Save Big Money, High Blues Dead Heat in Churchill Feature as Leparoux Takes Sixth on Day
by: Jennifer Stevens
Louisville, KY (June 27, 2007) --
Tomisue Hilbert and John R. Menard’s Save Big Money and Dixiana Stables Inc.’s High Blues turned a grueling stretch duel into a dead heat at Churchill Downs on Wednesday, as the photo finish camera found the pair inseparable at the wire in Churchill Downs’ $52,500 feature race, a 1 1/16-mile allowance for horses ages three and up.
Julien Leparoux, aboard High Blues, scored his sixth win of the day with the victory after having won the first (Star Crest, $11.40), second (Counselled, $5), third (Payment in Kind, $9.60), fourth (Gem Sleuth, $15.40) and seventh (Patricia’s Cat, $5.60) races earlier on the nine-race card. It was the eighth time in track history that a single rider captured six wins in a day.
“It’s pretty good - it’s one of the better days I’ve had,” said Leparoux, who became the fifth rider in Churchill Downs history to win aboard six mounts in a day, and the first since Pat Day in 1999. “I rode five winners in one day, but never six - this is the first time I’ve gotten six wins.”
Both High Blues and Save Big Money, with Rafael Bejarano aboard, were unhurried early in the field of six as they trailed fractions of :23.95 for the quarter mile, :47.34 for the half and 1:12.17 for the six furlongs set by pacesetter Passport, who opened as much as four lengths on the field down the backstretch. He was quickly reeled in by the charging High Blues, however, and that pair began a fierce duel that ended with them together at the wire, clearing third-place Itsallboutthechase by 1 3/4 lengths.
The victory was the third in 16 lifetime starts for High Blues, who had been racing well in allowance company for trainer George Arnold since his return from a eight-month layoff in April. The 4-year-old son of High Yield returned $3.20, $3.40 and $2.60 as the favorite. Save Big Money, trained by Neil Howard, recorded his third victory in 14 lifetime starts, having run third in his two most recent efforts at Churchill Downs. A 4-year-old son of Storm Cat out of multiple Grade I stakes winner Tomisue’s Delight, Save Big Money paid $6.40, $6 and $3.80 for his share of the win. They completed the 1 1/16 miles over a track rated “fast” in 1:42.80. Itsallboutthechase, with Robby Albarado aboard, hung on for third and paid $3.
The $21,667 winner’s share of the purse increased High Blues’ lifetime earnings to $141,142, and Save Big Money’s career earnings to $112,027.
Churchill Downs, the world’s most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America’s greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875. Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN) also operates Trackside at Churchill Downs, which offers year-round simulcast wagering at the historic track. Churchill Downs will conduct the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 3, 2008. The track’s 2007 Spring Meet is currently underway and concludes on July 8. Churchill Downs has hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championships a record six times. Information about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.churchilldowns.com.
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