CHURCHILL DOWNS: THANKSGIVING WEEK STAKES RACES TAKING SHAPE

By Kevin Kerstein —-

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019) – Six graded stakes races worth purses of $1.975 million highlight closing week of the 26-day Fall Meet at Churchill Downs. Below is an early look at known probable entrants to each race, according to Assistant Racing Secretary and Stakes Coordinator Dan Bork.

Thursday, Nov. 28 (entries taken on Saturday)

The $300,000 Falls City (Grade II) for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles (with trainer): Go Google Yourself (Paul McGee); Moonlit Garden (Brad Cox); and Sally’s Curlin (Dale Romans).

The $175,000 Cardinal (GIII) for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles on turf (with trainer): American Frolic (David Fawkes); English Soul (Jack Sisterson); and Stave (Larry Jones).

Friday, Nov. 29 (entries taken on Sunday)

The $600,000 Clark presented by Norton Healthcare (GI) for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles (with trainer): Bravazo (D. Wayne Lukas); Draft Pick (Peter Eurton); Major Cabbie (Peter Miller); Mr. Freeze (Dale Romans); Owendale (Brad Cox); Roadster (Bob Baffert); Seeking the Soul (Dallas Stewart); Snapper Sinclair (Steve Asmussen); and Tom’s d’Etat (Al Stall Jr.).

The $300,000 Mrs. Revere (GII) for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles on turf (with trainer): Dalika (GER) (Al Stall Jr.); Nay Lady Nay (IRE) (Chad Brown); New and Improved (Chad Brown); She’sonthewarpath (Steve Margolis); and Winter Sunset (Wayne Catalano).

Saturday, Nov. 24: (entries taken on Wednesday, Nov. 27)

The $300,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) for 2-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles (with trainer): American Butterfly (D. Wayne Lukas); Enforceable (Mark Casse); Fighting Seabee (Kenny McPeek); Mr. Tip (Jack Sisterson); Sir Winsalot (McPeek); South Bend (Stan Hough); and Tiz the Law (Barclay Tagg).

The $300,000 Golden Rod (GII) for 2-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles (with trainer): Auberge (Bob Baffert); Bast (Bob Baffert); Lady Glamour (Larry Demeritte); and Turtle Trax (Ian Wilkes).

MEET LEADERS – With 10 days remaining in the Fall Meet at Churchill Downs, Corey Lanerie began the week with a 21-15 lead over Tyler Gaffalione in the jockey standings. James Graham and Ricardo Santana Jr. were tied for third with 13 wins. … Steve Asmussen was up 11-10 in the trainer standings over Brad Cox. Tom Amoss, Peter Miller and Ian Wilkes were tied for third with six wins. … Lothenbach Stables held a sizable three-win advantage in the owner standings 6-3 over Calumet Farm, G. Watts Humphrey Jr., Maggi Moss, Sagamore Farm and Nancy Vanier and Lyda Williamson.

DOWN THE STRETCH – Jockey Martin Garcia will have four mounts Wednesday at Churchill Downs for his first day since moving his tack to Kentucky. “It’s a great opportunity to ride in Kentucky,” Garcia said. “I think my business will grow moving from California and I’m looking forward to finishing the meet here and then going to Oaklawn in the winter. It’s just a little colder here than California.” Wednesday will be Garcia’s first day riding at Churchill Downs since 2015. … There are 10 days remaining in the Fall Meet. First post will be 1 p.m. daily with the exception of Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, Nov. 28 where racing begins at 11:30 a.m. … Channing Hill and Joe Rocco Jr. took off their Wednesday mounts due to illness. … The first pool of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager and the Kentucky Derby Sire Future Wager will run Nov. 28-Dec. 1. The field for both wagers will be announced next week. … “Inside Churchill Downs” will close out its 2019 season Friday at 6 p.m. on ESPN 680/105.7. Those outside the Louisville area can listen live at www.espnlouisville.com. … Every Sunday throughout the Fall Meet there is a “Stakes and Eggs” brunch special ($48 for adults and $25 for children) in the Stakes Room.