Juddmonte's multiple graded stakes-winning homebred Set Piece returns to action at Churchill Downs June 3 for the $225,000 Arlington Stakes (G3T), a 1 1/16 turf event for 4-year-olds and up.
The 7-year-old son of Dansili looks to push his earnings over the million mark in the Arlington as he seeks his first graded win since the 2022 Baltimore/Washington International Turf Cup Stakes (G3T) at Pimlico Race Course last September. His only start for 2023 is a third in the May 5 Opening Verse Stakes.
Trained by Brad Cox, the gelding—who began his career in England—has come home victorious in 11 of his 26 starts including three graded races and four in stakes company.
Also looking to return to the winner's circle is Kenny McPeek trainee Classic Causeway. The chestnut son of Giant's Causeway established himself on the dirt during the 2022 Kentucky Derby (G1) trail with wins in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) and Tampa Bay Derby (G2).
After a disappointing 11th-place finish in the Run for the Roses, the colt found his way to the turf and scored big on his debut in the 2022 Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T) for owners Kentucky West Racing and Clarke Cooper. However, the millionaire has yet to capture another win since but has finished in the money in two of his previous five starts. Last out he was sixth in the April 22 Oaklawn Handicap (G2).
Other entrants include group 2 winner Royal Patronage who arrives from an allowance win at Keeneland April 20 for trainer Graham Motion. The 4-year-old Wootton Bassett colt made his first start in North America in July of 2022 and had not been able to get it done in three tries until his last start around the Lexington oval. He is campaigned by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing.
Completing the field is grade 2 winner Get Smokin, stakes winner Kentucky Ghost, grade 2 runner-up Harlan Estate, and allowance winner Tiberius Mercurius.
Entries: Arlington S. (G3T)
Churchill Downs, Saturday, June 3, 2023, Race 9
- Grade IIIT
- 1 1/16m
- Turf
- $225,000
- 4 yo's & up
- 4:55 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Get Smokin (KY) | Ricardo Santana, Jr. | 118 | Mark E. Casse | 6/1 |
| 2 | 2Kentucky Ghost (KY) | Tyler Gaffalione | 118 | Victoria H. Oliver | 8/1 |
| 3 | 3Classic Causeway (KY) | Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. | 118 | Kenneth G. McPeek | 4/1 |
| 4 | 4Tiberius Mercurius (KY) | Luis Saez | 118 | Michael J. Maker | 10/1 |
| 5 | 5Harlan Estate (ON) | Declan Cannon | 118 | D. Whitworth Beckman | 10/1 |
| 6 | 6Royal Patronage (FR) | John R. Velazquez | 118 | H. Graham Motion | 3/1 |
| 7 | 7Set Piece (GB) | Florent Geroux | 118 | Brad H. Cox | 8/5 |
Papilio Tops Regret Field of Six
Mark Casse trainee Papilio will look for her second win in graded company in the $225,000 Regret Stakes (G3T), a 1 1/8 mile turf event for 3-year-old fillies.
After spending her juvenile year competing in Ireland, the Starspangledbanner filly came out roaring for her debut in the United States with a runner-up finish in the March 4 Herecomesthebride Stakes (G3T) at Gulfstream Park, which was followed by a win in the Appalachian Stakes (G2T) April 8 at Keeneland. Last out, she ran just off the board in the May 5 Edgewood Stakes (G2T) at Churchill.
The filly races for D.J. Stable, Medallion Racing, Barry Fowler, and Parkland Thoroughbreds.
Also entered is Florida Oaks (G3) winner Mission of Joy who was third last out in the Edgewood, undefeated Eddie Kenneally trainee Miss Riddler who scored an April 27 allowance race at Keeneland last out in only her second start for owner/breeder Green Lantern Stables, stakes winner Girl Named Charlie, grade 2-placed Sabalenka, and maiden special weight victress Mrs. Astor.
Churchill Downs, Saturday, June 3, 2023, Race 5Entries: Regret S. (G3T)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L 1 1Miss Riddler (KY) Luis Saez 118 Eddie Kenneally 6/1 2 2Girl Named Charlie (KY) Edgar Morales 118 Thomas M. Amoss 5/1 3 3Mission of Joy (ON) Tyler Gaffalione 120 H. Graham Motion 9/5 4 4Mrs. Astor (KY) John R. Velazquez 118 Jonathan Thomas 4/1 5 5Papilio (IRE) Javier Castellano 120 Mark E. Casse 2/1 6 6Sabalenka (KY) Ricardo Santana, Jr. 118 D. Whitworth Beckman 12/1
