Cash Refund Tallies in Churchill Slop
Richard, Bertram and Elaine Klein’s Cash Refund turned back a stretch-long challenge from Riley Tucker and drew off to win Sunday’s $55,220 feature race for 3-year-olds and up by a length at Churchill Downs.
The victory gave trainer Steve Margolis his 100th career win at Churchill Downs.
Also reaching a milestone Sunday was trainer Steve Asmussen, who became the fifth trainer in Churchill Downs history to accumulate 400 victories. Stonestreet Stable’s Wilburn won the ninth race to give Asmussen No. 400. The only trainers ahead of Asmussen are Bill Mott (641), Dale Romans (521), D. Wayne Lukas (481) and Bernie Flint (426).
Ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan, Cash Refund and Chief of Affairs, ridden by Miguel Mena, dueled through a first quarter-mile in :21.23 over a sloppy main track. Leaving the backstretch, Cash Refund shook clear of Chief of Affairs only to have Riley Tucker and Kent Desormeaux range up to his outside.
The duo matched strides to deep stretch where Cash Refund surged clear to complete the six furlongs in 1:10.07. The victory was the first of four consecutive triumphs on a five-win card for Bridgmohan, now with 11 winners through the first 10 days of the 39-day meet. Calvin Borel was the most recent rider to have five victories on the card, accomplishing the feat on April 24, 2010.
A homebred son of Petionville out of the Mystery Storm mare Swept Away, the 5-year-old Cash Refund improved his career mark to 13-7-1-2 and increased his bankroll to $307,479 with Sunday’s $35,880 check.
Cash Refund returned $7 and $3.40. There was no show wagering. Riley Tucker returned $3.40 to place. Chief of Affairs finished third another 2 1/4 lengths back with River Bear last in the field of four.
Racing resumes Thursday with a nine-race program that begins at 12:45 p.m. (ET). There’s a $9,468.40 Super Hi-5 carryover in the finale, which requires bettors to pick the top five finishers in perfect order.