Bill Mott gets feature double at Churchiil Downs

Monday, 18 June 2012: At an unusual night meeting at Churchill Downs trainer Bill Mott got an expected win and an unexpected win in the Fleur de Lis G2 and the Stephen Foster G1.

Royal Delta Photo by Whistlejacket

When in Dubai earlier this year Royal Delta had impressed everyone at track work with her looks and obvious ability, which unfortunately didn't come through in her race. Saturday at Churchill she was not to be denied as she took the race from Afleeting Lady, who had been up on the pace throughout, and St John's River who was disappointing in his third place finish.

Then in the Stephen Foster Ron the Greek got a dream run on the inside rail to defeat Wise Dan. As had been predicted Successful Dan was scratched from the race.

John Velazquez who rode Wise Dan was in an awful fall in the following race and was taken to hospital complaining of shoulder pains. It appears his mount broke down and a following horse could not avoid the fallen horse and jockey.

Following on the lasix ban in Kentucky story, there is a new test now in Louisiana which has found that at least 10 and possibly 15 horses in that jurisdiction have been racing recently on demorphine, an incredibly strong pain killer in recent times and who knows how many over the years. Naturally there is an outcry at this but that never equates to action. Name and shame could be a good technique.