CHURCHILL DOWNS NOTEBOOK
JULY 8, 2005
by
Dick Powell
I guess if a Japanese filly can come over here and win the American Oaks
(G1) at Hollywood Park, an American turf star go over to Longchamp in France and win the
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1). KITTEN’S JOY (El Prado [Ire]) has all the
ingredients for international success and an owner that is willing to take the
risk.
Despite being beaten in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) last year at Lone Star
Park, Kitten’s
Joy was voted champion turf horse for 2004. He won six of eight starts,
including a devastating win in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational S. (G1) at Belmont in
his first start against older rivals.
However, he came out of his campaign with a chip in his knee, which required
surgery in the off season. Still, owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey planned a 2005
season that would include the Arc on the first Saturday of October in Paris.
After being set back some with the strangles epidemic earlier this spring,
trainer Dale Romans began to tighten the screws to get ready for Monday’s
Firecracker Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) here going a mile.
Sent off as the 3-5 favorite, Kitten’s Joy and Edgar Prado dropped over to the
rail and sat off a very slow pace set by Parker Run (Glitterman). Over a firm
turf course, Grade 2 turfers went the first quarter in :24.50, the half in :48.43
and six furlongs in 1:12.49. If the Twin Spires weren’t in the background, one would swear the race was being run at Newmarket or The Curragh.
Obviously, horses of this caliber are going to come home fast after going that
slow early and Kitten’s Joy was the fastest of the fast. Prado kept him down
on the rail and, when Parker Run began to drift out, Kitten’s Joy showed why he’s a champion and should do well in Europe. He accelerated through the lane
with powerful strides to win by a length in 1:35.25.
Kitten’s Joy’s final quarter was right around 22 seconds and it showed
why he should do well in Europe if all goes according to the plan. He has a high
cruising speed that can carry him any distance. Last year, he separated himself
from his rivals as the races got longer and he’ll be even tougher this year.
A turf horse with American cruising speed coupled with European acceleration
gives his rider the ability to place him anywhere in a race and still have the
energy for a big finish. Kitten’s Joy should go next in the Arlington Million
(G1) at the 10-furlong distance that he was two for two last year. He also
captured the Secretariat (G1) at Arlington, finishing 1 1/4 miles in 1:59 3/5.
Romans successfully shipped Roses in May (Devil His Due) to Dubai this year
to win the Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1), so he’s already shown he can ship
internationally and have his horse ready for a peak performance. Ken Ramsey is
willing to try to make history and it looks like they have the right horse to
try it.
Races are not run on paper. Too bad.
In Monday’s 9TH race, it looked like there were three speed horses to
contest the pace in an $80,000 optional claimer for non-winners of four races
lifetime going two turns on the main track. Real Trooper (Subordination)
showed good speed in a long sprint last out against this class level and Gamblin (Family Calling) does his best running when on the lead. ARTEMUS SUNRISE
(Tale of the Cat) was stretching out in distance for Steve Flint in his second
start off the claim and figured to be in the trio of front runners.
That was on paper. What happened on the racetrack was Real Trooper broke slowly
and settled in behind the leaders going into the first turn. Gamblin was rank
early and wound up wide early. That left Artemus Sunrise all alone on the lead at
5-1 odds and he never looked back despite multiple challenges. What looked like a
three-horse battle for the lead turned into a fast sprinter on the lead without
expected pressure and a gate-to-wire win.
A total of 61 races were run here last week and 23 different riders won a race.
Two or more races were won by 17
different riders and nine different riders won three or more races. Robby Albarado and Rafael Bejarano each won seven races to lead the
week. Jesus Lopez Castanon and Mark Guidry won five races while Willie Martinez,
Jordan Charkoudian, Brian Hernandez, Jr., Pat Day and Orlando Mojica won three
races each.
BIAS REPORT
The track was fast and firm all six days although Friday’s ninth race was off the
turf.
In one-turn races on the main track, 15 of the 39 winners (38 percent) were either
first or second after a quarter-mile was run. In two-turn races on the main
track, four of the 10 winners (40 percent) were either first or second after a
quarter-mile was run.
On Thursday’s main track races, none of the seven winners
were near the lead after a quarter-mile was run. The next day, six of the
10 main-track races were run by horses that were first or second after a
quarter-mile was run.
On the turf going two turns, only one of the eight (12 percent) winners were either
first or second after a quarter-mile was run. In turf sprints, none of the
four (0 percent) winners were either first or second after a quarter-mile was run.
For the first 48 days of racing:
In one-turn races on the main track, 120 of the 317 winners (38 percent) were either
first or second after a quarter-mile was run.
In two-turn races on the main track, 32 of the 81 winners (39 percent) were either
first or second after a quarter-mile was run.
In two-turn races on the turf, 24 of the 76 winners (32 percent) were either first or
second after a quarter-mile was run.
In turf sprints, six of the 17 winners (35 percent) were either first or second after a
quarter-mile was run.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (6/29)
2ND — NO CASH (Lord Carson) broke out at the start but made a strong middle
move before weakening in the deep stretch.
5TH — STRAIGHT COUNTRY (Straight Man) was a good second in her career debut
despite her trainer being one for 44 with first-time starters.
8TH — CABOS (Northern Spur) wound up on the lead and held on well to be a
distant second but needs patient handling.
Thursday (6/30)
2ND — ONE BAD DUDE (Ghazi) dueled for the lead through slow fractions and
got caught in deep stretch going a mile.
4TH — MORGAN’S MAMBO (Kingmambo) held on for second after unexpectedly going
to the front in a two-turn turfer.
6TH — SHESABRICKHOUSE (Goodbye Doeny) pressed the pace while wide on the turn
and held well in a three-horse photo.
Friday (7/1)
3RD — ROYAL WARRIOR (General Royal) rallied nicely after stumbling at the
start but was no match for a speedy winner.
6TH — WESTLAKE (Honour and Glory) tracked the leaders while saving ground,
swung wide to challenge but couldn’t get by a front-end winner.
10TH — TO ORDER (Lord Carson) recovered nicely to get third in her career
debut despite breaking behind the field from an outside post.
Saturday (7/2)
6TH — PSYCH (Mazel Trick) showed good speed in only her second turf start
and should love it at Ellis Park.
9TH — SHACONAGE (El Prado [Ire]) wound up on the lead when nobody wanted it and was
outkicked in the deep stretch.
Sunday (7/3)
2ND — SKIP CAT (Stormy Atlantic) is a speedball that held well for second when
stretching out to seven furlongs.
3RD — THUNDER BAYOU (Thunder Gulch) was a good third in her career debut
despite acting up before the race.
5TH — HIGH RISE (High Yield) was used hard to keep up from post 1 and should
be tough against this class level next out if he draws outside.
6TH — PROUD JOURNEY (Anees) rallied from far back to be a close fourth in his
turf debut.
Monday (7/4)
2ND — CONCERTO DE VARSO (Chi) (Hussonet) held on for third despite dueling through
very fast fractions going a mile in good time.
6TH — RUNAWAY SREVA (Runaway Groom) made a bold move while down on the rail
around the turn but couldn’t get by the winner.
11TH — LEAD THE LAUNCH (Bright Launch) rallied gamely in his career debut
going five furlongs and showed that longer distances should be no problem.