Machisa and Z Appeal, both stakes winners on turf, top a full field of a dozen 2-year-olds for the $100,000 Bourbon Stakes (gr. IIIT) Oct. 10 at Keeneland.
The Bourbon, at 1 1/16 miles, is a “Win and You’re In” race for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. IIT) to be run at Churchill Downs Nov 6. Post time for the Bourbon, which comes one race prior to the $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster (gr. I), is set for 5:11 p.m. EDT.
Owned by Richard Rowan and Mary Bonham, Machisa won his only start on grass by taking the Fasig-Tipton Dash at five furlongs at Calder on Aug. 28. A winner in two of his six starts overall, the Texas-bred son of Safado was eighth in the Foolish Pleasure Stakes last out on the Calder main track. Trained by Juan Arias, Machisa will break from post 3 under Sebastian Madrid.
Frank Jones Jr.’s Z Appeal is undefeated in two starts and in his only grass try won the 5 1/2-furlong Chenery Stakes at Colonial Downs by 5 1/2 lengths July 17. The Ghostzapper colt broke his maiden at Churchill two weeks before that on dirt. Kent Desormeaux, who was aboard for the Chenery win, has the call for trainer Dale Romans.
Another major contender is Stormy Rush, who lost for the first time in three starts Sept. 18 in the Summer Stakes (Can-IIIT) at Woodbine when third to the highly-touted Pluck. Prior to that effort, Stormy Rush won his first two starts at Woodbine—a maiden special weight on turf and an allowance on Polytrack. John Velazquez will ride for trainer Roger Attfield.
$100,000 Bourbon Stakes (gr. I, Race 8, 5:11 p.m.), 2YO, 1 1/16 Miles (Turf) PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer
1. Moment of Weakness (IRE), M E Smith, 118 J Lloyd
2. Cozy Kitten (KY), R A Dominguez, 118, W A Ward
3. Machisa (TX), S O Madrid, 118, J D Arias
4. Ocasta (KY), F Lenclud, 118, D Miller
5. Voodoo Storm (KY), J Castellano, 118, C R McGaughey III
6. Mesonic (KY), C J Lanerie, 118, E Kenneally
7. Rogue Romance (KY), J R Leparoux, 118, K G McPeek
8. Z Appeal (KY), K J Desormeaux, 118, D L Romans
9. Monzon (MD), H Karamanos, 118, I Correas, IV
10. Mont Ventoux (KY), J Graham, 118, R Martin
11. Stormy Rush (KY), J R Velazquez, 118, R L Attfield
12. Forum (KY), R Albarado, 118, G Weaver
Also Eligibles:
13. Banned (KY), G K Gomez, 118, T F Proctor
14. Rough Sailing (KY), M C Baze, 118, M Stidham
