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 |
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
Did you enjoy this article? Please bookmark it onto:
