Asphalt Wins Churchill Downs Feature

Joseph Riccelli’s Asphalt rolled past the leaders at the eighth pole to win the $46,192 allowance race for 3-year-olds and up by 1 ½ lengths over Au Moon on Thursday at Churchill Downs.

Trained by Eddie Kenneally and ridden by Julien Leparoux, Asphalt raced in mid-pack through the bulk of the 1 1/16-mile race over the Matt Winn Turf Course. Entering the stretch, Leparoux swung Asphalt four-wide for clear sailing and drew off to complete the distance in 1:43.10 over a course rated firm.

The victory was worth $25,440 and increased Asphalt’s bankroll to $188,444 with a record of 13-3-2-4. Asphalt is a 3-year-old Florida-bred son of War Chant.

Sent off as the odds-on favorite in the field of nine, Asphalt returned $3.40, $2.80 and $2.40. Au Moon, ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan, returned $15.80 and $9 with Dr. Smarty Jack finishing third under Jamie Theriot and paying $4.40 to show.

Read More

Division rankings: No debate in this Eclipse race
Last week, I mentioned that as many as seven Eclipse races still have debate swirling around them. I...
Head to Head: Turf queens clash in the Jockey Club Oaks
The Grade 3 Jockey Club Oaks Invitational Stakes was inaugurated in 2019 as part of a new racing...
Fair odds: This Ohio-bred stakes is teeming with value
Mahoning Valley: It's not just for Mondays and Tuesdays! The Northeast Ohio oval plays host to racing Monday...
Speed figures: HRN daily top 10 + fastest maiden winners
Trouble in Love posted Wednesday's highest Horse Racing Nation speed figure with a 124 performance at Churchill Downs....
Dale Romans is running for McConnell's seat in U.S. Senate
Trainer Dale Romans is running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by the retiring Mitch McConnell. In...