Blackout seeking breakout in Commonwealth

Turf 3-year-olds are featured in Saturday’s $100,000 Commonwealth Turf (G3) at Churchill Downs and the 1 1/16-mile affair marks the stakes debut for Blackout.

After showing little earlier in his career, Blackout won back-to-back starts at Newbury and Newmarket in June and then sold for $122k at the Tattersalls July sale. Transferred to Mark Casse, the French-bred colt experienced a rough trip when making his U.S. debut at Saratoga in early September but improved significantly the second time out, rallying to win going away in an October 14 allowance at Belmont Park.

Blackout broke a step slow and lagged far back before offering an explosive move nearing the conclusion of the far turn, registering a 100 BRIS E2 Pace rating as he quickly went last-to-first. That turn of foot should serve him well today and it’s encouraging to see a couple of quick works in preparation as the bay sophomore is eligible to break better from the starting gate.

Florent Geroux picks up the mount and Blackout is the play in the Commonwealth Turf.

Here is today’s A-B-C grid for Churchill Downs: