Mr. Misunderstood Tops River City Handicap Field
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Photo: Coady Photography
Mr. Misunderstood makes his winning move in the 2017 Commonwealth Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs
Flurry Racing Stables' 11-time winner Mr. Misunderstood leads an eight-horse field as the 121-pound highweight Nov. 17 in the $100,000 River City Handicap (G3T) at Churchill Downs.
Trained by Louisville native Brad Cox, Mr. Misunderstood has won seven stakes races during his 20-race career, including a half-length victory in the $200,000 Wise Dan Stakes (G2T) during Churchill Downs' spring meet. The 4-year-old gelding by Archarcharch is undefeated in three starts over the Churchill turf course. Most recently, the Kentucky-bred finished sixth in the Oct. 6 Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes (GIT) at Keeneland.
"He's not the biggest horse in the world, but he's a good mover," said jockey Florent Geroux, regular rider for Mr. Misunderstood. "We had the perfect trip in the spring (in the Wise Dan), when I got him covered up behind horses."
WINCZE HUGHES: Mr. Misunderstood Right at Home in Wise Dan Stakes
Cox also entered Steve Landers Racing's Big Changes in the 1 1/8-mile turf test. The 6-year-old chestnut gelding is in search of his sixth consecutive victory after most recently winning a conditional allowance race at Keeneland Oct. 12.
Ken and Sarah Ramsey's multiple graded stakes winner Oscar Nominated is a formidable rival. The 5-year-old son of Kitten's Joy finished off the board in the Sycamore Stakes (G3T), Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes (G3T), and United Nations Stakes (G1T) in his last three starts for trainer Mike Maker but will cut back in distance for the River City.
Oscar Nominated's stablemate, Sir Dudley Digges, is also entered in the River City, as he cuts back in distance and returns from a three-month layoff. The 5-year-old son of Gio Ponti finished third last out in the Aug. 5 Kentucky Downs Preview Calumet Farm Turf Cup Stakes at Ellis Park.
Churchill Downs, Saturday, November 17, 2018, Race 10Entries: River City H. (G3T)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Master Merion (KY)
Albin Jimenez
117
Wesley A. Ward
10/1
2
2Postulation (KY)
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
115
Michael R. Matz
5/1
3
3Mr. Misunderstood (KY)
Florent Geroux
121
Brad H. Cox
8/5
4
4Oscar Nominated (KY)
Tyler Gaffalione
120
Michael J. Maker
4/1
5
5Big Changes (FL)
Julien R. Leparoux
119
Brad H. Cox
5/1
6
6Team Colors (KY)
Adam Beschizza
115
Joe Sharp
12/1
7
7Flatlined (KY)
Joseph Rocco, Jr.
116
Kelly R. Von Hemel
15/1
8
8Sir Dudley Digges (ON)
Corey J. Lanerie
117
Michael J. Maker
8/1
