Fiftyshadesofgold Works Toward Dogwood

 

“She worked very, very well this morning,” said Calhoun, who entered Saturday’s card needing two wins to reach 100 Churchill Downs victories. “It looks like she is set up well for next week.”

 

Fiftyshadesofgold captured the Eight Belles (GIII) on Kentucky Oaks Day under the Twin Spires then finished fourth in her last two efforts, the Acorn (GI) at Belmont Park and Test (GI) at Saratoga.

 

“Her last race at Saratoga I thought was a great effort for her,” Calhoun said. “Unfortunately, we drew the inside post and she took all the pressure early and was beaten a length. I really believe, not to take anything away from the winner (Sweet Reason), but with a better draw, in an outside post I really believe she would have a much bigger chance of winning that race.

 

“Her race at Belmont was another race she ran well in. We didn’t want to be on the lead. There were a couple of speed horses in there and one of them didn’t get out and one of them didn’t show up so we ended up on the lead. I think it took a little bit of a toll on her. A horse ran right up her rear end on the final turn and I think it knocked her off stride and maybe took a little bit out of her. But again it was a good race.

 

“I think we’ve been a little unfortunate with our post position draws lately but I still believe she’s a Grade I-caliber filly and I believe she could have shown it at Saratoga that day if she had drawn an outside post.”

 

Entering next Saturday’s seven-furlong event, Calhoun seemed optimistic, especially given Fiftyshadesofgold’s perfect 2-for-2 record at her home track of Churchill, both wins coming as stakes victories.

 

“Obviously she loves it here and has run some good races here at Churchill,” Calhoun said. “The Dogwood probably won’t be quite as deep of a field as in Saratoga or Belmont; and we’d love to get a good race in her here and just keep moving forward.”

 

Calhoun also mentioned multiple Grade III-winner Marchman, who worked Friday under the Twin Spires.

 

“Marchman worked yesterday and the work went very well,” Calhoun said. “He was supposed to run in the (Sept. 1) Turf Monster at Parx but got an infection in his leg. So now he’ll show up at Keeneland on Oct. 4 in the Woodford (GIII).”

 

Marchman took the Shakertown (GIII) and Twin Spires Turf Sprint (GIII) earlier in 2014.

 

Source: Churchill Downs Communications