Bullards Alley gets first turf win in Louisville

Bullards Alley earned his first career turf win on a big stage Saturday, registering a mild upset of the $100,000 Louisville H. (G3) at Churchill Downs.

Under Cisco Torres, Bullards Alley tracked in third as Wireless Future set a pokey pace of :26.04, :52.51, 1:19.04 and 1:45.60 over the good turf. Dynamic Sky, the 17-10 favorite, poked his head in front rounding the last of three turns, with Bullards Alley in close pursuit.

Bullards Alley passed the favorite in upper stretch and extended his lead to 2 1/4 lengths at the wire. The final time for 1 1/2 miles was 2:36.01.

“It was a beautiful trip. I couldn’t have asked for a better trip," Torres said. "He’s the kind of horse that stays and he won so easy. He was laying off of (Roman Approval) with his ears pricked and he was just loving it."

Owned by Wayne Spalding and Faron McCubbins, the Tim Glyshaw trainee paid $13.60. Johns Kitten rallied for second, a half-length in front of Roman Approval. Dynamic Sky finished fifth in the field of six.

A four-year-old by Flower Alley, Bullards Alley last three wins had come in races moved from turf to dirt due to inclement weather. The biggest of these was the $75,000 Woodchopper at Fair Grounds in December. The Louisville was the gelding's first turf triumph in six attempts. His record now stands at 19-5-2-4, $256,191.

Later in the card, in the $62,640 Opening Verse, Thatcher Street rallied up the rail from midpack to take the one-mile grass test by a half-length over Pleuven.

Runner-up in the River City H. (G3) over the local sod last fall, Thatcher Street paid $11.20 after covering the course in 1:38.22.

Trained by Ian Wilkes and ridden by Brian Hernandez, Thatcher Street might reappear in next month's Wise Dan (G2), formerly the Firecracker.

(Coady Photography)