34-year-old trainer Matt Sims, who recorded his first stakes win Saturday with 28-1 longshot Brunacini (Dortmund) in the GIII Perryville Stakes at Keeneland, is already looking for a second with his upset runner before the winter season.
“He looks good this morning, and he wasn't tired after the race,” said Sims, who will split the winter between racing at Turfway Park and Oaklawn Park. “[We're] looking at the Cherokee Mile at Churchill Downs Dec. 1.”
Meanwhile, Perryville favorite Book'em Danno (Bucchero) had to settle for second Saturday after a tricky trip had the Grade I winner further back than usual for trainer Derek Ryan.
“He's good this morning,” said Ryan. “He ran his race, but that's just racing luck. I wish he could have gotten to the outside.”
Ryan noted that the son of Bucchero would target the GII Cigar Mile Dec. 7 as his final start of the year.
GII Lexus Raven Run winner Emery (More Than Ready) also rebounded well from her effort Saturday.
“She probably will go back to Churchill Downs today or tomorrow,” said Blake Cox, assistant to his father, trainer Brad Cox. “She ran up to expectations yesterday. She is a very good, consistent filly.”
Future plans are yet to be determined for the 3-year-old filly with Cox noting that whatever came next would be determined after talking with owner Stonestreet Stable.
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