THE under card at Churchill Downs tomorrow is predictalby full of top class performers in action.
The graded race action begins on Sky Sports at 5.36 with the Grade 2 Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Stakes for older fillies and mares over a turf mile.
Speak Of The Devil, a Wootton Bassett filly trained by Chad Brown for Peter Brant, makes her US debut after ending last season with two listed wins at Saint-Cloud. She should hold off Lady Speightspeare.
The Grade 2 Pat Day Mile Stakes over a mile has a full field of 12 runners with one of last season’s top juveniles Jack Christopher heading the market. The Munnings colt, trained by Chad Brown won his two juvenile starts, ending with a two-length win in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes at Belmont. Todd Pletcher’s Major General, second to Derby contender Tawny Port in the Lexington Stakes last time is the main opposition but Jack Christopher will need to break well from stall five. Pappacap has also kept good company in the Derby trials since his second to Corniche in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.
Wesley Ward’s Kimari is among the favourites for the Grade 1 Derby City Distaff Stakes for sprint mares over seven furlongs. This is a re-run of the Grade 1 Madison Stakes at Keeneland last month where Just The One beat Bell’s The One, Kimari, Lady Rocket and Four Graces, all in the line-up again.
Bill Mott’s Juddmonte four-year-old filly Obligatory may be too strong coming off her last two wins.
Exciting race
The Grade 1 Churchill Downs Stakes over seven furlongs should be one of the most exciting races with the Eclipse Award winner Jackie’s Warrior taking on the Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Aloha West. At the end of a long season Jackie’s Warrior was only sixth then but should get his revenge. He had an easy prep last time at Oaklawn. Mind Control is also a Grade 1 winner and consistent at the top level over a mile.
Some of the usual turf performers line up in the Grade 1 Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic Stakes over nine furlongs.
Adhamo is a Irish-bred son of Intello and heads the market with Shirl’s Speight who won the Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Mile Stakes last time and is on a four-timer. The Chad Brown duo Public Sector and Tribhuvan both had top level form last season and a win for either would be no surprise in a wide open race.
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