Jamaludin Wins Thanksgiving Eve Feature

Nov 27, 2008 Gary Yunt

Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s favored Jamaludin took control on the final turn and cruised to a 5 ½-length victory in Wednesday’s $44,620 Thanksgiving Eve allowance feature at Churchill Downs.

Jamaludin, a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Chester House, covered the 1 1/8 miles on a firm Matt Winn Turf Course in 1:51.72 in winning for the third time in 11 career starts. The winner’s check of $28,796 increased Jamaludin’s career earnings to $103,755.

Ridden by Julien Leparoux and trained by Mike Maker, Jamaludin rewarded his backers with payoffs of $6.80, $4.20 and $3.40. Don’twait Toolong rallied for second under Calvin Borel to pay $9.20 and $5.20 and finished three-quarters of a length in front of My Happiness who paid $6.60 to show with Larry Melancon up.

Leparoux’s victory was his 51st of the meet, leaving him four away from tying Pat Day’s 23-year-old Fall Meet record for wins. Robby Albarado, a clear second in the standings, won four races Wednesday to bring his meet total to 37. The 26-day meet concludes Saturday.

The final three days of Churchill Downs’ 2008 Fall Meet will have special start times. Twelve-race holiday cards on Thursday (Thanksgiving Day), Friday (Clark Handicap Day) and Saturday (Closing Day/Stars of Tomorrow II) will begin early at 11:30 a.m. ET and grandstand admission gates will open at 10 a.m. ET. The Thanksgiving Day card is topped by the $150,000-added Falls City Handicap (Grade II) for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles.