Churchill Downs stakes recaps: Lady Radler ($48.40) takes G3 Dogwood
Churchill Downs stakes recaps by the track’s publicity office (Coady photo of Lady Radler winning the G3, $300,000 Dogwood under Jesus Castanon)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023) – Lady Radler, sent off as the longest shot in field of nine 3-year-old fillies, emerged with the lead with three-sixteenths of a mile to the finish and ran away to a 2 ¾-length victory over Metaphysical in Saturday night’s 48th running of the $299,750 Dogwood Stakes (Grade III) – the feature race before a crowd of 12,744 at Churchill Downs for the final “Downs After Dark” event of the year.
Campaigned by Chicago-based trainer Michael Campbell for owner George Mellon’s Mellon Patch Inc.,Lady Radler covered seven furlongs in 1:22.71 under jockey Jesus Castanon. It was Campbell’s third graded-stakes victory and first since 2006.
The $178,800 first prize jumped Lady Radler’s earnings to $371,200 from a record of 5-2-1 in 10 starts.
Sent off at 23-1, Lady Radler paid $48.40, $18.44 and $10.44. Metaphysical, the 5-2 second betting choice ridden by Ricardo Santana Jr., returned $4.24 and $3.02. Yesternight, the 5-2 favorite with James Graham up, was 1 ¾ lengths back of the runner-up and paid $3.64 to show.
Twice as Sweet, Santa Fe Gold, Alexa Lou, B G Warrior, Norah G and Flamand completed the order of finish.
Breaking from post position No. 5, Lady Radler sat just off early leaders B G Warrior and Twice as Sweet, who rattled off early fractions of :22.26 and :45.48. Under a snug hold from Castanon down the backstretch and into the turn, Lady Radler was finally let run at the top of the stretch as she tipped outside of Twice as Sweet, took over in upper stretch and drew away from a chasing Metaphysical and a closing Yesternight.
“I’ve been on her before and she’s a really nice horse,” Castanon said. “I’ve worked her and I always thought she would breakthrough in graded stakes company. Tonight she did just that and I’m very proud of her.”
This was the second stakes victory for Lady Radler but first against graded stakes company. In May, she won the $50,000 Goldfinch at Prairie Meadows.
Lady Radler is a daughter of Kantharos out of the London News (SAF) mare Sally Bowles (SAF) and was bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC.
The Dogwood is named for the hardy, blooming tree that adds so much beauty to the spring landscape in Kentucky.
DOGWOOD QUOTES
Jesus Castanon (jockey, Lady Radler, winner): “I’ve been on her before and she’s a really nice horse. I’ve worked her and I always thought she would breakthrough in graded stakes company. Tonight she did just that and I’m very proud of her.”
Jeff Hiles (trainer, Metaphysical, runner-up): “She ran a huge race. She’s graded stakes placed after this and that’s big on her resume.”
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SLIP MAHONEY COLLARS BIG DATA IN $300,000 BOURBON TRAIL
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023) – Slip Mahoney, the runner-up in the $300,000 Gotham (GIII) in March and $250,000 St. Louis Derby four weeks ago, collected his first stakes victory in Saturday night’s third running of the $300,000 Bourbon Trail ® for 3-year-olds at Churchill Downs when he collared Big Data inside the final 50 yards to win by a neck.
Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Gerardo Corrales, Slip Mahoney covered the 1 3/16 miles on a fast track in 1:56.66.
Manciata d’Oro and Oscar Eclipse set the pace in the marathon for six 3-year-olds through fractions of :23.63, :48.04 and 1:12.63 as Big Data tracked in the clear from the outside and Slip Mahoney tucked into a ground-saving trip along the rail in fourth. Into the final turn, Big Data was the first to move and left the bend in front of Oscar Eclipse, but Slip Mahoney tipped out at the top of the stretch and continue to wear down those two throughout the stretch with a three-wide determined move.
“He kept fighting hard the entire stretch,” Corrales said. “I’m very proud of him.”
The victory was worth $183,450 for owner Al Gold’s Gold Square LLC and increased Slip Mahoney’s earnings to $450,300 with a record of 3-3-0 in nine starts.
“We’re really proud of his effort tonight,” said Trace Messina, assistant to Cox. “He really fought hard the entire way down the lane and Gerardo really timed it well tonight. We knew a couple of horses may show some tactical speed in this race. It worked out well for us with this horse’s style.”
Slip Mahoney is a Kentucky-bred son of Arrogate out of the A.P. Indy mare Got Lucky and was bred byHill ‘N’ Dale Equine Holdings Inc. and Philip J. Steinberg.
Slip Mahoney returned $6.76, $3.78 and $2.48 as the 2-1 favorite. Big Data, under Emisael Jaramillo at odds of 5-2, returned $3.94 and $2.62. Oscar Eclipse, with Cristian Torres up, was another 3 ¼ lengths back in third and paid $2.62 to show at 2-1.
It was another 3 ½ lengths back to Denington, who was followed in order by Manciata d’Oro and Shirl’s Bee. Lincoln Highway was scratched.
The Bourbon Trail ® honors the profound history and proud tradition of “America’s Official Native Spirit” when the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) established the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® in 1999, a road trip-style experience for bourbon lovers to visit the Bluegrass State’s signature distilleries.
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail ® and Bourbon Trail ® are trademarks/service marks of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association used by Churchill Downs Inc. pursuant to license. The Kentucky Distillers’ Association and its member distilleries ask that you please enjoy Kentucky Bourbon responsibly.
BOURBON TRAIL QUOTES
Gerardo Corrales (jockey, Slip Mahoney, winner): “He kept fighting hard the entire stretch. I’m very proud of him.”
Trace Messina (assistant trainer, Slip Mahoney, winner): “We’re really proud of his effort tonight. He really fought hard the entire way down the lane and Gerardo (Corrales) really timed it well tonight. We knew a couple of horses may show some tactical speed in this race. It worked out well for us with this horse’s style.”
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EVERSO MISCHIEVOUS MUCH THE BEST IN $300,000 HARRODS CREEK
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023) – Everso Mischievous, the even-money favorite, tracked pacesetter Bouncer in the early stages of the sprint before he grabbed the lead at the head of the stretch and rolled home to a 3 ¼-length score over Bourbon Bash in Saturday night’s third running of the $300,000 Harrods Creek for 3-year-olds at Churchill Downs.
Everso Mischievous, a son of Into Mischief, clocked seven furlongs over a fast track in 1:22.15 underCristian Torres, who rode the winner for trainer Brad Cox and owner Qatar Racing LLC.
The winner’s share of $183,450 increased Everso Mischievous’ earnings to $359,640 with a record of 3-2-0 in five starts.
“Cristian gave him a great ride tonight,” said Cox’s assistant Trace Messina. “He has some natural early speed but does well with a target. He got a perfect trip tonight.”
Bouncer broke fastest from post No. 4 in the field of six sophomores but Everso Mischievous quickly ranged up to Bouncer’s right hip as they rattled off early fractions of :22.79 and :45.31. For a moment, it looked as if Bourbon Bash would mount a challenge after tracking the duo from the rail but Everso Mischievous was much the best once he took over off the turn and drew off down the lane for the comfortable win.
“This was the first time I was aboard him but I watched all his races,” Torres said. “Last time they put blinkers on him and it helped him be more forward. Every time he ran he had a target. If he gets in front too early he gets a little lazy. I had a lot of horse beneath me down the lane but I had to stay after him. He responded the entire time.”
Everso Mischievous, who collected his first stakes victory in his stakes debut, returned $4.38, $2.98 and $2.10. Bourbon Bash, under Jaime Torres, paid $9.34 and $4.84 at odds of 11-1. It was another 2 ¾ lengths back to Loyal Company in third, who returned $2.80 to show under Declan Cannon at 5-2.
Determinedly, Bouncer and Mount Up completed the running order. Praetorian Guard was scratched.
Everso Mischievous is out of the Medaglia d’Oro mare Ever So Clever and was bred in Kentucky byClearsky Farms.
The race honors the neighborhood of Louisville centered near Harrods Creek at the intersection of River Road and Wolf Pen Branch Road. It is roughly bordered by the Ohio River to the west and US 42 to the east. Formerly an unincorporated community, it was designated a neighborhood of Louisville when the city merged with Jefferson County in 2003.
HARRODS CREEK QUOTES
Cristian Torres (jockey, Everso Mischievous, winner): “This was the first time I was aboard him but I watched all his races. Last time they put blinkers on him and it helped him be more forward. Every time he ran he had a target. If he gets in front too early he gets a little lazy. I had a lot of horse beneath me down the lane but I had to stay after him. He responded the entire time.”
Trace Messina (assistant trainer, Everso Mischievous, winner): “Cristian (Torres) gave him a great ride tonight. He has some natural early speed but does well with a target. He got a perfect trip tonight.”
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XIGERA SHINES ON DIRT WITH 6 ¼-LENGTH $171,750 SENECA WIN
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023) – Richard Rigney’s Xigera tracked pacesetter She’s Lookin Lucky throughout the early stages of Saturday night’s third running of the $171,750 Seneca Overnight Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Churchill Downs before she was cut loose for her best run and responded with a 6 ¼-length triumph in her return to dirt.
Ridden by Julien Leparoux and trained by Phil Bauer, Xigera – named after a safari lodge in Botswana – ran 1 1/16 miles over a fast track in 1:41.92 to collect her fourth win in eight starts. The $105,836 winner’s share increased Xigera’s earnings to $439,101.
Xigera, winner of the $224,000 Tepin over turf at Ellis Park in July, returned to dirt for only the second time of her career. Last fall as a 2-year-old, she finished fourth but was placed third in the $500,000 Alcibiades (Grade I). All of her other starts came on grass until Saturday night.
“She was super impressive tonight,” Bauer said. “We’ve always been super confident with her in the mornings but to run like that is something special. With efforts like that you soak it up. Horse racing is hard. So we enjoy these moments. We knew the 3-year-old filly division was a little murky – especially on dirt. Once we brought her home we thought this would be a really good spot to get her back on dirt.”
She’s Lookin Lucky led the field of seven 3-year-old fillies through comfortable early splits of :24.01, :48.07 and 1:12.24. But Xigera was menacing presence from the outside as they left the final turn and she displayed a powerful late kick to win for fun.
“She’s run well in the past on turf but really handled the dirt well tonight,” Leparoux said.
Xigera paid $7.80, $4.06 and $2.80 as the 5-2 third betting choice. She’s Lookin Lucky, ridden by Ricardo Santana Jr., returned $6.98 and $3.84. It was another length back to Taxed in third under Cristian Torres, who paid $2.84 to show.
Sabra Tuff, 3-2 favorite Poblano, Fun and Feisty and Champagne Calling completed the order of finish.Nomadic Pride was scratched.
Xigera was bred in Kentucky by Cedar Hill LLC. She is a daughter of Nyquist out of the Black Tie Affair (IRE) mare Argent Affair.
The race honors Seneca Park, which was the last park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted’s firm in Louisville. The park resides in the Louisville neighborhood of Seneca Gardens. It is part of the Cherokee-Seneca neighborhood, which is bounded by I-64 and other hilly neighborhoods.
SENECA OVERNIGHT STAKES QUOTES
Julien Leparoux (jockey, Xigera, winner): “She’s run well in the past on turf but really handled the dirt well tonight.”
Phil Bauer (trainer, Xigera, winner): “She was super impressive tonight. We’ve always been super confident with her in the mornings but to run like that is something special. With efforts like that you soak it up. Horse racing is hard. So we enjoy these moments. We knew the 3-year-old filly division was a little murky – especially on dirt. Once we brought her home we thought this would be a really good spot to get her back on dirt.”
