D’Wildcard named AGameofSkill Claimer of the Week

For a brief moment it looked like a couple of recent Kentucky Derbies. A horse hugs the rail all the way around the track and then slips in front, at mid-stretch, while being bumped and squeezed on the rail. One reason it looked that way in the seventh race at Churchill Downs Saturday night is because the rider that guided the winner home was none other than Calvin Borel. The race wasn’t a Grade One with a huge purse, but a typical $5,000 Starter Allowance race instead. The winning horse that followed Borel’s orders perfectly was D’Wildcard, a horse claimed in March 2011 for $5,000. The Lon Wiggins trainee has made a good living in the Starter allowance ranks ever since. It was the third race he won in 13 months for Wiggins who is also a co-owner. It was the seventh career win for the tough 7 year old and the first time the gelding ever won on an off track. The son of Forest Wildcat has finished in the money 17 times from 41 lifetime starts and his career earnings now exceed $140,000. The winner clocked in at 1:47.21 for the wet 1 1/16 miles event and paid $7.00 to win.

— Art Parker