(Walkathon / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

From the Churchill Downs Media Team:

Whitham Thoroughbreds’ homebred Walkathon collared pacesetter Lola Flo leaving the final turn, opened a clear lead at the top of the stretch and turned back a late run by 4-5 favorite McKulick (GB) to win Saturday’s 53rd running of the $200,000 Regret Stakes (Grade III) at Churchill Downs.

The 3-year-old Ian Wilkes-trained filly, who covered 1 1/8 miles on “firm” turf in 1:49.26, gave jockeyJulien Leparoux his 1,000th win at Churchill Downs – one of only five jockeys to achieve the milestone.

In the early stages of the race, 32-1 longshot Lola Flo led the field of six 3-year-old fillies through opening fractions of :24.19, :48.46 and 1:12.91 with Walkathon drafting about 1 ½ lengths behind in second, and the favored McKulick (GB) another couple of lengths back in fourth.

Walkathon was the first to make a move around the turn. She got the jump on her rivals and kicked about five lengths clear at the head of the stretch, which proved to be the winning move to hold off the closing McKulick (GB), who cut the final margin to 1 ¼ lengths.

“She can be a bit hyper and get worked up but that’s just who she is,” said Leparoux, who won the Regret for a record-extending fifth time. “In the race she was able to settle in a good position off (Lola Flo) and she was full of run at the end. I couldn’t ask for anything more. She loves this turf and has really shown that her last few starts.”

Walkathon, the 5-2 second betting choice, rewarded her backers with payouts of $7.20, $3 and $2.40. McKulick (GB), ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, returned $2.20 and $2.10. Beside Herself was another 6 ¼ lengths back in third under Luis Saez and paid $3.

Kneesnhips was fourth and was followed by Candy Raid and Lola Flo.

With her victory worth $122,760, Walkathon boosted her career earnings to $290,341 from a record of 3-2-0 in 7 starts. This was her first stakes win and third win in a row since moving from dirt to turf.

“First off I have to congratulate Julien on his 1,000 wins at Churchill,” Wilkes said. “That’s quite the accomplishment and he gave this filly a great trip. She was settled just off the speed in a perfect position. Julien kept her in the clear and she was able to have the perfect trip to the wire.”

Walkathon is a daughter of Twirling Candy out of the Stroll mare Walkabout and was bred in Kentucky by her owner, Janis R. Whitham.

The Regret honors the 1915 Kentucky Derby-winning filly.

Leparoux’s other Regret wins came aboard Lady of Venice-FR (2006), Pure Clan (2008), Prado’s Sweet Ride (2015) and Hard Legacy (2019).

The next turf race at Churchill Downs for 3-year-old fillies is the $200,000 Tepin over one mile on Saturday, July 2.

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(She’s All Wolfe / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

 

SHE’S ALL WOLFE SCORES OVER-THE-TOP UPSET IN $179,500 SHAWNEE

Robert H. Zoellner’s homebred She’s All Wolfe, the longest shot at 20-1 in a compact field of five fillies and mares, powered past tiring leaders Ava’s Grace, Army Wife and odds-on 2-5 favorite Pauline’s Pearl in deep stretch to win Saturday’s third running of the $179,500 Shawnee Stakes (Listed) at Churchill Downs.

          Trained by Donnie Von Hemel, She’s All Wolfe covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.34 under jockeyFrancisco Arrieta, who collected his first Churchill Downs stakes victory.

          She’s All Wolfe was relegated in last during the early stages as Ava’s Grace led the cast through early fractions of :23.49, :47.56 and 1:11.85 with Army Wife tracking a length back in second and Pauline’s Pearl, the winner of the $750,000 La Troienne (Grade I) on Kentucky Oaks Day, another length back in third.

          Ava’s Grace cut the corner on the final turn determined to lead all the way and crossed the mile marker in 1:36.73 with Army Wife and Pauline’s Pearl all out to keep up. All the while, She’s All Wolfe tipped out with a wide move and came over the top of the leading trio inside the final sixteenth of a mile with a strong closing kick for the upset win.

“In the first turn she got into trouble but after that I was able to get her to relax up the backside,” Arrieta said. “I know (Pauline’s Pearl) was a big favorite but I thought my filly was going to be just as tough with her again. Around the turn I was able to get closer to the front and in the stretch she was able to keep running hard past those fillies. It’s amazing to win a race like this for Donnie and the owners.”

          She’s All Wolfe returned $42.40, $10.40 and $13.60. Ava’s Grace, under David Cohen, returned $4.60 and $7.40. Army Wife, with Tyler Gaffalione aboard, finished another three-quarters of a length back in third and paid $6.80.

          It was another half-length back to Pauline’s Pearl. Temper Time faded to last.

          She’s All Wolfe is a 5-year-old mare by Magna Graduate out of the Include mare She’s All In. She was bred in Oklahoma by her owner.

          With her victory in Saturday’s Shawnee worth $108,500, She’s All Wolfe improved her record to 8-6-2 in 25 starts with earnings of $595,411.

          This was the fifth stakes win of She’s All Wolfe’s career but first against open company. Previously, she won four stakes against Oklahoma-breds: the Cinema at Will Rogers Downs in 2020 and three consecutive runnings of the Oklahoma Classics Distaff at Remington Park in 2020-22.

“I think going into the race we all knew Pauline’s Pearl was the one to beat,” Von Hemel said. “We ran against her the last couple of starts but my filly was training really well out of the (La Troienne) and I was willing to give her another chance. She got into a little trouble in that first turn but she kept battling all the way to the wire. We’re very proud of her and thrilled to win this race.”

         The Shawnee Stakes, named after the neighborhood in western Louisville, is the local prep race for the $350,000 Fleur de Lis (GII) on Saturday, July 2.

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(Admission Office / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

VETERAN ADMISSION OFFICE NARROWLY WINS GRADE III, $197,500 ARLINGTON

Amerman Racing Stables’ veteran homebred Admission Office made his 7-year-old debut a winning one as newly-gelded son of Point of Entry ran down pacesetter Get Smokin at the wire to win Saturday’s 86thrunning of the $197,500 Arlington (Grade III) at Churchill Downs by a head.

This marked the first year the Arlington has been run at the Louisville racetrack after previously being staged at the now-closed Arlington Park.

Ridden by Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez and trained by Brian Lynch, Admission Office ran 1 1/16 miles over “firm” turf in 1:43.52.

The only two graded stakes wins of his career have come on turf at Churchill Downs. Two years ago, Admission Office won the 1 ½-mile Louisville (GIII).

Admission Office, who made his first start in 462 days, was rated in last of six older horses as Get Smokin dictated the terms through early splits of :23.82, :48.77, 1:13.44 and 1:37.24. Admission Office, who remained in last with three-sixteenths of a mile to run, continued to grind down the lane with a wide move and surged at the wire to prevail in a tight photo finish.

“He just kept finding more and more with each stride,” Velazquez said. “He was sitting in a good trip and relaxed off the pace. I tipped him in the clear mid-stretch and he kept accelerating.”

Admission Office, sent to post at 7-1, paid $17.20, $6.60 and $3.20. Get Smokin, the 4-1 third betting choice under Javier Castellano, returned $4.80 and $3. Field Pass was another neck back in third underRicardo Santana Jr. at odds of 5-2 and paid $3.20 to show.

Floriform, the 8-5 favorite under Tyler Gaffalione, was another length back in fourth and was followed by Like the King and Gray’s Fable.

Admission Office, who last was seen racing with a sixth-place finish in the $200,000 Mac Diarmida (GII) at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 27, 2021, earned $122,415 for the win and improved his career record to 5-5-3 in 18 starts with earnings of $573,372.

“Being off a layoff, to run like that was phenomenal,” Lynch said. “I thought we had a lot of horse when Johnny turned for home. I’m really thankful for the Amermans for being patient with him getting back to the races. He kept having a few setbacks and it took us a little longer to get back to the track. He’s always had a lot of talent and has run in some serious races in the past. To show up and perform like that against these horses didn’t surprise me because of his back class.”

Admission Office, out of the Royal Academy mare Miss Chapin, was bred in Kentucky by Mrs. Jerry Amerman.

The Arlington is a local prelude to the $350,000 Wise Dan (Grade II) for 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles on turf on Saturday, July 2.

“I’d think staying here for a race like the Wise Dan would be the next move,” Lynch said.

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(Bango  / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

DEFENDING CHAMPION BANGO REPEATS IN ARISTIDES AT 10-1

 

Tamaroak Partners’ Bango split rivals in deep stretch to win Saturday’s 34th running of the $199,833 Aristides (Listed) at Churchill Downs for the second year in a row, this time by 2 ½ lengths over Necker Island.

          Trained by Greg Foley and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, Bango completed the six-furlong Aristides in 1:08.54.

          “He loves this track and is a super nice horse,” Gaffalione said. “We got away a bit slow but sat in a good position off the pace. He kept finding more with every stride.”

          Long Range Toddy set a swift early quarter-mile fraction in :21.97 with Top Gunner in close pursuit as Necker Island and Bango rated in fourth and fifth, respectively. Around the turn, Top Gunner poked his head in front after a half-mile in :44.74 and briefly kicked clear. As Top Gunner wearily drifted out in the stretch, the closing Bango came through the opening and was able to easily prevail over Necker Island, who rallied along to rail to win a three-way photo for the place with Top Gunner and Long Range Toddy.

          Bango is the third horse to win the Aristides in successive years, joining Bet On Sunshine (2000-01) and Alsvid (2015-16).

          Despite winning the race a year ago along with two other stakes events, Bango was the 10-1 sixth betting choice in the eight-horse Aristides and paid $22.20, $11 and $5.60. Necker Island, under Mitchell Murrill, paid $6.20 and $3.80. Top Gunner with Rey Gutierrez in the irons returned $3.20.

          Long Range Toddy, Miles Ahead, 2-1 favorite Bob’s Edge who never got involved, Jalen Journey andPyron completed the running order.

          Bango, who banked $120,245, improved his record to 9-1-2 with purse earnings of $675,545 in 23 starts. He’s 7-1-2 in 13 starts at Churchill Downs.

          In his first start of 2022, Bango finished fourth and was beaten 9 ¾ lengths in the St Matthews Overnight Stakes on May 4.

          “What a nice horse,” said Foley, who also won the 2004 Aristides (GIII) with Champali. “He loves this track and that’s home for us. He needed that last race off the layoff and I guess they (bettors) forgot how much he loves it here. He’s 7-for-13 now. That speaks for itself. He got off a bit slow from the rail today and he’s shown he can be a multi-dimensional horse. Tyler gave him a great ride and was able to get him to relax.”

          Bango is a 5-year-old son of Congrats out of the Smart Strike mare Josaka. He was bred in Kentucky by his owners Fred and Debbie Schwartz.

The Aristides is named in honor of the inaugural Kentucky Derby winner of 1875.

The next sprint for older horses at Churchill Downs is the $160,000 Kelly’s Landing Overnight Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs on Saturday, July 2.

“Fred and Debbie Schwartz have a really nice horse and we’ll try to run him as much as we can this year at Churchill,” Foley said.

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(Dynamic One / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

‘OTHER’ PLETCHER DYNAMIC ONE WINS BLAME, AMERICANREVOLUTION FORUTH

Dynamic One, the “other” horse trained by Todd Pletcher, lived up to his name with a one-length victory over a closing Proxy in Saturday’s third running of the $198,750 Blame Stakes (Listed) at Churchill Downs, a local prep for the Louisville racetrack’s $750,000 Stephen Foster (Grade II) on Saturday, July 2. Scalding was a neck back of the runner-up in third and Pletcher’s Grade I winner Americanrevolution, the even-money favorite, was fourth.

          Ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, Dynamic One, who made amends from his 18th place finish in last year’s Kentucky Derby, covered the 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:48.54 for owners Repole Stable (Mike Repole), Phipps Stable (Daisy Phipps Pulito) and St. Elias Stable (Vincent Viola).

          Longshots Super Stock and Santos Dumont took turns leading the way early on through splits of :23.61, :47.42 and 1:11.73 as Dynamic One had one horse beat all the way into the final turn.

          Americanrevolution, who was making his first start since winning the Grade I Cigar Mile in December, drew even with the tiring leaders at the top of the stretch as stablemate Dynamic One tipped out for a wide rally. Dynamic One gained the advantage into the final furlong and inched clear soon thereafter for the win.

“I had a pretty good idea of his running style and let him settle off of the early pace,” Gaffalione said. “He took the kickback really well and had a powerful kick down the lane. It set up perfectly for him and he came rolling late.”

The victory was worth $121,330 and increased Dynamic One’s bankroll to $479,950 with a record of 3-3-1 in 11 starts.

At age 3, Dynamic One qualified to the 2021 Kentucky Derby with a narrow runner-up finish to stablemate Bourbonic in last year’s Wood Memorial. He’d return in the summer to win the restricted Curlin Stakes at Saratoga.

Prior to the Blame, Dynamic One finished second to Scalding in the $300,000 Ben Ali (GIII) at Keeneland on April 23.

          On Saturday, Dynamic One, the 6-1 fourth betting choice, returned $14.80, $5.20 and $3. Proxy, ridden by Luis Saez at 7-2, paid $5 and $3. Scalding, 5-2 under Javier Castellano, paid $3 to show.

          After Americanrevolution, it was Santos Dumont, Super Stock and Militarist to complete the order of finish. Title Ready was scratched.

Dynamic One is a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Union Rags out of the Smart Strike mare Beat the Drums. He was bred by his co-owners, the Phipps Stable.

The Blame is named after the 2010 Eclipse Award-winning older horse that handed Zenyatta her lone defeat in that year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) at Churchill Downs.

The July 2 Stephen Foster is a “Win and You’re In” event for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) at Keeneland Race Course on Nov. 5.

“He ran a heck of a race this afternoon,” said Pletcher’s assistant trainer Stu Hampson. “I thought the pace would set up pretty well for his running style coming from off of it. He’s a really nice colt and has kept showing improvement this year after coming back as a 4-year-old. We’ll leave it up to Todd and the team to see if we stay here for the Stephen Foster but we can’t be more pleased with his race today.”

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(Kitodan / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

KITODAN HANGS A HEAD ON SMOKIN’T AT 40-1 IN $200,000 AUDUBON

Kitodan, the longest shot in the field of 11 3-year-olds at odds of 40-1, went from claim to fame with a narrow head victory over Smokin’T in Saturday’s third running of the $200,000 Audubon Stakes for 3-year-olds at Churchill Downs.

Kitodan, ridden by Gerardo Corrales and trained by Eric Foster, ran 1 1/8 miles over “firm” turf in 1:49.85.

In his previous start, a third-place finish in a first-level allowance/optional claiming event on May 15 at Churchill Downs, owners Foster Family Racing (Brooklyn N. Foster), Douglas E. Miller and William J. Wargel claimed Kitodan for $80,000 off Paradise Farms Corp. and David Staudacher and trainer Mike Maker.

The shrew claim reaped immediate returns as Kitodan earned $116,990 for the win and improved his career record to 5-1-3 in 12 starts with earnings of $334,610.

“We claimed him for $80,000 and just wanted to try and win a race,” Foster said. “This race came up and thought we’d give him a shot. What an absolute thrill for our team and these guys behind me. This is so amazing. Gerardo rode a phenomenal race and gave it everything he had and Kitodan responded. What an amazing feeling.”

Breaking from post five, Kitodan settled near the back of the pack as Summer Anthem set the pace through fractions of :23.22, :48.32 and 1:13.94. Both Smokin’T and Kitodan commenced their moves around the final turn and emerged into the stretch as the two clear leaders. Kitodan, on the far outside, battled with Smokin’T shoulder-to-shoulder and emerged as the slim winner.

Kitodan paid $82, $29.20 and $10.80. Smokin’T, under John Velazquez at 8-1, returned $8.40 and $4.40. Grand Sonata, the 5-2 favorite, was another 3 ¾ lengths back in third under Tyler Gaffalione and paid $3 to show.

Play Action Pass, Red Run, Major General, James Jones, Speaking Scout, Summer Anthem, Spin Wheel and Tallahatchiebridge completed the order of finish.

Kitodan, a son of Point of Entry out of the A.P. Indy mare Divine Presence, was bred in Kentucky byFlaxman Holdings Limited.

The Audubon, named after the nearby Louisville neighborhood, serves as a prelude to the $200,000 American Derby (Listed) for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on turf on Saturday, July 2.

With numerous longshots throughout the card Saturday, no one hit the 20-cent Derby City 6, which has created a $253,610 jackpot carryover into Sunday’s nine-race card that begins at 12:45 p.m. ET. Also, there is a $12,545 carryover for the $1 Super Hi 5 in the finale.

Saturday’s late 50-cent Pick 5 paid a whopping $424,390.50.

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REGRET QUOTES

Julien Leparoux (jockey, Walkathon, winner) – “She can be a bit hyper and get worked up but that’s just who she is. In the race she was able to settle in a good position off (Lola Flo) and she was full of run at the end. I couldn’t ask for anything more. She loves this turf and has really shown that her last few starts.”

          On winning 1,000 races at Churchill Downs: “It feels great and I’m glad to get it done today for Ian. I’ve ridden for him for about 15 years now and it’s special to be able to get this milestone with him. I can’t really pick a moment that stands out above the others for the 1,000 wins but I’m very thankful for everyone who’s gotten me this far.”

Ian Wilkes (trainer, Walkathon, winner) – “First off I have to congratulate Julien (Leparoux) on his 1,000 wins at Churchill. That’s quite the accomplishment and he gave this filly a great trip. She was settled just off the speed in a perfect position. Julien kept her in the clear and she was able to have the perfect trip to the wire.”

Josh Flores (assistant trainer, McKulick, runner-up) – “She as simply second best today. Ran hard but couldn’t catch the winner”

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SHAWNEE QUOTES

Francisco Arrieta (jockey, She’s All Wolfe, winner) – “In the first turn she got into trouble but after that I was able to get her to relax up the backside. I know (Pauline’s Pearl) was a big favorite but I thought my filly was going to be just as tough with her again. Around the turn I was able to get closer to the front and in the stretch she was able to keep running hard past those fillies. It’s amazing to win a race like this for Donnie (Von Hemel) and the owners.”

Donnie K. Von Hemel (trainer, She’s All Wolfe, winner) – “I think going into the race we all knew Pauline’s Pearl was the one to beat. We ran against her the last couple of starts but my filly was training really well out of the (La Troienne) and I was willing to give her another chance. She got into a little trouble in that first turn but she kept battling all the way to the wire. We’re very proud of her and thrilled to win this race.”

Robertino Diodoro (trainer, Ava’s Grace, runner-up) – “She was relaxed on the lead and was really digging in and fighting all the way to the finish. Just a tough beat for a really nice horse.”

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ARLINGTON QUOTES

John Velazquez (jockey, Admission Office, winner) – “He just kept finding more and more with each stride. He was sitting in a good trip and relaxed off the pace. I tipped him in the clear mid-stretch and he kept accelerating.”

Brian Lynch (trainer, Admission Office, winner) – “Being off a layoff, to run like that was phenomenal. I thought we had a lot of horse when Johnny (Velazquez) turned for home. I’m really thankful for the Amermans for being patient with him getting back to the races. He kept having a few setbacks and it took us a little longer to get back to the track. He’s always had a lot of talent and has run in some serious races in the past. To show up and perform like that against these horses didn’t surprise me because of his back class. I’d think staying here for a race like the (July 2) Wise Dan (GII) would be the next move.”

Harlan Malter (co-owner, Get Smokin, runner-up) – “You won’t find a more honest horse than him. He ran such a great effort in his first start back from Dubai. He was just three jumps too short.”

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ARISTIDES QUOTES

Tyler Gaffalione (jockey, Bango, winner) – “He loves this track and is a super nice horse. We got away a bit slow but sat in a good position off the pace. He kept finding more with every stride.”

Greg Foley (trainer, Bango, winner) – “What a nice horse. He loves this track and that’s home for us. He needed that last race off the layoff and I guess they (bettors) forgot how much he loves it here. He’s 7-for-13 now. That speaks for itself. He got off a bit slow from the rail today and he’s shown he can be a multi-dimensional horse. Tyler (Gaffalione) gave him a great ride and was able to get him to relax. (Owners) Fred and Debbie Schwartz have a really nice horse and we’ll try to run him as much as we can this year at Churchill.”

Rey Gutierrez (jockey, Top Gunner, third) –  “He got a little green in the stretch. He tried really hard and we just couldn’t hold off the winner.”

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BLAME QUOTES

Tyler Gaffalione (jockey, Dynamic One, winner) – “I had a pretty good idea of his running style and let him settle off of the early pace. He took the kickback really well and had a powerful kick down the lane. It set up perfectly for him and he came rolling late.”

Stu Hampson (assistant trainer, Dynamic One, winner) – “He ran a heck of a race this afternoon. I thought the pace would set up pretty well for his running style coming from off of it. He’s a really nice colt and has kept showing improvement this year after coming back as a 4-year-old. We’ll leave it up to (trainer) Todd (Pletcher) and the team to see if we stay here for the Stephen Foster but we can’t be more pleased with his race today.”

Luis Saez (jockey, Proxy, runner-up) – “The more I asked him, the more he kept trying. He was running again in late stretch. I thought he ran a really nice race.”

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AUDUBON QUOTES

Eric Foster (trainer, Kitodan, winner) – “We claimed him for $80,000 and just wanted to try and win a race. This race came up and thought we’d give him a shot. What an absolute thrill for our team and these guys behind me. This is so amazing. Gerardo rode a phenomenal race and gave it everything he had and Kitodan responded. What an amazing feeling.”