Many racing highlights for owner/breeder Carl Pollard have come at Churchill Downs, among them Caressing's victory in the 2000 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and My Trusty Cat's triumph in the 2005 Humana Distaff Handicap (G1).
Now, Pollard has another graded victory beneath the twin spires, thanks to Mercante, who wore down favored Brilliant Berti to win the $273,500 Arlington Stakes (G3T) at the Louisville, Ky., track.
Tracking the pace two wide under Joe Ramos, Mercante went after surprise leader Brilliant Berti on the second turn of the 1 1/16-mile turf race, took command leaving the second turn, and maintained a narrow advantage down the stretch to prevail by a neck.
"I have so much confidence in him every time he runs," Ramos said. "He was going really well down the backside and turning for home I had a lot of horse left. He fought really hard to the wire."
Off as the 3-1 third betting choice, Mercante paid $8.90 to win.
The graded victory was the second of 2025 for the 5-year-old gelding, who won the Kentucky Cup Classic Stakes (G3) on Tapeta in March at Turfway Park. He then ran second in the Turf Classic Stakes (G1T) on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs. He is now 5-1-3 in 13 starts with earnings of $726,122.
Lagynos ran third in the Arlington Stakes, a half-length behind the runner-up.
Saturday's race was marred by an injury to Call Protection, who was pulled up on the backstretch with a right front-leg injury and was transported by an equine ambulance to Churchill's equine medical center. The severity of his injury resulted in him being euthanized, according to Dr. Will Farmer, Churchill Downs Inc.'s equine medical director.
The Brian Knippenberg-trained Mercante was timed in 1:40.69 for 1 1/16 miles on firm turf following fractions set by Brilliant Berti of :24.43, :48.42, and 1:11.72. The final time was the fastest of four runnings of the Arlington Stakes at the 1 1/16-mile distance at Churchill Downs.
Track operator CDI moved the Arlington Stakes to Churchill in 2022 after closing Arlington International Racecourse in 2021.
Mercante, bred by Pollard's CFP Thoroughbreds, is out of Caressing, the champion 2-year-old filly of 2000 who died at Hermitage Farm in 2021. Mercante is her second graded stakes winner following grade 1 winner West Coast.
"To do this here at Churchill, with Mr. Pollard in attendance, and (Hermitage Farm general manager Bill Landes), my boss for a hundred years, it's so special," Knippenberg said.
Mercante is by star stallion Gun Runner , who stands at Three Chimneys Farm for $250,000.
