Winchell Thoroughbreds' multiple Grade 2 winner Wicked Halo headlines a field of seven filly and mare sprinters that entered Sunday's first running of the $125,000 Twin Bridges Stakes at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming.
The six-furlong Twin Bridges was carded as the sixth race on the nine-race card. First post is 11:45 a.m. (all times Central) and the Twin Bridges will go to post at 2:18 p.m.
The ultra-consistent Wicked Halo has won seven of her 14 lifetime starts including victories in the Prioress Stakes (G2) and Raven Run (G2). Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, Wicked Halo won her seasonal debut at Oaklawn in the Matron Stakes then was a game runner-up to Matareya in the Derby City Distaff (G1) at Churchill Downs. Wicked Halo will be ridden by Cristian Torres out of post No. 7.
Another accomplished filly that entered the Twin Bridges was Monarch Stables' five-time stakes winner Last Leaf. Trained by Eddie Kenneally, Last Leaf has yet to find the winner's circle in 2023 but sports a narrow runner-up effort to Frank's Rockette in the Roxelana Stakes and a third-place finish to Echo Zulu in the Winning Colors (G3). As a 3-year-old, Last Leaf was victorious at the “Pea Patch” in the Audubon Stakes over fellow Twin Bridges rival Gunning. Jockey Corey Lanerie has the call on Last Leaf from post 3.
Here is the complete field for the Twin Bridges from the rail out (with jockey and trainer):
1. Tap Dance Fever (Francisco Arrieta, Bret Calhoun)
2. Gunning (Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek)
3. Last Leaf (Lanerie, Kenneally)
4. Speedometer (Keith Asmussen, Steve Asmussen)
5. Dealing Justice (Martin Garcia, Riley Mott)
6. Non Violence (Rey Gutierrez, Bret Calhoun)
7. Wicked Halo (Torres, Asmussen)
The Twin Bridges Stakes is named in honor of the iconic two bridges adjacent to Ellis Park that connect Henderson and Evansville, Ind. over the Ohio River. The construction of the bridges was completed during the Great Depression in 1932 and has undergone several name changes over the last nine decades. So, locals simply call them the “Twin Bridges.”
When the project was nearing completion there were many suggestions on what the name should be including, “The Dade Park Bridges.”
In a 1931 article published by Owensboro, Ky.'s Messenger and Inquirer they stated, “It has been officially decreed that when you approach the Dade Park Bridge over the Ohio River from the south that it will be the 'Henderson-Evansville Bridge' and when approaching from the north it will be labeled the 'Evansville-Henderson Bridge.' Can it be possible that Henderson and Evansville are jealous of Dade Park?”
If fans are heading over the Bi-State Vietnam Gold Star Bridges (aka the Twin Bridges) to Ellis Park Racing & Gaming Sunday they will be able to enjoy Dollar Days sponsored by the Kentucky HBPA. The day will feature several discounted food and beverage items including $1 hot dogs, chips, ice cream, soft drinks and $2 beer. For more information, visit www.ellisparkracing.com.
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