Villandry Sets Sail in River City

 

Previously victorious in allowance events on the Matt Winn turf course, Villandry earned his first stakes win in the Grade 3, $100,000 River City Handicap at Churchill Downs on Saturday.

 

The speedy Silver Max led the field through the early going as expected, posting :24.28, :47.77 and 1:11.95 for the opening quarters. Set the Sail and Greengrassofyoming kept within striking distance just ahead of Villandry on the outside. R. Great Adventure, Under Control (BRZ), Guys Reward, and Gentleman’s Kitten settled midpack while Hamp, Aldous Snow and Dramedy collected towards the back of the pack.

 

Under Julien Leparoux, Villandry powered through the final turn five wide to challenge the leader. Silver Max relinquished the lead under pressure and faded while Villandry drew clear by nearly three lengths. 

 

Hamp overcame a troubled start to finish second, 2 ½ lengths over Under Control in third. Guys Reward and Set the Sail turned in respective fourth- and fifth-place finishes.

 

Silver Max, favored at 4-5, finished off the board in sixth. Trainer Dale Romans indicated that his team will reconsider their plans for the 5-year-old multiple graded stakes winner.

 

"He had it all his own way," Romans said of his beaten favorite. "He's just not the same horse, I guess. You know, he doesn't owe us anything - he's been awfully good to us. He's got 12 wins and made a lot of money. We've had a lot of fun. We'll just have to sit down and talk about his future." 

 

Dramedy, Gentleman’s Kitten, Greengrassofyoming, R. Great Adventure and Aldous Snow completed the order of finish.

 

The winning time for 1 1/8 miles on the firm turf course was 1:48.54.

 

Owned and bred by Gainesway Stable, the son of Mr. Greeley improved his career record to 5-1-2 from 18 starts and earnings of $258,204. Trained by Charlie LoPresti, Villandry finished fourth in this race last year behind Potomac River, Set the Sail and Grand Arch. 

 

The 5-year-old gelding came into the River City following a recent third-place finish in the Grade 3 Sycamore at Keeneland and a fourth-place effort in the Grade 1 Northern Dancer at Woodbine in September.

 

"it means a lot, we've always thought this horse was worthy of a graded stakes win and he proved himself today," LoPresti said. "We had a great trip. Julien (Leparoux) did a nice job and we're just happy for him to finally get it. Hopefully he'll continue to improve and be back even better next year."

  

Clearly a fan of Churchill’s Matt Winn turf course, the chestnut gelding boasts a course record of three wins and a second from six starts.

 

Sent off as the 4-1 second-choice, Villandry rewarded his backers with $10.60, $4.80 and $4.00 on a $2 across-the-board wager.