Flashy American In Foal to Orb
Preston Stables LLC’s Flashy American, winner of the 2013 edition of the Locust Grove, looks to return to her winning ways in what could be her final career start. According to trainer Kenny McPeek, the 6-year-old mare is currently in foal to 2013 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) winner Orb.
“There’s a good chance that this could be her last race,” McPeek said. “We’re racing in foal and she’ll run with no medication.”
Last time out the homebred daughter of Flashy Bull was soundly beaten in the Groupie Doll at Ellis, where she was 11th beaten 11 lengths behind Call Pat.
“We thought that maybe she would really outclass them at Ellis,” he said. “But she needs a two-turn race and she’s back to what she is best at.”
Corey Lanerie will be aboard Flashy American, who is the 10-1 fifth choice in this event.
G. Watts Humphrey’s Frivolous, the 3-1 morning line favorite, comes off a runner-up effort behind Sheer Drama in the Delaware Handicap (GI) at Delaware Park. Earlier in the summer, the homebred daughter of Empire Maker pulled off a 32-1 shocker in the Fleur de Lis (GII) at Churchill Downs. A milder upset was pulled by the Vicki Oliver-trained mare last fall when she took the Falls City (GII) on Churchill’s Thanksgiving Day card. Veteran rider Jon Court, the pilot in both of those graded stakes victories, will be in the irons for the Locust Grove.
Stonestreet Stables’ Keen Pauline, co-second choice at 5-1 odds, could potentially scratch and run in next Saturday’s $1 million Cotillion (GI) at Parx Racing. A decision regarding where the daughter of Pulpit would run will be made Friday afternoon, according to trainer Dale Romans.
The Locust Grove field, from rail out (with jockey and odds): Unbridledexplosion (Brian Hernandez, Jr.; 8-1), Legacy (Calvin Borel; 12-1), Flashy American (Corey Lanerie; 10-1), Privet Hedge (Jose Ortiz; 8-1), Cabana (Luis Quinonez; 5-1), Frivolous (Jon Court; 3-1), Pearl Turn (Ricardo Santana, Jr.; 30-1), Ambusher (Abdiel Jaen; 30-1), Diva’s Diamond (Colby Hernandez, Jr.; 8-1), Keen Pauline (Paco Lopez; 5-1), Henny Jenney (Victor Lebron, 30-1).
CALL PAT LOOKS FOR STAKES REPEAT IN LOCUST GROVE
Also a part of Saturday’s card is a duet of stakes for older fillies and mares. The $100,000 Locust Grove is run at 1 1/16 miles on the main track and will feature Miller Racing LLC’s Call Pat, who is the 6-1 third choice in a field of 12. The homebred daughter of Lawyer Ron is coming off of a victory in the Groupie Doll (GIII) at Ellis Park and trainer Brad Cox believes the race will set up well for the 5-year-old mare.
“She’s training awesome so we’re excited about her,” said Cox, who entered Friday’s opening day program with 98 Churchill Downs career wins. “Hopefully there’s some speed; it looks like there will be so she’ll come running late. You got to just leave her alone and let her do her thing. She kind of just figures it out, the jock just leaves her alone and she knows when to start picking it up. Sometimes she gets there, sometimes she doesn’t.”
If all goes well on Saturday, Cox said that the $500,000 Spinster (GI) on Oct. 4 at Keeneland could be her next start. Jockey Shaun Bridgmohan has the mount aboard Call Pat.
Source: Churchill Downs