. Saturday’s “Stephen Foster Preview Day” will have six stakes staged that are all steppingstones to the July 2 stakes bonanza beneath the Twin Spires.

The $200,000 Blame (Listed), run at 1 1/16 miles, will be used as a prep for many horses prior to the $750,000 Stephen Foster (GII) – a “Win and You’re In” event for the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) on Nov. 5 at Keeneland. The $200,000 Shawnee (Listed), run at 1 1/16 miles, is the Blame’s filly and mare counterpart to give horses a prep for the $350,000 Fleur de Lis (GII).

The spectacular day of racing will also feature the $200,000 Arlington (GIII) for 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles on turf;, the $200,000 Regret (GIII) for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles on turf; the $200,000 Aristides (Listed) for 4-year-olds and up at six furlongs; and the $200,000 Audubon for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

Sunday’s program will be headlined by the $200,000 Old Forester Mint Julep (GIII) for fillies and mares 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles on turf.

Here are some of the probable entrants, according to Churchill Downs Assistant Racing Secretary and Stakes Coordinator Dan Bork:

• $200,000 Arlington (Grade III) at 1 1/16 miles on turf for 4-year-olds and up: Admission Office (Brian Lynch); Floriform (Bill Mott); Gray’s Fable (Brian Lynch); and Like the King (Mark Casse).
• $200,000 Regret (Grade III) at 1 1/8 miles on turf for 3-year-old fillies: Beside Herself (Todd Pletcher); Candy Raid (Keith Desormeaux); McKulick (GB) (Chad Brown); Skims (GB) (Shug McGaughey); and Walkathon (Ian Wilkes).
• $200,000 Blame (Listed) at 1 1/16 miles for 4-year-olds and up: Dynamic One (Todd Pletcher); Intrepid Heart (Joe Sharp); Militarist (Carlo Vaccarezza); Scalding (Shug McGaughey); and Title Ready (Dallas Stewart).
• $200,000 Shawnee (Listed) at 1 1/16 miles for fillies and mares 4-year-olds and up: Army Wife (Mike Maker); Ava’s Grace (Robertino Diodoro); Crazy Beautiful (Kenny McPeek); and Powder River (Norm Casse).
• $200,000 Aristides (Listed) at six furlongs for 4-year-olds and up: Bango (Greg Foley); Bob’s Edge (Larry Jones); Kneedeepinsnow (Matt Shirer); Long Range Toddy (Dallas Stewart); Miles Ahead (Paul McGee); Necker Island (Chris Hartman); Pyron (Al Stall Jr.); and Top Gunner (John Ortiz).
• $200,000 Audubon at 1 1/8 miles on turf for 3-year-olds: Grand Sonata (Todd Pletcher); James Jones (Chad Brown); Speaking Scout (Graham Motion); Summer Anthem (Mike Maker); Tallahatchiebridge (Saffie Joseph Jr.); Tiz the Bomb (Kenny McPeek); and Trending (Shug McGaughey).
• $200,000 Old Forester Mint Julep (Grade III) at 1 1/16 miles on turf for fillies and mares 4-year-olds and up: Dalika (GER) (Al Stall Jr.); Gam’s Mission (Cherie DeVaux); Hendy Woods (Mark Casse); Keeper of Time (IRE) (Brendan Walsh); and Lake Lucerne (Brendan Walsh).

Entries for Saturday’s card will be drawn Wednesday, while Sunday’s card will be drawn Thursday.

CANNON GETS FIRST WINNER SINCE RETURNING FROM INJURY – Jockey Declan Cannon returned to the winners’ circle Saturday for the first time since fracturing three vertebrae in a September riding accident.

Cannon, who underwent surgery to help repair the fractures on Sept. 15, was out of the saddle for six months until he returned in March at Turfway Park.

The 34-year-old Irish-native rider booted home first time starter Top of the Charts in Race 3 Saturday at Churchill Downs. The victory in the $120,000 maiden special weight contest rewarded his backers with a $17.20 payout.

GRADE I WINNER ARKLOW RETURNS FOR 8-YEAR-OLD CAMPAIGN – Donegal Racing, Joseph Bulger and the Estate of Peter Coneway’s Grade I-winning turf specialist Arklow recorded his first workout Sunday since returning to trainer Brad Cox’s barn with an easy three-furlong move in :39.40 and half-mile gallop out of :52.20.

The veteran 8-year-old Arklow has run 36 times with nine victories including the 2019 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (GI) at Belmont Park. Arklow’s last victory came as a 7-year-old in the 2021 Louisville Stakes (GIII) at Churchill Downs.

KENTUCKY DERBY WINNER RICH STRIKE TO BREEZE MONDAY BETWEEN RACES – RED TR Racing’s Kentucky Derby (Grade I) winner Rich Strike will breeze between Races 5-6 Monday afternoon at Churchill Downs in preparation for the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes (GI).

The timed workout will occur at approximately 3 p.m. First post for the nine-race program is 12:45 p.m.

Trainer Eric Reed’s exercise rider Gabriel Lagunes will be aboard for the workout. The 80-1 upset winner of the Derby will ship to Belmont on Tuesday in search of the third jewel of racing’s Triple Crown on Saturday, June 11.

CHURCHILL DOWNS LIVE AVAILABLE ON SMART TVs – The Churchill Downs LIVE app is available free of charge on streaming services such as Amazon, Apple TV and Roku. Fans can download the Churchill Downs LIVE app for full access to a free HD live stream of the Churchill Downs simulcast signal and three additional angles including the saddling paddock.

Fans will get analysis each race day from expert handicapper/host Joe Kristufek who will be joined alongside Kaitlin Free, James Scully, Scott Shapiro and Brandon Stauble.

Wagering is available on www.TwinSpires.com, the official ADW of Churchill Downs Inc. and the Kentucky Derby.

DOWN THE STRETCH – Santin, the winner of the $1 million Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (GI) breezed five furlongs on turf in 1:02 outside of allowance winner Lady Rockstar (GB) (five furlongs, 1:02.60). Tyler Gaffalione was aboard for the work. Other top horses that recorded works on turf Sunday were $200,000 William Walker runner-up B D Valeski (four furlongs, :49); $400,000 Transylvania (GII) runner-up Grand Sonata (four furlongs, :50) and 2021 Iroquois (GIII) winner Major General (four furlongs, :50). … Jockey Julien Leparoux began Sunday three wins away from 1,000 victories at Churchill Downs. He was named on eight horses Sunday and Monday.

SUNDAY, MAY 29

• Racing: 10 Races; Day 18 of 44
• Dirt/Turf (Lane 4, 36 feet): Fast/Firm
• Gates Open: 11:30 a.m.
• First Race/Last Race: 12:45-5:26 p.m.
• Carryovers:
  • Derby City 6 ($53,218)
  • Super Hi 5 ($13,327)
• Featured Races:
  • Race 5 (2:45 p.m.) – OC 62500n2x, f&m, 7 F
  • Race 6 (3:18 p.m.) – OC 62500n2x, f&m, 5 ½ F (T)
  • Race 8 (4:22 p.m.) – Alw 127000n2L, 3yo, 6 F
  • Race 9 (4:55 p.m.) – Alw 127000n1x, f&m, 1 1/16 M (T)
• Featured Simulcasts:
  • SA 3 (5:00 p.m.) – $100,000 Daytona (GIII), 4&up, 6 ½ F (T)
  • SA 4 (5:30 p.m.) – $200,000 Triple Bend (GII), 4&up, 7 F
  • SA 7 (7:00 p.m.) – $100,000 Honeymoon (GIII), 3yo f, 1 1/8 M (T)
• National Weather Service Forecast: Sunny, 86. South wind 6-8 mph.
• Meet Leading Jockeys: Tyler Gaffalione (19); Brian Hernandez Jr. (12); Ricardo Santana Jr. (12); Florent Geroux (10); Rafael Bejarano (8); Julien Leparoux (8); Luis Saez (8); Joe Talamo (8)
• Meet Leading Trainers: Brad Cox (10); Rusty Arnold (7); Steve Asmussen (7); Joe Sharp (7); Mike Maker (7); Kenny McPeek (7); Brendan Walsh (7)
• Meet Leading Owners: Peter Brant (3); Godolphin LLC (3); Rigney Racing LLC (3); Silverton Hill LLC (3); Stonestreet Stables LLC (3); Gary and Mary West (3)
• Tickets: General Admission ($7), Reserved Seating ($10), Reserved Dining ($42)
• TV: FS1 (12:30-4:30 p.m.), FS2 (4:30-5 p.m.), FS1 (5-5:30 p.m.)
• Smart TV App: Churchill Downs LIVE
• Wager: TwinSpires.com

MONDAY, MAY 30 (MEMORIAL DAY)

• Workout: Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike will breeze between Races 5-6 at approximately 3 p.m.
• Promotion: Military Appreciation Day – Free general admission for military; $32 Millionaires Row or Skye Terrace
• Racing: 9 Races; Day 19 of 44
• Dirt/Turf (Lane 4, 36 feet): TBA
• Gates Open: 11:30 a.m.
• First Race/Last Race: 12:45-4:55 p.m.
• Featured Races:
  • Race 4 (2:13 p.m.) – Mdn 120k, 3&up, 1 1/16 M
  • Race 6 (3:18 p.m.) – OC 62500n2x, 3&up, 5 ½ F (T)
  • Race 7 (3:50 p.m.) – Alw 127000n1x, 3&up, 7 F
  • Race 8 (4:22 p.m.) – $200,000 Winning Colors (GIII), f&m, 6 F
  • Race 9 (4:55 p.m.) – Mdn 120k, 3&up, 1 3/8 M (T)
• Featured Simulcasts:
  • SA 4 (5:30 p.m.) – $400,000 Hollywood Gold Cup (GI), 3&up, 1 ¼ M
  • SA 5 (6:00 p.m.) – $500,000 Shoemaker Mile (GI), 3&up, 1 M (T)
  • SA 10 (8:30 p.m.) – $400,000 Gamely (GI), f&m, 1 1/8 M (T)
  • LS 12 (8:35 p.m.) – $400,000 Steve Sexton Mile (GIII), 3&up, 1 M
• National Weather Service Forecast: Sunny, 92.
• Tickets: General Admission ($7), Reserved Seating ($10), Reserved Dining ($42)
• TV: FS2 (12:30-6 p.m.)
• Smart TV App: Churchill Downs LIVE
• Wager: TwinSpires.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 2

• Promotion: Twilight Thursday – $2 select domestic can beer, live music (Mojothunder), food trucks (Sweet N Savory; All Thaid Up; Good Belly; Crave Street Kitchen; Favorville; and Lil Cheezers)
• Scheduled Racing: 8 Races; Day 20 of 44
• Gates Open: 4 p.m.
• First Race/Last Race: 5-8:23 p.m.
• Featured Races:
  • Race 2 (5:29 p.m.) – Mdn 120k, 2yo, 5 ½ F
  • Race 8 (8:23 p.m.) – Alw 127000n1x, f&m, 7 F
• National Weather Service Forecast: Partly sunny, 81. 40% showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m.
• Tickets: General Admission ($7), Reserved Seating ($10), Reserved Dining ($42)
• TV: FS2 (3-8:30 p.m.)
• Smart TV App: Churchill Downs LIVE
• Wager: TwinSpires.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 3

• Scheduled Racing: 9 Races; Day 21 of 44
• Gates Open: 11:30 a.m.
• First Race/Last Race: 12:45-4:55 p.m.
• Featured Simulcasts: GII Penn Mile (Pen)
• National Weather Service Forecast: Sunny, 80.
• Tickets: General Admission ($7), Reserved Seating ($10), Reserved Dining ($42)
• TV: FS2 (12:30-5:30 p.m.)
• Smart TV App: Churchill Downs LIVE
• Wager: TwinSpires.com
• Radio: “Inside Churchill Downs” on ESPN 680/105.7 (6-7 p.m.)

SATURDAY, JUNE 4 (STEPHEN FOSTER PREVIEW DAY)

• Scheduled Racing: 11 Races; Day 22 of 44
• Gates Open: 11:30 a.m.
• First Race/Last Race: 12:45-5:58 p.m.
• Stakes Racing: GIII, $200,000 Regret; GIII, $200,000 Arlington; $200,000 Aristides; $200,000 Blame; $200,000 Shawnee; $200,000 Audubon
• Featured Simulcasts: GII Pennine Ridge (Bel); GIII Desert Stormer (SA)
• National Weather Service Forecast: Sunny, 81.
• Tickets: General Admission ($9), Reserved Seating ($12), Reserved Dining ($54)
• TV: FS2 (5-6:30 p.m.)
• Smart TV App: Churchill Downs LIVE
• Wager: TwinSpires.com

SUNDAY, JUNE 5 (FAMILY ADVENTURE DAY)

• Promotion: Family Adventure Day presented by Kroger
• Scheduled Racing: 10 Races; Day 23 of 44
• Gates Open: 11:30 a.m.
• First Race/Last Race: 12:45-5:26 p.m.
• Stakes Racing: GIII, $200,000 Old Forester Mint Julep
• Tickets: General Admission ($9), Reserved Seating ($12), Reserved Dining ($49)
• TV: FS1 (12:30-2 p.m.); FS2 (5-5:30 p.m.)
• Smart TV App: Churchill Downs LIVE
• Wager: TwinSpires.com