Einstein returns to the lawn

From Churchill Downs

Trainer Helen Pitts’ turf star Einstein will go for his fourth grass victory of 2008 on Friday when he faces six rivals in the 19th running of the $200,000-added Firecracker Handicap (GII) to be run at one mile on the Matt Winn Turf Course.

The Firecracker will go as the 10th race on the 11-race holiday card. First post time is 1:15 p.m. (EDT).

Second in the Stephen Foster Handicap (GI) on dirt to 2007 “Horse of the Year” Curlin on June 14 in his most recent start, Einstein will carry high weight of 124 pounds and concede 7-10 pounds to his Firecracker foes. Robby Albarado, who rode Einstein to victory in the May 3 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (GI) at Churchill Downs, has the call Friday and will break from post position three.

Owned by Patricia Cunningham and Melissa Green, Lessee, Einstein also won the Grade I Gulfstream Park Turf this winter and ran second to 2007 NetJets Breeders’ Cup Mile (GI) winner Kip Deville in the Grade I Maker’s Mark Mile at Keeneland.

The main rival to Einstein appears to be Heiligbrodt Racing Stable’s Inca King, who is undefeated in three starts over the Matt Winn Turf Course.

Trained by Steve Asmussen, Inca King posted a front-running victory in the May 31 Opening Verse Handicap at a mile and a sixteenth in his most recent start and last year won the Grade II Jefferson Cup during the Spring Meet and the Commonwealth Turf in the Fall Meet. Shaun Bridgmohan will ride Inca King who breaks from post position seven under a 118-pound impost.

The field for the Firecracker, from the hedge out, is as follows: Mrs. S.K. Johnston Jr., Marco Bommarito and the Molly Malone Racing Club’s A.P. Xcellent (Larry Melancon, 116 pounds); Zayat Stables’ Thorn Song (Kent Desormeaux, 118); Einstein (Robby Albarado, 124); Terry Raymond. Jana Wagner and Gus Goldsmith’s Faith’s Magic (Brian Hernandez Jr., 116); Stud TNT’s Portuga (Calvin Borel, 115); Oxbow Racing’s Steve’s Double (Miguel Mena, 115); and, Inca King (Shaun Bridgmohan, 118).