Good Morning Diva Much the Best in Churchill Feature

Good Morning Diva, winner of last year’s Calder Derby, went through an opening on the rail at the top of the lane and then spurted away from the field in the stretch to win the $55,470 Friday evening feature at Churchill Downs by 4 ¾ lengths.

 

Trained by Rick Hiles and ridden by Corey Lanerie, Good Morning Diva completed the 6 ½ furlongs in 1:16.12.

 

A dark bay or brown 4-year-old son of Lion Heart, Good Morning Diva earned $34,200 for Friday’s victory and increased his career earnings to $240,512. He has four, two seconds and three thirds from 15 starts.

 

George Kerr’s Good Morning Diva was the third choice in the field of seven and returned $9.60, $4.80 and $3.60. Ghost Is Clear rallied for the place under Alan Garcia and returned $5.20 and $4.20. Right to Vote, the longest shot on the board at 21-1, finished third under Ricardo Santana Jr. and returned $8.20 to show.  

 

Racing continues Saturday night with an 11-race Downs After Dark Presented by Stella Artois and Finlandia Vodka program, which is highlighted by five graded stakes, including the $500,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap Presented by Abu Dhabi (Grade I). Post time for the first race is 6 p.m. (all times Eastern) and the Stephen Foster is scheduled as Race 8 at 9:30 p.m.

 

The theme for Saturday night is “The White Party” and fans are encouraged to wear an all-white wardrobe. Admission gates for Downs After Dark open at 4 p.m.; however, Churchill Downs will be open early for simulcast wagering on the second floor of the clubhouse. General admission will be its regular price of $3 from 11:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Gate 17.