Churchill Downs Barn Notes: Friday, June 22, 2018

By Darren Rogers —-

ASTROLLINTHEPARK SEEKS SECOND-CAREER STAKES VICTORY IN SATURDAY’S $75,000-ADDED ROXELANA

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Friday, June 22, 2018) – Dreamchaser Thorobreds’ recent allowance winner Astrollinthepark hopes to garner additional black-type in her pedigree as she faces six rivals in Saturday’s $75,000-added Roxelana Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs.

Trained by Larry Jones, Astrollinthepark scored a front-running score in a seven-furlong allowance race on May 24 at Churchill Downs.

“She certainly deserves a shot in the Roxelana,” Jones’ locally-based assistant Corey York said. “She can be a speedy-type of horse but is pretty tactical as well. There are a couple of other horses that are pretty nice in the field including Vertical Oak and Miss Kentucky. It should be a good race.

“We’ve had a good meet here at Churchill. I like being in Kentucky and our horses have done really well. (Astrollinthepark) ran very well in her allowance win last month so this race makes the most sense for her next start.”

Astrollinthepark is a 4-year-old filly by Divine Park out of the Jones-trained mare All In With Aces. The four-time winner is seeking her second stakes victory following a two-length triumph in the Austintown Filly Sprint Stakes at Mahoning Valley in 2017. Florent Geroux has the mount and will break from post six as the 3-1 third choice on the morning line.

The six-furlong Roxelana, named for the crack female sprinter who won seven of 11 starts and earned $264,726 between 2000-03 for trainer William “Blackie” Huffman, is carded as Race 10 of 11 on Saturday’s program with a scheduled post time of 5:26 p.m. (all times Eastern). The first race Saturday is 12:45 p.m.

The field for the Roxelana from the rail out: Mythical Tale (ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan, trained by Brad Cox, 122 pounds, 5-1 morning line odds); Golden Domer (Corey Lanerie, Brendan Walsh, 122, 8-1); Vertical Oak (Ricardo Santana Jr., Steve Asmussen, 122, 2-1); Julerette (Julien Leparoux, Ben Colebrook, 122, 15-1); Annathela (Jack Gilligan, Rusty Arnold II, 122, 12-1); Astrollinthepark (Geroux, Jones, 122, 3-1); Miss Kentucky (Brian Hernandez Jr., Rusty Arnold II, 124, 5-2).

Churchill Downs admission gates will open Saturday at 11:30 a.m. General Admission is $3, reserved seating is $10 and reserved dining packages are $39. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at ChurchillDowns.com/Tickets.

GLYSHAW TARGETS BREEDERS’ CUP TURF SPRINT FOR BUCCHERO – While Indiana bred Bucchero remains in England until June 26 following his fifth-place finish in the King Stand Stakes (Grade I) on Tuesday at Royal Ascot, his trainer, Tim Glyshaw, is already mapping out a campaign for the Nov. 3 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (GI) held in his backyard at Churchill Downs.

“We’re just so proud of our horse,” Glyshaw said. “We’re moving ahead and excited to get him back to the U.S. He’ll fly out of England on June 26 and quarantine at Arlington Park and a farm outside Chicago. I think we’ll have two races prior to the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. Right now we’re looking at the Turf Monster at Parx on Sept. 3 and the Oct. 6 Woodford at Keeneland. With the Breeders’ Cup here at Churchill Downs, I think that will be the best schedule to hopefully get him there.”

Bucchero stamped himself as one of the country’s top turf sprinters following his 26-1 upset in the 2017 Woodford. The 6-year-old horse finished fourth in the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar.

Owned by Ironhorse Racing Stable, Bucchero has a record of 28-10-6-3 with $808,936 in earnings.

DOWN THE STRETCH – There is a $15,895 carryover in Friday’s 20-cent Single 6 Jackpot which begins in Race 4 at 2:13 p.m. and a $7,644 carryover in the $1 Super Hi-5 in Race 9 at 4:55 p.m. … “Inside Churchill Downs” will not air Friday on ESPN 680/105.7, but will return Friday, June 29 at 6 p.m. … Sunday is Family Adventure Day presented by Kroger. In partnership with the Louisville Sports Commission, this Family Adventure Day encourages kids to seek out healthy, active outdoor activities and embrace local parks, forests and other public lands. There are more than 20 activities children under 12 can enjoy. For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.churchilldowns.com/tickets. … Congratulations to trainer Dan Peitz for winning Barn of the Week honors. Peitz and his staff will be honored with a Winner’s Circle recognition and pizza party.