A Busy Day at Churchill

Oonagh Maccool, who has found a home on the main track, will try for her second consecutive Grade II victory today when she takes on seven other fillies and mares in the $200,000 Louisville Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Churchill Downs.

The race at 1 1/16 miles is one of four graded stakes on the card, which is highlighted by the $500,000 Kentucky Oaks for 3-year-old fillies.

Owned by breeder Charles Wacker III and trained by Todd Pletcher, Oonagh Maccool won both of her starts on turf in England before coming to the U.S. late last year.

In her first start in this country, the Irish bred was sixth as the 3-2 favorite in the Soaring Softly, a restricted stakes run over a yielding grass course last Nov. 19 at Aqueduct.

Switched to the main when she went to Gulfstream Park for the winter, the 4-year-old daughter of Giant’s Causeway won an optional claimer by eight lengths on Feb. 11. She returned six weeks later to beat Sweet Symphony, who is also in today’s race, by 2 1/2 lengths in the Rampart Handicap.

Rafael Bejarano will again be aboard Oonagh Maccool, who will break from the inside post in her Churchill Downs debut.

Besides the Oaks, the other graded stakes are the $100,000 Aegon Turf Sprint for 3-year-olds and up at five furlongs, and the $100,000 Crown Royal American Turf for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles.

Race of the day: Le Copain, who has been second in three of his last four starts, will be seeking his first victory in the U.S. when he takes on five others in the second race today at Hollywood Park. The $51,000 allowance at 1 1/16 miles immediately precedes the start of a pick six with a carry-over of $85,573.

One for the road: Lukelynn gets a trainer change to Scott Lake for his first start since Aug. 14 and can fire fresh over a turf course he loves in the eighth race today at Belmont Park. Eibar Coa will ride the 5-year-old Banker’s Gold gelding for owner-breeder William Lynn in the $48,000 optional claimer for New York breds at one mile. Lukelynn has hit the board in five of seven over the Belmont grass, including two wins.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Salty Humor, Revenescent, White Pine, Storm Mate and Excess Temptations in the fourth, Speedy Cajun in the fifth and Where’s My Halo and Pathbreaking in the sixth.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 1/14. Money: (previous day/meet total): $5.60/$95.20. Total money bet: $120.