King David Rules at Churchill Downs

Scarlet Stable’s favored King David surged along the inside hedge under jockey Rosie Napravnik to take the lead in the final yards and pull clear for a comfortable 1 ¾-length victory in the $50,000 allowance optional claiming race at a mile on turf that was the featured event on Sunday’s closing day program of the 12-day September Meet at Churchill Downs.

 

Making his first start since January, King David showed no signs of rust as he rallied from ninth in a field of 10 3-year-olds and up for the win and paid $4.20, $2.80 and $2.60. Street Serenade, who had a clear lead in mid-stretch under Marcelino Pedroza Jr. before giving way to the winner, held second and paid $5.20 and $.3.60. Exothermic finished third under jockey Corey Lanerie and paid $4.80 to show.

 

Trained by Mike Maker, King David covered the mile on firm turf in 1:36.32. He improved his career record to 7-3-0 in 14 races and raised his earnings to $428,997.

 

Lanerie was the meet’s leading jockey with 19 victories, five more than runner-up Shaun Bridgmohan. Dale Romans saddled his eighth winner in the meet’s final race to tie Steve Asmussen for the honor of leading trainer. Ken and Sarah Ramsey, the all-time leaders in wins by an owner at Churchill Downs, won three races on the meet’s final day to edge Maggi Moss for the leading owner trophy by a margin of 6-4. It is the record 20^th title for the Nicholasville, Ky.-based couple.

 

The just-concluded September Meet was the second of three 2013 racing meets at Churchill Downs. A 25-day Fall Meet is scheduled for Oct. 27-Nov. 30.