Will Take It scoring the Hanshin. (Julie Clark/Coady Media)
Thoroughbred Aftercare Day Set For Saturday At Churchill Downs
Darren Rogers/Churchill Downs
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Willis Horton Racing and Whisper Hill Farm’s Hanshin Stakes (Listed) winner Will Take It has been on a brief layoff since his June 29 triumph at Churchill Downs, and trainer Dallas Stewart hopes the freshening sets him up for a strong fall campaign starting in Saturday’s $400,000 Ack Ack (Grade III).
“We aimed at the Ack Ack since winning the Hanshin in late June,” Stewart said. “He was able to get a nice training break for a few weeks over the summer and we’ve geared him up for this spot and hopefully another big race the first weekend in November.”
The “big race” Stewart referred to is the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (GI) scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 1 at Del Mar.
Before the Hanshin, Will Take It had been a model of consistency through the winter and spring with three allowance wins and two runner-up finishes. The Hanshin marked his first stakes try on dirt since finishing ninth in the 2024 Arkansas Derby (GI).
Stewart said Cristian Torres will ride in place of the injured Brian Hernandez Jr. in the Ack Ack. They drew post No. 2 and were listed as the 7-2 third choice on the morning line.
Also entered in the Ack Ack is Table 38 Racing and KatieRich Stables’ This Is Uscar, who was cross-entered in a Sunday allowance. The colt schooled in the paddock Thursday morning, and trainer Jordan Blair said he is still weighing his options in which race the colt will run.
The Ack Ack is part of a stakes doubleheader Saturday with the $500,000 Lukas Classic (GII). The Ack Ack goes as Race 8 at 4:26 p.m. (all times Eastern) followed two races later by the Lukas Classic at 5:29 p.m. First post is 12:45 p.m.
The field for the Ack Ack Stakes
Thoroughbred Aftercare Day Set For Saturday At Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs Racetrack will host Thoroughbred Aftercare Day on Saturday, honoring organizations and individuals dedicated to retired racehorses.
Saturday’s 11-race program begins at 12:45 p.m. (all times Eastern) and is headlined by the $500,000 Lukas Classic (Grade II) and $400,000 Ack Ack (GIII), both local preps for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Gates open at 11:30 a.m.
Nine aftercare organizations will be on-site, giving guests an opportunity to learn more about rehoming and retraining efforts for retired Thoroughbreds. Participating groups include Friends of Ferdinand Inc., Kentucky Equine Adoption Center, New Vocations, Old Friends, Second Stride, The Secretariat Center, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Thoroughbred Charities of America and Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.
Each organization has shared a special Thoroughbred Aftercare Day ticket link on their social media channels. A portion of each ticket purchased through those links will be donated to support their aftercare efforts. To purchase reserved seating tickets through the official link, fans can visit: www.gofevo.com/group/Thoroughbredaftercareday.
Guests also will be able to meet Golden Strike, the dam of 2022 Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike, and learn about her post-racing life. A horse snack station will be available for guests to feed her horse-friendly treats, along with other activities throughout the day.
Fans can support Thoroughbreds beyond racing and the organizations that serve them through an online auction with the Churchill Downs Foundation. Auction items include private farm tours, naming a horse, and meeting 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra. Bidding ends on Saturday 7 p.m. and winners will be notified by email.
For more information about Thoroughbred Aftercare Day, visit www.churchilldowns.com.
DOWN THE STRETCH … … ….. ……
Thursday was the final Twilight Thursday of the year with $2 domestic beer, live music on the Plaza Stage by Kevin Neihoff and local food trucks All Thai’d Up, Bamba Egg Rolls, Con Aji y Café, Drakes and Gringos. First post was 5 p.m. and featured a $99,841 carryover in the 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot in Race 3. The $3 Late Pick 3 began in Race 6. The main track was sealed throughout training hours but was expected to be harrowed and labeled as “fast” for first post. The turf was rated as “firm.” …
While they’re not “expert handicappers,” Churchill Downs’ Darren Rogers and Kevin Kerstein have plenty of opinions about Saturday’s card at Churchill Downs. The duo will be back for another episode of “Inside Churchill Downs” beginning Friday at 6 p.m. on ESPN Louisville. Listen live on www.espnlouisville.com or in the Louisville area on ESPN 680/105.7. …
Trainer Kenny McPeek reported he will await any scratches in the Lukas Classic before naming a rider aboard Mystik Dan. McPeek said without any additional changes, Francisco Arrieta would pick up the mount. … For more information about the Churchill Downs September Meet, visit www.churchilldowns.com.
