We were asked by the folks at Bulleit Bourbon to do a report for their private party Thursday night at Churchill Downs. In eight races, we had five winners on the card:
BULLEIT BOURBON DAY AT CHURCHILL DOWNS – THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2017
(5:00) CD 1st Race – #4 LITTLE BIT IRISH ran well in his last start at Keeneland 18 days ago. He’s only run one clunker in his last five starts and seems solid in this event under leading rider Corey Lanerie.
(5:29) CD 2nd Race – #2 THERIGHTTOBEARARMS ran fourth in her debut to the promising filly Nootka Sound, who is probably headed to Royal Ascot. She broke slowly that afternoon and should be sharper with experience. The drop from maiden special weight races to maiden claiming is huge and her trainer, William Helmbrecht, has a better record second time out.
(5:58) CD 3rd Race –#7 CHEYENNE BLUES owns an excellent closing kick and there seems like enough early speed types are entered to make her late run effective. Trainer J.R. Caldwell wins first time out with 14% of his claims.
(6:27) CD 4th Race –#5 PRINCESS EMBER has been facing easier company at Mahoning Valley and will need some improvement to hit the winners’ circle. She has tactical speed and gets a top jockey for this run, so it is not out of the question.
(7:54) CD 7th Race – #7 WAGON BOSS ran against an unbelievably good field in an allowance race at Keeneland last time out. He actually had a shot to win, which doesn’t reflect in his running line, so this easier bunch offers him a big shot at a monster price. Trainer Ignacio Correas, IV often succeeds in having his charges outrun their odds and this could be another one.