Tizaqueena Tops Field of Eight For Churchill Downs' Closing Day Locust Grove Handicap

Jul 03, 2009 By Gary Yunt

Darley Stable’s Tizaqueena, winner of the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (Grade II) on Kentucky Derby Day, will carry top weight of 118 pounds as she faces seven older fillies and mares in Sunday’s 28th running of the $100,000-added Locust Grove Handicap (Grade III).

The Locust Grove, run at a mile over the Matt Winn Turf Course, will go as the 10th race on the 11-race card that closes out Churchill Downs’ 45-day Spring Meet. The program begins with a first post time of 12:45 p.m. (all times EDT).and the Locust Grove is set for 5:29 p.m.

Trained by Michael Stidham, Tizaqueena has won four out of five starts at the mile distance and is 2-for-2 at the distance on the turf. In her most recent start, the 4-year-old daughter of Tiznow finished third behind Acoma and Pure Clan in the 1 1/16-mile Early Times Mint Julep (Grade III) on June 6.

Jamie Theriot, who has been aboard in six of Tizaquenna’s seven starts, has the riding assignment Sunday and will break from post position four. Tizaqueena will concede 2-6 pounds to her rivals.
Sharing the second high weight of 116 pounds are James Spence’s Tensas Yucatan and Kim and John Glenney’s Gloria Goodbody.

Trained by Ralph Nicks, Tensas Yucatan enters the Locust Grove on a three-race win streak. Brian Hernandez Jr. has the call on Tensas Yucatan, who will break from post position one.
John Glenney trains Gloria Goodbody, winner of a June 19 optional claimer at Churchill Downs. Jon Court, who has ridden Gloria Goodbody to three of her four victories, has the call Saturday and will break from post position seven.

The field for the Locust Grove, from the hedge out, is as follows: Tensas Yucatan (Brian Hernandez Jr., 116 pounds), Leamington (Calvin Borel, 115), Closeout (Robby Albarado, 115), Tizaqueena (Jamie Theriot, 118), Zee Zee (Miguel Mena, 114), Namaste’s Wish (Shaun Bridgmohan, 114), Gloria Goodbody (Jon Court, 116) and Stealin’ Kisses (Tony Farina, 112).