Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
Copper Bullet ends layoff
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – More than 14 months after winning the Grade 2 Saratoga Special, Copper Bullet finally will return to the races Wednesday as the likely favorite in the Churchill feature, an $82,000 second-level allowance at six furlongs.
“We’re excited about having him back,” trainer Steve Asmussen said. “He’s training nice and we think he’s a good horse.”
Copper Bullet was sidelined by a recurring shin problem, Asmussen said. The colt was so impressive in his four races last year that his name was often cited in early discussions toward the 2018 Kentucky Derby.
“He’s put in some beautiful work,” Asmussen said. “Solid as can be now.”
Copper Bullet, with Ricardo Santana Jr. to ride, is one of nine 3-year-olds in the ninth of 10 races. First post is 1 p.m. Eastern.
Marathon, Chilukki slated
Besides the 14 Breeders’ Cup races set for Friday and Saturday at Churchill Downs, four other stakes (two each day) will be run on the respective undercards.
The Friday races are the Grade 2, $200,000 Marathon Stakes, for 3-year-olds and up at the unusual distance of 1 3/4 miles, and the $100,000 Street Sense, for 2-year-olds at a oneturn mile.
The Saturday races are the $200,000 Cherokee Run, for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs, and the Grade 2, $200,000 Chilukki for fillies and mares at a one-turn mile. One will precede the Breeders’ Cup events and one will be run under the lights as the 12th and last race, with their placement to be decided Monday afternoon.
Also, the $100,000 Bet On Sunshine and $100,000 Dream Supreme will bookend the two Breeders’ Cup cards as the respective features here Thursday and Sunday.
Clark next for Leofric
Leofric could be targeting a bigger prize after emerging from his head victory over Prime Attraction in the Grade 2 Fayette Stakes on Saturday at Keeneland in good order.
Brad Cox, who trains the 5-year-old Candy Ride horse for Steve Landers Racing, said he is considering the Grade 1 Clark Handicap on Nov. 23 at Churchill for Leofric, now a winner in four of six starts this year.
“It’s back a little quick, but ultimately we’ll see how he comes out of it over the next few weeks, breeze him a time or two, and just let him tell us if he’s ready,” Cox said. “If not, we won’t press him. He’s a horse we’ve taken a lot of time with, and we’ll continue to do that. He’s rewarded us with time between races.”
Carroll relishing first win
Days later, Declan Carroll was still reveling in the once-ina-lifetime thrill he experienced Friday at Keeneland when B Deb’s Fortune gave him his first career riding victory.
“It’s nice to get the first one out of the way, a good boost in confidence,” said Carroll, the 19-year-old son of David Carroll, a former longtime trainer and now an assistant for Mark Casse. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without all the tremendous help I’ve had from so many people.”
Carroll, who graduated from Trinity High School in Louisville in May 2017, will ride with a 10-pound weight allowance until his fifth winner.
Tyler Gaffalione, whose 15 wins topped the jockey standings at the Keeneland fall meet that ended Saturday, intends to ride the entire Churchill fall meet prior to returning to Gulfstream Park for the championship meet that begins Dec. 1. Gaffalione said he is considering making the spring and fall meets at Keeneland and Churchill annual stops.
Co-workers and friends said their emotional goodbyes Saturday at Keeneland to Glenn Gremillion, who retired after working 45 years in broadcasting services at numerous tracks in the Midwest. Gremillion, 67, will split his time between Lexington, Ky., and New Orleans.
Horseplayers who also are fans of University of Kentucky football may undergo sports sensory overload Saturday afternoon when UK hosts Georgia at 3:30 p.m. Eastern in its most important game in years. The Breeders’ Cup Classic goes at 5:44.
Continuing what began at the September meet, Churchill races are being televised on a regular basis on the main TVG channel throughout the 21-day fall meet, except for Breeders’ Cup races otherwise contracted to NBC.
Harley, the highly popular 7-year-old pony who regularly accompanies horses to the post at Keeneland and Churchill, recently suffered a foot injury and is questionable for the Breeders’ Cup, owner Monnie Goetz said. “I’m about half-sick about it,” she said.