Ronin Dax Prevails at Churchill Downs
Bruno De Julio, Galen Ho’o, and Molly Jo Rosen‘s Ronin Dax captured the lead from Perregaux in late stretch to take the $52,490 Friday night feature at Churchill Downs by a half length.
Trained by David Vance and ridden by Corey Lanerie, the 3-year-old son of Tapit covered the mile over a “good” Matt Winn Turf Course in 1:38.54. The win was Lanerie’s third of the day and a meet-leading 18th victory at Churchill Downs this spring.
Ronin Dax, the fourth choice in the field of seven, rated just off fractions of :24.51, :48.15, 1:13.10 and 1:25.50 set by the Neil Howard-trained Perregaux, who held a clear lead in the stretch before being caught by Ronin Dax.
The race, which was Ronin Dax’s second start at Churchill Downs in eight days, was worth $32,100 to the winner and increased his bankroll to $108,514 with a record of 3 wins from 8 starts.
Racing continues Saturday with an 11-race program that kicks off at 12:45 p.m. ET. The Grade III, $100,000 Louisville Handicap for older horses at 1 ½ miles on turf is the featured 10th race, which has a scheduled post time of 5:29 p.m. ET. Also, popular 10-year-old gelding Brass Hat, who retired earlier this week, will be saluted in the winner’s circle one final time during a ceremony following Race 5.