Finley'sluckycharm, Calhoun pack bags for BC Filly & Mare Sprint
{{monthName}} {{day}}, {{year}} {{hour12}}:{{minuteTwoDigit}}{{dayPeriod}}
Trainer Bret Calhoun has fond memories of Del Mar, the first-time site for this year’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
“I took a filly named Storm Mesa out there in 2008 and won a Grade 2, the San Clemente,” Calhoun said. “I took her out a couple of weeks before the race and loved it out there. I can’t wait to go back.”
Calhoun will not have to wait much longer as Finley’sluckycharm earned her way there Saturday for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) on Nov. 4 with an off-the-pace victory in the $250,000 Thoroughbred Club of America (G2).
It was Calhoun’s second victory in the race, having won previously with Dubai Majesty in 2010. Dubai Majesty came back to win that year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Churchill Downs to close her career and earn an Eclipse Award as champion female sprinter.
Finley’sluckycharm, owned by Carl R. Moore Management, returned to Churchill Downs last night and Sunday morning was “doing great,” Calhoun said. “And I am doing a lot better than before the race and during the race.”
Saturday’s victory, the ninth from 11 starts in one-turn races, marked the first time Finley’sluckycharm had not been on the lead.
Calhoun said Finley’sluckycharm would have two works at Churchill prior to leaving for Del Mar.
GALLOPING OUT
Trainer Tim Glyshaw said Ironhorse Racing’s Bucchero, winner of Saturday’s $200,000 Woodford (G2) Presented by Keeneland Select, returned to Churchill Downs Saturday night and came out of the race fine.
“He will probably go to Indiana Grand on Wednesday which is where his base is,” Glyshaw said. “We may look at the Breeders’ Cup because those opportunities do not come around often.” …
Godolphin Racing’s Group 1 winner Wuheida (GB) and Ali Ridha’s Unforgetable Filly (GB) arrived at the Keeneland quarantine barn at 7 a.m. Sunday from Europe for expected starts in Saturday’s $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Lane’s End (G1) for 3-year-old fillies.
Charles Appleby, who trains Wuheida, is expected to be at Keeneland this week. Hugo Palmer, trainer of Unforgetable Filly, will not be here for the race.
PROBABLE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES
$100,000 BUFFALO TRACE FRANKLIN COUNTY (G3) (Entries taken Tuesday, race Friday, Oct. 13) – Always Thinking (Tom Albertrani), Boom Bam Bing (Karl Broberg), Justa Lady (Steve Asmussen), Miss Ella (Graham Motion), Morticia (Rusty Arnold), Nobody’s Fault (Neil Pessin), Ring Knocker (Mike Maker), Ruby Notion (Wesley Ward), Scatter Gun (Pessin) and Triple Chelsea (Joe Sharp).
$500,000 QUEEN ELIZABETH II CHALLENGE CUP PRESENTED BY LANE’S END (G1) (Entries taken Wednesday; race Saturday) – Invitees: Beau Recall (IRE) (trainer Simon Callaghan), Con Te Partiro (Wesley Ward), Daddys Lil Darling (Kenny McPeek), Dream Dancing (Mark Casse), La Coronel (Casse), Madam Dancealot (IRE) (Richard Baltas), New Money Honey (Chad Brown), Proctor’s Ledge (Brendan Walsh), Unforgetable Filly (GB) (Hugo Palmer), Uni (GB) (Brown) and Wuheida (GB) (Charles Appleby).
FALL MEET SPECIAL EVENTS
Sunday, Oct. 8 – Fall Stars Weekend
“Keeneland Magazine on TV.” 8 p.m. ET on The CW Lexington. The 30-minute program chronicles Central Kentucky life and culture from the print edition of Keeneland magazine. The episode features Juddmonte Farms, Brewgrass Trail, Lexington’s Shriners Hospitals for Children Medical Center and Lexington’s murals.
Source: Keeneland Association
Read More
Shred the Gnar is back, and she is one of the most impressive 3-year-old fillies in the nation....
It was as a 2-year-old, but Dewolf 's career best race came when second in the Grey Stakes...
Double Your Money , who finished second in the Greenwood Cup (G3) at Parx in September, won the...
Fionn , racing for the first time since a fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II...
Jockey Dylan Davis is out indefinitely after being injured in an incident during Friday's seventh race at Aqueduct...