Churchill Downs news: Gaffalione back at 'new home' after Preakness

Jockey Tyler Gaffalione returned back to his “new home” in the Churchill Downs jockey colony following his victory aboard War of Will in Saturday’s Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.

Gaffalione, a 24-year-old native of Davie, Fla., was on the Churchill Downs backstretch early Sunday morning to work horses and was named to ride eight races on that afternoon's card.

“It really hasn’t sunk in yet that we won,” Gaffalione said. “I can’t thank my family enough for all of the years of support they’ve given me. After everything that went on between the Louisiana Derby mishap and the trouble in the Kentucky Derby, I’m just simply happy for the horse. He deserved it most of all.

“We’re back at our new home and ready to keep the meet rolling.”

Owned by Gary Barber, War of Will is scheduled to arrive at Keeneland on Monday and could run next in the June 8 Belmont Stakes.

“We’ve just been on fire,” said Foley, a second-generation horseman from Oldham County, Ky. “Churchill Downs is our home track. We like to target the Spring and Fall Meets for our horses and it’s been a great start to the meet. It’s just beginning, though.”

Foley learned his craft from of his father, the legendary Dravo Foley, who trained for more than 40 years before he passed away in 2010. The pedigree runs strong in the Foley family as Greg’s son, Travis, works as his assistant and oversees 15 horses at Churchill Downs’ Trackside Louisville. Greg’s sister, Vickie, also trains at Churchill Downs.

“Travis got off to a good start with his horses he has at Trackside,” Foley said. “He had one winner who was under his care over there. We’ve been very lucky to have some nice horses and great owners.”

Foley began Sunday’s 10-race program tied for third with Eddie Kenneally in the trainer standings. Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen had the lead with 10 wins and was followed by Mike Maker with seven. 

SUMMER DUCK CLAIMED IN 22-WAY SHAKE

Two-time winner Summerduck was claimed in a 22-way shake in Friday’s third race at Churchill Downs by new trainer Eddie Kenneally.

Summerduck, a gray son of Flatter, finished fourth in the $8,000 claiming event for former trainer Dane Kobiskie.

The 22 claims dropped on Summerduck was the most on a horse at Churchill Downs since Psych was claimed on Nov. 17, 2005, in a 24-way shake by trainer Jeff Talley for $5,000.

Through 13 race days at the 2019 Spring Meet there have been 109 claimed horses for a total of $2,296,500.

MR. MISUNDERSTOOD WORKS BULLET HALF-MILE

Sunday’s work tab at Churchill Downs was led by a quintet of turf works including multiple graded stakes-winning Mr. Misunderstood, who recorded a bullet half-mile move in :47.60.

The half-mile breeze was Mr. Misunderstood’s fourth published workout since he received a freshening after his victory in the Nov. 17 River City Handicap (G3) at Churchill Downs. Trainer Brad Cox opted to give the son of Archarcharch the winter off, and he could return in the $250,000 Wise Dan (G2) on June 15.

Also on the Sunday work tab for Cox was Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2) winner Beau Recall, who breezed a half-mile in :48.20 outside of stablemate Gaining, who was a Group 3 winner in France.