KEENELAND-SOLD HORSES WELL REPRESENTED AT BREEDERS’ CUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
The 14 races in the 25th Breeders’ Cup World Championships on October 24-25 at Santa Anita are filled with horses with Keeneland connections. Some are Keeneland sales graduates, some raced at Keeneland during the fall meeting and some have trained at Keeneland during the season – or a combination of all three.
Of the 180 horses that were pre-entered in the Breeders’ Cup, 62 – or 34% -- were offered or sold at Keeneland sales.
Ten Keeneland Sales graduates were pre-entered in the $2 million Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). Among them is two-time Grade 1 winner Stardom Bound, a Tapit filly who was sold for $50,000 at the 2007 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
Another Juvenile Fillies pre-entry who was sold at the same sale is Darley Alcibiades (G1) winner Dream Empress. The Bernstein filly was sold for $60,000.
Other Keeneland Sales graduates that won Keeneland stakes that were part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” series to advance to the Breeders’ Cup are:
Lane’s End Breeders’ Futurity (G1) winner Square Eddie, who was sold for $200,000 at the 2007 September Sale. The Smart Strike colt is to race in the $2 million Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1).
Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) winner Thorn Song, who was sold for $160,000 at the 2004 September Sale. The son of Unbridled’s Song is to race in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1).
Thoroughbred Club of America (G3) winner Indyanne, who has been sold at two Keeneland sales. At the 2006 January Horses of All Ages Sale, she was sold as a yearling for $77,000. At that year’s September Sale, the Indian Charlie filly was sold for $190,000. She is to race in the $1 million Sentient Flight Group Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.
Woodford Reserve Bourbon (G3) winner Bittel Road, who was pre-entered in the $1 million Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. The Stormy Atlantic colt was sold at the 2007 September Sale for $340,000.
Other Keeneland Sales graduates in the Breeders’ Cup include:
Horse of the Year Curlin, who is scheduled to defend his title in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). The Smart Strike was sold at the 2005 September Sale for $57,000.
Undefeated Zenyatta, who is to start in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic (G1). At the 2005 September Sale, the daughter of Street Cry (IRE) sold for $60,000.
Mauralakana (FR), who is scheduled to race in the $2 million Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Filly & Turf (G1). At four, the daughter of Muhtathir was sold at the 2007 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale for $900,000.
Multiple Grade 1 winner Wait a While, who was pre-entered in the Filly & Mare Turf (G1). The daughter of Maria’s Mon was sold for $50,000 at the 2004 September Sale.
Keeneland will simulcast the Breeders’ Cup, which is being held on the final two days of the fall meeting. On October 24, post time for the first of Keeneland’s nine live races is 1:10 p.m., and the first Breeders’ Cup race is scheduled for 3:35 p.m.
On October 25, the racing action kicks off with the 1:10 p.m. post time of the first Breeders’ Cup race, followed by the first of seven live races at Keeneland at 1:15 p.m. Keeneland’s final live race that day is the $150,000 Fayette (G3), a 1 1/8-mile race for three-year-olds and older horses.
MOTT OVERSEES KEENELAND WORKERS HEADED FOR BREEDERS’ CUP
Trainer Bill Mott was at Keeneland on Sunday to oversee works by Zayat Stables LLC’s Pioneerof the Nile and Peter Vegso’s War Monger, both of whom are headed to Santa Anita on Tuesday for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
Third in Square Eddie’s Lane’s End Breeders’ Futurity (G1), Pioneerof the Nile worked in company, covering five furlongs in 1:00.40. The Empire Maker colt is scheduled to make his next start in the Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1).
War Monger, who was third behind Thorn Song in the Shadwell Turf Mile (G1), covered five furlongs in 1:01.80. The five-year-old son of War Chant is scheduled to run in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1).
“They did what we wanted, and hopefully what we needed,” Mott said about the two horses. “They were useful works; both horses have recent races. It was a good solid effort and hopefully it was just enough and not too much.”
Another Breeders’ Cup contender who worked on Sunday was Woodford Reserve Bourbon (G3) winner Bittel Road, who was timed in :49 for his half-mile work. Owned by James T. Scatuorchio and John Iracane, the Stormy Atlantic colt is to race in the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. Bittel Road, who is trained by Todd Pletcher, also is scheduled to leave Keeneland on Tuesday.
Orthodox, who was pre-entered in the Juvenile Turf, worked five furlongs in :59.60. The Pulpit colt currently is 18th on the list of horses pre-entered in the race, which will field 12 runners.
INFORMED DECISION BLASTS TARGET IN LEXUS RAVEN RUN
Informed Decision’s track record-setting performance in Saturday’s Lexus Raven Run (G2) might have capped the season for the filly, who covered seven furlongs in 1:20.86 during her 4 ¼-length victory.
“We might back off of her a bit,” said trainer Jonathan Sheppard, who trains the three-year-old daughter of Monarchos for George Strawbridge Jr.’s Augustin Stable. “We don’t want to press it. We were aiming for this race, and we don’t want to be greedy.”
Sheppard said two-turn races might be in Informed Decision’s future, adding, “Her pedigree and her late-running style suggest she’ll go longer.” Her sire won the Kentucky Derby, and her dam is a daughter of His Majesty, a noted distance sire.
Informed Decision gave the Augustin-Sheppard team its second stakes victory of the fall meeting. On opening day, stablemate Forever Together won the First Lady (G1). She is scheduled to leave Keeneland on Tuesday for her next start in the Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) at Santa Anita.
Sheppard also won the race after the Raven Run, sending out his Just as Well to capture a one-mile turf race.
MERCHANT MARINE, MAMBO IN SEATTLE AMONG FAYETTE PROBABLES
Merchant Marine and Mambo in Seattle, who finished third and fourth, respectively, behind Horse of the Year Curlin in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), head the list of probables for the 50th running of the Fayette (G3), a $150,000 race for three-year-olds and older horses at 1 1/8 miles to be run on Keeneland’s October 25 closing day.
H. Allen Jerkens trains Merchant Marine, a four-year-old Tiznow gelding who races for Peachtree Stable. The gelding has two other starts in Grade 1 company, running fifth in the Suburban and sixth in the Whitney. He won Belmont’s Devil Diver before the Jockey Club Gold Cup.
Mambo in Seattle, who races for William S. Farish and Mrs. W.S. Kilroy, is trained by Neal Howard. The three-year-old Kingmambo colt began his career at Keeneland a year ago and has two starts over the Polytrack. He became a stakes winner in July when he won the 1 1/8-mile Henry Walton Stakes prior to finishing second to Colonel John in the Travers (G1).
Other Fayette probables as of Sunday morning are Borobudur, who won a 1 1/8-mile allowance race at Keeneland on October 5 and broke his maiden at the track in April; 2007 Toyota Blue Grass (G1) winner Dominican, coming off a third in the Turfway Park Fall Championship (G3); 2007 Ben Ali (G3) runner-up Minister’s Joy; Grade 3 winner Stream Cat, second in last year’s Fayette; and 2008 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker (G2) winner Wayzata Bay.
The Fayette will be the seventh and final live race at Keeneland, which will simulcast the two-day Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
FAVORITES AND WINNERS
Through October 18 and the first 12 days of the Keeneland fall meeting, favorites have won nearly 33% of the 91 races run on Polytrack. Meanwhile, favorites have won 25% of the 24 turf races. Combined, favorites have won 31% of Keeneland’s 115 races.
Keeneland’s 17-day fall season concludes on October 25.
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Barn Notes will not be published Monday or Tuesday, October 20-21. Notes will resume Wednesday, October 22, when entries will be drawn for Saturday’s Fayette (G3).
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CLOSING WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS
Wednesday, October 22 — Formulator Handicapping Contest — Keeneland and its partner Daily Racing Form host a $2,500 Handicapping Contest on races 3-9. Entry fee is $10; the first 200 participants receive a free Daily Racing Form.
Thursday, October 23 – 2009 Keeneland Wall Calendar Giveaway – First 2,500 patrons with paid admission receive a colorful pictorial calendar.
Friday, October 24 – Pink Day – Keeneland will team with two organizations that are working to reduce the existence of breast cancer: Horses and Hope, an initiative of First Lady Jane Beshear that is centered on the women who work in the barn areas at Kentucky tracks, and Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the noted national organization. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to Keeneland, where race-day activities include a handicapping contest for women only that will coincide with the all-female day of racing at the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita. The first 1,000 women with paid admission received a pink Keeneland scarf.
Friday - Saturday, October 24-25 — Breeders’ Cup from Santa Anita — Enjoy live racing from Keeneland and simulcasts of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships from Santa Anita. Gates open at 11 a.m. Keeneland first post is 1:10 p.m. on Friday and 1:15 p.m. on Saturday. Breeders’ Cup first post is 3:35 p.m. on Friday and 1:10 p.m. on Saturday.
Saturday, October 25 – Breakfast With the Works – Bring the family out for Breakfast With the Works, from 7 – 8:30 a.m. Enjoy a Southern-style breakfast and free children’s activities. This Saturday, Asbury Equine will give a demonstration in the paddock at 8:45 a.m.
Saturday, October 25 — Handicapping Seminar – Listen to expert handicappers trackside each Saturday during the meet, beginning at 11:30 a.m.
2008 KEENELAND FALL MEET LEADERS
(Stats Through Saturday, October 18)
Current Meet Leading Jockeys
Name Sts 1st 2nd 3rd Purses
Robby Albarado 90 20 17 18 $1,701,762
Julien Leparoux 95 15 13 7 $989,272
Kent Desormeaux 49 8 4 5 $766,182
Jesus Castanon 64 7 8 3 $221,997
Jamie Theriot 73 6 9 8 $557,464
Rene Douglas 77 6 8 8 $439,763
Shaun Bridgmohan 61 6 0 8 $222,662
Miguel Mena 89 5 14 9 $315,745
John Velazquez 27 5 2 5 $709,301
Calvin Borel 64 4 7 4 $291,738
Rafael Bejarano 12 4 3 4 $710,052
Current Meet Leading Trainers
Name Sts 1st 2nd 3rd Purses
Ken McPeek 34 6 4 4 $509,418
Albert Stall Jr. 14 5 5 1 $279,543
Bill Mott 25 5 3 3 $319,737
Michael Maker 25 5 2 2 $124,190
Kiaran McLaughlin 15 4 3 0 $589,222
Ian Wilkes 13 4 1 1 $129,207
Robert Holthus 13 3 3 2 $ 98,951
Jonathan Sheppard 8 3 1 0 $478,523
Current Meet Leading Owners
Name Wins
Adele B. Dilschneider & Claiborne Farm 4
Ken & Sarah Ramsey 4
Augustin Stable 3
Zayat Stables LLC 3
B. Wayne Hughes 2
Lewis G. Lakin 2
A. Stevens Miles Jr. 2
Pin Oak Stable LLC 2
David A. Ross 2
Shadwell Stable 2