West Memorial. (Coady Media/Churchill Downs)
Churchill Downs Update
LOUISVILLE, Ky.– Swinbank Stables’ West Memorial roared past odds-on favorite Shoot It True at midstretch and went on to post a 1 ¾-length victory in the 30th running of the $247,165 Kentucky Juvenile for 2-year-olds.
Trained by John Hancock and ridden by Rey Gutierrez, West Memorial completed the five furlongs on a fast track in :58.29.
Shoot It True dueled early with Mensa through an opening quarter-mile in :21.91 with West Memorial running third.
At the top of the stretch, Shoot It True began to open up on Mensa, but Gutierrez had West Memorial in high gear, and she swept past the favorite at the eighth pole.
West Memorial returned $37.88, $16.54 and $8.30. Strummin, ridden by Victor Lebron, rallied for second to return $15.24 and $7.12 and finished two lengths in front of Akinmusire, who paid $6.02 to show under Flavien Prat.
It was another length back to Shoot It True with Tuxedo Park, Mensa, Turnbuckle and Jet Sweep Joe following in order.
Mensa was making his first start for Resolute Racing who recently acquired the ridgling for $740,000 through the Fasig-Tipton Digital Flash Sale.
Kentucky Juvenile Quotes
Rey Gutierrez (jockey, West Memorial, winner) – “She had an unbelievable performance. For a filly to do that against open company was just wow. I just let her get into stride, but she traveled so comfortably and really kicked for home.”
Matthew Hillard (grandson of trainer John Hancock, West Memorial, winner) – “My grandfather is over on the backside. He doesn’t go for all of this publicity. This is a great filly. She has a great mind. We can do pretty much anything we want with her, and you saw how strongly she closed today. I’m not sure what is going to happen with her next, but we may wind up going to Saratoga during Belmont Week.”
Victor Lebron (jockey, Strummin, second) – “He ran an awesome race. I couldn’t ask for anything more out of him. He gave me everything that I wanted. And his running mate won. I’ve told John (trainer Hancock) that after he gets over six furlongs to a mile, he’ll be unbeatable. The longer, the better for him. And he’s been maturing every race.”
Flavien Prat (jockey, Akinmusire, third) – “He ran a good race. He’s a bit green and didn’t negotiate the turn as well as I wanted him to do. But he had a nice run down the lane. He’ll figure things out and get better.”
