Italian group I winner Sumati invades Churchill Downs Saturday from his Southern California base for a run in the $100,000-added Louisville Handicap (gr. III).
Sumati, a Wally Dollase-trained 6-year-old son of Warning, last raced on May 1, enters the Louisville off a four-length win in a 1 1/2-mile turf race at Hollywood Park on May 1. Prior to that start he finished sixth in the Arcadia Handicap (gr. IIT), beaten by three lengths by the winner. Sumati, listed at odds of 4-1 on the morning line, last stakes victory came in 1999, when he won the Gran Premio del Jockey Club (Ity-I) by a nose.
The top two finishers from last year's renewal of the 1 3/8-mile turf race return Saturday. Returning champ Rochester drew post two and will be ridden by Pat Day. Last year's runner-up Profit Option starts from gate three Saturday. Last time out, Rochester finished second to Louisville entrant Kim Loves Bucky in the Elkhorn (gr. III).
"This horse ran a very credible race last time," Day said. "He's slowly coming to a peak and hopefully he'll be able to move forward just a touch and be very competitive in the race on Saturday."
The field for the Louisville Handicap will consist of:
1 -- Red Mountain, Calvin Borel, 114, 30-1
2 -- Rochester, Pat Day, 116, 4-1
3 -- Profit Option, Lonnie Meche, 117, 5-1
4 -- Pisces, Robby Albarado, 116, 3-1
5 -- Classic Par, Donnie Meche, 114, 15-1
6 -- Sumati, Rene Douglas, 116, 4-1
7 -- Kim Loves Bucky, Larry Melancon, 118, 9-2
8 -- Riddlesdown, Craig Perret, 115, 12-1
9 -- Roxino, Anthony D'Amico, 115, 15-1
10 -- Lapuma, Jon Court, 111, 20-1
11 -- Two Point Two Mill, Charles Woods Jr., 112, 30-1
