Keeneland Barn Notes April 5, 2017
By Amy Owens —-
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5
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 bluegrass Keeneland.com/bluegrass for information about opening-weekend stakes,
including Saturday’s $1 million Toyota Blue Grass (G2).
• TOM LEACH INTERVIEWS KEENELAND HORSEMEN
• WILD SHOT WILL PLAY CATCH ME IF YOU CAN IN TOYOTA BLUE GRASS
• J BOYS ECHO TEAM SEEKS TOYOTA BLUE GRASS REPEAT
• A. P. INDIAN READY TO LAUNCH 2017 CAMPAIGN IN COMMONWEALTH
• TVG EXPANDS KEENELAND COVERAGE, ADDS WEEKLY FEATURES
• TICKETS ON SALE FOR APRIL 23 BENEFIT FOR PERMANENTLY DISABLED JOCKEYS FUND AND SOUTH AFRICAN SIMUNYE PROJECT
• OPENING SUNDAY PROBABLE STAKES FIELD
• 2017 SPRING MEET SPECIAL EVENTS
TOM LEACH INTERVIEWS KEENELAND HORSEMEN
Keeneland Racing Analyst Tom Leach, the “Voice of the Wildcats” for University of Kentucky football and men’s basketball, interviewed leading horsemen with starters in the opening weekend stakes:
Trainer Ian Wilkes on McCraken in Saturday’s Toyota Blue Grass and Sonic Boom in Friday’s Transylvania (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select.
Trainer Chad Brown on his entries in the weekend stakes, including Ticonderoga in the Transylvania; Paulassilverlining and Paid Up Subscriber in Saturday’s Madison (G1); and Practical Joke in the Toyota Blue Grass.
Walker Hancock, president of Claiborne Farm, which co-bred and co-owns Central Bank Ashland (G1) starter Elate with Adele B. Dilschneider.
WILD SHOT WILL PLAY CATCH ME IF YOU CAN IN TOYOTA BLUE GRASS
The past performance lines for Calumet Farm’s Wild Shot prominently display the names of Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) rivals McCraken and Tapwrit.
On Saturday, the Rusty Arnold trainee will try again against the two race favorites on the morning line.
“I thought we would make our stand here where he ran his best race,” Arnold said of Wild Shot, who finished third to champion Classic Empire in last fall’s Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) here.
“I could have ducked them (at Tampa), but Mr. (Brad) Kelley (owner of Calumet) has horses running all over,” Arnold said. “He has Sonneteer, who was second in the Rebel (G2) and going to the Arkansas Derby (G1), the horse that was second in the TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) (Patch) and he’s got one (True Timber) running in the Wood (Memorial on Saturday). I had nowhere else to run.”
After the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity, Wild Shot finished second to McCraken, beaten 1¼ lengths, in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs and then finished 3½ lengths behind McCraken and two behind Tapwrit when fourth in the Sam F. Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs.
In the Tampa Bay Derby (G2), Wild Shot finished third, six lengths behind Tapwrit. In both Tampa races, Wild Shot sat off the pace, a tactic that is not expected to be employed Saturday.
“He will be on the lead,” Arnold said of Wild Shot, who will be ridden by Corey Lanerie. “I’m done piddling around trying to get him to go a mile and a quarter.”
Wild Shot returned to the track Wednesday morning for the first time since a half-mile work Monday and galloped before the break under Jozefat Calvo.
The other five Toyota Blue Grass entrants at Keeneland galloped Wednesday morning. The seventh entrant, J Boys Echo, is stabled at Churchill Downs and has to be at Keeneland by noon Thursday.
Whitham Thoroughbreds’ McCraken galloped 1½ miles before the renovation break under exercise rider Yoni Orantes and, as he has done the past few days, returned to the barn via the Paddock.
Not only is McCraken the 7-5 morning-line favorite for Saturday’s Toyota Blue Grass, the undefeated colt also is the favorite in the final futures pool for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1).
“You have to enjoy it,” trainer Ian Wilkes said of the buildup to the Toyota Blue Grass and the Kentucky Derby. “How often does a horse like this come along? You have to have fun with it, but you can’t get ahead of yourself. You have to take it one day at a time.”
Bridlewood Farm, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Robert LaPenta’s Tapwrit visited the starting gate and galloped 1 3/8 miles under Romain Techer for trainer Todd Pletcher.
“He got an A plus at the gate this morning,” said Ginny DePasquale, the longtime Pletcher assistant who is overseeing his Keeneland string. “He is coming around at the right time considering his first time at Saratoga he got a D minus.”
Tapwrit schooled in the Paddock later in the morning after training hours.
With Fernando Rivera aboard, Klaravich Stables and William H. Lawrence’s Practical Joke visited the Paddock before he galloped 1 3/8 miles for trainer Chad Brown.
For trainer Kenny McPeek, Harold Lerner, AWC Stables, Nehoc Stables and Magdalena Stable’s It’s Your Nickel galloped 1½ miles in the first set with Pablo Portes aboard.
Reddam Racing’s Irap galloped a mile on the main track after the break with jockey Julien Leparoux hopping aboard for the first time prior to partnering in Saturday’s race.
Seeking to become the first maiden to win the Toyota Blue Grass, Irap is trained by Doug O’Neill. Overseeing the colt’s preparations this week is Jack Sisterson, who was here last spring for nearly a month with Nyquist before that colt went on to Churchill Downs and won the Kentucky Derby.
“That was a good time,” Sisterson said. “They had had a good experience here in 2015 for the Breeders’ Cup and if the weather got bad we could go to the (all-weather) training track and not miss a day.”
McPEEK TAKES AIM ON BOTH TOYOTA BLUE GRASS
AND CENTRAL BANK ASHLAND
Kenny McPeek holds the distinction of being the only trainer to have a horse in both the $1 million Toyota Blue Grass (G2) and $500,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1) on Saturday, opening Saturday of Keeneland’s 2017 Spring Meet. He has two victories in the Toyota Blue Grass (Harlan’s Holiday in 2002 and Java’s War in 2013) and two wins in the Central Bank Ashland (Take Charge Lady in 2002 and 2014 dead-heat winter Rosalind).
His Toyota Blue Grass contender this year is Harold Lerner, AWC Stables, Nehoc Stables and Magdalena Stable’s It’s Your Nickel, who drew the inside post in the field of seven and will be ridden by James Graham. It’s Your Nickel is 20-1 on the morning line.
His Central Bank Ashland hopeful is the race’s 5-2 morning-line favorite, Normandy Farm’s homebred Daddys Lil Darling, who will break from post six with Robby Albarado aboard.
It’s Your Nickel is coming off a 6½-length victory in his most recent race in the John Battaglia Memorial on March 4 over the all-weather surface at Turfway Park. He also has wins on dirt and turf.
“We went into that race real confident, and he ran huge,” McPeek said about the John Battaglia Memorial. “Now we’re ready to find out how good he is. Up to this point, I don’t think we really know.
“We have some bears to run against, but if he can’t run third or better against this group, then he really, legitimately doesn’t belong in the Kentucky Derby (G1),” he added. “He’s had everything set up for him; he’s had plenty of time between races. He’s been here (training at Keeneland with works on March 20 and March 27) the whole time. The question is ‘Is he good enough?’ ”
Daddys Lil Darling, a half-sister to 2015 TwinSpires Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) winner Mongolian Saturday, who is entered in Saturday’s Shakertown (G2) here, won the Pocahantas (G2) at Churchill Downs last year. She next was second in Keeneland’s Darley Alcibiades (G1), fourth in the 14 Hands Winery Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and second in the Golden Rod (G2) at Churchill. She comes into the Central Bank Ashland off a sixth-place finish in the Florida Oaks (G3) on turf in her lone start of 2017.
“I really needed a race under her belt more than I needed a turf race, but I wanted to run her and get her out there and get her in the game,” McPeek said. “She ran OK. We tinkered with her running style a little bit. I think she’s just got one run in her; I think she’s an off-the-pace type. That’s just the way she is. She’s ready for this.”
J BOYS ECHO TEAM SEEKS TOYOTA BLUE GRASS REPEAT
Keeneland’s Jockey Garden adjacent to the Saddling Paddock features 11 statues commemorating winners of the track’s most prestigious races such as the $1 million Toyota Blue Grass (G2), which will be run for the 93rd time on Saturday. Each jockey is painted to replicate the winning owner’s silks, including Dennis Albaugh’s Albaugh Family Stable, which won the Toyota Blue Grass last year with Brody’s Cause. The blue and gray colors will remain on the statue if Albaugh’s J Boys Echo wins this year’s Toyota Blue Grass.
J Boys Echo is trained by Dale Romans, who also trained Brody’s Cause.
“Having won the race last year with Brody’s Cause, it really was not a hard decision to run in the (Toyota) Blue Grass again,” Steve Castagnola, bloodstock manager for the Albaugh operation, said. “It is incredible to be back. We know how hard this game is. We are very fortunate and we have a great team.”
J Boys Echo comes into the Toyota Blue Grass after winning the Gotham (G3) at Aqueduct on March 4. His resume includes a victory in a Keeneland maiden race last year.
The owners were familiar with the Mineshaft colt’s lineage when they saw J Boys Echo at Keeneland’s 2015 September Yearling Sale and purchased him for $485,000. They raced his half-brother, Unbridled Outlaw, a Keeneland September graduate who became a graded stakes-placed performer.
“When we went to see J Boys Echo at the sale, he had a lovely way of walking and a lot of presence and class,” Castagnola said.
J Boys Echo is named for Albaugh’s son-in-law Jason Loutsch, who often is called “J Boy.” The second part of the moniker is a nod to the colt’s dam, Letgomyecho.
A. P. INDIAN READY TO LAUNCH 2017 CAMPAIGN IN COMMONWEALTH
Green Lantern Stables’ A. P. Indian, a two-time Grade 1 winner in 2016, returned to Keeneland Tuesday morning with an eye on a Saturday start in the $250,000 Commonwealth (G3).
“He was on the track this morning and it’s all good,” trainer Arnaud Delacour said.
Winner of the Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (G2) here last fall, A. P. Indian closed 2016 with a run in the TwinSpires Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) in which he was placed third.
“He was turned out for 45 days after the Breeders’ Cup and then he was at Classic Mile in Ocala (Florida) where I have a barn,” Delacour said. “When his training picked up, he moved on to Tampa and this is the race we pointed to (to start the year).”
In the Breeders’ Cup, A. P. Indian had a six-race win streak ended when he finished 4½ lengths behind Drefong.
“It was a strong pace and he was chasing those horses and I don’t think he likes to run that way,” Delacour said. “They were going (the first quarter-mile) in :21 and he is not used to that. He can do :22s comfortably, but chasing those horses took away from his closing kick.”
TVG EXPANDS KEENELAND COVERAGE, ADDS WEEKLY FEATURES
TVG will launch complete live, on-track coverage of the Keeneland’s 2017 Spring Meet and start two new weekly features as part of a new partnership with Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai, one of the world’s leading equine feed and supplement suppliers.
TVG’s Todd Schrupp, Paul Lo Duca, Caleb Keller and Caton Bredar will at Keeneland every day. TVG and TVG2 will air Saturday’s and Sunday’s “The Starting Gate” program live from Keeneland, as well. On days Keeneland is not racing, the TVG crew will visit Lexington-area farms to create features and segments to help promote the Thoroughbred breeding and sales industry.
Racing fans can watch TVG’s coverage of the Spring Meet and build-up toward the Triple Crown in high definition on DIRECTV’s new OTT (over-the-top) service, DIRECTV NOW. TVG is part of DIRECTV NOW’s “Go Big” and “Gotta Have It” packages, one of only 120 channels offered through the new service, which is available to users independent of their satellite or cable service at DIRECTVNOW.com. In addition, TVG is available on AT&T’s U-Verse in HD at www.tvg.com/live.
In an effort to recognize some of Thoroughbred racing’s pivotal behind-the-scenes players, TVG, in partnership with Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai, will launch two new weekly features on TVG and TVG2: “Performance of the Week” and “Best Turned Out”
Each week, TVG racing analysts and producers will choose the “Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Performance of the Week” from the races aired by the network and award the winning horse’s trainer a $100 cash prize to be donated to the equine charity of his or her choice. The trainer who earns the most Performances of the Week will receive a $1,000 cash prize for the equine charity of his or her choice.
Additionally, to help celebrate some of racing’s unsung heroes, each week TVG talent will choose the Best Turned Out Horse from a weekly roster of races aired on TVG and reward a $100 cash prize to the winner’s groom.
Earlier this year, TVG launched “The Starting Gate,” an in-depth hour-long show that airs each Saturday and Sunday mornings, going behind the scenes with racing newsmakers and personalities.
TICKETS ON SALE FOR APRIL 23 BENEFIT FOR PERMANENTLY DISABLED JOCKEYS FUND AND SOUTH AFRICAN SIMUNYE PROJECT
A Cajun-themed benefit for two seemingly disparate charities will be held at Castle Post – the famous castle – on Versailles Road near Keeneland on Sunday, April 23. Proceeds from “Ragin’ Cajun At The Castle” will raise funds for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) and The Simunye Project in South Africa.
Longtime Saddlebred breeder Bridget Parker of Parker View Farm in Versailles established The Simunye Project in 1986 after several visits to the region indicated critical need for humanitarian aid.
Simunye (“we are one” in Zulu) is an impoverished town in the KwaZulu-Natal province in west South Africa. To learn more, visitLongtime Saddlebred breeder Bridget Parker of Parker View Farm in Versailles established The Simunye Project in 1986 after several visits to the region indicated critical need for humanitarian aid. Simunye (“we are one” in Zulu) is an impoverished town in the KwaZulu-Natal province in west South Africa. To learn more, visit www.thesimunyeproject.org.
Former jockey Shane Sellers, jockey Gary Stevens and Keeneland Clerk of Scales Javier Torres are Simunye Project board members
Founded in 2006, the PDJF provides financial assistance to 61 former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries such as paralysis or traumatic brain injuries. For more information, visit www.pdjf.org.
Tickets are $75 per person and include dinner, entertainment, two drink coupons, dancing/karaoke and an auction of racing memorabilia. Doors open at 6 p.m., with a Cajun BBQ buffet dinner from 6-8 p.m. Tickets are limited and may be purchased at https://pdjf.org/purchaseTickets.php.
Auction items include a halter worn by champion Arrogate; a two-day trip to New York City featuring dinner at Bobby Flay’s restaurant Bar Americain; and lunch and fashion advice from TV personality, author and horseman Carson Kressley.
OPENING SUNDAY PROBABLE STAKES FIELD
$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.), My Sweet Stella (D. Wayne Lukas), Promises Broken (Phil Sims), Sine Wave (Ben Perkins Jr.), Sweet Loretta (Todd Pletcher), Tapped (Jerry Hollendorfer), Treble (Ron Moquett).
2017 SPRING MEET SPECIAL EVENTS
Through Keeneland September Yearling Sale
Keeneland Library exhibit “Man o’ War: Images from the Keeneland Library Collections.” Exhibit features 16 shots of Man o’ War during his racing career and years at stud by Charles Christian Cook, Joseph Alvie Estes, Robert Lee McClure and Bert Clark Thayer. The Library is open to the public Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET. During the 2017 Spring Meet, it also is open on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Library’s online exhibit. “Man o’ War: In Others’ Words” tells the story of Man o’ War’s life, accomplishments and influence through images from its collection that are accompanied by quotations from the horse’s connections, including owner Samuel D. Riddle and trainer Louis Feustel, along with contemporary sports writers and modern biographers.
Thursday, April 6
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).
“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 jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. in the Paddock (12:05 p.m.). Hernandez is riding McCraken in the $1 million Toyota Blue Grass (G2) that afternoon.
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.