Churchill Downs Update: Early Wedding Gift -- Morales Wins Locust Grove Before Tying the Knot

Sep 18, 2024

Jockey Edgar Morales received an early wedding present Saturday when he guided Musical Mischief to victory in the Fasig-Tipton Locust Grove Stakes (Grade II) at Churchill Downs. Morales and his fiancée Keely Sorrows tied the knot Monday, which capped off an unforgettable weekend for the couple.

“We knew she was training really well for this race,” Morales said. “There was some pace out in front of us. When I asked her, she was really ready to go. I think she really loves this track. It’s not to say she wouldn’t run well elsewhere because she has. That’s what makes her so special. She’s very versatile. No matter where she goes or what position you put her in the race, she’s always ready.”

The Locust Grove win was only the third graded stakes victory of Morales’ career. His previous wins came in 2022 when Curly Jack won the Iroquois (GIII) and Hoosier Philly won the Golden Rod (GII).

A 26-year-old native of Puerto Rico, Morales celebrated the victory with several members of his family in the winner’s circle.

“This was such a great start to the wedding weekend,” Morales said. “It was so amazing to be able to win that race with all our family around. It’s funny how those things can work out so well before a big day.”

Following his Monday wedding, Morales returned to his routine at Churchill Downs, where he was scheduled to ride in four races on Wednesday’s card.

 

MY MANE SQUEEZE TABBED AS 5-2 FAVORITE FOR FASIG-TIPTON DOGWOOD STAKES – William Butler and WinStar Farm’s Eight Belles Stakes (Grade II) winner My Mane Squeeze will return to Churchill Downs on Saturday where she’ll face a field of nine 3-year-old fillies as the 5-2 morning line choice in the 49th running of the $300,000 Fasig-Tipton Dogwood Stakes (GIII).

Saturday’s card features four stakes events across the 11-race program. First post is 12:45 p.m. (all times Eastern) with the seven-furlong Dogwood going at 4:25 p.m. as Race 8. The stakes brigade will kick off in Race 7 with the $300,000 Bourbon Flight. Following the Dogwood Stakes will be the $300,000 Harrods Creek in Race 9 and the $175,000 Seneca Overnight Stakes (Listed) in Race 10.

Here are the fields for all for stakes in order of post positions (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds):

 

Race 7, $300,000 Bourbon Flight:

Next Level (Jareth Loveberry, Keith Desormeaux, 6-1)
Elephants Ear (Colby Hernandez, Kenny McPeek, 8-1)
Batten Down (Alvarado, Mott, 6-5)
Mugatu (Ramon Vazquez, Jeff Engler, 15-1)
Real Macho (Tyler Gaffalione, Rohan Crichton, 4-1)
Hades (Saez, Orseno, 5-2)
Race 8, $300,000 Fasig-Tipton Dogwood:

Uphill Dance (Tyler Gaffalione, Bill Mott, 15-1)
Fibber (Axel Concepcion, Chris Hartman, 3-1)
Reagan’s Flame (Francisco Arrieta, Lindsay Schultz, 15-1)
Cap Classique (Corey Lanerie, Brittany Russell, 12-1)
My Mane Squeeze (Luis Saez, Mike Maker, 5-2)
Neom Beach (Cristian Torres, Steve Asmussen, 10-1)
Manama Gold (Ramon Vazquez, Todd Pletcher, 6-1)
Legadema (Gerardo Corrales, Phil Bauer, 8-1)
Halina’s Forte (Junior Alvarado, Phil Bauer, 9-2)
Race 9, $300,000 Harrods Creek:

Jefferson Street (Junior Alvarado, Bill Mott, 5-2)
Valentine Candy (Cristian Torres, Steve Asmussen, 3-1)
Henro (Rafael Bejarano, Chris Hartman, 6-1)
Willy D’s (Julien Leparoux, Greg Compton, 15-1)
Alwaysintomischief (Fernando De La Cruz, Eric Foster, 20-1)
Illuminare (Luis Saez, Todd Pletcher, 2-1)
Dilger (IRE) (Tyler Gaffalione, Saffie Joseph Jr., 8-1)
Race 10, $175,000 Seneca Overnight Stakes:

Midshipman’s Dance (Colby Hernandez, Kenny McPeek, 30-1)
Everland (Luan Machado, Eric Foster, 8-1)
Dazzling Move (Axel Concepcion, Mike Trombetta, 30-1)
Little Jamie (Tyler Gaffalione, Robert Medina, 8-1)
Neon Icon (Luis Saez, Rusty Arnold II, 8-1)
Just Be Quiet (Fernando De La Cruz, Bob Gorham, 30-1)
Here’s the Spider (Luan Machado, Ed Fernandez, 30-1)
Chatalas (Corey Lanerie, Grant Foster, 9-2)
Life Talk (Junior Alvarado, Todd Pletcher, 5-1)
Home Game (Gerardo Corrales, Bill Morey, 15-1)
Alpine Princess (Cristian Torres, Brad Cox, 6-1)
Miss Justify (Luis Saez, Todd Pletcher, 3-1)
Letstalkaboutme (Rafael Bejarano, Troy Green, 30-1)
For those unable to attend Saturday’s card, www.TwinSpires.com is the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated and every race will be broadcasted on FanDuel TV.

For more information on the September Meet, visit www.ChurchillDowns.com.

 

DOWN THE STRETCH – Wednesday’s card at Churchill Downs had a first post of 12:45 p.m. and featured a $137,233 carryover in the 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot that spanned Races 4-9. … Churchill Downs will support the city’s professional soccer clubs with a “Purple Takeover” during Twilight Thursday from 5-8 p.m. in the Paddock Plaza. There will be a meet-and-greet with players from Racing Louisville FC (5:30-6 p.m.) and Louisville City FC (6:15-6:45 p.m.); a soccer skills game; $2 select domestic can beer; live music by Kevin Niehoff; food truck appearances from Black Rock Grille, DonutNV, Hot Buns and Hurrikanes; and an exclusive area for Racing Louisville and Lou City fans to watch the races. … On Friday, guests 60 and up will receive $3 general admission or can enjoy lunch and a day at the races in Millionaires Row for $45. Senior Day tickets can be purchased by calling (502) 636-4450. … Sunday is Family Adventure Day and is the perfect event for everyone in the family to experience a fun-filled day at Churchill Downs. There will be more than 15 kid-friendly activities for children under 12 to enjoy, including stick-horse races; face painting; inflatables; bubble station; game zone; arts and craft station; and an appearance by Kona ice truck and DonutNV. Guests are encouraged to bring up to five cans of soup to help support Blessings in a Backpack Louisville Chapter and win opportunities for special Family Adventure Day experiences, including a personal meet and greet with popular track bugler Steve Buttleman. The day also will mark the second annual Thoroughbred Aftercare Day to introduce young learners to the interesting life of Thoroughbreds after retirement and bring awareness of family opportunities to engage with these magnificent animals after their career in racing. Children may attend for free with paying adult (who is at least 18 years old with a valid ID). Limit two children per paying adult. Additional children will require the purchase of a full price general admission ticket. Reserved Seating: Children under the age of 2 may attend for free, provided the child must be held or on the lap of an adult; children ages 2-12 or any child that needs his or her own seat, will require the purchase of a child’s or full price ticket.