Scotus Sails Away in Churchill Feature

Peter Callahan’s Scotus, winner of the Matt Winn (Grade III) beneath the Twin Spires in June, returned to Churchill Downs in style by winning the $48,187 Sunday afternoon feature for 3-year-olds and up by 3 ¾ lengths. 

Trained by Ken McPeek and ridden by Manny Cruz, Scotus covered the 1 1/16 miles on the main track in 1:45.82.

Scotus was well-held in mid-pack through fractions of :24.32, :47.97 and 1:12.83. A 3-year-old son of Successful Appeal, Scotus was asked for run with three furlongs remaining, split rivals at the top of the stretch, took the lead at the eighth-pole and continued to increase his advantage from there.

Breaking from the gate as the odds-on favorite at 3-5, Scotus returned mutuels of $3.40, $2.40 and $2.20. Robert Mondun’s Wealth to Me finished second to return $6.20 and $4 with William Butler’s Isthmus another 1 ½ lengths back in third returning $3.20.

The victory was worth $30,000 and increased Scotus’ bankroll to $170,454 with a record of 3-1-3 from nine lifetime starts.

Racing resumes Wednesday with a 10-race program highlighted by a four-day Pick 6 carryover of $12,963. The Pick 6 will begin with race five at 2:34 p.m. EST. Post time for the first race is 12:40 p.m.