Churchill's Iroquois Begins Derby Series

A big-time graded stakes around two turns for 2-year-olds greets Churchill Downs' September fall meet, and while most of the 12 males entered for the $150,000 Iroquois Stakes (gr. III) are light on experience, several are strong on pedigree.

The Iroquois is the official start off the Triple Crown campaign for 2016, as points toward next year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) are on the line. The race is also a "Win and You're In" event for the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I).

Leading the pack from the rail is Conquest Stables' Conquest Windycity, a son of Tiznow   out of the A.P. Indy mare Lasting Appeal. Lasting Appeal is a full sister to successful sire Jump Start   and was a $320,000 sale yearling at last year's Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October sale. Conquest Stables and trainer Mark Casse then went to $800,000 to procure him at this year's Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s March sale.



Conquest Windycity made his debut Aug. 8 at Saratoga Race Course at the same 1 1/16-mile trip, but on the turf, and also broke from the wood. He rallied to finish second that day and figures to move forward in his second start.



Ellis Park maiden winner Unbridled Outlaw was 2-5 in his second start July 25 at the Western Kentucky track. The son of Unbridled's Song is out of Letgomyecho, winner of the 2005 Stonerside Forward Gal Stakes (gr. II). The $330,000 Keeneland September sale grad races for the Albaugh Family Stable, the breeder of last week's Woodward Stakes (gr .I) winner Liam's Map.



Winless in two starts, Condominium has an interesting pedigree. Another son of Tiznow, Condominium is out of Garden District, winner of the 2008 Debutante Stakes (gr. III) under the Twin Spires. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas and longtime clients Robert Baker and William Mack went to $400,000 to get the colt at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale.



Calumet Farm's homebred Star Hill has perhaps the sturdiest pedigree. By Elusive Quality  , Star Hill is out of the French Deputy mare Padmore, who has produced three stakes winners: Canadian champion and grade II winner Leigh Court; two-time Canadian stakes winner Barracks Road, and King of Sydney, a group II winner in Germany.

A pair of minor stakes winners figure to draw attention: Tyro Stakes winner Expected Ruler, who won Monmouth Park's five-furlong turf test in his debut Aug. 9; and Cocked and Loaded, winner of Belmont Park's Tremont Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs in June, but unplaced in a pair of graded sprints since.

A trio of runners with wins, stretching out from six furlong efforts, have landed in the outside three slots: Rated R Superstar, a winner at 1-2 last time at Ellis Park for Radar Racing; Steve Landers' Twirling Cinnamon, who won first out but then was eighth in the Sanford Stakes (gr .III) at Saratoga; and George and Lori Hall's Baychimo, a full brother to grade II-placed Money'soncharlotte.