Comport scoring the Ellis Park Juvenile in August. (Coady Media)
Looks to begin Road To Kentucky Derby As 6-5 Favorite In Saturday’s Grade III, $300,000 Stakes
Iroquois part of Breeders’ Cup “Dirt Dozen” series
Beckman Hopes For Big Fall With Regaled Beginning In Fasig-Tipton Locust Grove
• September Meet Filled With 2-Year-Old Racing
• $20,000 In Scholarship Giveaways On Saturday For College Day
• Betting Menu Features New $3 Late Pick 3
Darren Rogers/Churchill Downs
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Joseph Sutton’s Ellis Park Juvenile (Listed) winner Comport will take the next step in his young career on Saturday when he joins the Road to the Kentucky Derby as the 6-5 favorite in the $300,000 Iroquois Stakes (Grade III) at Churchill Downs.
Trained by Eddie Kenneally, Comport has been ultra-consistent to begin his career, winning two of three starts with his only blemish coming in the Bashford Manor (Listed) when he finished second to Romeo.
“He ran a big race (in the Ellis Park Juvenile),” Kenneally said. “He should handle the stretch out in distance just fine. He relaxes nicely in his races.”
A son of Collected, Comport has worked three times at Churchill Downs since the Ellis Park Juvenile, including a solid half-mile move in :48.60 inside Rather Distinct on Aug. 30. Along with his steady work tab, Comport also schooled in the paddock following training on Tuesday.
Tyler Gaffalione, who rode Comport in the Ellis Park Juvenile, has the return call on Saturday.
“Coming out of the sprints, he always breaks alertly and shows a lot of speed,” Gaffalione said after the Ellis Park Juvenile. “He was so kind. He did whatever I asked of him. When I got down on him down the lane, he really picked it up.”
Run at one mile, the Iroquois will award the top five finishers qualifying points on a 10-5-3-2-1 scale toward a berth in next spring’s Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI). The race is one of five stakes on an 11-race card that begins at 12:45 p.m. (all times Eastern). Other stakes events are the $300,000 Pocahontas (GIII), the kickoff to the Road to the Kentucky Oaks; $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Locust Grove (GII); $300,000 Open Mind (Listed); and $300,000 Louisville Thoroughbred Society (Listed).
The field for the Iroquois, which goes as Race 8 at 4:26 p.m.
The Iroquois also is part of the Breeders’ Cup “Dirt Dozen” series where the top three finishers earn credits toward entry fees in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI) on Friday, Oct. 31 at Del Mar.
Saturday’s program doubles as College Day at Churchill Downs, where $20,000 in scholarships will be awarded to college students in partnership with the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association. Along with the scholarship giveaways, fans will have the opportunity to meet and take photos with Bellarmine University’s men’s basketball team. Admission is free with a valid student ID.
To watch and wager on all the action from Churchill Downs, visit www.TwinSpires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated and the Kentucky Derby.
For more information, visit www.churchilldowns.com and follow Churchill Downs on all social media platforms.
Beckman Hopes For Big Fall With Regaled Beginning In Fasig-Tipton Locust Grove
Whit Beckman is hoping Saturday’s $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Locust Grove (Grade II) at Churchill Downs can help kickstart a big fall campaign for improving 4-year-old filly Regaled.
“I thought she ran a huge race in the Groupie Doll on a track that you didn’t want to close on,” Beckman said. “She rallied strongly down the lane to only get beat a head when they were going slow up front. I’m hoping she can get a good setup in Saturday’s race and can set her up for a strong finish to the year.”
Owned by Ribble Farms and Front Page Equestrian, Regaled was purchased for $300,000 in the Inglis Digital USA May Sale. She was previously campaigned in Mid-Atlantic by Brittnee Caballero and trainer Sam Davis.
Joe Ramos, who rode Regaled in the Groupie Doll, will have the return assignment from the rail.
Breffni Farm’s Royal Spa was made the 8-5 morning line favorite in Saturday’s race. Trained by Rodolphe Brisset, Royal Spa won the May 31 Shawnee Stakes (GIII) then finished second to Thorpedo Anna in the Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis (GII) and fourth in the Clement L. Hirsch (GI) at Del Mar.
Run at 1 1/16 miles, the Fasig-Tipton Locust Grove goes as Race 7 on the 11-race program with a post time of 3:54 p.m. (all times Eastern). First post is 12:45 p.m.
The field for the Fasig-Tipton Locust Grove
September Meet Filled With 2-Year-Old Racing
There will be plenty of opportunities for young horses to get a start at the upcoming September meet. In the first four days of action, there are five maiden special weights with many promising 2-year-olds ready for their first start.
Thursday, Race 6: $120,000 MSW, 2yo f, 6F (25 entries with 16 making overnight)
#4 Solemn Vow is a half-sister to Prince of Monaco, who won the Del Mar Futurity (GI) and Best Pal (GIII) in 2023
#9 Sugar Doll is a full sister to Fulsome, who won the 2021 Matt Winn (GIII) and Smarty Jones (GIII)
Friday, Race 5: $120,000 MSW, 2yo, 6F (26 entries, split with Race 8)
#1 Urgency is a half-brother to 2014 Iroquois Stakes (GIII) winner Lucky Player
#2 Our Forefathers is a $1.2 million purchase from the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale
# 7 Trouble Calling is a half-brother to 2025 Franklin-Simpson (GI) winner Troubleshooting
#9 Helpful Howie is a half-brother to Grade II-placed She’s Lookin Lucky
#12 Circle Tap is a half-brother to 2021 Bashford Manor (GIII) winner Double Thunder
Friday, Race 8: $120,000 MSW, 2yo, 6F (26 entries, split with Race 5)
#5 Mom’s Spaghetti is a half-brother to 2022 Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) winner Instant Coffee
Saturday, Race 5: $120,0000 MSW, 2yo f, 6F (15 entries)
#3 Not a Lady is a $775,000 purchase from the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale
#10 Baracca is a half-sister to Power Broker, who won the 2012 FrontRunner (GI) (now known as the American Pharoah) and 2013 Indiana Derby (GII)
Sunday, Race 4: $120,000 MSW, 2yo, 1 1/16 M (10 entries)
#3 I Did I Did is a half-brother to Sweet Loretta, who won the 2016 Spinaway (GI), Schuylerville and 2017 Beaumont (GIII)
#5 Roguishness is a half-brother to Botanical, who won the 2023 Bourbonette Oaks (Listed) and Cincinnati Trophy Stakes
#10 Direct Strike is a half-brother to Finley’sluckycharm, who was a five-time graded stakes winner most notably in the 2018 Madison (GI)
To go along with the competitive maiden special weight contests, the week also has two Grade III stakes events (the Iroquois and Pocahontas), two first-level allowances and two $50,000 maiden claiming contests.
In week two of the September Meet, there are 10 2-year-old races in the condition book.
$20,000 In Scholarship Giveaways On Saturday For College Day
Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association will award $20,000 in scholarships during College Day on Saturday, highlighted by student activities and a meet-and-greet with the Bellarmine men’s basketball team.
College students who present a valid student ID will receive free admission and be eligible for $20,000 in scholarships, including one $10,000 award and five $2,000 awards. One of the scholarships is reserved for children of backstretch employees.
Students can also enter to win VIP paddock tours provided by Amplify Horseracing, exclusive Churchill Downs merchandise and gift cards to The Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass.
The Bellarmine men’s basketball team will join Kentucky State University’s track and field team along with the cheer and dance squads from both schools for photos and autographs. The day also includes a mascot stick pony race in the paddock.
Bellarmine’s coach and avid handicapper, Doug Davenport, will join Joe Kristufek in the paddock to analyze Race 5.
College students will receive a 15% discount in the Churchill Downs Store and can learn about various equine programs from the University of Louisville Equine Business Program, Kentucky Equine Management Internship Program and Ed Brown Society
Betting Menu Features New $3 Late Pick 3
Churchill Downs will debut a special $3 Late Pick 3 during its September Meet. The wager, which carries a horseplayer-friendly 15% takeout, will be offered on the final three races of each card. All other Pick 3s will remain unchanged at their 50-cent base denomination.
Aside from the new $3 Late Pick 3, the wagering menu mirrors the Spring Meet and includes the 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot on the last six races each day (15% takeout). The Derby City 6 jackpot will be paid only if there is a single winning wager with six winners placed at the required minimum bet value. If there are multiple winning wagers with six winners in the six-race sequence, 90 percent of the net money wagering into the pool will be paid, and the remaining 10 percent will carry to the Derby City 6 jackpot. If there are no tickets will all six winners, 100 percent of the pool will carry to the Derby City 6 jackpot. There will be a mandatory payout on closing day.
The daily betting menu also features 50-cent Pick 5s with a low 15-percent takeout and 50-cent Pick 4s. Win, Place, Show, Exacta, 50-cent Trifecta, 10-cent Superfecta, Daily Double, 50-cent Pick 3 wagers (except for the $3 Late Pick 3) and rolling $1 Super Hi-5s will be offered every race (on all races that qualify under Kentucky statutes for minimum field size).
Down The Stretch … … …. …..
Thursday’s kick off to the September Meet is a Twilight Thursday program with a first post of 5 p.m. The evening doubled as First Responders Day with free admission and discounted tickets with a valid ID. Fans on track enjoyed $2 beer, local food trucks and live music from Piper Madison. …
There are several new trainers based at Churchill Downs and its training center, Trackside Louisville this September and Fall: Robbie Medina (Barn 37), Jose D’Angelo (Barn 44), Mertkan Kantarmaci (Barn G) and Sarah Shaffer (Barn J). …
Trainer Greg Foley needs four wins to reach 500-career victories at Churchill Downs. Currently, Foley is No. 9 all-time behind Steve Asmussen (976 wins), Dale Romans (820), Bill Mott (789), Kenny McPeek(582), Tom Amoss (573), Wayne Lukas (562), Mike Maker (551) and Bernie Flint (500). Brad Cox rounds out the top 10 with 472 wins. …
FanDuel TV will offer live, on-site coverage each day of the September Meet with Anthony Pascale, Andie Biancone, Joe Talamo and Matt Bernier. …
TwinSpires.com will offer horseplayers a special $3,000 “Hit It and Split It” promotion for the new $3 Late Pick 3. For more information and to opt in, visit:https://www.twinspires.com/bet/offers/ID8664/details. …
They’re not expert handicappers, but they do have microphones and plenty of opinions. Join Darren Rogers and Kevin Kerstein for the return of “Inside Churchill Downs” beginning Friday at 6 p.m. on ESPN Louisville. This week’s show will cover all the action from opening week of the September Meet including handicapping the five stakes on Saturday’s card. Those outside the Louisville area can listen live on www.espnlouisville.com. …
For the latest information about the Churchill Downs September Meet, visit www.churchilldowns.com and follow Churchill Downs on all social media platforms.
