Churchill Downs Update: Friday, May 27, 2022 -- Kentucky Derby Winner Rich Strike to Breeze Between Races 5-6 Monday at 3 p.m. ET

May 27, 2022 Churchill Downs Communications

RED TR Racing’s Kentucky Derby (Grade I) winner Rich Strike will breeze between Races 5 and 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 RIDING COLONY FILLED WITH FRENCH TALENT – When jockey Julien Leparoux began riding at Churchill Downs in 2005, he and Brice Blanc were the only French-natives in the colony. Fast forward more than 16 years later and nearly 1,000 local wins for Leparoux, the jockey colony is flooded with French talent with the likes of Florent Geroux, Alex Achard and recent arrivals Vincent Cheminaud and Mickaelle Michel.

Leparoux, who entered Friday’s card at Churchill Downs with 995 wins beneath the Twin Spires, started a wave of jockeys importing to the U.S. from France when he began working for trainer Patrick Biancone in 2003. Shortly after Leparoux found major success in the U.S., Geroux arrived with the help of Biancone. Since he started riding in 2007, Geroux has amassed more than $132 million in purse earnings and 1,911 wins.

Geroux and Cheminaud were on hand Thursday to watch Michel’s state-side debut in Race 7 when she finished second aboard Good Measure for trainer Graham Motion. She was about 25 lengths in front of Leparoux who rode Scarabea.

“It’s been a great start,” Michel said. “I’ve had help from a lot of people so far in America. I saw the success that a lot of French riders had in America and thought this would be a good move for my career.”

Michel has only been in the U.S. since May 12 but has already received support at the entry box from trainers Dallas Stewart and Jack Sisterson.

Meanwhile, Cheminaud has ridden in the U.S. twice before his full-time move earlier this year. He’s most known for riding Juddmonte’s Flintshire (GB) to victory in the 2015 Sword Dancer at Saratoga.

“This place is amazing. It’s going to be really fun to ride here,” Cheminaud said of Churchill Downs when he first visited the track with Geroux in March.

The quartet of Cheminaud, Geroux, Leparoux and Michel all ride primarily at Churchill Downs and will be joined several days in the jocks room by Achard, who is a regular at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Overall, 14 riders have ridden this meet at Churchill Downs that are natives of European countries: Achard, Mickael Barzalona (born in France), Adam Beschizza (England), Declan Cannon (Ireland), Cheminaud, Geroux, Jack Gilligan (England), James Graham (Ireland), Christophe Lemaire (France), Leparoux, Michel, Flavian Prat (France), and Umberto Rispoli (Italy).

SCONSIN MADE 6-5 FAVORITE FOR TITLE DEFENSE IN WINNING COLORS – Lloyd Madison Farm’s multiple graded stakes winner Sconsin is set to make her 5-year-old debut and defend her crown as the 6-5 morning line favorite in Monday’s $200,000 Winning Colors (Grade III) at Churchill Downs.

Monday’s Memorial Day program from Churchill Downs will have a first post of 12:45 p.m. (all times Eastern). The Winning Colors will go as Race 8 of 9 with a post time of 4:22 p.m.

A total of five rivals entered to face five-time winner Sconsin in the Winning Colors. The Greg Foley-trained daughter of Include has been on the sidelines since her half-length victory in the $300,000 Open Mind in mid-September.

Sconsin cruised to a 3 ¼-length win in last year’s Winning Colors under jockey Tyler Gaffalione. Following her victory in the Winning Colors, Sconsin was narrowly defeated by Bell’s the One in the $110,000 Roxelana. Sconsin tested Grade I company in last year’s $500,000 Ballerina (GI) but finished fourth to Gamine.

“Her setup this year is sort of the same as last year getting the winter off,” Foley said. “She took the winter off after she ran fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (GI) in 2020. We brought her back in the Madison but decided to target the Winning Colors this year to start the year.”

Sconsin will be ridden by Gaffalione from post No. 3.

She’ll be joined in the starting gate by graded stakes placed fillies Joyful Cadence and Li’l Tootsie along with allowance winners Euphoric, Novel Squall and Tipsy Gal.

The Winning Colors field from the rail out (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds): Joyful Cadence (Joe Talamo, John Ortiz, 6-1); Novel Squall (Brian Hernandez Jr., John Ortiz, 5-2); Sconsin (Gaffalione, Foley, 6-5); Li’l Tootsie (James Graham, Tom Amoss, 5-1); Tipsy Gal (Ricardo Santana Jr., Dallas Stewart, 15-1); and Euphoric (Gerardo Corrales, Bernie Flint, 5-1).

Wagering for the Winning Colors, and every race from Churchill Downs, is available on www.TwinSpires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated and the Kentucky Derby.

TEMPLE CITY TERROR MADE 3-1 MORNING LINE FAVORITE FOR TITLE DEFENSE IN KEERTANA – Pocket Aces Racing’s Temple City Terror is back to defend her crown as the 3-1 morning line favorite in Saturday’s featured $160,000 Keertana Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs.

The 1 ½-mile Keertana, run on the Matt Winn Turf Course, was carded as Race 10 of 11 with a post time of 5:26 p.m. (all times Eastern). First post is 12:45 p.m. Turf racing this week at Churchill Downs will be conducted in lane 4, 36 feet from the inside rail.

Trained by Brendan Walsh, Temple City Terror was the mild 5-1 upset winner of last year’s Keertana over Dalika. Following her Keertana victory, Temple City Terror finished third in the $150,000 Robert Dick Memorial at Delaware Park and the $250,000 Glen Falls (GII) at Saratoga. After the Glen Falls, Temple City Terror was off until mid-April when she finished fifth in a conditioned allowance race at Keeneland. The 6-year-old mare will be ridden by Adam Beschizza from post No. 7.

Chief among Temple City Terror’s competition is Catherine Willis’ multiple graded stakes placed Luck Money. Trained by Arnaud Delacour, Luck Money made her 5-year-old debut three weeks ago at Belmont Park where she finished a distant second to Virginia Joy in the $200,000 Sheepshead Bay (Grade II). As a 4-year-old, Luck Money finished second in the $150,000 Dowanger (GIII) at Keeneland and the Robert Dick Memorial. Luck Money’s last win was in the $80,000 Zagora Stakes on Oct. 31, 2020 at Belmont. Brian Hernandez Jr. has the call from post 8.

Here’s the complete field from the rail out (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds): Stand Tall (Florent Geroux, Rusty Arnold, 6-1); Disappearing Act (Tyler Gaffalione, Richard Baltas, 4-1); Go Big Blue Nation (James Graham, Graham Motion, 6-1); La Lune (GB) (Julien Leparoux, Ed Vaughan, 8-1); Federalist Papers (Ricardo Santana Jr., Chad Brown, 6-1); Malibu Marlee (Mitchell Murrill, Barry King, 50-1); Temple City Terror (Beschizza, Walsh, 3-1); Luck Money (Hernandez, Delacour, 7-2); and Undisturbed (Chris Landeros, Ian Wilkes, 15-1).

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 – Following overnight rain in the Louisville area, the races were taken off the turf Friday. The main track was listed as “fast.” … Charles Fipke’s five-time winner Title Ready worked a swift five furlongs in 1:00.20 Friday morning for trainer Dallas Stewart. He’s probable to enter next Saturday’s $200,000 Blame Stakes as part of “Stephen Foster Preview Day.” The full list of probable entrants will be released Sunday. … “Inside Churchill Downs” will air Friday at 6 p.m. on ESPN 680/105.7. The one-hour show can be streamed on www.espnlouisville.com.

FRIDAY, MAY 27

• Racing: 9 Races; Day 16 of 44
• Dirt/Turf (Lane 4, 36 feet): Fast/Off
• Gates Open: 11:30 a.m.
• First Race/Last Race: 12:45-4:55 p.m.
• Featured Races:
  • Race 1 (12:45 p.m.) – Mdn 120k, 2yo, 5 F
  • Race 7 (3:50 p.m.) – Mdn 120k, f&m, 1 1/16 M
  • Race 8 (4:22 p.m.) – OC 80000b, f&m, 5 ½ F (T)
• Carryovers: Derby City 6 ($40,183)
• National Weather Service Forecast: Mostly cloudy, 72. 40% showers and thunderstorms. West wind 9-11 mph.
• Meet Leading Jockeys: Tyler Gaffalione (17); Brian Hernandez Jr. (11); Ricardo Santana Jr. (10); Florent Geroux (9); Rafael Bejarano (8), Luis Saez (8)
• Meet Leading Trainers: Brad Cox (10); Steve Asmussen (7); Rusty Arnold (6); Mike Maker (6); Joe Sharp (6); Brendan Walsh (6)
• Meet Leading Owners: Peter Brant (3); Godolphin LLC (3); Stonestreet Stables LLC (3); Gary and Mary West (3)
• Tickets: General Admission ($7), Reserved Seating ($10), Reserved Dining ($42)
• TV: FS2 (12:30-1:30 p.m., 3-5:30 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, MAY 28

• Racing: 11 Races; Day 17 of 44
• Dirt/Turf (Lane 4, 36 feet): TBA
• Gates Open: 11:30 a.m.
• First Race/Last Race: 12:45-5:58 p.m.
• Featured Races:
  • Race 3 (1:43 p.m.) – Mdn 120k, 3&up, 6 F
  • Race 4 (2:13 p.m.) – OC 80000b, 3&up, 5 ½ F (T)
  • Race 5 (2:45 p.m.) – Mdn 120k, f&m, 1 1/16 M
  • Race 7 (3:50 p.m.) – Alw 127000n1x, 3&up, 1 1/16 M (T)
  • Race 8 (4:22 p.m.) – Mdn 120k, 3&up, 1 1/16 M
  • Race 9 (4:55 p.m.) – OC 80000n3x, 3&up, 7 F
  • Race 10 (5:26 p.m.) – $160,000 Keertana Overnight Stakes, f&m, 1 ½ M (T)
  • Race 11 (5:58 p.m.) – Alw 127000n2L, 3yo f, 6 F
• Featured Simulcasts:
  • Bel 9 (5:12 p.m.) – $100,000 Soaring Softly (GIII), 3yo f, 7 F (T)
• National Weather Service Forecast: Mostly sunny, 78.
• 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

SUNDAY, MAY 29

• Racing: 10 Races; Day 18 of 44
• Dirt/Turf (Lane 4, 36 feet): TBA
• Gates Open: 11:30 a.m.
• First Race/Last Race: 12:45-5:26 p.m.
• 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.
• 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:
  • LS 12 (8:35 p.m.) – $400,000 Steve Sexton Mile (GIII), 3&up, 1 M
  • SA – GI Hollywood Gold Cup
  • SA – GI Shoemaker Mile
  • SA – GI Gamely
• National Weather Service Forecast: Sunny, 89.
• 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.
• 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)
• 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)
• 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