Southern Anthem Wins at Churchill Downs

Stacey Moak’s Southern Anthem surged past dueling leaders Forest Attack and No Inflation at the eighth pole and then held off a late bid from Caberneigh to win the $57,130 feature for three-year-olds and up by 1 ½ lengths on Father’s Day at Churchill Downs.

Ridden by Corey Lanerie for trainer Jeff Thornbury, Southern Anthem raced eighth in the early going while received a ground-saving trip from Lanerie. Southern Anthem swung out three wide at the head of the stretch, blowing the past the leaders and covering the 1 1/8 miles on a firm Matt Winn Turf Course in 1:50.12.

The victory, the fourth in 18 starts, was worth $35,400 and increased Southern Anthem’s earnings to $139,422. Southern Anthem is 4-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Royal Anthem.

Southern Anthem returned $34.60, $13.60 and $5.60. Caberneigh, ridden by Freddie Lenclud, paid $15.20 and $8 and finished a half-length in front of Forest Attack, ridden by Robby Albarado, who returned $4.80 to show.

Racing resumes Thursday when the final two weeks of the meet kick off with a nine-race program beginning at 12:45 p.m. (EDT). There will be a five-day Pick 6 carryover of $50,084 on races four through nine with post time for the fourth scheduled for 2:21 p.m.