Bango before his start in the Phoenix. (Courtney Snow/Past The Wire)
Darren Rogers/Churchill Downs
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Tamaroak Partners’ Bango, Churchill Downs’ all-time win record holder, returns to the spotlight as the 5-2 morning line favorite in Saturday’s 16th running of the $300,000 Bet On Sunshine Stakes (Listed).
The Bet On Sunshine, a six-furlong sprint, is carded as Race 10 of an 11-race program, with a post time of 6:45 p.m. (all times Eastern). First post is 1 p.m.
Trained by Greg Foley, the tough-as-nails veteran Bango claimed his place in Churchill Downs history during the September Meet by surpassing Ready’s Rocket for most wins at the iconic track. The 7-year-old has made three prior starts in the Bet On Sunshine, winning in 2022, finishing fourth in 2021 and third last year. With regular rider Tyler Gaffalione competing at the Breeders’ Cup, Corey Lanerie, who rode Bango twice as a 2-year-old, will be in the irons from post No. 3.
Another top contender in the Bet On Sunshine is Happy Is a Choice who enters the race off a thrilling victory in the Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes six weeks ago. The son of Runhappy, owned by Hooties Racing, WSS Racing and 4G Racing and trained by John Ortiz, boasts five victories in 11 starts and is 2-for-3 lifetime at Churchill Downs. The versatile sprinter breaks from post 4 with jockey Ramon Vazquez.
“He came out of the Louisville Thoroughbred Society great, and the plan was to keep him home at Churchill for this race,” Ortiz said. “The Louisville Thoroughbred Society was his best effort of his career and was really special for him to get his first stakes win.”
DOWN THE STRETCH … … …… ………….
Racing resumed Thursday at Churchill Downs for a 10-race card and first post of 1 p.m. There was a $36,216 carryover in the 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot which spanned Races 5-10. …
A special Breeders’ Cup preview episode of “Inside Churchill Downs” will air Thursday at noon and 7 p.m. on 93.9 The Ville and on www.939theville.com. Darren Rogers and Kevin Kerstein will be joined by track announcer Travis Stone to preview all 14 Breeders’ Cup races. …
The Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 1 will close Friday at 6 p.m. prior to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Fans can get the latest odds on www.twinspires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated and the Kentucky Derby. …
For more information about the Churchill Downs Fall Meet, visit www.churchilldowns.com.
