Churchill Downs Update and Stakes Advance: Ack Ack Winner Three Technique Tops Field in Inaugural Cherokee Mile on Closing Day

Nov 24, 2024

Ack Ack Stakes (Grade III) winner Three Technique will aim to regain his top form after a disappointing effort in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (Grade I) as he faces 10 rivals, including Perryville Stakes winner Brunacini, in next Sunday’s inaugural $250,000 Cherokee Mile at Churchill Downs – closing day of the 26-day Fall Meet.

Run as Race 11 on the 12-race program, the Cherokee Mile has a post time of 5:48 p.m. (all times Eastern). First post is 1 p.m.

Eric Grindley, David Miller, Howard Preuss and John Werner’s Three Technique, trained by Jason Cook, looks to bounce back after a disappointing 12th-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. With seven career victories and earnings of $1.1 million, Three Technique stamped himself as a top miler earlier this season with his Ack Ack triumph under jockey Rafael Bejarano, who retains the mount and will break from post No. 2.

Another prominent contender is Emilie Fojan’s Brunacini, who shocked fans as a 28-1 longshot in the Perryville at Keeneland one month ago. Trained by Matt Sims, the lightly raced 3-year-old son of Dortmund is 2-for-3 lifetime with his only loss coming in a two-turn allowance race in September at Churchill Downs. Luan Machado, aboard for the Perryville victory, retains the mount from the rail.

Also in the Cherokee Mile field is Michael Foster’s Injunction, a seasoned stakes competitor who entered trainer Doug Cowans’ care after he was claimed for $80,000 in May. Since his connection claimed him, Injunction has logged several notable performances, including a win in the Schaeffer Memorial at Horseshoe Indianapolis; a second-place finish to Saudi Crown in the R.A. Cowboy Jones Stakes at Ellis Park; and a third in the Parx Dirt Mile. Edgar Morales will guide Injunction from post 3.

The field for the Cherokee Mile in post position order (with jockey and trainer):

·        Brunacini (Machado, Sims)

·        Three Technique (Bejarano, Cook)

·        Injunction (Morales, Cowans)

·        Quality Chic (Florent Geroux, Cook)

·        Frosted Departure (Joe Ramos, Chris Hartman)

·        Stilleto Boy (Evin Roman, Ed Moger Jr.)

·        Scotland (Junior Alvarado, Bill Mott)

·        Rocket Can (Tyler Gaffalione, Bill Mott)

·        Call Me Fast (Luis Saez, Joe Sharp)

·        Transect (Cristian Torres, Will Walden)

·        Single Dot Yaht (Corey Lanerie, Tommy Drury Jr.)

As part of the closing day festivities, all wagers, including the 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot, will feature mandatory payouts. Fans can watch and wager on the Cherokee Mile and all of Sunday’s action at Churchill Downs on TwinSpires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated.

 

HORSE OF THE YEAR CANDIDATE THORPEDO ANNA TO BE PARADED BETWEEN RACES FRIDAY – Fans at Churchill Downs on Black Friday will have the opportunity to honor one of the brightest stars in horse racing, Thorpedo Anna, the 2024 Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) winner and one of the favorites to win 2024 Horse of the Year honors.

The standout 3-year-old filly will be paraded in the Churchill Downs paddock during Race 9, from approximately 4:30-4:50 p.m. Thorpedo Anna will join the field for Race 9 during the walkover to the paddock and remain there throughout the race, giving fans a unique opportunity to celebrate her historic campaign up close.

Owned by Brookdale Racing, Mark Edwards, Judy Hicks, and Magdalena Racing, Thorpedo Anna has assembled a dazzling resumé this season under the guidance of trainer Kenny McPeek. Her dominance in the 3-year-old division includes Grade I victories in the Kentucky Oaks, Acorn Stakes, Coaching Club American Oaks, Cotillion Stakes and most recently, the Breeders' Cup Distaff (GI) against older horses at Del Mar. Also, she finished just a head back of Fierceness against males in the $1.25 million Travers (GI) at Saratoga in late August.

 

DOWN THE STRETCH – Racing resumed Sunday beneath the historic Twin Spires with a first post of 1 p.m. The Derby City 6 Jackpot stood at $165,635 and began in Race 5. … Rigney Racing’s Two Sharp earned a 94 Brisnet Speed Figure for her 5 ¾-length victory in Saturday’s Chilukki Stakes (GIII). … HRH Prince Sultan Bin Mishal Al Saud’s Lagynos received an 87 Brisnet Speed Rating for his Commonwealth Turf (GIII) victory Saturday. … Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager will run Thursday-Sunday alongside the Kentucky Derby Sire Future Wager. The entrants for both pools will be announced Monday. … Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will make special appearances at Churchill Downs on Friday and Saturday. On Friday, they will visit the Turf Club (12:30-2:30 p.m.), Finish Line Suites (2:50-3:50 p.m.) and second floor of the Clubhouse (4-5:30 p.m.). On Saturday they will be in the Jockey Club Suites (12:30-2:30 p.m.) and second floor of the Clubhouse (3-5 p.m.). … Through racing on Saturday, jockey Luis Saez had a dominant 34-15 win lead on Tyler Gaffalione in the Fall Meet standings. On the trainer’s side, Steve Asmussen led Brad Cox 14-10 while Calumet Farm and Godolphin were tied in the owners’ standings with four wins each. … Jockey Tyler Gaffalione took off his mounts Sunday as he recovers from being dismounted one week ago at Churchill Downs. He hopes to return closing week. … For more information about the Fall Meet, visit www.churchilldowns.com.