Churchill Downs will host the "Parade of Breeders' Cup Champions" on Sunday and while it is sure to be a unique and one-of-a-kind event for fans, the trainers of the top horses also are looking forward to the special ceremony.
"He's a good horse and I'm all for letting the fans see him," said Ian Wilkes, trainer of Classic winner Fort Larned. "I'm all for anything to help racing."
Five of the seven Breeders' Cup winners with ties to Churchill Downs will be paraded with horses running in Sunday's eighth race under the Twin Spires
Trainer Buff Bradley said Groupie Doll, winner of the Filly & Mare Sprint, will remain at Churchill Downs for a couple of more days than originally planned in order to make the event Sunday.
"I think it's good for the public and for the fans to be able to come out and see some Breeders' Cup winners," Bradley said. "I think a lot of people back here in Kentucky felt like they're a big part of it because so many of the horses were pulled from here. Of course, I would have liked the Breeders' Cup to have been at Churchill Downs, but with so many of us going out there and doing well it shows we've still got good horses out here in Kentucky and we need to try to keep them here."
Wise Dan, winner of the Mile, will ship from Keeneland to Churchill on Sunday along with a couple of other horses trainer Charlie Lopresti plans to run on the card.
"The horse is doing great and came out of his race perfect," Lopresti said. "I think it'll be fun. I've never heard of something like this."
Little Mike, winner of the Turf, also will be paraded.
"Anything trying to promote racing is good," trainer Dale Romans said. "Hopefully people want to see them. It makes me proud. There were a lot of Kentucky connections that ran well. Kentucky racing is not dead, we still have the best horsemen around."
Dirt Mile winner Tapizar is another scheduled participant.
"I think it's a great idea," trainer Steve Asmussen said. "There's nothing you could be more proud of."
First post Sunday is 12:40 p.m. (EST) and the eighth race is scheduled for 4:09 p.m. Horses will begin the walkover after the seventh race at 3:32 p.m.
