Churchill September Meet memorable and mystifying

Churchill Downs ended their September meet on Sunday, October 2nd...despite the paradox...it was a fun-filled meet that gave horseplayers and fans quite a few opportunities to see some of the leading jockeys and trainers in the nation. Here's Paulie's Pick-Six on the 11 days of racing.

1) Albarado grabs the riding title. Maybe a bit of a surprise...with multiple meet leading rider Corey Lanerie at the track...plus proven riders Julian Leparoux, Brian Hernandez, Jr and always dangerous Miguel Mena getting mounts. Robby had 15 wins on 81 mounts...a 18.5% winner percentage and finished in the money 51% of the time. He defeated BJ Jr. and Lanerie by three wins. 

All told, 53 jockeys had mounts in the 11 days and 26 found their way to the winners' circle. 

2) Didiel did what? Didiel Osorio isn't a guy who you think of as one of the nation's top jocks...but he did win five times in just 23 mounts. A stronger rider at Ellis Park's Summer meet, where he had the most rides and finished fifth in the jockey wins stats...he's in his fourth year of riding and has to be considered one of the up and coming "young guns" in the saddle. 

3) The tale of Dale. Dale Romans won the trainers title for the September meet...he's no stranger to that accolade...having captured that crown 14 times in his career. Not surprisingly, he used Albarado on most of his entries. You go with what works, right? 

4) We like Thirsty Thursdays.  Churchill continued the popular late post time (5 p.m.) on Thursdays and offered the beverage and food specials again. We like this feature and wouldn't mind seeing it extend to Fridays as well. It gives the working folks a chance to get out after a 9-5 shift and attendance is always good. 

5) Let 'em in. One thing I'm not a fan of his keeping the Gate 10 admission portals locked until 60 minutes before post-time on Thursdays and Downs After Dark. A lot of Churchill regulars also simulcast and to have to walk halfway around the track from the Longfield lot and Gate 10 to the simulcast entrance at Gate 17 is silly. Especially for TwinSpires cardholders. 

5) Media mediocrity. Hisses to Churchill for ignoring my requests again for a Media pass. I'm sure they have much more important things to do than review the credentials of a website editor and author but I was disappointed that I didn't even get a reply to the requests this spring and in September....Talk to me Darren Rogers.  C'mon, man....it's a shame because John Asher is such a super person. It is not in my nature to demean people. I just want equality. If it develops, I'll change my tune. We will not tire or falter in this request until we specifically get a "no way, Jose" out of them. 

6) Making it memorable. Hats off to the many tellers, wait staff, bartenders, gate attendants, security guards, support staff  and others who make each and every Churchill meet a great experience! I won't name names here...too many to mention...but you are just as big heroes to me as the horses, trainers, owners and jockeys .  Handicapping Heroes is such a fun site to run and do a weekly radio show about. Thank you for making it easy, friendly and possible.  

paulie
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