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Horse Racing News and Commentary |
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Chelokee likely favorite in Native Dancer |
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Written by Gohorsepower.com
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Monday, 11 June 2007 |
 Barbaro Stakes winner Chelokee looms the deserving favorite in this weekend's Grade 3 Northern Dancer Stakes. The Michael Matz-trained son of Cherokee Run will start from post seven in a field of eight, and has delivered two sharp works at Fair Hill training Center in preparation to beat other top contenders like Zanjero, trained by Steve Asmussen; Loose leaf, trained by Ken McPeek; and Sam P., trained by Todd Pletcher.
 Third after a tough check in the Florida Derby, Chelokee didn't have enough earnings to make the Kentucky Derby, and besides he was healing from a bruised foot. Chelokee previously left an impression when he was pulled to the back, out of a crowded Gulfstream Allowance field, then rallied, splitting foes like a rocket to win just in time. The Barbaro Stakes on the Preakness undercard was an easy romp for Matz's well-conditioned colt. Chelokee races for the stable of Centennial Farms, and breezed four furlongs in 49.20 over a fast track on June 3rd (fastest of two), followed by five furlongs in 1:02 flat over a fast track on June 9 (fastest of 12). The colt arrived at Churchill Downs on Wednesday.
Chelokee was a heavy favorite in the Barbaro Stakes, the Native Dancer field should offer better value in the exotics for racing fans rooting for Chelokee again this Saturday.
Churchill Downs - June 16th, 2007 - Race 7
Northern Dancer Breeders' Cup S. - Grade: 3
Estimated Local Post Time: 4:17 PM Eastern |
Race Type: Stakes
Breed: Thoroughbred
Age Restriction: Three Year Old
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Purse: $200,000
Distance: One And One Sixteenth Miles
Surface: Dirt |
| Post |
Horse Name |
Age |
Sex |
Weight |
Jockey Name |
| 1 |
Loose Leaf (KY) |
3 |
Colt |
116 |
Robby Albarado |
| 2 |
Zanjero (KY) |
3 |
Colt |
116 |
Shaun Bridgmohan |
| 3 |
Portobello Road (KY) |
3 |
Colt |
116 |
Calvin H. Borel |
| 4 |
Prom Shoes (KY) |
3 |
Colt |
116 |
Edgar S. Prado |
| 5 |
True Competitor (KY) |
3 |
Colt |
116 |
Rafael Bejarano |
| 6 |
Tsali (KY) |
3 |
Colt |
116 |
Corey S. Nakatani |
| 7 |
Chelokee (KY) |
3 |
Colt |
120 |
Ramon A. Dominguez |
| 8 |
Sam P. (KY) |
3 |
Colt |
116 |
John R. Velazquez |
Related reports:
Churchill Downs Barn Notes
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