Churchill Downs Barn Notes: Gaffalione Ready to Battle for Fall Meet Jockey Title Defense

By Kevin Kerstein —-

GAFFALIONE READY TO BATTLE FOR FALL MEET JOCKEY TITLE DEFENSE

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019) – With just 11 days remaining in the 2019 Fall Meet at Churchill Downs, 25-year-old jockey Tyler Gaffalione trails perennial leading rider Corey Lanerie by four wins (19-15) in an attempt to defend his 2018 crown.

“Sometimes as jockeys we get into a zone where we just keep winning races,” said Gaffalione, who recorded five wins over the last three days at Churchill Downs. “Obviously you have to have the horse underneath you but anytime you can win races in bunches it’s a good feeling.”

Gaffalione began his climb up the standings with a four-win day on Nov. 9. The Florida-native, who will miss closing day of the Fall Meet to ride Got Stormy in the $300,000 Matriarch (GI) at Del Mar, entered Sunday’s 10-race program with a 22-percent win-clip for the meet with purse earnings topping $1.1 million.

“It’s been a blessing to be able to ride in some of the biggest races this year and we hope to cap the year off with success,” Gaffalione said.

While Lanerie and Gaffalione held the top two spots in the jockey standings, Ricardo Santana Jr. was in third with 12 wins and James Graham and Brian Hernandez Jr. were tied for fourth with 11 victories.

MR. MISUNDERSTOOD HOPING FOR REPEAT SUCCESS AT FAIR GROUNDS FOLLOWING MONUMENTAL RIVER CITY DEFENSE – Flurry Racing’s Mr. Misunderstood will attempt to continue his path of success at Fair Grounds following his late-closing win Saturday afternoon in the $175,000 River City (Grade III) at Churchill Downs.

“We’ll probably take him down to Fair Grounds like we did in 2018 after he won the Jefferson Cup,” trainer Brad Cox said. “What’s most important is we keep him happy and healthy and he’ll continue to reward us.”

Mr. Misunderstood loves Churchill Downs but has found success at Fair Grounds with four of his 13-career wins coming at the New Orleans oval.

With his victory on Saturday, Mr. Misunderstood joined 2012-13 Horse of the Year Wise Dan and top sprinter Limousine Liberal as the only horses in the last 28 years to win five career stakes races at Churchill Downs.

DOWN THE STRETCH – Sunday is First Responders Day at Churchill Downs with free admission or a discounted $29 ticket to Millionaires Row for active first responders. First post gets underway at 1 p.m. and the 10-race card includes a $97,715 carryover in the 20-cent Single 6 Jackpot in races 7-10 and $4,750 carryover in the $1 Super Hi 5 in Race 10. … Champion filly Monomoy Girl’s 2-year-old half brother Mr. Monomoy broke his maiden by 5 ½ lengths on Saturday at Churchill Downs. “It was a very strong effort and I think we’ll have a lot of fun with him in the future,” trainer Brad Cox said. Cox also reported that Robert LaPenta’s impressive maiden winner Answer In could target the $400,000 Springboard Mile on Sunday, Dec. 15 at Remington Park. The Springboard Mile will award the Top 4 finishers 10-4-2-1 points on the “Road to the Kentucky Derby.” Answer In worked a half-mile in :49.20 Sunday morning at Churchill Downs. Racing will continue next week at Churchill Downs Wednesday-Sunday with a daily first post of 1 p.m. For more information, visit www.churchilldowns.com.