Get Stormy takes the Woodford Reserve
May 7, 2011LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Get Stormy led all the way in the $576,000 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic, the main event Saturday on the Kentucky Derby undercard at Churchill Downs.
Get Stormy held off Smart Bid by three quarters of a length for his second straight Grade 1 win. The 5-year-old trained by Tom Bush won the Makers Mark Stakes at Keeneland in his previous outing. Ramon Dominguez was aboard for the 1 1-8 miles in 1:50.81.
Get Stormy earned his 10th win in 22 starts, paying $17.
Aikenite edged Apriority by a nose in the $348,900 Churchill Downs Stakes. The 4-year-old won for the third time in four races at seven furlongs.
John Velazquez rode for trainer Todd Pletcher as Aikenite got his fifth win in 18 starts. He was overlooked in the betting, paying $28.60 to win even though he won the Commonwealth Stakes at Keeneland most recently. The time was 1:21.40.
Aviate, who started her career in Europe, earned her first U.S. victory in the $227,800 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile. The 4-year-old trained by Bill Mott swept past the pack for her fourth win in nine starts. Kent Desormeaux was aboard as she beat Aruna by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:36.67. She paid $13.20 to win.
Sassy Image rallied down the center of the track to beat Hilda's Passion, the 3-5 favorite, by three lengths in the $345,600 Humana Distaff for fillies and mares.
It was the fourth win in five starts at Churchill Downs for the 4-year-old trained by Dale Romans. Robby Albarado, sidelined since Wednesday with a broken nose, was aboard. The injury cost Albarado the Derby mount on Animal Kingdom as John Velazquez was named to replace him.
Sassy Image ran the seven furlongs in 1:21.01, paying $34.20.
Regally Ready extended his winning streak to four, beating Bridgetown by 1 1/4 lengths in the $111,200 Twin Spires Turf Sprint. It was the seventh win in 13 starts for the 4-year-old gelding trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Corey Nakatani. The time was 56.57 on the firm course, and he paid $8.80 to win.
Chamberlain Bridge, winner of the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs last November, rallied for third.