3 May. USA. Churchill Downs S. G2. Churchill Downs. 7f. Dirt. 250.000 $
1.- ELITE SQUADRON (J.Velazquez)
2.- NOONMARK (S.Bridgmohan)
3.- HEWITTS (K.Desormeaux)


John Velazquez knew going into the $282,000 Churchill Downs Stakes (G2) that Elite Squadron’s best asset was his high cruising speed and he utilized the Officer colt’s strength in a 4 1/2-length victory on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

Elite Squadron surged quickly to the lead and drilled an opening quarter in :21.98 and a half-mile in :43.70 in the seven-furlong race for older horses. Despite the testing fractions, Velazquez said he felt he had plenty of horse under him approaching the stretch when Hewitts accelerated forward to challenge.

“Not much strategy really, we all know he’s a speed horse,” Velazquez said. “He was very comfortable, and I definitely wanted to save something for the stretch.

“This is the second time I rode him, and he’s really improved.”

Elite Squadron turned back Hewitts in early stretch and drove clear to win easily in 1:21.53 on a track rated fast. Churchill was deluged with rain Friday and through the night, but the track appeared to have dried out well.

Noonmark, sent off as the 3.40-to-1 favorite, closed from sixth on the turn to edge Hewitts by a head for second.

The Churchill Downs Stakes was the first career graded stakes win for Elite Squadron, who was sent off as the third choice at 4.40-to-1.

Trained by Jim Baker for owner Tom Walters, Elite Squadron entered off a runner-up finish in the Commonwealth Stakes (G2) on April 12 at Keeneland Race Course. Elite Squadron set the pace in the Commonwealth but was collared in the closing strides by Rebellion (GB).

“He ran really good at Keeneland and just got nipped at the wire,” Hess said. “He was training beautifully for this race. All the signs were right—he looked good, he was eating good and training good—so there was no reason he wouldn’t run well. He loves this track. He’s won four out of six here.”

“Any victory on Derby day is a good race to win and this colt, maybe now we can get him to be a stallion and find a place for his to stand somewhere.”

Out of the Grade 2-placed stakes winner Sweet Mama, by High Brite, Elite Squadron improved to five wins in 12 starts and boosted his earnings to $433,706