Race of the Day from Churchill Downs
The race of the day is from Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, is the G2 Mrs Revere Stakes for 3YO’s going 1 1/16 miles.
Between the Lines
It’s a big field led by Hot Cha Cha and she’s the morning line favorite at 3 to 1 with James Graham aboard.
There’s a lot to be said for this filly as the winner of two in a row when beating the likes of Gozzip Girl who had to miss the BC but was doing well for Albertrani before he decided to pass.
Hot Cha Cha was beaten at Churchill in the G3 Regret in June of this year while being ridden by Jesus Castanon who coincidentally rides the horse that beat her that day, Keertana. Hot Cha Cha carries high weight of 123 and will be the favorite at post time. We’ll try to beat her for the win.
Kenny McPeek has three in the race and they look like two rabbits and a turtle — not the race needs more rabbits as Romacaca lead all the way in a good effort while running second to Hot Cha Cha at Arlington.
The second choice in the morning line is Miss World who also exits the G1 QE II at Keeneland. She’s trained by Clemente and will be ridden by Rajiv Maragh who is 0-10 at Churchill according to the form.
Mary’s Follies for Richard Dutrow ran against Careless Jewel who bombed in the BC last weekend.
The Selections
Striking Dancer — 1st
Hot Cha Cha — 2nd
Blue Grass Princess — 3rd
Good luck!
P.S. — let us know if you like this section!
The race of the day is the Bashford Manor Stakes for 2 year olds at Churchill Downs going 6 furlongs in which Backtalk, trained by Tom Amoss, looks to be the likely favorite off his come from behind maiden victory on June 11 over the Churchill strip.
In that race, Miguel Mena had Backtalk about mid-pack in sixth and swung five wide turning for home. After shifting side to side in the saddle to get Backtalk to switch leads he easily went away from the field to win going away.
Tom Amoss trains Backtalk for Gold Mark Farm whose training facility in Ocala, Fl is state-of-the-art with a synthetic training track. The logical place to first run Backtalk was at Arlington Park over the Polytrack but it was at Churchill where he scored the first win of his career.
The son of Kentucky Derby winner Smarty Jones showed his affinity for the dirt surface earning an 83 Beyer and leads the other eight 2 year olds to the gate with the highest last race BSF.
D. Wayne Lukas, who has enjoyed somewhat of a comeback this Spring at Churchill, has two entered including the recent maiden victor Westrock Gold and Soundman who has the highest Beyer in the field with an 88 when he broke his maiden two back but has been beaten by both Brassy Boy, a two-time winner, and Flatter Than Me. Jamie Theriot picks up the mount replacing Julien Leparoux who moves to Westrock Gold for Lukas.
Flatter Than Me picks up Robbie Albarado and has several bullet works and hopes to catch a fast track for the first time. His last race was also on June 11 in which he earned a 65 BSF when being defeated by the fast closing Brassy Boy. The later looks to be tough again with his late closing style.
Steve Asmussen trains Grand Slam Andre who broke his maiden last time while on the lead but appears he will be outpaced by Flatter Than Me and will have to come from off the lead.
