Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s Argentine Talisman wore down early
pacesetter Versailles Road in the stretch to win the $49,251 Thursday
afternoon feature for 3-year-olds and up on the Matt Winn Turf Course at
Churchill Downs by three quarters of a length.
Trained by Mike Maker and ridden by Edgar Prado,
the 3-year-old gelded son of Dehere covered the 1 1/8 miles over the firm turf
course in 1:48.17.
Argentine Talisman, who drew into the field off the
also-eligible list following the scratch of Callingahardten, rated four
lengths off Versailles Road through fractions of :24.12, :47.26 and 1:11.38 and
then was set down for the drive by Prado at the top of the stretch. Argentine
Talisman drew even with Versailles Road at the eighth-pole, overtook the lead
just inside the sixteenth-pole and then slowly increased his advantage to the
wire.
Breaking from the gate at odds of 18-1, Argentine Talisman
returned mutuels of $38.40, $13.80 and $8.80. PEG LLC’s Versailles Road
finished second to return $6.20 and $4 with Alastar Thoroughbred Company LLC’s
Tahoe Lake-BRZ another 1 ½ lengths back in third returning $3.40.
The victory was worth $30,000 and increased Argentine
Talisman’s bankroll to $158,464 with a record of 5-1-4 from 15 career
starts.
Racing continues Friday with a 10-race program highlighted by
a Pick 6 carryover of $2,159 and a two-day Super Hi-5 carryover of $12,100. The
Pick 6 will begin with Race 5 at 2:34 p.m. EST and the Super Hi-5 will be
contested on Race 10, which is scheduled for 5:03 p.m. Post time for the first
race Friday is 12:40 p.m.