Big Invasion, Top Gunner Shine May 4 at Churchill Downs
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Photo: Coady Photography
Big Invasion wins the William Walker Stakes at Churchill Downs
Reeves Thoroughbred Racing's Big Invasion swept to the front with a three-wide move in the stretch and then held off a late run from B D Valeski by two lengths to win the $200,000 William Walker Stakes for 3-year-olds May 4 at Churchill Downs.
One race prior, 4 G Racing's Top Gunner won the inaugural running of the $160,000 St. Matthews Overnight Stakes for 4-year-olds and up.
In the William Walker, Big Invasion saved ground in the run down the backstretch as Candy Landing and Run Curtis Run dueled through a :22.93 opening quarter.
On the far turn, jockey Joel Rosario tipped Big Invasion off the rail and came with a three-wide move that propelled him to the front at midstretch and provided enough of a cushion to hold off B D Valeski, who rallied from last in the field of seven.
"I was in tight on the turn, but he got out and then he finished really well," said Rosario. "He's a nice horse. I think he'd probably be good running farther, too."
Trained by Christophe Clement, Big Invasion completed 5 1/2 furlongs on firm turf in 1:03.73, shattering the stakes record of 1:05.63 established last year by Field Day.
"He's really coming on," owner Dean Reeves said. "He looked very focused today and I was really happy with the way he came into the race. Christophe Clement had him ready to go. He shipped in well. We feel really good about his run today."
Big Invasion returned $3 on a $2 win ticket. B D Valeski settled for second, while Run Curtis Run completed the trifecta.
A Kentucky-bred son of Declaration of War out of the Curlin mare Curls in Place, Big Invasion now has three wins and a second from four starts, with earnings of $210,295. He was bred by John O'Meara and was a $72,000 purchase by Taproot Bloodstock from Vinery Sales' consignment to the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
Top Gunner Fires Fast
In the St. Matthews, Top Gunner surged past front-runner Quick Tempo at the three-sixteenths pole and held off a bid from favored Tulane Tryst to win by two lengths.
Trained by John Ortiz and ridden by Reylu Gutierrez for his third winner of the afternoon, the 5-year-old Into Mischief gelding completed six furlongs on a fast main track in 1:08.88.
Quick Tempo was quickest out of the gate and led the field of six through an opening quarter-mile in :21.56, with Top Gunner tracking in second.
"I told the rider, get to the front with him at some point in the race," Ortiz said. "He's the kind of horse that wants to be in the race. He runs better that way. We claimed him for $30,000 last year and we had to learn what he was about. I don't train all my horses the same; I've got to learn what each one is about. I've been working with this one and I think I've got him figured out. He's running good now."
Top Gunner soars home in the St. Matthews Overnight Stakes
On the far turn, Top Gunner began to close in and drew on even terms at the head of the stretch before pushing past shortly thereafter. Returning $12.60 on a $2 win ticket, he held off Tulane Tryst, with Quick Tempo holding third.
"We got out to a good break, and I knew (Quick Tempo) had early speed, especially from handicapping jockeys," Gutierrez said. "Really, who is stronger on the front end in this country than Luis Saez? A horse that has a little bit of speed with him has more speed. Also, I wanted to keep (Top Gunner) wide with the way the rail has seemed today—I didn't want to get sunk in there."
Top Gunner is a Kentucky-bred out of the Pioneerof the Nile mare Downton My Lady. The victory improved his career earnings to $344,993 with a record of 5-3-3 from 15 starts.
Video: William Walker S. (BT)