Waging War Stretches Out at Churchill Downs

Saturday’s 10-race card at Churchill Downs includes a 1 1/16-mile first level allowance/optional claiming race for promising 2-year-olds, and trainer Al Stall Jr. remains hopeful that 5-2 morning line favorite Waging War can handle a distance of ground.

 

Waging War enters the race off a three-length maiden victory at Keeneland going 6 ½ furlongs. While Stall was optimistic about the young son of War Front, he said he tries not to get too excited this early in a horse’s career.

 

“He’s been doing great,” Stall said. “This race will be a good measuring stick for him. If he can get the distance, then I’m sure we’ll at least nominate him to the (Kentucky) Jockey Club (on Saturday, Nov. 29), but you never really know with these young horses until they actually get out there and run.”

 

Saturday’s test will be the fourth start for Waging War and the first at a route distance. He finished fifth and sixth in his first two maiden attempts, both six-furlong dirt races in August at Saratoga.

 

“I can’t remember ever entering a horse in the Jockey Club,” Stall said. “Of course it would be exciting, but you have to focus on where he is right now. If he wins, then we’ll see; it all depends on how he progresses and how the race comes up.”

 

Waging War drew post six in the seven-horse field and will have jockey Jesus Castanon in the saddle. Post time for Saturday’s fourth race is 2:06 p.m. ET.

 

Stall reports that Top Decile, who was second beaten a half-length by Take Charge Brandi in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI), would not race again in 2014, eliminating her from consideration for the Nov. 29 Golden Rod (GII), a race Stall won last year with Vexed.

 

Stall also said that multiple graded-stakes winning millionaire Departing would be nominated for the Nov. 28 Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (GI), but they would wait and see how things played out in the coming weeks before making a decision to run.

 

“He came out of his last race fine,” Stall said. “We’ve been close these last couple of times now and felt we had to nominate him. We’ll see how things play out in the next couple weeks. But he’s doing great and don’t be surprised if you see him back for the Clark.”