Steam–6:00 P.M. (Eastern) first post!–Churchill Downs Day 1, Saturday, April 29, 2023: BUY PICKS ($3)
Louisville, Kentucky updated forecast
Frank’s Rockette Set To Lift Off In Roxelana
Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY kicks-off its 2023 Spring Meeting and Kentucky Derby week on Saturday, April 29 with a customary 10-race twilight program featuring a 6:00 P.M. (Eastern) post time.
The featured ninth race on the card is the $175,000 Roxelana Stakes for fillies and mares four-years-old and upward sprinting six-furlongs on the main track.
Frank Fletcher Racing Operations’ Frank’s Rockette, an eight-length winner of the Hurricane Bertie Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park in her most recent start on March 11, is the prohibitive 3-5 morning line favorite in a field that attracted six entrants. Jockey Junior Alvarado has the call on the six-year-old bay daughter of Into Mischief for trainer Bill Mott.
Asmussen, Gaffalione Return To Defend Titles
Jockey Tyler Gaffalione, who was the leading rider at Churchill Downs last spring with 62 wins, and Hall-of-Famer Steve Asmussen, who was the top trainer with 25 victories, will be back to defend their respective titles in Derby City in 2023.
Gaffalione is named on five horses on opening night under the Twin Spires, while Asmussen has one horse entered on the card.
The 44-day Spring Meet, which runs through July 3, will feature 50 stakes races worth over $20 million in total purse money. Post time for the first of 10 races on opening night at Churchill Downs is 6:00 P.M. (Eastern).
Steam–6:00 P.M. (Eastern) first post!–Churchill Downs Day 1, Saturday, April 29, 2023: BUY PICKS ($3)
Louisville, Kentucky updated forecast