Ellis Park Juvenile

Heavy favorite Comport (Collected) earned her first black type win Sunday in the Ellis Park Juvenile Stakes at Ellis Park. After a debut victory going five and one half furlongs under the Twin Spires, the juvenile colt returned to Churchill Downs for start number two, finishing second in the Bashford Manor Stakes June 29. As the 2-5 choice here, Comport was positioned just off the early speed up the backstretch, with her sights on pacesetting Spice Runner (Gun Runner). As they rounded the far turn, Comport confronted her rival, sticking...

Owen Almighty (Speightstown), who won his June 20 Churchill Downs debut by 3 1/2 lengths, stepped up to take his stakes debut comfortably. After a slight bobble at the start under Cristian Torres, he established a striking position while three-wide stalking Politicallycorrect's (Violence) pace set in :22.46 and :45.79. Finishing strongly under Torres's drive, the 3-5 favorite in a field of seven pulled away from the 3-2 second choice Politicallycorrect in the final furlong to garner a 4 3/4-length tally. "He's certainly taking us in the right direction from just...

OBS March bullet breezer (:20.2) Roger McQueen (Unified) fended of all challengers Sunday to become the second stakes winner for his freshman sire (by Candy Ride {Arg}). Third as the favorite on debut at Churchill May 22--one slot behind GII Saratoga Special S. runner-up Gunite (Gun Runner)--the dark bay stepped forward to air by five lengths here July 17. Displaying ample zip once again to attend the pace through a :46.99 half, Roger McQueen took over approaching the stretch but was immediately tackled by Lucky Boss (Street Boss). He continued...