Churchill Downs' Barn Notes: Peruvian Chaun Ready to Stay in States Now

(Jockey Martin Chaun / Coady Photography)

From the Churchill Downs Media Team:

THIRD TIME IS A CHARM FOR CHUAN’S U.S. RIDING CAREER

Peruvian jockey Martin Chuan has competed fulltime in the U.S. twice, but now, well into his third stint in North America, he’s ready to stay.

          “I enjoyed riding in Peru and was very successful winning many Group I races but I wanted to come to North America to win Grade I races,” Chuan said. “That’s my goal and I’m going to keep working hard to get that goal.”

          Chuan, who’s represented by Jake Romans, has started to make headway into some of the biggest barns on the Churchill Downs backside including Brad Cox and Jake’s father, Dale Romans.

          Chuan returned to the U.S. in June and has ridden 14 winners from 83 starters. He’s already amassed more than $1 million in purse earnings.

          “We’ve had a great start back but I’m going to continue to work hard to keep the momentum going,” said Chuan, who was named on nine horses Friday-Sunday at Churchill Downs. “I’m working hard in the mornings, the afternoons during races and at night going to English classes to become more acclimated to life in the U.S.”

          Chuan has ridden four horses at the September Meet and sports a win in a $120,000 maiden special weight aboard Stretch Ride.

          Chuan first rode professionally in the U.S. in 2013 when he finished 10aboard Aroseforgigner at Turfway Park. In 2017, Chuan once again had one mount in the U.S., a sixth-place finish aboard in an allowance event at Churchill Downs. One year later, Chuan and Jake Romans teamed together to ride fulltime at Ellis Park but he returned to Peru after the meet. In 2019, Chuan rode at Ellis Park and the September Meet at Churchill Downs before returning to his home country.

          “I want to do what’s best for my family,” Chuan said. “I came to America before to try to get my name out there and get to know people around the racetrack. My family is with me now in Kentucky. We moved here from Peru and are here to stay.”

MILESTONE WATCH: LANERIE NEEDS TWO WINS FOR 5,000-CAREER VICTORIES

Veteran rider Corey Lanerie was named on 24 horses Thursday-Sunday at Churchill Downs and needs just two victories to become the 38 jockey in North America to win 5,000 races.

          Here are the races Lanerie had entries:

–         Thursday: Race 1 (Interception); Race 2 (Tiz My Hero); Race 3 (Little Miss Priss); Race 4 (Sad Café); Race 5 (Miss Harmonic); Race 6 (Ten Rings); Race 8 (Showdown King).

–         Friday: Race 2 (Classy Socks); Race 4 (Midcat); Race 5 (Warheaded); Race 8 (Track Mate); Race 9 (Pat’schromecompass); Race 10 (Happy Charger)

–         Saturday: Race 6 (War Campaign); Race 7 (Denington); Race 9 (Fun and Feisty); Race 11 (Forever After All)

–         Sunday: Race 1 (Forever Cool); Race 2 (Time to Meddle); Race 3 (Ready for Change); Race 4 (Azteca Star); Race 6 (Uno Mas Bourbon); Race 8 (Cobalamin); Race 9 (Ten Days Later)

Lanerie continues to work hard in his pursuit to 5,000 wins. The Louisiana-native worked several horses Wednesday and Thursday morning at Churchill Downs.

“We’re going to get there, hopefully sooner rather than later,” Lanerie joked. “Hopefully we can get it done this weekend. It always seems more difficult when you get this close to a big number.”

FINAL DOWNS AFTER DARK OF 2023 SET FOR SATURDAY

The final Downs After Dark of the year will take place Saturday as Churchill Downs presents “Bourbon & Boots” where Music City meets Derby City with the perfect combination of music, bourbon, fashion and horse racing.

          Louisville’s biggest “Honky Tonk” will feature music from DJ Stingy (5-8:15 p.m.) and Nashville’s Tim Cote Band with special guest Lana Scott (8:30-11 p.m.) on a stage at The Grove, which is located just inside the Clubhouse and VIP Gates.

          There also will be a mechanical bull; a Tootsie’s-inspired photo booth; Nashville-inspired murals; Sherwin-Williams Sponsored Live Art; and an Old Forester Cocktail Demonstration.

          Admission gates will open at 5 p.m. and the 11-race program will be conducted between 6-11:10 p.m. General admission to Downs After Dark is $20 and includes an official program. Guests under the age of 18 will only be admitted to the track if accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. Limited premium dining packages are available starting at $84 per person. Outdoor box seats range from $25 to $35 per person. Reserved seating can be purchased online at www.ChurchillDowns.com/Tickets.

          Fans can watch and wager on all the action from Churchill Downs onwww.TwinSpires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated and the Kentucky Derby.

SENIOR DAY IS FRIDAY – The lone Senior Day of the September Meet at Churchill Downs is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 22. Guests 60 and up will receive $3 general admission or can enjoy lunch and a day at the races in Millionaires Row or Skye Terrace for only $34. Senior Day tickets can be purchased by calling (502) 636-4450.

DOWN THE STRETCH – Racing resumed Thursday at Churchill Downs with a first post of 5 p.m. There was a $77,500 carryover in the 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot that spanned Races 3-8. Thursday was also the penultimate Twilight Thursday of the year that featured $2 domestic beer, local food trucks and live music. … The temporary rail on the Matt Winn Turf Course will be set Thursday-Friday in Lane 4, 36 ft. from the inside. Saturday and Sunday’s turf racing will take place in Lane 2, 12 ft. from the inside.  … “Inside Churchill Downs” will return Friday at 6 p.m. on ESPN 680/105.7 The one-hour program will preview Saturday’s Downs After Dark card. Fans outside the Louisville area can listen live onwww.espnlouisville.com. … For more information about Churchill Downs and the September Meet, visit www.ChurchillDowns.com.

ABOUT CHURCHILL DOWNS RACETRACK

Churchill Downs Racetrack (“CDRT”), the world’s most legendary racetrack, has been the home of The Kentucky Derby, the longest continually held annual sporting event in the United States, since 1875. Located in Louisville, CDRT features a series of themed race days during Derby Week, including the Kentucky Oaks, and conducts Thoroughbred horse racing during three race meets in the Spring, September, and the Fall. CDRT is located on 175 acres and has a one-mile dirt track, a 7/8-mile turf track, a stabling area, and provides seating for approximately 60,000 guests. The stable area has barns sufficient to accommodate 1,400 horses and a 114-room dormitory for backstretch personnel. CDRT also has a year-round simulcast wagering facility. www.ChurchillDowns.com.