Cellist Holds Off Reigning Spirit in Louisville Stakes
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Photo: Coady Photography
Cellist wins the Louisville Stakes at Churchill Downs
Cellist won the $199,777 Louisville Stakes (G3T) May 21 at Churchill Downs, capturing his first graded stakes victory by a head over 62-1 shot Reigning Spirit .
The final time was 2:32.12 for the 1 1/2-mile marathon over the Matt Winn Turf Course, which was rated "good" after late afternoon showers.
Ridden by Julien Leparoux, Cellist was rated in the clear in sixth during the early stages of the three-turn race as Cavalry Charge dictated the pace and led the field of 14 older horses through splits of :24.39, :50.25, 1:16.10, 1:41.97, and 2:07.15.
Entering the final turn, Cellist ranged into contention with a wide move, poked his head in front, and inched away inside the final furlong before turning back a late charge from Reigning Spirit.
Rusty Arnold trains the grade 1-placed homebred 4-year-old Big Blue Kitten gelding for Brad Kelley's Calumet Farm.
The win improved Cellist's earnings to $467,875 with a record of 3-2-2 in 10 starts. He returned $13.60 to win as the 5-1 co-second betting choice. Reigning Spirit was second. Highest Honors was another 1 1/4 lengths back in third. Favored Camp Hope ran seventh after encountering traffic problems.
Cellist was bred in Kentucky out of the English Channel mare Cello. From her five foals to start, four are winners, including Novella , who has earnings of $122,725. The dam has a 2-year-old Producer filly.