Mr. Money Looks to Cash in Matt Winn Stakes

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/13/2019 - 10:35
Link: 
Mr. Money Looks to Cash in Matt Winn Stakes
Image: 
Description: 

Photo: Chad B. Harmon
Mr. Money after winning the Pat Day Mile at Churchill Downs

As impressive as Mr. Money's 5 1/4-length victory in the Pat Day Mile Stakes Presented by LG&E and KU (G3) looked May 4 at Churchill Downs, the effort has only been flattered in the weeks that followed.

On June 15, the Allied Racing Stable runner is scheduled to make his first start since that dominating performance when he runs in the $150,000 Matt Winn Stakes (G3) for 3-year-olds at Churchill. Usual rider Gabriel Saez will be aboard in the 1 1/16-mile test.

The one-turn Pat Day Mile has proven to be a key race as runner-up Hog Creek Hustle followed with an upset victory in the June 8 Woody Stephens Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park and fifth-place finisher Everfast posted a runner-up finish at long odds in the May 18 Preakness Stakes (G1) in his next effort. Beyond that, fourth-place Captain Von Trapp earned a stakes placing next out, sixth-place Frolic More won one of two allowance races, and even last-place Mr Money Bags followed with a win in the Texas Stallion Stakes, Stymie Division.

As for Mr. Money, the son of Goldencents  will return to two-turn racing after his first stakes win. Trainer Bret Calhoun said Mr. Money, who finished fourth in last year's Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Churchill, has shown talent from the start.

"He was our original Kentucky Derby horse after his 2-year-old year," Calhoun said. "He trained super into the Pat Day Mile, and he's doing awesome. He's always done everything the right way when he trains in the morning and shows so much talent every day when he steps on the racetrack."

Mr. Money has put together four strong workouts since the Pat Day Mile, including a five-furlong bullet move in :59 4/5 May 31 at Churchill.

While the connections of Mr. Money hope he can build on his success, the connections of Signalman and Knicks Go hope to see their graded stakes winners get on track. Signalman will look for his first victory since closing 2018 with a narrow win in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill, while Knicks Go has lost five consecutive races since winning last year's Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland.

The expected field of seven also includes Hronis Racing's Nolo Contesto, making his first start since finishing fourth in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) for trainer John Sadler, and Winchell Thoroughbreds and Willis Horton Racing's Limonite, who posted a narrow allowance optional claiming win at the Matt Winn distance on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill. Trained by Steve Asmussen, Limonite finished third in last year's Kentucky Jockey Club. Rounding out the field are stakes-placed runners Proverb and Armistice Day.


Entries: Matt Winn S. (G3)

Churchill Downs, Saturday, June 15, 2019, Race 5

  • Grade III
  • 1 1/16m
  • Dirt
  • $150,000
  • 3 yo
  • 8:03 PM (local)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 1Limonite (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Ricardo Santana, Jr. 118 Steven M. Asmussen 7/2
2 2Signalman (KY) Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. 123 Kenneth G. McPeek 4/1
3 3Nolo Contesto (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Joel Rosario 118 John W. Sadler 3/1
4 4Knicks Go (MD)Keeneland Sales Graduate Tyler Gaffalione 123 Ben Colebrook 5/1
5 5Proverb (FL) Calvin H. Borel 120 Ron Moquett 15/1
6 6Mr. Money (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Gabriel Saez 120 W. Bret Calhoun 2/1
7 7Armistice Day (KY) Corey J. Lanerie 118 Thomas Drury, Jr. 20/1