LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Some comments on the racing surface Saturday at Churchill Downs as the big race approached.
John Velazquez who won the Churchill Downs with front-running Elite Squadron: “It's a fast track today.”
James Baker, trainer of Elite Squadron: “It's obvious the speed is holding today.”
Steve Asmussen, who sent out Noonmark to finish second in the Churchill Downs: “The racetrack is lightning tight. The question will be if you can reel ‘em (the front runners) in.”
La Troienne: Velazquez also had the winner of the sixth race, the $164,450 La Troienne Stakes for three-year-old fillies with 9-to-5 favourite Game Face with a ground-saving ride. She overtook Keep the Peace in the stretch to win by a neck in 1:28.44 for the race distance of 7 ½ furlongs.
Keep the Peace had battled for the early lead with Secret Gypsy in fractions of 22.61 and 44.96. The six furlongs was run in 1:08.89.
Game Face came from just off the early pace, sitting fourth after a quarter of a mile and third after one-half mile and was taken inside for the stretch run. Perhaps the riders found some more clues for the Derby in the way the track is playing.
