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Caravel wins the Unbridled Sidney at Churchill May 5. (Danielle Ricci/Past The Wire)
+ Downs After Dark Tonight
+ Stephen Foster Preview Day Stakes To Close Saturday
+ ‘Churchill Downs Today’ Airs One-Hour Prior To Racing
Churchill Downs Press Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky.— Two-time Pennsylvania-bred Horse of the Year Caravel continues to train forwardly at Churchill Downs following her victory in the $300,000 Unbridled Sidney on Kentucky Oaks Day. Owned in partnership by Qatar Racing, Marc Detampel and Madaket Stables, Caravel is likely to make her next start at Royal Ascot in the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes on Tuesday, June 20.
The Brad Cox-trained daughter of Mizzen Mast galloped about 1 3/8 miles Friday under exercise rider Fernando Espinoza. Caravel would be Cox’s first starter at Royal Ascot.
“One of the reasons we brought her back at the age of six was to point towards Royal Ascot,” Cox said. “She was in the November Sale at Keeneland and we took her out. We’ll see how Royal Ascot goes and hope to get her back to the Breeders’ Cup.”
Turf training at Churchill Downs is Sundays and Tuesdays and Caravel could work on either of those two days.
Downs After Dark Tonight
Flex your favorite sneakers and bring another pair to donate for a good cause as Downs After Dark returns to Churchill Downs tonight. In addition to supporting nonprofit WaterStep, guests can enjoy popular local artists and DJs while experiencing racing under the lights with the theme “Saddles and Sneakers.”
Guests are encouraged to wear their coolest sneakers and take advantage of the free sneaker cleaning station provided to make all “kicks” shine like new. For each pair of new or gently-used sneakers donated to WaterStep at the onsite drop-off stations, guests will receive two (2) general admission tickets to Twilight Thursday on May 25. Donated shoes are sold by WaterStep to raise funds that support their work to provide safe water solutions to third-world communities and those impacted by disasters. In addition to contributing to microenterprise ventures in these countries, the WaterStep model provides affordable footwear and keeps on average 30,000 pounds of shoes out of landfills each month.
“WaterStep is delighted to bring awareness to our shoe donation model and water solution initiatives through the excitement of Downs After Dark, Saddles and Sneakers,” said Kellie Moore, Director of Strategic Initiatives for WaterStep. “For every three pairs of shoes donated, you can provide a lifetime of safe drinking water. Better quality shoes mean stronger funding power so we thank you for making sure shoes of any size or style are in acceptable condition and free from mold or mildew.”
The heartbeat of Downs After Dark will be located near the VIP and Clubhouse Gates with music on the Main Stage throughout the night, including DJ Getzy from 5:15 – 8:00 p.m. and the beloved DJ Glittertitz from 8:30 – 11:00 p.m. Guests can expect an urban-inspired artist showcase from local artists, Braylyn “Resko” Stewart and Darryl Tucker as they create art through the construction of photo moments around the track. Artist Clay Mata will personalize sneakers in real time with the iconic derby imagery including Twin Spires, Thoroughbred horses, red roses or stargazer lilies.
Admissions gates will open tonight at 5 p.m. with the first race beginning at 6 p.m. The final race and “last call” is at 10:42 p.m., but the Saddles and Sneakers party will continue until 11:00 p.m. Todayf’s forecast calls for partly sunny skies with a high of 80 degrees.
General admission to Downs After Dark is $20 which includes an official program. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult. Limited premium dining packages are available starting at $84 per person. Outdoor third-floor box seats are on sale for $35 per person. Reserved seating can be purchased online at www.ChurchillDowns.com/Tickets.
Stephen Foster Preview Day Stakes To Close Saturday
Six stakes will highlight the June 3 program at Churchill Downs for Stephen Foster Preview Day. Nominations to all of the day’s races are due to the Churchill Downs Racing Office on Saturday.
The races on Stephen Foster Preview Day will give horses a launching pad to compete in the July 1 Stephen Foster Day program, which is highlighted by the $1 million Stephen Foster (Grade I).
Stephen Foster Preview Day features a quartet of Grade III contests: the $225,000 Arlington Stakes, $225,000 Blame, $225,000 Regret and $225,000 Shawnee. Two other listed stakes will be carded on the 11-race program: the $225,000 Aristides and $225,000 Audubon.
Along with the six Stephen Foster Preview Day races, nominations to the $225,000 Old Forester Mint Julep (GIII) on June 4 will close Saturday.
Probable entrants for all seven races will be published May 27. -more-
‘Churchill Downs Today’ Airs One-Hour Prior To Racing
Horseplayers can get the latest expert advice and a preview of the day’s card by watching “Churchill Downs Today” one hour prior to first post.
Join Joe Kristufek, Scott Shapiro and Kaitlin Free as the trio will handicap the program, give crucial ticket-structure advice and inside information for horseplayers betting the racing program.
Churchill Downs Today will be shown on www.TwinSpires.com, the Churchill Downs LIVE app on Smart TVs and Twitter via @ChurchillDowns.
America’s Day At The Races TV Schedule
Fans can watch racing from Churchill Downs on “America’s Day at the Races” on the Fox Sports family of networks. Here is this week’s TV schedule:
- Friday: 1-8:30 p.m., FS2 | 8:30-11:30 p.m., FS1
- Saturday: 12:30-6:30 p.m., FS2
- Sunday: 12:30-4:50 p.m., FS2
Down The Stretch
There was a $7,009 carryover in the 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot that spanned Races 5-10 on Friday night. …
Saturday’s 11-race program features the $225,000 Louisville Stakes (GIII) as the final race of the day. First post is 12:45 p.m. Fans are invited to stay after the finale at Churchill Downs to cheer on Kentucky Derby winner Mage as he competes in the second jewel of racing’s Triple Crown, the $1.5 million Preakness Stakes (GI). … Before guests venture to Churchill Downs, they are encouraged to visit https://www.churchilldowns.com/visit/info/maps-and-directions because of facility changes due to construction on the new $200 million Paddock. …
For more information about racing from Churchill Downs, visit www.ChurchillDowns.com.
