Churchill Downs Update: Stakes Company Could Be In Future for Dominant Allowance Winner Champlin

May 17, 2024 Kevin Kerstein

Murray and Sherilynn House’s speedy 4-year-old gelding Champlin earned a career-best Brisnet Speed Rating of 98 for his allowance victory Thursday at Churchill Downs and could compete in stakes company in his next start, according to trainer Greg Foley.

“What a fast horse,” Foley said following the race. “Look at how far he galloped out in front of the field. He was 10 lengths in front. He’s fast and showed a new element being able to track just off the pace.”

Champlin cruised to a 2 ¼-length score in the six-furlong allowance contest under jockey Mitchell Murrill. The son of Ransom the Moon improved his career record to three wins from just four starts with his only blemish coming two starts ago at Keeneland when he finished fifth in an allowance event.

Foley has several talented sprinters in his barn that match similar conditions to Champlin including St. Matthews Overnight Stakes winner O Besos and 11-time Churchill Downs winner Bango.

The veteran trainer was ranked fifth in the Churchill Downs trainer standings with five victories from 17 starts. Foley began Friday four wins behind leader Brad Cox who was followed by Steve Asmussenwith eight wins and Mike Maker with six.

MULTIPLE GRADED STAKES WINNER BOLD ACT TABBED AS EVEN-MONEY FAVORITE IN SATURDAY’S GRADE III LOUISVILLE STAKES – Godolphin’s multiple graded stakes winner winner Bold Act (IRE), a talented European invader from top trainer Charlie Appleby, was tabbed as the heavy even-money favorite against 10 fellow turf marathoners entered in Saturday’s 87th running of the $250,000 Louisville Stakes (Grade III) at Churchill Downs.

Scheduled to run at 1 ½ miles in Lane 1 on the Matt Winn Turf Course, the Louisville Stakes is the featured seventh race on the 11-race “Downs After Dark” program at 9:05 p.m. (all times Eastern). The first race begins at 6 p.m. and fans are invited to enjoy a live simulcast of the Preakness Stakes (GI) on the Big Board and television monitors throughout the facility following the third race at approximately 7:01 p.m.

Prior to the Louisville Stakes, Bold Act has competed in North America twice in his 14-race career, winning the Sycamore Stakes (GIII) in October at Keeneland then returning to the Bluegrass State for a third-place effort in the Elkhorn (GII) in late April. A 4-year-old gelded son of New Approach, Bold Act achieved his most notable victory nine weeks ago when he easily defeated eight rivals in the Dubai City of Gold (GII) at Meydan Racecourse. Jockey Florent Geroux, who won the 2021 Louisville Stakes aboard Arklow, will have the call in Saturday’s race from post No. 8.

Here is the complete field for the Louisville Stakes from the rail out (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds) Starting Over (Ricardo Santana Jr., Mike Maker, 4-1); King Curlin (Joe Rocco Jr., Brittany Vanden Berg, 30-1); Avenue (Luan Machado, Michael McCarthy, 12-1); Guntown (Jareth Loveberry, Mike Maker, 30-1); Quadra Island (Rey Gutierrez, Mike Maker, 30-1); Reckoning Force (Cristian Torres, Brendan Walsh, 12-1); Sugoi (Julien Leparoux, Mike Maker, 20-1); Bold Act (Geroux, Appleby, Even); The Grey Wizard (IRE) (James Graham, Graham Motion, 12-1); Utah Beach (Jose Ortiz, Ignacio Correas IV, 7-2); and Strong Tide (Manny Esquivel, Mike Lauer, 30-1).

‘DOWNS AFTER DARK’ RETURNS TO CHURCHILL DOWNS ON SATURDAY NIGHT –Downs After Dark returns to Churchill Downs on Saturday night as the home of the Kentucky Derby pays homage to the PGA Championship being held at nearby Valhalla Golf Club this week.

The theme for Saturday night’s event is “Golf and Social” where guests are encouraged to wear “golf-chic” inspired dress (traditional dress codes in premium seat areas will be relaxed). Special activities around the racetrack for this unique blend of golf and socializing include a golf simulator, putting greens and contests to benefit First Tee Louisville, a 501 nonprofit organization with the stated goal of improving children’s life and social skills through golf lessons.

For $5 per ball, guests can participate in a Hole-in-One Challenge to win a complete set of Callaway Ai Smoke products; a Closest to the Pin Contest to win a Callaway Ai Smoke Driver; and a Putt-Putt game to win an Odyssey Ai One Putter.

In addition to the golf-themed events, there will be music performances by popular local acts Soul Circus (5:30 p.m.) and DJ Glittertitz (8:30 p.m.).

The featured race on the 11-race program under the lights is the 87th running of the $250,000 Louisville Stakes (Grade III), a 1 ½-mile marathon for older horses on the Matt Winn Turf Course which goes as Race 7 at 9:05 p.m.

There also will be a simulcast of the second leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown as Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan headlines the $2 million Preakness (GI) from Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course at approximately 7:01 p.m. between Races 3-4.

All admission gates will open Saturday at 5 p.m., the first race is 6 p.m. and the final race is 11:10 p.m.

General admission is $20. Reserved box seats range from $28-$38. All-inclusive premium dining packages are $92-$179. This includes the new Sports Illustrated Club SI with all-inclusive offerings and direct views into the horse stalls of the new Paddock; the highly sought after all-inclusive Homestretch Club for night racing; and newly renovated Jockey Club Suites for larger private groups. Inquire about all the options at https://www.ticketmaster.com/churchill-downs-downs-after-dark-tickets or by calling (502) 636-4450 or emailing groupsales@kyderby.com.

 

DOWN THE STRETCH – Racing resumed at Churchill Downs Friday with a nine-race program and first post of 12:45 p.m. There was a $17,184 carryover in the 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot and $1 Super Hi-5 carryover of $6,615. … Recent La Troienne (GI) winner Idiomatic returned to the Churchill Downs worktab Friday with an easy half-mile move in :50. The 5-year-old daughter of Curlin earned a 100 Brisnet Speed Rating for her victory two weeks ago. For more information about the Churchill Downs Spring Meet, visit www.churchilldowns.com.