Ancient Rome winning last year’s $2 million Mint Millions. (Coady Media)
2-time QEII Jubilee (G1) Winner
Jockeying Around
Kentucky Downs on the airwaves, online
Kentucky Downs Notes
FRANKLIN, Ky.— The International Racing Bureau reports that Khaadem, winner of the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee at Royal Ascot the last two years, is coming over for the $2 million Ainsworth Turf Sprint (G2) on Sept. 7. (As an Irish-bred, the 8-year-old gelding races for the $1 million base purse.) Khaadem has won nine of 37 races and more than $2.16 million in purses.
Both owned by Mrs. Fitriani Hay and trained by Charlie Hills, Khaadem’s Kentucky-bred stablemate Ancient Rome came from Britain to win last year’s $2 million Mint Millions (G3). He shipped to America for his last race, finishing third in Colonial Downs’ Arlington Million (G1), shipped back to England and is returning with Khaadem to try to repeat in the Mint Millions.
Among the European horses that are confirmed to make the trip to America in the first shipment of horses: Stromberg (GB) and Bellum Justum (IRE) are coming for the Nashville Derby; Group 3-placed Special Wan (IRE) for the $1.5 million Exacta Systems Ladies Sprint (G2), and Kentucky-bred Group 2 winner Black Forza, who brings a 2-for-3 record into the $1 million Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile and is considered a potential star. The 2-year-old maiden First Navy Jack is coming for a yet-to-be determined race.
Via Mercant International horse transportation, the European horses fly out of London Stansted Airport into Indianapolis and then van down to Churchill Downs’ Kentucky Import Center to clear quarantine.
Jockeying Around
Frankie Dettori, one of Europe’s all-time greats who is riding in America this year after postponing retirement, will be at Kentucky Downs all seven days. The 15-time Breeders’ Cup winner has never ridden at the track, but certainly is well-versed in courses with an unusual configuration (unusual for America, anyway). Joel Rosario, who set a Kentucky Downs record with 17 wins in 2021, will also ride the entire meet, according to Ron Anderson, agent for both riders.
Jose Ortiz, Kentucky Downs’ 2018-2019 riding leader who this year moved his family to Kentucky, will ride all seven days, while his brother, Irad, will be at the track the final four days after Saratoga closes, per agent Steve Rushing. John Velazquez is expected here all seven days, while Luis Saez is scheduled at Kentucky Downs the last four days and possibly Sept. 1, according to their agent, Kiaran McLaughlin.
And of course Tyler Gaffalione, the leading rider three of the past four years and whose 54 career wins trail only Brian Hernandez Jr.’s 60, isn’t about to miss a day, texting: “I’m not missing out on my favorite track to ride.”
Kentucky Downs on the airwaves, online
Preview Show with Louie Rabaut Thursday on Louisville’s ESPN 680
Louie Rabaut is hosting the third annual Kentucky Downs Preview show on Louisville’s ESPN 680/105.7 Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon Eastern. The show broadcasts live from the Blind Squirrel restaurant and sports bar in Middletown in eastern Jefferson County. Taking over weekday sports-talk Rabaut & Co. for the morning, Louie’s guests will include two-time defending (and three-time overall) riding champion Tyler Gaffalione; Kentucky Downs co-director of racing operations Martin Panza, who will talk in part about the European horses coming to race; trainer Joe Sharp; Kentucky Downs Vice President for Racing Ted Nicholson; Bill Landes, member and former chair of the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation’s Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund advisory committee; and trainer Kelsey Danner.
Reserved-seating, all-inclusive tickets (buffet, snacks, open bar) in the Finish Line Pavilion for Kentucky Downs’ Aug. 29 opening card will be given away during the show. A highlight bonus show will air 7-8 p.m. ET Thursday on ESPN 680/105.7.
ESPN 680/105.7 will be broadcasting live from Kentucky Downs on the Thursday, Aug. 29 opening card, starting with Mark Blankenbaker (7-10 a.m. Eastern), co-host of the Drew Deener Show; Rabaut & Co. (10 a.m.-noon ET) and Bob Valvano’s ESPN V Show (noon-3 p.m. ET). Blankenbaker and Rabaut will be back live at the track on Thursday, Sept. 5.
All the ESPN 680/105.7 broadcasts can be accessed through 680-AM/105.7 FM in Louisville (the Deener Show also airs on 93.9 FM), streaming worldwide on ESPNLouisville.com and the ESPN 680/105.7 app.
Previously: Announcer Larry Collmus on hills, blindspots and a long, long stretch.
Jockey Florent Geroux on piloting on an usual course.
Jockey agent Jose Santos Jr. (Santos Inc.) on booking mounts in an ultra-competitive colony.
Oddsmaker Nick Tammaro on the track’s one-of-a-kind challenge.
