Keeneland April 10 Barn Notes

Posted On 10 Apr 2017

By Amy Owens —-

Keeneland’s 15-day Spring Meet runs through 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.

• SWEET LORETTA DOING WELL AFTER ROMP IN ADENA SPRINGS BEAUMONT
• CASSE DOUBLES UP FOR THURSDAY’S DEEP APPALACHIAN PRESENTED BY JAPAN RACING ASSOCIATION
• GALLOPING OUT
• PROBABLE STARTERS FOR UPCOMING STAKES
• 2017 SPRING MEET SPECIAL EVENTS

SWEET LORETTA DOING WELL AFTER ROMP IN ADENA SPRINGS BEAUMONT

St. Elias Stable’s Sweet Loretta was “dragging her hot walker around the barn this morning,” said Ginny DePasquale, assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher.

Sweet Loretta made Sunday’s Adena Springs Beaumont (G3) her third graded stakes victory in five starts by breezing to a 3-length triumph in the race over the Beard Course of 7 furlongs, 184 feet..
“I don’t think the race took anything out of her,” DePasquale said. “She came out of it fine.”
The $200,000 Eight Belles (G2) at 7 furlongs at Churchill Downs on May 5 could be the next stop for Sweet Loretta.

The victory gave Pletcher a 50th Keeneland stakes score and tied him with D. Wayne Lukas for most stakes wins all time at Keeneland.

Pletcher might have a chance to break the record Friday in the $300,000 Maker’s 46 Mile (G1) for which WinStar Farm’s American Patriot is considered a probable starter. Entries for the Maker’s 46 Mile will be taken Tuesday.

CASSE DOUBLES UP FOR THURSDAY’S DEEP APPALACHIAN PRESENTED BY JAPAN RACING ASSOCIATION

All one has to do is look through the record book to see how productive a race the Appalachian (G3) has been this decade.

Five of the seven winners starting in 2010 have gone on to win Grade 1 races. Thursday’s 29th running of the $125,000 race for 3-year-old fillies has the potential to add to that total.

“What a race. This is a Breeders’ Cup race,” trainer Mark Casse said of the 1-mile grass test that attracted a full field of 12. Among them are four runners from last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1).

Casse has one of those runners in La Coronel, who was sixth as the favorite in the race at Santa Anita, as well as Dream Dancing, both for owner John C. Oxley.

The two Casse fillies have combined to win five of eight starts on the grass and both had one race last month as a prep for Thursday’s race.

“I think they have progressed well from 2 to 3,” Casse said. “I can see that La Coronel is bigger and stronger and Dream Dancing, it took me a while to catch on that she was a true turf horse.”

Casse won the race last year with Catch a Glimpse. A win Thursday would allow him to join Mike Stidham as the only trainer to win the Appalachian in consecutive years. Stidham won in 2000 with Impending Bear and in 2001 with Bold Answer.

“I have felt that La Coronel is as good if not better than Catch a Glimpse, but she has yet to prove it,” Casse said. “Catch a Glimpse had accomplished a lot more by this time last year.”

Catch a Glimpse is expected to start in Saturday’s $350,000 Coolmore Jenny Wiley (G1).

GALLOPING OUT

Trainer Brad Cox said Donegal Racing’s Arklow, a 3½-length allowance winner in his grass debut Sunday, could surface next in the $300,000 American Turf (G2) at Churchill Downs on May 6. “We are going to nominate him,” Cox said of the son of Arch. “We will see how he does, but as long as he is doing OK, it definitely is a possibility.” …

Trainer Gerald E. Brooks recorded his first Keeneland victory when he sent out Ronald Clark’s War Eagle’s Return to win Sunday’s fifth race. Florent Geroux rode the winner, a 5-year-old Northern Afleet gelding who won the 6½-furlong allowance race by 1 length in 1:17.88.

PROBABLE STARTERS FOR UPCOMING STAKES

$300,000 MAKER’S 46 MILE (G1) (Entries taken Tuesday, April 11; race Friday April 14) – American Patriot (Todd Pletcher), Bal a Bali (BRZ) (Richard Mandella), Blacktype (FR) (Christophe Clement), Bondurant (Ian Wilkes), Heart to Heart (Brian Lynch), Inspector Lynley (Shug McGaughey), One Mean Man (Bernie Flint), What a View (Kenny Black). Possibles: Bolo (Carla Gaines), Calculator (Peter Miller), Conquest Enforcer (Jeff Radosevich).
$350,000 COOLMORE JENNY WILEY (G1) (Entries taken Wednesday, April 12; race Saturday, April 15) – Catch a Glimpse (Mark Casse), Dickinson (Kiaran McLaughlin), Goodyearforroses (IRE) (Richard Baltas), Illuminant (Michael McCarthy), Kitten’s Roar (Mike Maker), Lady Eli (Chad Brown), Quidura (GB) (Graham Motion), Time and Motion (James Toner).
$200,000 STONESTREET LEXINGTON (G3) (Entries taken Wednesday, April 12; race Saturday, April 15) – Convict Pike (Rusty Arnold), No Dozing (Arnaud Delacour), Resiliency (Steve Asmussen), Souper Tapit (Mark Casse), Tiz a Slam (Roger Attfield). Possible: Time to Travel (Michael Matz).
$200,000 BEN ALI (G3) (Entries taken Wednesday, April 12; race Saturday, April 15) – Bird Song (Ian Wilkes), Scuba (Brendan Walsh), Watershed (Kiaran McLaughlin). Possibles: Conquest Enforcer (Jeff Radosevich), Matt King Coal (Linda Rice).
$100,000 GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (Entries taken Wednesday, April 12, race Saturday, April 15) – Bibby (Vicky Oliver), Exaggerated (Arnold Delacour), Her Love for Pappy (John Ortiz), Lady Aurelia (Wesley Ward), Lajatico (GB) (Doug O’Neill), Miss Katie Mae (IRE) (Graham Motion), Nobody’s Fault (Neil Pessin), Pretty Perfection (Kelly Breen).

2017 SPRING MEET SPECIAL EVENTS

Through December
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, contemporary sports writers and modern biographers.

Tuesday, April 11
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).
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

Wednesday, April 12
Backstretch Tour and Day at the Races. Join us for an all-day experience of Thoroughbred racing at its finest. Begin your day with a walk in the barn area to see race-day preparations. Other stops include a trackside view of morning workouts, Racing Office and the restricted Jockeys Quarters. Following the tour, guests will meet a Keeneland BETologist to learn more about reading the race-day program and placing a bet. Then enjoy the thrill of live Thoroughbred racing from the comfort of the Keeneland Grandstand. $50 person. Click here for more information.

Budweiser Clydesdales. The famous Budweiser Clydesdales return to Keeneland to perform on the race track and be available for photo opportunities with fans. A single Budweiser Clydesdale will appear at the East Gate on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. On Saturday, the Budweiser Clydesdales hitch will make an on-track appearance between races.
Horses and Hope Pink Day. Keeneland hosts Pink Day in conjunction with Jane Beshear’s Horses and Hope program. Wear pink and help us promote breast cancer awareness while we raise money for this worthy cause. Prior to the races, Mrs. Beshear and the Kentucky Cancer Program will host a survivor’s lunch in Keeneland’s Entertainment Center and Keene Barn. Survivors and guests will enjoy a delicious meal and fashion show sponsored by Miss Priss Prom and Pageant Store, Two Chicks and Company and The Spa at Griffin Gate. Deputy Commissioner Heather French Henry will recognize veterans, and Miss Kentucky will present a medical tribute to survivors. After the program, guests will take a shuttle to reserved seating in Keeneland’s Grandstand. The afternoon also features a Horses and Hope race honoring breast cancer survivors and a commemorative photo.

WINS-DAY Challenge. Place a mythical $2 win and place wager on Keeneland Races 3-8. Entry fee is $10 with a guaranteed $2,500 pool. Limit three entries per person. The first 200 participants receive a free Daily Racing Form and an appetizer card from Malone’s. Visit Wagering Central to sign up.

Thursday, April 13
Official Keeneland Tour.
Budweiser Clydesdales. The famous Budweiser Clydesdales return to Keeneland to perform on the race track and be available for photo opportunities with fans. A single Budweiser Clydesdale will appear at the East Gate on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. On Saturday, the Budweiser Clydesdales hitch will make an on-track appearance between races.
Friday, April 14
Maker’s Mark Commemorative Bottle Signing takes place in the Keene Barn & Entertainment Center and begins at 6 a.m. ET. Sales of the bottle began April 8 at retail locations across Kentucky and benefit the University of Kentucky Athletics Association’s Center for Academic and Tutorial Services (CATS). More information on the bottle signing can be found at keeneland.com/calendar/makers-mark-bottle-signing.
Official Keeneland Tour.
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

Keeneland Shop’s Milliners Corner presents Christine A. Moore Millinery and Polly Singer Designs 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, a 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 15
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 ($8) and trackside commentary while Thoroughbreds train on the main track (7-8:30 a.m.); children’s activities in the Kids Club Corner (7-9 a.m.); Keeneland tours (7:30-10 a.m.); Paddock demonstration with Asbury University Service Mounts (9 a.m.); trackside handicapping seminar (11:30 a.m.); and Q&A session with a Keeneland jockey in the Paddock (12:05 p.m.).

Budweiser Clydesdales. The famous Budweiser Clydesdales will perform on the main track between races.

Keeneland Shop’s Milliners Corner presents Christine A. Moore Millinery and Polly Singer Designs 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, a 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.
Sunday, April 16 – Easter – Keeneland is closed.