What’s On Track: Churchill Downs Sets the Tone in a Jam-Packed Stakes Weekend

TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon

Chance at History

Have a hankering for mint juleps, cigars, and premier Thoroughbred action? Get your fix this Saturday evening at historic Churchill Downs for the sesquicentennial running (150^th) of the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1).

Going off as race 12, this year’s edition of The Run for the Roses features a 20-horse field headlined by rising superstars Sierra Leone (3-1) and Fierceness (5-2). The pair of 3-year-old colts have never lined up against one another before but appear destined for a meeting at the finish line come Saturday.

Sierra Leone is 3-1-0 through four starts with wins in the Risen Star (G2) and Blue Grass (G1), while Fierceness, the reigning Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and Florida Derby (G1) champion, is 3-0-1 in five attempts.

The Appetizer

If Saturday’s festivities feel too far away, tide yourself over with another scintillating Bluegrass State classic, otherwise known as the $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks (G1).

Set for 5:51 p.m. on Friday afternoon, the 1 1/8-mile blockbuster comes equipped with a loaded field of 3-year-old fillies. Among the Oaks’ top challengers are Tarifa (7-2) and Just F Y I (9-2), who open as first and third betting favorites, respectively.

Trained by Brad Cox, Tarifa has won back-to-back Grade 2 affairs (Rachel Alexandra and Fair Grounds Oaks), and four of five career starts (4-0-0).

Her counterpart, the Bill Mott-trained Just F Y I, has already amassed over $1.4 million in earnings in just four starts. Winning the $400,000 Frizette (G1) and $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies will (G2) do that.

Development to keep an eye on: Just F Y I finished three lengths behind Leslie’s Rose, who enters the Oaks as the second choice (4-1), last time out in the Ashland (G1).

Double Bourbon

It’s not Kentucky without Bourbon and it’s certainly not Derby weekend without the $1 million Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (G1T).

Running as Race 11, one slot before the day’s title event, the 1 1/8-mile turf match boasts a top-heavy field led by 7-2 opening line choice Naval Power (GB) and a horse that doubles as everyone’s favorite reply to a missed phone call, I’m Very Busy (4-1).

The former has only competed on the North American circuit once heading into the Turf Classic, finishing second in the Maker’s Mark Mile on Apr. 12 at Keeneland. The 4-year-old gelding has produced at a high rate back home, going 6-0-0 in seven tries with a Group 2 score (Singspiel).

Pennsylvania-bred I’m Very Busy finds himself back in action at the perfect time. The 4-year-old colt is coming off his most impressive performance to date, a 3 ¾-length triumph in the $300,000 Muniz Memorial Classic (G2T).

Surf and Turf

There’s plenty of high-class stakes action going on outside of Churchill Downs this weekend, one being the $200,000 Charles Wittingham (G2T) at Santa Anita.

Set for Saturday, the 1 ¼-mile contest can expect a little surf with its turf in the form of top challenger War at Sea. The 5-year-old enters the Wittingham in strong form, having gone 1-2-0 in his previous four starts.

After capturing last November’s Golden Gate Handicap (G3), the Mike Smith mount stumbled to a fourth-place finish in the San Gabriel (G2). War at Sea has since rebounded nicely, reeling off consecutive seconds in the Colton Fitzsimmons and American Stakes (G3).

The Kentucky-bred has hit the board in 59 per cent of his starts to date (17: 4-2-4).

Rebound, Rebound, Rebound

After a disappointing twelfth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T), here’s hoping Flattery spent the past five months studying at the Josh Hart school of rebounding in anticipation of a return to the track for the $100,000 Senorita (G3T) at Santa Anita.

Things were looking up for the 3-year-old filly before last November’s disaster, as Flattery won both her professional and stakes debuts. The Peter Eurton trainee then authored a strong third in the Surfer Girl (G3T), her final tune up before the BC.

Perhaps a step back down in competition will get the Juan Hernandez pilot back on track, as she eyes her first career graded score on Sunday afternoon.