By My Standards Joins Clark Lineup; Churchill Downs Partners With LEE Initiative for JCPS Family Meal Program

Nov 20, 2020 Kevin Kerstein,Churchill Downs Communications

Allied Racing Stable’s multiple graded stakes winner By My Standards is probable to enter next Friday’s $500,000 Clark presented by Norton Healthcare (Grade I) following a half-mile move in :49.40 Friday at Churchill Downs. Also donning the Friday morning work tab was Rupp Racing’s three-time Grade III winner Owendale who worked an easy half-mile in :49.20 for trainer Brad Cox.

On Friday morning, trainer Bret Calhoun reported via text that By My Standards, the recent eighth-place runner in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI), would likely be his lone entrant to the 1 1/8-mile race.

The Clark is the centerpiece of a fantastic Thanksgiving week of racing beneath the Twin Spires. Inaugurated in 1875, the Clark will be the featured race on the Friday program at Churchill Downs. Entries will be taken Sunday. The likely entrants to the race include Bodexpress, By My Standards, Code of Honor, In Love (BRZ) and Plus Que Parfait. Coastal Defense and Mr. Freeze are possible to enter the race, according to trainer Dale Romans.

One day prior on Thanksgiving will be the 105^th running of the $200,000 Falls City (GII) for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles. Entries for Thursday’s card will be drawn Saturday.

On Saturday, Nov. 28, the card will feature all 2-year-olds races for “Stars of Tomorrow II.” The headlining races will be the 94^th running of the $200,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) and its counterpart for fillies, the $200,000 Golden Rod (GII).

The likely field for the Kentucky Jockey Club includes Arabian Prince (trainer Dallas Stewart), Inspector Frost (Brad Cox), King Fury (Kenny McPeek), Super Stock (Steve Asmussen) and Swill (Cox).

The likely field for the Golden Rod includes Coach (Cox), Lady Traveler (Dale Romans), Roc’s Princess (Billy Gowan), Simply Ravishing (McPeek) and Travel Column (Cox).

Entries for Saturday’s program will be drawn Wednesday.

Out of an abundance of caution, there will be no turf racing at Churchill Downs through the remainder of the meet because the course has not satisfactorily responded to this fall’s climate. Grass racing will resume next spring when the conditions become more optimum. As a result, there will be no turf entries taken for races scheduled to be run on turf from Nov. 25-29. All scheduled turf races in the condition book during this time period will be transferred to the main track and entries taken for the same conditions will be dirt only. Additionally, the $100,000 Cardinal (GIII) and $100,000 River City (GIII) will be put on hiatus this year.

WHOA NELLIE HOPES TO FIRE FRESH IN CHILUKKI – Fox Hill Farms’ five-time winning filly Whoa Nellie is set to return from a nine-month freshening in Saturday’s $100,000 Chilukki (Grade III) at Churchill Downs.

“I haven’t worked her but know she can be a bit tough in the mornings,” said jockey Joe Rocco Jr., who piloted the Orb filly to two wins and a runner-up effort in her last three starts. “(Trainer Larry Jones’) exercise rider typically works her in draw reins to keep her under control. She’s run some very impressive races in her last few starts in the winter. I’m excited to get back on her.”

Whoa Nellie is listed at 4-1 on the morning line for Saturday’s Chilukki. Prior to being on the sidelines, Whoa Nellie recorded a dominating 4 ½-length victory in the $100,000 Pippin Stakes and a narrow runner-up effort behind Go Google Yourself in the $200,000 Bayakoa Stakes (GIII).

The Chilukki is the featured race on Saturday’s 10-race program. First post is 1 p.m. and the Chilukki will go as Race 9 at 5:06 p.m.

The complete field for the one-mile Chilukki from the rail out (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds): New Roo (Brian Hernandez Jr., Tommy Drury, 20-1); Finite (Ricardo Santana Jr., Steve Asmussen, 8-5); Grand Cru Classe (Tyler Gaffalione, Bill Mott, 5-2); Whoa Nellie (Rocco, Jones, 4-1); Gold Standard (Florent Geroux, Brad Cox, 15-1); Risky Mandate (Miguel Mena, Tom Amoss, 5-1); Crazy Sexy Munny (Crystal Conning, Bill Morey, 50-1); Unique Factor (Corey Lanerie, Peter Miller, 10-1); and Sanenus (Rafael Bejarano, Michael McCarthy, 20-1).

Churchill Downs Partners with LEE Initiative for JCPS Family Meal Program – The LEE Initiative in partnership with Churchill Downs announced its newest relief effort in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the hardships it has caused for families: a meal program. Family Meal is a collaborative effort between The LEE Initiative, Churchill Downs, Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS), Louisville Metro, Audi and Humana, and will feed families who have children enrolled in JCPS.

“Reports are indicating that roughly eight million Americans are slipping into poverty due to this crisis,” said chef Edward Lee, co-founder and director of programming for The LEE Initiative. “We hope the entire city will join us in proving that Louisville can be a truly compassionate city and that we can create innovative solutions to the hunger issues that have become so rampant. This program is more than just feeding families; it is helping families avoid facing poverty.”

The LEE Initiative will hire 50 cooks who have been out of work due to the pandemic. These cooks will use the Churchill Downs Racetrack kitchen to prepare 8,000 boxed meals a week, with each box feeding a family of four.

“We love working with The LEE Initiative to take the stigma out of getting a free meal and making sure families have a high-quality chef-prepared meal,” said Churchill Downs Racetrack executive chef David Danielson. “We are very pleased with the success of the program so far. It has reignited our team, and we work to show the virtue of leadership with hospitality. While there is still much hard work to do and many problems to solve, nothing is possible without a seat at the table for all. Feeding people is in our hearts, and during this difficult time, it is uplifting to know we can help those in our community who are in need.”

All meals will come frozen with instructions to reheat in the oven or microwave. JCPS will handle distribution and make meals available on Tuesdays and Thursdays at their meal site pick locations. Further pickup details will be available through JCPS.

For more information on the relief efforts, visit leeinitiative.org.

TV SCHEDULE – Racing at Churchill Downs continues every Wednesday-Sunday through Nov. 29 daily first post at 1 p.m. (except 11:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day). Below is this week’s TV schedule on the Fox Sports family of networks:

Thursday: FS2 (12-6 p.m.) | MSG+ (12-6 p.m.)

Friday: FS2 (12-6 p.m.) | MSG+ (12-6 p.m.)

Saturday: FS2 (12-5:30 p.m.) | MSG+ (12-6:30 p.m.)

Sunday: FS1 (12-4 p.m.), FS2 (4-6 p.m.) | MSG+ (12:30-6 p.m.)

CHURCHILL DOWNS TO PARTNER WITH NYRA FOR CROSS COUNTRY PICK 5 ON SATURDAY – Churchill Downs has once again partnered with the New York Racing Association for a Cross Country Pick 5 that included three races from Churchill and two from Aqueduct.

The Race order and approximate post times (all times eastern):

Leg A: Aqueduct Race 8 (3:17 p.m.)

Leg B: Aqueduct Race 9 (3:45 p.m.)

Leg C: Churchill Race 7 (4:06 p.m.)

Leg D: Aqueduct Race 10 (4:13 p.m.)

Leg E: Churchill Race 9 (5:06 p.m.)

The 50-cent minimum wager has a 15% takeout and can be placed at simulcast centers and ADWs including TwinSpires.com

DOWN THE STRETCH – There was a $150,088 carryover in the 20-cent Single 6 Jackpot for racing on Friday. First post was 1 p.m. and the Single 6 spanned Races 4-9. … In accordance with the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s most recent health and safety requirements issued on Wednesday, all dining rooms, the Turf Club, the Roses Lounge, private suites and inter-track wagering in the Aristides Lounge and Champions/Gold Rooms will be closed for the remainder of the fall meet starting Saturday. All current ticketholders will be refunded. Socially-distanced outdoor seating remains available with access to concessions, wagering and restrooms. Following the race meet, Churchill Downs will remain closed for simulcast wagering through Dec. 13, which is expiration date of the latest executive orders. … Agent Cory Prewitt reported Friday jockey Corey Lanerie now plans to ride at Gulfstream Park this winter rather than Turfway Park. … Jockey Julien Leparoux was on the Churchill Downs backside Friday morning with his new agent Frank Lyons. Leparoux and Lyons plan to return to Florida in December to ride at Gulfstream Park. Leparoux’s former agent, Steve Bass, was alongside the duo but plans to take a leave of absence this winter. … Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager and Sire Future Wager will run Thursday to Sunday, Nov. 29. More information can be found on www.kentuckyderby.com/futurewager. … The season finale of “Inside Churchill Downs” will air Friday at 6 p.m. on ESPN 680/105.7. The show is streamed live on www.espnlouisville.com. … For more information about the Churchill Downs Fall Meet, visit www.churchilldowns.com.