Churchill Downs Barn Notes: Wilkes Hoping Cutback in Distance Suits Champagne Anyone

By Darren Rogers —-

WILKES HOPING CUTBACK IN DISTANCE SUITS CHAMPAGNE ANYONE

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019) – Trainer Ian Wilkes is hoping a cutback in distance in Saturday’s seven-furlong $125,000 Dogwood Stakes (Listed) will help build the confidence of Grade II winner Champagne Anyone, who is searching for her first victory since the $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (GII) in late March.

“Pace is the main reason we are cutting her back in distance,” Wilkes said. “She essentially inherited the lead in her last two starts and we’re hoping this race she will have some pace to run at.”

Champagne Anyone, who finished fourth in the $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI), finished fourth in the 1 1/8-mile $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (GI) and 1 ¼-mile $600,000 Alabama (GI) at Saratoga. Owned by Randall Bloch, Six Column Stables, Fred Merrit, John Seller, Stephen Harner, Gene Rice and Jack Porter Jr., Champagne Anyone will face 3-5 morning line favorite Covfefe, who recently won the $500,000 Test (GI) at Saratoga.

“The race certainly came up pretty tough,” Wilkes said. “The good news is with the speed of Covfefe and (trainer) Ben Colebrook’s horse (Take Charge Angel); she’ll definitely be running at a hot pace.”

Champagne Anyone is the second choice on the morning line at 4-1 for the Dogwood. Wilkes’ son-in-law Chris Landeros has the call.

The field for the Dogwood in order of post position (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds): Bell’s the One (Corey Lanerie, Neil Pessin, 8-1); Take Charge Angel (Brian Hernandez Jr., Ben Colebrook, 9-2); Free Cover (Robby Albarado, Bret Calhoun, 12-1); Istan Council (Chantal Sutherland, Larry Jones, 10-1); Champagne Anyone (Landeros, Wilkes, 4-1); and Covfefe (Shaun Bridgmohan, Brad Cox.).

The Dogwood is carded as Race 10 with a post time of 5:26 p.m. (all times Eastern). First post will get underway at 12:45 p.m.

CARROLL SET TO MOVE TACK TO NEW YORK IN OCTOBER – Apprentice jockey Declan Carroll will shift his tack to Belmont Park following the first two weeks of the Fall Meet at Keeneland to be represented by retired jockey turned agent Richard Migliore.

“I love it here in Kentucky, it’s where I’m from, but this is a great opportunity for my career,” Carroll said. “Richie is very knowledgeable and a great mentor. I’m really looking forward to taking this next step and riding in New York.”

Carroll, 20, who was the leading apprentice at Ellis Park with 19 victories in 117 starts, began riding in 2018 and has accumulated 37 victories in his young career. The five-pound apprentice rider is the son of retired trainer David Carroll who is now the assistant to Mark Casse.

Carroll is named on 18 horses over the next four days at Churchill Downs.

DOWN THE STRETCH – Racing gets underway Thursday at Churchill Downs for a four-day week beginning with Twilight Thursday Presented by Blue Moon. First post is 5 p.m. and features live music from DJ S.Y.I.M.O.N.E, $1 Blue Moon drafts and $1 select domestic beers and food truck fare from Joella’s Hot Chicken, Flavaville, Red Top Gourmet Hot Dogs, Sweet N Savory Crepes and Mark’s Feed Store. … Sunday is Family Adventure Day Presented by Kroger. Families can enjoy a day at the races with more than 20 activities for children 12 and under to enjoy in the Plaza. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased at www.churchilldowns.com. … Racing this week on the Matt Winn Turf Course will be staged in Lane 3, 22 feet off the inside hedge. … Dogwood Stakes favorite Covfefe will school in Race 1 Friday at Churchill Downs, according to trainer Brad Cox. … There is a $7,652 carryover in the 20-cent Single 6 Jackpot Thursday that will span races 3-8. … Happy Birthday wishes are extended to Churchill Downs Track Superintendent Jamie Richardson, who will celebrate his birthday Friday and Churchill Downs’ Bugler Steve Buttleman, who celebrates Sunday.

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