Keeneland Barn Notes for April 3
By Amy Owens —-
MONDAY, APRIL 3
Keeneland’s 15-day Spring Meet opens Friday and concludes Friday, April 28,
with racing on Wednesdays through Sundays. Post time for the first race each day
is 1:05 p.m. ET. Keeneland will be closed on Easter Sunday, April 16.
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Visit Keeneland.com/bluegrass for information about opening-weekend stakes.
• CHAD BROWN LIKES TIMING OF TOYOTA BLUE GRASS FOR PRACTICAL JOKE
• TOYOTA BLUE GRASS CANDIDATE WILD SHOT WORKS HALF-MILE IN :48.20
• BREEDERS’ CUP WINNER OSCAR PERFORMANCE HEADS FIELD OF NINE FOR OPENING-DAY TRANSYLVANIA PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SELECT
• OPENING WEEKEND PROBABLE STAKES FIELDS
• 2017 SPRING MEET SPECIAL EVENTS THIS WEEK
CHAD BROWN LIKES TIMING OF TOYOTA BLUE GRASS FOR PRACTICAL JOKE
Recipient of the 2016 Eclipse Award as North America’s outstanding trainer, Chad Brown will send out two-time Grade 1 winner Practical Joke in Saturday’s $1 million Toyota Blue Grass (G2) Brown had considered running the Into Mischief colt in the Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park on April 1.
“I just felt in the end the horse would benefit from one extra week of training,” Brown said about the decision to race Practical Joke in the Toyota Blue Grass. “We were coming to Keeneland with some other horses. I like the Blue Grass. We had some success last year with My Man Sam running a good second. So it made sense for us.”
A graduate of two Keeneland sales, Practical Joke races for Seth Klarman’s Klaravich Stables and William H. Lawrence. Last year, the colt won the Hopeful (G1) and Champagne (G1) in New York before he was third in the Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita. In his only start in 2017, Practical Joke was second in the Xpressbet Fountain of Youth (G2) on March 4 at Gulfstream Park.
On Saturday at Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida, Practical Joke turned in his final work for the Toyota Blue Grass, covering 5 furlongs in 1:00.45 He arrived at Keeneland yesterday afternoon and jogged on the main track Monday morning. Brown said he would gallop tomorrow, depending on the weather.
Joel Rosario will ride Practical Joke in the Toyota Blue Grass and become Brown’s fourth starter. In addition to My Man Sam, Brown was sixth in the race with Balance the Books – who raced for Practical Joke’s owners – in 2013 and was 12th with Bobby’s Kitten in 2014.
Brown’s Keeneland string includes a number of standouts aiming to Keeneland stakes, including Grade 2 winners Paid Up Subscriber and Paulassilverlining in Saturday’s Madison (G1); 2016 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) winner New Money Honey in the April 13 Appalachian (G3) Presented by Japan Racing Association; and $2 million earner Lady Eli in the Coolmore Jenny Wiley (G1) two days later.
His first stakes contestant will be Woodford Racing’s Ticonderoga, entered in Friday’s opening-day Transylvania (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select.
The 3-year-old son of Tapit, second in Keeneland’s Dixiana Bourbon (G3) in October, is coming off a win in the March 4 Palm Beach (G3) at Gulfstream.
“He was a little green last year, but at least he got a run over the turf course,” Brown said. “I see a stronger, more mature horse this time around. We’re excited about him opening day.”
Ticonderoga, purchased by Woodford Racing for $850,000 at Keeneland’s 2015 September Yearling Sale, is the first foal out of millionaire Keertana, winner of Keeneland’s 2011 Grey Goose Bewitch (G3).
Brown, whose 2016 stable earnings of $23,134,394 led all North American trainers, enters Keeneland’s 2017 Spring Meet with 17 stakes wins here since 2009, his third season of training.
“Respecting how difficult Keeneland is and trying to bring the right horses is really the key to have success here,” he said. “Everyone brings their best, so that’s what we have to do. I feel like I picked some really good horses to run here. The races are so difficult we’ll be fortunate to have any level of success here.”
TOYOTA BLUE GRASS CANDIDATE WILD SHOT WORKS HALF-MILE IN :48.20
Calumet Farm’s homebred Wild Shot completed his major preparation for Saturday’s $1 million Toyota Blue Grass (G2) by working a half-mile in :48.20 Monday morning.
Working on his own over a fast main track shortly after 6 o’clock, Wild Shot posted fractions of :12.40, :24, :48.20 and galloped out 5 furlongs in 1:02 with Angel Cruz aboard.
“He did easy and in hand,” said Cruz, who was aboard Wild Shot for the first time. “He’s a nice horse. The track is fast and he did it on his own.”
Wild Shot, trained by Rusty Arnold, is slated to be ridden Saturday by Corey Lanerie. Arnold is scheduled to arrive in Lexington Monday afternoon.
Cruz, who posted his first Grade 1 victory here last fall with Dancing Rags in the Darley Alcibiades, will be riding his first full Keeneland meet this spring. He is to ride Dancing Rags in Sunday’s Adena Springs Beaumont (G3) for trainer Graham Motion.
In other Toyota Blue Grass news regarding horses at Keeneland, probable favorite McCraken jogged once around the main track alongside a pony and then returned to his barn through the Paddock. Regular exercise rider Yoni Orantes was up.
Because rain was forecast to begin early Monday, trainer Ian Wilkes moved McCraken’s work to Sunday when the Whitham Thoroughbreds’ homebred colt produced a :49.40 half-mile breeze.
“You could see him quicken at the wire,” Wilkes said. “He had his big work last week when he worked 6 furlongs (1:13.40) and galloped out a mile.”
Making his first appearance on the track was Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner Tapwrit.
Trained by three-time Toyota Blue Grass winner Todd Pletcher, Tapwrit galloped 1¼ miles before the renovation break with exercise rider Romain Techer aboard.
The monsoon that was forecast never arrived Monday morning, but enough of a shower after
8 o’clock rerouted the morning activity of Reddam Racing’s Irap to the five-furlong all-weather training track.
With exercise rider Antonio Romero aboard, Irap jogged once around and then galloped 1½ miles.
It’s Your Nickel, owned by the partnership of Harold Lerner, AWC Stables, Scott Akman and Nehoc Stables, walked the shedrow at trainer Kenny McPeek’s barn following a 5-furlong work in 1:01.60 on Sunday.
BREEDERS’ CUP WINNER OSCAR PERFORMANCE HEADS FIELD OF NINE
FOR OPENING-DAY TRANSYLVANIA PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SELECT
Amerman Racing Stables’ Oscar Performance, winner of the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) at Santa Anita in his most recent start, heads a field of nine 3-year-olds entered Monday for Friday’s 29th running of the $150,000 Transylvania (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select.
The 1 1/16-mile turf test is the first of 16 stakes during Keeneland’s 15-day Spring Meet that runs through April 28 and serves as the opening-day feature. The Transylvania will go as the ninth race on the 10-race program with a 5:30 p.m. ET post time. First post time daily is 1:05 p.m.
Trained by Brian Lynch, Oscar Performance has won three of four career starts for a resume that also includes a victory in the Pilgrim (G3) at Belmont Park in October. Jose Ortiz will have the mount and break from post position four.
Two horses that chased Oscar Performance in the Breeders’ Cup will try again: fourth-place finisher Ticonderoga and fifth-place finisher Big Score.
Woodford Racing’s Ticonderoga, second in the Dixiana Bourbon (G3) here last fall, won the Palm Beach (G3) at Gulfstream Park on March 4 in his 2017 debut. Trained by Chad Brown, who won the 2015 Transylvania with Night Prowler, Ticonderoga will break from post position five and be ridden by Joel Rosario.
George Krikorian’s Big Score, trained by Tim Yakteen, has not raced since the Breeders’ Cup. A winner of two of four career starts, including a triumph in the Zuma Beach at Santa Anita in October, Big Score will break from post position three and be ridden by Javier Castellano.
The field for the Transylvania, from the rail out, is: Profiteer (John Velazquez, 120 pounds), Makarios (Nik Juarez, 118), Big Score (Castellano, 123), Oscar Performance (Ortiz, 123), Ticonderoga (Rosario, 120), Sonic Boom (Julien Leparoux, 120), Dahog (Arienne Cox, 123), Cowboy Culture (Florent Geroux, 118) and Holiday Stone (Luis Saez, 118).
OPENING WEEKEND PROBABLE STAKES FIELDS
$1,000,000 TOYOTA BLUE GRASS (G2) (Entries close Tuesday; Race Saturday, April 8) – Irap (Doug O’Neill), It’s Your Nickel (Kenny McPeek), J Boys Echo (Dale Romans), McCraken (Ian Wilkes), Practical Joke (Chad Brown), Tapwrit (Todd Pletcher), Wild Shot (Rusty Arnold).
$500,000 CENTRAL BANK ASHLAND (G1) (Entries close Tuesday; Race Saturday, April 8) – Daddys Lil Darling (Kenny McPeek), Elate (Bill Mott), Pretty City Dancer (Mark Casse), Summer Luck (Casse). Possible: Princess Karen (Jeff Bonde), Tapa Tapa Tapa (Tim Hamm).
$300,000 MADISON (G1) (Entries close Tuesday; Race Saturday, April 8) – Clothes Fall Off (Kiaran McLaughlin), Constellation (Jerry Hollendorfer), High Ridge Road (Linda Rice), Kathballu (Kenny McPeek), Mines and Magic (Vicky Oliver), Paid Up Subscriber (Chad Brown), Paulassilverlining (Brown), Wheatfield (Danny Pish).
$250,000 COMMONWEALTH (G3) (Entries close Tuesday; Race Saturday, April 8) – A. P. Indian (Arnaud Delacour), Awesome Slew (Mark Casse), Cautious Giant (Kristen Mulhall), Fish Trappe Road (Bret Calhoun), Limousine Liberal (Ben Colebrook), Redesdale (Brendan Walsh), Riding in the Wind (Jose Lopez), Seeking the Soul (Dallas Stewart), Tale of S’avall (Barclay Tagg), Yockey’s Warrior (Al Stall Jr.).
$200,000 SHAKERTOWN (G2) (Entries close Tuesday; Race Saturday, April 8) – Blue Wings (Patrick Huffman), Green Mask (Brad Cox), Hogy (Scott Becker), Holding Gold (Mark Casse), Mongolian Saturday (Enebish Ganbat), Rainbow Heir (Jason Servis).
$150,000 ADENA SPRINGS BEAUMONT (G3) (Entries close Thursday; Race Sunday, April 9) – Dancing Rags (Graham Motion), Laney (Eddie Kenneally), My Miss Chiff (Al Stall Jr.), Promises Broken (Phil Simms), Sweet Loretta (Todd Pletcher), Tapped (Jerry Hollendorfer). Possible: Sounds Delicious (Linda Rice).
2017 SPRING MEET SPECIAL EVENTS
Tuesday, April 4
Official Keeneland Tour. Available Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in April at 8:30 a.m. ET. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets ($8 per person; 12 and younger free).
Thursday, April 6
Official Keeneland Tour.
“Keeneland Magazine on TV.” Spring stories include “Big Red Star.” After returning to his Kentucky birthplace, Horse of the Century Man o’ War drew admirers from around the world. Half-hour program airs at 10 p.m. on The CW Lexington.
Friday, April 7 – Opening Day
Official Keeneland Tour.
NEW Behind-the-Scenes Racing Tour. For an insider’s view of Keeneland, Tour Guides will lead guests to the track’s behind-the-scenes areas such as the Jockeys Quarters, where some of the world’s leading riders prepare for their race day; to the barns, where the race day begins, to the track to see morning workouts and through the picturesque Keeneland Paddock. A limited number of dates and tickets ($25 per person) are available for this exclusive experience. The two-hour tour begins at 9 a.m. and is limited to 10 people. Click here for more information
The Keeneland Shop’s Milliners Corner presents Christine A. Moore Millinery and Forme Millinery adjacent to the Walking Ring from 9 a.m. to the last race.
College Scholarship Day. Thousands of students from colleges and universities in Kentucky and beyond will be at the track for this popular event. Admission is free with a college ID. Full-time students can register in the North Terrace to win one of ten $1,000 scholarships awarded after each race and prizes from local vendors. The first 2,000 students to register will receive a Keeneland College Scholarship Day T-shirt courtesy of Coca-Cola or a Southern Proper hat. The $10,000 Runhappy Scholarship will be awarded via random drawing to one lucky full-time student after the eighth race post parade.
Tailgating on The Hill. Keeneland’s popular tailgate lot, located adjacent to the Keene Barn & Entertainment Center, features local food trucks, a jumbo television screen, wireless wagering and wagering terminals, race-day programs, The Keeneland Shop kiosk and free shuttles to the track. BETologists will be available to answer fans’ questions.
Friday Pick 4 Presented by TVG. A $200,000-guaranteed pool will be offered on the final four races of the day.
Saturday, April 8
Sunrise Trackside Keeneland shares a special side of Thoroughbred racing that is worth getting up early to enjoy. Sponsored by LEX18, Sunrise Trackside is a free, family-friendly event with activities for all ages: Breakfast With the Works features breakfast for purchase and trackside commentary (7-8:30 a.m.) while Thoroughbreds train on the main track; children’s activities in the Kids Club Corner (7-9 a.m.); Keeneland tours (7:30-10 a.m.); Paddock demonstration with Central Kentucky Riding for Hope (9 a.m.); trackside handicapping seminar with Paddock Host Katie Gensler and racing analyst Tom Leach (11 a.m.); and Q&A session with a jockey in the Paddock (12:05 p.m.).
The Keeneland Shop’s Milliners Corner presents Christine A. Moore Millinery and Forme Millinery adjacent to the Walking Ring from 9 a.m. to the last race.
Tailgating on The Hill. Keeneland’s popular tailgate lot, located adjacent to the Keene Barn & Entertainment Center, features local food trucks, a jumbo television screen, wireless wagering and wagering terminals, race-day programs, The Keeneland Shop kiosk and free shuttles to the track. One of Central Kentucky’s favorite bluegrass bands will perform from 12-4 p.m. BETologists will be available to answer fans’ questions.
$400,000 All-Stakes Pick 4 Presented by TVG. Features races 7-10: Shakertown (G2), Madison (G1), Central Bank Ashland (G1) and Toyota Blue Grass (G2).
$300,000 All-Stakes Pick 5 Presented by TVG. Features races 6-10: Commonwealth (G3), Shakertown, Madison, Central Bank Ashland and Toyota Blue Grass.
Sunday, April 9
Kids Club Family Day. The Keeneland Kids Club is the Official Kids Club for Keeneland fans 12 and younger. Members and their families are invited to enjoy a special day at the races by receiving free general admission and access to reserved Grandstand seating Children’s activities will take place in the North Terrace from noon to 3 p.m.