(Greg Foley, middle, and family / Coady Photography)

From the Churchill Downs Media Team / Darren Rogers:

Racing fans can experience a low-risk pathway to becoming a horse owner by joining the 2023 Churchill Downs Racing Club.

          The Churchill Downs Racing Club, which was started in 2016, will partner with trainer Greg Foley to purchase an unraced 2-year-old. Up to 200 people can join the latest club for a one-time membership cost of $500.

          “The Racing Club has been a huge success at getting fans interested in owning horses,” Foley said. “I’m really excited for this opportunity to train for the club and have the chance to meet everyone to introduce them to a side of horse racing they may not be familiar with.”

          Members of the Churchill Downs Racing Club will receive a behind-the-scenes look into Thoroughbred ownership with breakfast during select mornings to watch the club’s horses train, access to the paddock area for the club horse’s race and two free general admission tickets to the 2023 Churchill Downs season.

          The Churchill Downs Racing Club is a 501C7 Not for Profit Social Club. The club is structured as a not-for-profit educational association.

Foley operates a year-round stable in Kentucky and calls Churchill Downs his home. The second-generation trainer runs his barn with his sons, Travis and Alex, and sister Vicki. The Foley family are residents of Oldham County, Ky., located about a half-hour from Churchill Downs. Foley also will send a string of horses to Fair Grounds in New Orleans from November-April.

          For more information about the Churchill Downs Racing Club and to purchase a membership, visit:https://www.churchilldowns.com/racing-wagering/racingclub.

 

THERAPIST MADE SLIGHT 5-2 FAVORITE IN LOUISVILLE STAKES – Michael Dubb’s well-traveled Therapist, a recent Grade II winner and nine-time stakes winner, was tabbed as the slight 5-2 favorite in the field of 11 turf marathoners for Saturday’s 86th running of the $225,000 Louisville Stakes (GIII) at Churchill Downs.

          The 1 ½-mile Louisville is scheduled to be contested in Lane 1 on the Matt Winn Turf Course. First post Saturday is 12:45 p.m. (all times Eastern). The Louisville is the finale on the 11-race card with a post time of 5:58 p.m.

          Therapist, a former $50,000 claim by Dubb and trainer Mike Maker, defeated stablemate and fellow Louisville entrant Bay Street Money last time in the Pan American (GII) at Gulfstream Park. The 8-year-old gelded son of Freud began his career with trainer Christophe Clement where he was victorious in eight stakes from 2017-20. Therapist was claimed for $80,000 in September by trainer George Weaver and subsequently claimed by trainer Martin Drexler before Maker’s claim in January.

Jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. will have the mount from post No. 7. Maker previously won the Louisville in 2013 with Dark Cove.

          Here’s the Louisville field from the rail out (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds): LimitedLiability (James Graham, Shug McGaughey III, 8-1); Bay Street Money (Rey Gutierrez, Maker, 7-2); Mount Rundle (Walter Rodriguez, Michelle Nihei, 20-1); Tiz the Bomb (Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek, 10-1);English Conqueror (Julien Leparoux, Darwin Banach, 12-1); Time for Trouble (Joe Talamo, Jeff Hiles, 12-1); Therapist (Santana, Maker, 5-2); Yamato (Isaac Castillo, Maker, 15-1); Another Mystery (Jareth Loveberry, Mickey Goldfine, 3-1); Foreign Relations (Declan Cannon, Conor Murphy, 12-1); and Smokey Lee (David Cohen, Waylon Cundiff, 50-1).

          Saturday is also the second jewel of the Triple Crown, the $1.5 million Preakness Stakes (GI) at Pimlico. Guests are invited to stay after the finale to watch a live simulcast of the Preakness on the Big Board. Post time for the Preakness is 7:01 p.m., approximately one hour after Churchill Downs’ last race.

THIS WEEK AT CHURCHILL DOWNS – Following dark days Monday-Wednesday, the Spring Meet at Churchill Downs will continue Thursday for Twilight Thursday. First post is 5 p.m. Guests will be able to enjoy the eight-race program by indulging in $2 domestic beer, live music and local food truck fare.

          Friday is the first Downs After Dark of the Spring Meet. The theme for the night racing event is “Saddles and Sneakers” where guests are encouraged to flex their favorite pair of sneakers, engage with local artists and dance along with their favorite local DJs while gambling on 11 races. Gates will open at 5 p.m. and tickets are available on www.churchilldowns.com.

          Saturday’s 11-race program features the $225,000 Louisville Stakes (GIII) as the final race of the day. First post is 12:45 p.m. Fans are invited to stay after the finale at Churchill Downs to cheer on Kentucky Derby winner Mage as he competes in the second jewel of racing’s Triple Crown, the $1.5 million Preakness Stakes (GI).

          Sunday’s 10-race program was being drawn Thursday. First post will be 12:45 p.m.

Before guests venture to Churchill Downs, they are encouraged to visithttps://www.churchilldowns.com/visit/info/maps-and-directions because of facility changes due to construction on the new $200 million Paddock.

‘CHURCHILL DOWNS TODAY’ AIRS ONE-HOUR PRIOR TO RACING – Horseplayers can get the latest expert advice and a preview of the day’s card by watching “Churchill Downs Today” one hour prior to first post.

          Join Joe Kristufek, Scott Shapiro and Kaitlin Free as the trio will handicap the program, give crucial ticket-structure advice and inside information for horseplayers betting the racing program.

          Churchill Downs Today is shown on www.TwinSpires.com, the Churchill Downs LIVE app on Smart TVs and Twitter via @ChurchillDowns.

AMERICA’S DAY AT THE RACES TV SCHEDULE – Fans can watch racing from Churchill Downs on “America’s Day at the Races” on the Fox Sports family of networks. Here is this week’s TV schedule:

  • Thursday: 3-7 p.m., FS2
  • Friday: 1-8:30 p.m., FS2 | 8:30-11:30 p.m., FS1
  • Saturday: 12:30-6:30 p.m., FS2
  • Sunday: 12:30-4:50 p.m., FS2

DOWN THE STRETCH – At the start of Thursday’s eight-race card, jockey Luis Saez had a 17-14 win lead over Tyler Gaffalione. Irad Ortiz Jr., who recorded seven wins on Kentucky Derby Week, remained in third. Trainer Brad Cox held a 9-6 win cushion over Brendan Walsh. Dale Romans and Joe Sharp were tied for third with five wins. In the owner’s standings, Godolphin’s four wins remained at the top. … The first race Thursday had a $17,377 carryover in the Super Hi-5 and the 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot had a $4,074 carryover in Races 3-8. First post was 5 p.m. … For more information about racing from Churchill Downs, visit www.ChurchillDowns.com.