Exclusive Love Wins Churchill Feature

Robert Masterson’s Exclusive Love turned away a late rally from Revelstoke to win the $49,739 Wednesday afternoon feature for fillies and mares on the Matt Winn Turf Course at Churchill Downs by a half-length.

Trained by Mark Casse and ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan, the 4-year-old daughter of Bernstein covered the 1 1/8 miles over the “good” turf course in 1:50.07.

Rated in second behind Lily Again-GB through fractions of :24.59, :48.99 and 1:12.51, Exclusive Love overtook the lead at the top of the stretch and appeared to be well on her way to an easy victory when Revelstoke, the longest shot in the field at 28-1, began to rally down the lane. Under Brian Hernandez Jr., Revelstoke got within a neck of her rival, but was quickly turned away and Exclusive Love continued on to win in going-away fashion.

Breaking from the gate as the even-money favorite in the field of eight, Exclusive Love returned mutuels of $4, $2.80 and $2.60. Tom Campbell’s Revelstoke finished second to return $16.60 and $10.80 with PRO Thoroughbreds Enterprises LLC’s Lady Aspen another half-length back in third returning $4.80.

The victory was worth $30,000 and increased Exclusive Love’s bankroll to $165,187 with a record of 3-3-2 from 12 career starts. 

Also on Wednesday’s card, Julien Leparoux racked up four wins to bring his meet total to 14, which is five clear of Corey Lanerie in second. Leparoux is seeking his fifth straight Fall Meet riding title at the Louisville track and his ninth overall at Churchill Downs.

Racing continues Thursday with a 10-race program that includes a Super Hi-5 carryover of $3,801. Post time for the first race is 12:40 p.m. EST and the Super Hi-5 will be contested in Race 10 with a post time of 5:03 p.m.