Churchill Downs | Horse Racing Free Tips

‘There Hasn’t Even Been Any Talk About Another Trainer’: Juvenile Winner Corniche Will Return To Baffert After WinStar Vacation

Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Corniche will return to the barn of embattled trainer Bob Baffert after a freshening at WinStar, according to a report in the Daily Racing Form, despite the ban imposed on Baffert by Churchill Downs.

That action has made Baffert trainees ineligible for the next two editions of the Kentucky Derby, and also prevents horses trained by Baffert from accumulating any points toward the Run for the Roses.

Owned by Peter Fluor's Speedway Stable, Corniche is undefeated in three career starts, including the G1 American Pharoah Stakes. The son of Quality Road was a $1,500,000 purchase at the OBS April sale, selected by Marette Farrell.

“Peter wants to be loyal,” Farrell told DRF. “Corniche won the Breeders' Cup, and he's a possible 2-year-old champion. No decisions have been made — there hasn't even been any talk about another trainer, or who he'd go to if he needs to go to another trainer. If the time comes that a decision needs to be made, if it needs to be that way, we'll put our heads together and make a decision.”

Report: Corniche to Freshen at WinStar Before Returning to Baffert

Presumptive 2-year-old champion male and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile hero Corniche (Quality Road) will be freshened briefly at WinStar Farm in Kentucky this winter before returning to Bob Baffert's barn, according to a report in Daily Racing Form. Marette Farrell, who purchased the $1.5-million colt for Speedway Stable, said Corniche was sent to Kentucky last Wednesday.

“It's time to give him a little bit of a break,” Farrell told DRF. “Speedway likes to use WinStar for lay-ups. He can be turned out, graduate to a paddock, and they have a track, too. It's important to get a break mentally. A change of scenery is good for all of us.”

The ongoing subplot regarding Corniche and Baffert's other potential GI Kentucky Derby contenders is what the respective ownerships will do with their horses as the Derby, now a little over five months away, inches closer on the calendar. Baffert was suspended for two years from running horses at Churchill Downs after his Medina Spirit (Protonico) tested positive for an overage of betamethasone in this year's Derby.

If that suspension holds, it would likely prompt owners to move their horses from Baffert in time to run in the May 7 Derby. But for now, Peter Fluor and KC Weiner's Speedway is staying loyal to Baffert, as Farrell said the plan is to return Corniche to Baffert's barn at Santa Anita after his freshening.

“Peter wants to be loyal,” she said. “Corniche won the Breeders' Cup, and he's a possible 2-year-old champion. No decisions have been made–there hasn't even been any talk about another trainer, or who he'd go to if he needs to go to another trainer. If the time comes that a decision needs to be made, if it needs to be that way, we'll put our heads together and make a decision.”

The post Report: Corniche to Freshen at WinStar Before Returning to Baffert appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Gaffalione, Asmussen Continue Churchill Dominance, Clinch Leading Jockey, Trainer Titles

With 12 races remaining in 2021 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., jockey Tyler Gaffalione has already clinched his sixth-straight Churchill Downs meet riding title. The Florida-native entered Sunday's closing day program with an insurmountable 30-18 win lead at the Fall Meet over Brian Hernandez Jr.

Gaffalione dominated throughout the year at Churchill Downs with 92 victories and more than $6.6 million in purse earnings. The next highest win total, as of Sunday, was Hernandez with 57 wins.

This was Gaffalione's seventh overall riding title at Churchill Downs. He won the 2018 Fall Meet with 21 wins. The 27-year-old's 2021 Fall Meet was highlighted by a six-win day on Nov. 12 and a five-win day on Nov. 25.

Rafael Bejarano's 17 wins was third in the standings followed by Joel Rosario (16 wins), Mitchell Murrill (15), James Graham, (11), Corey Lanerie (11), Florent Geroux (10), Joe Talamo (9), and Martin Garcia (8).

Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen secured his record-extending 25th title with 20 wins entering Sunday. He was 10 in front of Brad Cox and Kenny McPeek. Asmussen had seven entries on closing day.

Overall in 2021, Asmussen lead Cox by 11 wins with 46 victories from 263 starts. His runners earned more than $4.4 million.

The Fall Meet leading owner title will be decided Sunday as M and M Racing had a 4-3 win lead over BBN Racing, Lothenbach Stables, and Ten Strike Racing. Lothenbach Stables and Ten Strike racing had no entries while BBN Racing had one entry in Race 8.

Lynn and Lola Cash's Built Wright Stables, who had three victories at the meet, could surpass M and M Racing with four entries Sunday in Races 2, 3, 5, and 9. The husband and wife duo changed their ownership name to Built Wright Stables halfway through the meet.

Calumet Farm could also surpass M and M Racing with runners in Races 3, 9, and 10 while Rigney Racing could tie M and M Racing with entries in Races 7 and 12.

A winner's circle ceremony to honor the top jockey and trainer will be held after Race 7. The owners' presentation is pending.

The post Gaffalione, Asmussen Continue Churchill Dominance, Clinch Leading Jockey, Trainer Titles appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Marissa’s Lady Takes Inaugural Fern Creek At Churchill Downs

Boone Family Trust and Tillema Family Trust's homebred Marissa's Lady shot past pacesetter Verylittlecents at the top of the stretch and turned back a late challenge from 8-5 favorite Matereya en route to a one-length victory in the inaugural running of the $200,000 Fern Creek for 2-year-old fillies on Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Marissa's Lady, trained by Billy Morey and ridden by Rafael Bejarano, ran 6 ½ furlongs over a fast track in 1:16.85.

The victory was worth $121,140 and increased Marissa's Lady's earnings to $190,600 with a record of two wins in two starts. She is a Kentucky-bred daughter of Violence out of the Cee's Tizzy mare Marissa's Joy, and broke her maiden at first asking on Oct. 31.

Sent off at odds of 3-1, Marissa's Lady returned $8, $4.00, and $2.60. Matareya, under Joel Rosario, and paid $3.40 and $2.60 with Sweet Dani Girl another 2 ½ lengths back in third paying $2.80 to show under Martin Garcia.

Bali Del Sol, Knowing Glance, Verylittlecents, and Laura's Charm completed the order of finish. Golden Sights was scratched.

The post Marissa’s Lady Takes Inaugural Fern Creek At Churchill Downs appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post