Trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who has saddled a Debutante Stakes (gr. III) winner a record six times, will have two chances at bringing home a seventh June 27 when he sends out Westrock Stables’ Decelerator and Tidal Pool in the $100,000 event at Churchill Downs.
The Debutante, which drew a field of nine 2-year-old fillies, will be run at six furlongs on the main track and will go as the 10th race at 5:29 p.m. EDT.
Lukas, who saddled his first Debutante winner in 1986 (Burnished Bright) and most recent winner in 2004 (Classic Elegance), picked both of his current Debutante starters out of the February Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. select sale, paying $250,000 for Decelerator and $220,000 for Tidal Pool.
Decelerator, who will be ridden by Julien Leparoux and will break from post 8, won at first asking, taking a five-furlong race by a half-length May 14. The daughter of Dehere has had five works since, including two bullet moves. Tidal Pool, who will be ridden by Jon Court and will break from post 7, broke her maiden on her second try going 4 1/2 furlongs May 21.
Trainer Steve Asmussen, who has won the Debutante four times, will send out Lewis Lakin and Diane and Roger Stanton’s Wild Forest Cat, and Heiligbrodt Racing Stable’s Kinsolving.
Wild Forest Cat, a winner by 4 3/4 lengths going 4 1/2 furlongs under the Twin Spires May 7 in her second start, will be ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr. and will break from post 3. Kinsolving, who broke her maiden at first asking at Keeneland April 17, has been idle since finishing sixth in the Kentucky Juvenile (gr. III) April 30 at Churchill. Shaun Bridgmohan will ride Kinsolving and break from the rail.
All starters will carry 118 pounds.
$100,000 Debutante (gr. III, Race 10, 5:29 p.m.), 2YO Fillies, 6 Furlongs, (Dirt)
PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer
1. Kinsolving (KY), S Bridgmohan, 118, S M Asmussen
2. Henry's Posse (KY), M Mena, 118, M Hubley
3. Wild Forest Cat (FL), B J Hernandez Jr., 118, S M Asmussen
4. Our Tekela Rose (KY), C J Lanerie, 118, H R Wiggins
5. Phone Marybe (KY), I Ayarza, 118, J D Arias
6. Brown Eyed Baby (KY), R Albarado, 118, C P Borel
7. Tidal Pool (KY), J K Court, 118, D W Lukas
8. Decelerator (KY), J R Leparoux, 118, D W Lukas
9. Send Rose Thecheck (KY), J L Castanon, 118, A Agilar
PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer
1. Kinsolving (KY), S Bridgmohan, 118, S M Asmussen
2. Henry's Posse (KY), M Mena, 118, M Hubley
3. Wild Forest Cat (FL), B J Hernandez Jr., 118, S M Asmussen
4. Our Tekela Rose (KY), C J Lanerie, 118, H R Wiggins
5. Phone Marybe (KY), I Ayarza, 118, J D Arias
6. Brown Eyed Baby (KY), R Albarado, 118, C P Borel
7. Tidal Pool (KY), J K Court, 118, D W Lukas
8. Decelerator (KY), J R Leparoux, 118, D W Lukas
9. Send Rose Thecheck (KY), J L Castanon, 118, A Agilar