Holy Cow! Cubs win! Cubs win! Bregman horse wins with his teammates on hand
Today’s Churchill Downs media notes by the track’s publicity department (Coady Media photo above of Chicago Cubs players in the winner’s circle with Act of Parliament, jockey Axel Concepcion and trainer Will Walden)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Friday, Sept. 18, 2026) – The Chicago Cubs flew the W at Churchill Downs on Thursday night when Alex Bregman’s Act of Parliament rallied to win the final race of the evening with nearly the entire team there to celebrate.
The Cubs used their Thursday off day to visit Churchill Downs before beginning a three-game series Friday against the Cincinnati Reds.
Trained by Will Walden, Act of Parliament overcame a troubled start and rallied five-wide under Axel Concepcion to win the 6 ½-furlong maiden claiming event by three-quarters of a length. The 3-year-old son of Quality Road completed the distance in 1:18.07 and returned $8.68.
“It was electric,” Walden said. “To have Alex and the entire team here and then have the horse come through like that made it a pretty special night.”
The evening quickly became a team affair. Several Cubs rookies dressed in racing-themed costumes, including pitcher Ryan Rolison, who spent part of the evening in a horse costume, and Pedro Ramirez, who dressed as a jockey. Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong also delivered a paddock pep talk to Act of Parliament before the race.
“PCA pep talk, we couldn’t lose,” Bregman said.
Apparently, he was right.
Act of Parliament, who was squeezed at the start, settled off the pace before circling the field five-wide and getting up in the final strides.
“What a fun night,” Concepcion said. “It was so awesome to have the support of the entire team. You could hear them and feel the energy. It was something I’ll never forget.”
The celebration carried into the winner’s circle, where Cubs players chanted “Axel” before lifting Concepcion into the air. Manager Craig Counsell even got involved and led Act of Parliament into the winner’s circle after the race.
Act of Parliament, who was purchased for $65,000 at the Fasig-Tipton August Digital Sale and banked $27,108 Thursday, was claimed in a six-way shake for $20,000 by Four Corners Racing, Cory Moelis Racing andJeremy Sussman and transferred to trainer Matt Shirer.
DOWN THE STRETCH – Live racing continued Friday with Senior Day. First post for the 10-race card was 12:45 p.m. There was a $41,156 carryover in the 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot and a $368,053 carryover in the $1 Jackpot 8. … Congratulations to trainer Greg Foley, who was named to the Oldham County Hall of Fame’s Class of 2027. Foley will be recognized Friday night at the Oldham County High School football game, with the formal induction ceremony scheduled for April. … Trainer Tommy Drury Jr. has been on fire with his first-time starters. Since Aug. 1, Drury has won with three of six first-time starters, with another finishing third, and recorded a $2 return on investment of $10.06. … Several local jockeys will be at Parx on Saturday to ride in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (GI): Jose Ortiz aboard Iron Honor, Luis Saez aboard Igniter and Tyler Gaffalione aboardSassmaster. Jockey Yedsit Hazlewood also will be at Parx with mounts in five races, including Wild Vine in the $300,000 Parx Dirt Mile (Listed) and Stronsino in the $150,000 Greenwood Cup (Listed). … Guests traveling to Churchill Downs this weekend should expect heavier traffic because of multiple events in the area, including the four-day Louder Than Life music festival and Saturday’s football game between the University of Louisville and SMU at 3:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to use I-264 and Taylor Boulevard to access the track’s frontside parking lots.… “Inside Churchill Downs” returns Friday at 6 p.m. on ESPN 680/105.7. The one-hour show will preview Saturday’s card at Churchill Downs and look at some of the other notable races around the country. Those outside the Louisville area can listen live on www.espnlouisville.com.
