Mercante wins the Arlington in May. (Julie Clark/Coady Media)
Grade II winner R Disaster leads 10 fillies in $300,000 Dream Supreme
Darren Rogers/Churchill Downs
LOUISVILLE, KY. – Carl Pollard‘s multi-rated stakes-winning gelding Trader will return to Churchill Downs on Saturday and will face a competitive cast of 12 turf specialists competing in the 46e hosting the $300,000 River City (Grade III), one of two events on the eleven-race schedule.
The 1 1/8-mile River City, run on the Matt Winn Turf Course, is scheduled as Race 11 at 5:55 p.m. (all times Eastern). One race earlier, female sprinters took center stage in the 20e execution of the $300,000 Dream Supreme Stakes (mentioned). First message is 1 p.m
Mercante, trained by Brian Knippenberg, scored a gritty neck victory in the Arlington Stakes (GIII) in late May Brilliant Berti at Churchill Downs. Before that effort, the 5-year-old homebred son of Gun Runner won the Kentucky Cup Classic (GIII) at Turfway Park, finishing three-quarters of a length behind Spirit of St. Louis in the Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (GI). Joe Ramos, who has been aboard for Mercante’s last seven starts, retains the mount and will break from post No. 7.
Chief among his rivals in the race includes millionaire Lagynos of HRH Sultan Bin Mishal Al Saud. Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, the 4-year-old son of Kantharos quickly finished third in the Arlington Stakes. After that race, he romped 5 ¼ lengths in the Tapit Stakes at Kentucky Downs before finishing second in the Mint Millions Invitational (GIII) a week later. Frankie Dettori, who stated that Argine (JPN) in Saturday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile (GI) at Del Mar would be his last horse in North America, he would ride and leave after 9.
Other contenders in the River City involve Godolphins Presque Isle Mile winner Encino; Winner of Welch Racing’s Mint Millions Invitational Epic ride and that of Lael Stable Take candya grade III winner and runner-up in the Wise Dan (GII).
The field for the River city
For the latest information on the Churchill Downs Fall Meet and to purchase tickets, visit www.churchilldowns.com.
Grade II winner R Disaster leads 10 fillies in $300,000 Dream Supreme
Averill Racing, Two Eight Racing and ATM Racing’s recent Gallant Bloom Stakes (Grade II) winner R Disaster leads a competitive field of 10 fillies and mares competing in Saturday’s 20e managing the $300,000 Dream Supreme Stakes (listed) at Churchill Downs.
The Dream Supreme Stakes, contested at six furlongs on the main track, is one of two stakes events on Saturday’s 11-race card, along with the $300,000 River City (GIII). The Dream Supreme heads to Race 10 at 5:25pm and the River City field heads to Race 11. The first post is at 1pm
The speedy R Disaster, trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., scored a front-run victory over seven rivals in the Sept. 27 Gallant Bloom at the Belmont at Aqueduct competition. Overall, the four-year-old daughter of Awesome Slew has never finished outside the top 2 from 12 starts with seven wins and five second-place finishes. Before the Gallant Bloom, R Disaster scored a dominant 6 ½-length victory in the Rehoboth Stakes at Delaware Park, finishing second a half-length behind his fellow Dream Supreme rival. Halina’s Forte in the Honorable Miss (GII) at Saratoga. R Disaster leaves post #7 with Jose Ortiz in the saddle.
The aforementioned Halina’s Forte will look to upset R Disaster again in the Dream Supreme, breaking from post 10 under Irad Oritz Jr. Owned by Rigney Racing and trained by Phil Bauer, the 4-year-old daughter of Mitole is a six-time winner from 16 starts, including her 24-1 victory in the Honorable Miss 14 weeks ago. After that race, she disappointed in both the Ballerina (GI) and Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (GII), finishing fifth and seventh respectively.
Other likely top contenders in the Dream Supreme include Summerhill Stables’ Roxelana Stakes (Listed) winner Mink’s Palace; Todd Senger, Rebel Racing and recent Dennis Park grant winner Sudden switch; and Miller Racing’s Parx invader Taliesinwho dominated a recent allowance race by nine lengths.
The field for the Dream supreme commitment
For the latest information on the Churchill Downs Fall Meet and to purchase tickets, visit www.churchilldowns.com.
AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STRETCH … … …. ……
The 20-cent Derby City 6 jackpot has risen to $123,267 for Sunday’s card, which started at 1 p.m. The series included races 4-9, with the $3 Late Pick 3 starting in Race 7. …
Winner of the Sunshine Stakes bet Roll on Big Joe achieved his second-highest Brisnet Speed Rating of 102 for his 4 ½-length victory on Saturday. His highest score, a 106, came earlier this year in the Palos Verdes Stakes (GIII) at Santa Anita. …
Jockey Edgar Morales was rid of his mounts Friday-Sunday after his mount, Midnight Flightclipped heels in Race 4 Thursday, dropping Morales to the five-sixteenth pole. He continued to ride for the remainder of Thursday’s card, but later underwent a procedure at UofL Hospital. …
Most of the Churchill Downs-based Breeders’ Cup contingent will fly back from Del Mar on Sunday and Monday. Sunday’s flight, which was scheduled to arrive at 3:35 p.m., includes Clicquot, Gin Gin, Infinite sky, Destruction, Stellify And Will take it. Monday’s finishes include third place in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (GI). Gassed and Kentucky Derby 150 winner Mystical Daanwho was a vet of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (GI). …
After the dark days on Monday and Tuesday, a five-day racing week starts on Wednesday with daily first reports from Wednesday at 1 p.m. Senior Day and guests 60 and older can enjoy lunch on Millionaires’ Row for $45. Tickets are available by calling (502) 636-4450. Next Sunday is Military Appreciation Day presented by Coca-Cola where active and retired military members receive free general admission or discounted tickets to Millionaires’ Row with a valid military ID…
For more information about the Churchill Downs Fall Meet, visit www.churchilldowns.com.
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