Silver Charm Sparkles Again At Churchill Downs

Cloudy skies, lightning and sprinkles didn’t slow Silver Charm from breezing three furlongs in 33 seconds Saturday on the track where he won the Kentucky Derby last month.

And it didn’t keep the spectators from being dazzled by the horse who attracted national attention this spring in his attempt to win the Triple Crown.

The fact that he missed winning the Belmont by three-quarters of a length didn’t seem to faze the crowd, which honored him with a standing ovation and applause when he was brought onto the track for a workout after the fifth race.

“Fantastic,” said Pat Perrsiek, a fan of Silver Charm who has been coming to the track for 18 years and hasn’t missed a day of racing this year. “It’s a mighty beautiful day,” he said, despite the weather.

Silver Charm returned to Louisville after losing to Touch Gold in the June 7 Belmont Stakes in a bid to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. Silver Charm picked up the second leg of the Triple Crown with a nose win over Free House in the Preakness.

Following the workout, trainer Bob Baffert and owners Robert and Beverly Lewis accepted a specially engraved Louisville Slugger bat presented by Churchill Downs President Tom Meeker. In addition, Silver Charm received a silver basket filled with carrots, apples and mints, as well as a special silver-plated halter.

“After losing the Belmont, it was a letdown, but now we have that ol’ Kentucky Derby feeling back,” Baffert said.

The trainer told the crowd of almost 14,000 that Silver Charm loves the Churchill Downs track.

“He knows what it’s all about, and I think he’s going to want some revenge pretty soon,” Baffert said.

Prior to the on-track appearance, fans were able to catch a glimpse of Silver Charm in the paddock.

“If there’s ever a time not to fall off, it’s now,” Baffert said jokingly to jockey Joe Steiner, who rode Silver Charm during the event. Jockey Gary Stevens, who rode Silver Charm in all three Triple Crown races, was riding in New York.

Lewis, who said he’s almost back to earth after recent events, praised the fans.

“It’s exemplifying,” he said. “It shows you what a great sport we have in thoroughbred racing.”

The track unveiled the second annual Kentucky Derby winner’s print by equine artist Celeste Susany during the ceremony. The print features an image of Silver Charm and Captain Bodgit as they battle to the Derby finish with the twin spires in the background.

Silver Charm’s next race will be the $1 million Grade I Haskell Invitational on Aug. 3 at Monmouth Park.

The tribute was the first for a Derby winner at Churchill Downs since a public retirement ceremony for Alysheba following his 1988 Breeders’ Cup victory on Nov. 19, 1988.

Cigar was honored at the track during a special farewell ceremony last fall.