Keeneland Barn Notes — Monday, Oct. 2

By Amy Owens —-

Keeneland’s 17-day Fall Meet opens Friday and concludes Saturday, Oct. 28, with racing
on Wednesdays through Sundays. Post time for the first race each day is 1:05 p.m. ET.
Friday begins Fall Stars Weekend, which features nine graded stakes, including five Grade 1 events anchored by the $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile (G1), worth a total of $3.75 million.

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· MILLIONAIRE WHITMORE HOPES TO PUNCH BREEDERS’ CUP TICKET FRIDAY
· MO D’AMOUR COULD GIVE BRISSET A JUDDMONTE SPINSTER WINNER OF HIS OWN
· READY PROSPECTOR INVADES FROM LOUISIANA FOR CLAIBORNE BREEDERS’ FUTURITY
· FALL STARS WEEKEND PROBABLE STAKES FIELDS
· KEENELAND TO OFFER ROLLING SUPER HIGH FIVE ON EVERY RACE; PICK FOURS AND PICK FIVES RETURN
· THURSDAY’S PHOENIX FESTIVAL TO HONOR MAN O’ WAR AND HIS GROOMS
· THE KEENELAND SHOP PRESENTS SEASON FULL OF SPECIAL EVENTS
· 2017 FALL MEET SPECIAL EVENTS

MILLIONAIRE WHITMORE HOPES TO PUNCH
BREEDERS’ CUP TICKET FRIDAY

The goal for Whitmore remains the $1.5 million TwinSpires Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), and the 4-year-old Pleasantly Perfect gelding can take a major step in that direction Friday when he makes an expected start in the 165th running of the $250,000 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (G2) on opening day of Keeneland’s Fall Meet.
“The plan was to work back from the Breeders’ Cup,” trainer and part-owner Ron Moquett said Monday morning after Whitmore galloped over Keeneland’s dirt track. “The only thing was whether to train up to the Breeders’ Cup or run here, and I was going to let him tell me. Right now, he’s a happy boy.”
Whitmore ran off a string of four victories to start the year before a third-place finish in the True North (G2) in June and a third-place finish Sept. 16 in the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (G3) at Laurel.
Based at Churchill Downs, Whitmore jogged Sunday morning on his first day at Keeneland. The Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix is a “Win and You’re In” race for the Breeders’ Cup.

MO D’AMOUR COULD GIVE BRISSET A JUDDMONTE SPINSTER
WINNER OF HIS OWN
In 2013, one of the horses Rodolphe Brisset rode in the mornings as an assistant for trainer Bill Mott was Emollient, who made the Juddmonte Spinster (G1) one of four Grade 1 victories in her career.
This Sunday, Brisset could have a Juddmonte Spinster heroine of his own when WinStar Farm’s Mo d’Amour makes an expected start in the 1 1/8-mile race that is “Win and You’re In” for the
$2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) to be run Nov. 3 at Del Mar.
“It looks like we’ll be running,” Brisset said of Mo d’Amour, a 4-year-old daughter of Uncle Mo who worked a half-mile in :47.80 on Sunday, the third best of 52 at the distance.
Brisset, who went out on his own this spring, now has 25 horses at his Keeneland base. Mo d’Amour was one of the first horses he received.
“She ran here in April for Todd (Pletcher) and then I got her in mid-May,” Brisset said. “She has run three times for me with a second at Indiana Grand and a third at Thistledown. She was fourth in the Locust Grove (G3 on Sept. 16 at Churchill Downs) but she was only beaten two lengths and had a tough trip.”

READY PROSPECTOR INVADES FROM LOUISIANA
FOR CLAIBORNE BREEDERS’ FUTURITY
Saturday could turn into a happy homecoming for trainer Oscar Modica when Virginia Lazenby’s homebred Ready Prospector goes postward in the $500,000 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1).
Modica, who lived in Lexington for 14 years and operated a small stable out of The Thoroughbred Center, now is based at the Evangeline Training Center in Louisiana. The star of his 14-horse stable is Ready Prospector, a two-time stakes winner at Evangeline Downs.
“He has got a lot of talent and we thought we’d give it shot,” Modica said about running in the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity, a “Win and You’re In” for the $2 million Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) to be run Nov. 4 at Del Mar.
Ready Prospector, a 2-year-old Louisiana-bred son of Custom for Carlos, arrived at Keeneland Friday from the Evangeline Training Center, where he worked seven furlongs in 1:28.83 on Sept. 23. Modica said Miguel Mena would have the mount.

FALL STARS WEEKEND PROBABLE STAKES FIELDS
The following is a list of probable starters for Fall Stars Weekend stakes compiled by Keeneland Stakes Coordinator Allison DeLuca.
$400,000 DARLEY ALCIBIADES (G1) (Entries taken Tuesday; race Friday) – Bet She Wins (Chris Block), Caroline the Great (Tracey Glover), Drama Run (Anthony Rini), Heavenly Love (Mark Casse), Kelly’s Humor (Brad Cox), Over Thinking (Vicki Oliver), Pacific Gale (John Kimmel) and Princess Warrior (Kenny McPeek). Possible: Amy’s Challenge (Mac Robertson), Maya Malibu (Graham Motion) and Sassy Sienna (Cox).
$250,000 STOLL KEENON OGDEN PHOENIX (G2) (Entries taken Tuesday; race Friday) – Aquamarine (D. Wayne Lukas), Awesome Banner (Kenneth Decker), Favorite Tale (Guadalupe Preciado), It’s the Journey (Michael Trombetta), Limousine Liberal (Ben Colebrook), Loose On the Town (Brian Lynch), Richard the Great (Stanley Gold), Seventh Sense (TUR) (Murat Sancal), Threefiveindia (Chad Brown), Uncontested (Wayne Catalano) and Whitmore (Ron Moquett).
$1,000,000 SHADWELL TURF MILE (G1) (Entries taken Wednesday; race Saturday) – American Patriot (Todd Pletcher), Applicator (Mikhail Yanakov), Ballagh Rocks (Bill Mott), Christian C (Wayne Catalano), Dimension (GB) (Conor Murphy), Divisidero (Buff Bradley), Flatlined (Scooter Dickey), Heart to Heart (Brian Lynch), Lancaster Bomber (Aidan O’Brien), Le Ken (ARG) (Ignacio Correas IV), Mondialiste (IRE) (David O’Meara), Offering Plan (Chad Brown), Suedois (FR) (O’Meara), Time Test (GB) (Brown) and Tyler U (Troy Wismer).
$500,000 CLAIBORNE BREEDERS’ FUTURITY (G1) (Entries taken Wednesday; race Saturday) – Bourbon Resolution (Ian Wilkes), Bravazo (D. Wayne Lukas), Crea’s Bklyn Law (Michael Dilger), Free Drop Billy (Dale Romans), Givemeaminit (Dallas Stewart), Lone Rock (Will VanMeter), Lone Sailor (Tom Amoss), Ready Prospector (Oscar Modica), Ten City (Kenny McPeek) and The Tabulator (Larry Rivelli). Possible: Captivating Moon (Chris Block), Promises Fulfilled (Romans) and Rivington (Graham Motion).
$250,000 THOROUGHBRED CLUB OF AMERICA (G2) (Entries taken Wednesday; race Saturday) – Bendable (Richard Mandella), Finley’sluckycharm (Bret Calhoun), Grace’s Treasure (Michael Ewing), I’m a Looker (Brad Cox), Ivy Bell (William Denzik), Moiety (Eoin Harty) and Vertical Oak (Steve Asmussen). Possible: Chalon (Peter Miller) and True Romance (Tim Hills).
$400,000 FIRST LADY (G1) (Entries taken Wednesday; race Saturday) – Delectation (GB) (Andreas Wohler), Dickinson (Kiaran McLaughlin), Dona Bruja (ARG) (Ignacio Correas IV), Hawksmoor (IRE) (Arnaud Delacour), Miss Temple City (Graham Motion), One Liz (Wayne Catalano), Rain Goddess (IRE) (Aidan O’Brien), Roca Rojo (IRE) (Chad Brown) and Zipessa (Mike Stidham).
$200,000 WOODFORD PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SELECT (G2) (Entries taken Wednesday; race Saturday) – Big Rock (Christophe Clement), Commend (Bill Mott), Hogy (Mike Maker), Indy Hill (D. Wayne Lukas), and Mongolian Saturday (Enebish Ganbat).
$500,000 JUDDMONTE SPINSTER (G1) (Entries taken Thursday; race Sunday) – Bar of Gold (John Kimmel), Blue Prize (ARG), (Ignacio Correas IV), Factory of Faith (Michael Ewing), Katalust (Anthony Rini), Martini Glass (Keith Nations), Mo d’Amour (Rodolphe Brisset), Romantic Vision (Rusty Arnold) and Tiger Moth (Brad Cox).
$250,000 DIXIANA BOURBON (G3) (Entries taken Thursday; race Sunday) – Admiralty Pier (Barbara Minshall), Arawak (Wesley Ward), Budro Talking (Danny Pish), Flameaway (Mark Casse), Fred’stwirlincandy (Lon Wiggins), High Providence (Jason Meaux), John Tippmann (Kenny McPeek), Machtree (Casse), Tap Daddy (Steve Asmussen), Tigers Rule (Vickie Foley), Trenton Traveler (Mary Lightner) and Wicked Trick (Ray Handal). Possible: The X (Ben Colebrook) and Way Early (George Weaver).

KEENELAND TO OFFER ROLLING SUPER HIGH FIVE
ON EVERY RACE; PICK FOURS AND PICK FIVES RETURN

When Keeneland’s Fall Meet begins Friday, the Rolling Super High Five – which requires a player to pick the first five horses in order – will be available each race with a minimum of seven wagering interests, with carryover provisions to the next race. If a race has no winning tickets, the full amount carries to the next eligible race. If the final race of the day has no winning tickets, the full amount carries to the first eligible race on the next scheduled race date.
Keeneland’s popular Pick Fours and Pick Fives return this fall:
· $200,000-guaranteed Friday Pick Four Presented by TVG (Fridays, Oct. 6, 13, 20).
· $350,000 guaranteed All-Stakes Pick Four Presented by TVG on Saturday, Oct. 7, on races 6-9: Thoroughbred Club of America (G2), First Lady (G1), Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) and Shadwell Turf Mile (G1).
· $250,000-guaranteed All-Stakes Pick Five Presented by TVG on Saturday, Oct. 7, on races 5-9: Woodford Presented by Keeneland Select (G2), Thoroughbred Club of America, First Lady, Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity and Shadwell Turf Mile.
· The Belmont-Keeneland Pick Four on Saturday offers fans an opportunity to wager on premier stakes from Belmont and Keeneland, including the Shadwell Turf Mile, Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity and Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1).
· $350,000-guaranteed Pick Four Presented by TVG (Saturday, Oct. 14, 21).

Keeneland has wagers for serious handicappers and casual racing fans alike and its popular BETologists are always available on race days to answer handicapping questions. Fans are encouraged to use the free Keeneland Race Day app, which features interactive options. See expert handicapping picks, entries, results, parking and grounds information, and special events. The Bet Simulator walks you through how to place a wager from start to finish and calculates cost of bets and payoffs.

THURSDAY’S PHOENIX FESTIVAL HONORS MAN O’ WAR AND HIS GROOMS
Celebrating the great racehorse Man o’ War and honoring two of his grooms are the centerpiece of this year’s Phoenix Festival Thursday beginning at 5 p.m. ET at the Isaac Murphy Memorial Art Garden on East Third Street. The event is free and open to the public.

In keeping with its mission to preserve the stories of black horsemen, Phoenix Rising of Lexington will recognize Will Harbut and Cunningham Graves, both grooms of Man o’ War. The horse was born in 1917 and is the subject of a yearlong centennial celebration in Lexington.

“It’s not often that horse grooms are recognized but we are doing so to show the breadth and depth of African Americans in the horse racing industry,” said Marsha Bloxsom, a Phoenix Rising member and chair of the festival. “When we think of black horsemen, we often think of jockeys like Isaac Murphy and Oliver Lewis. But given that this is Man o’ War’s 100th birthday, we wanted to use this opportunity to show that black horsemen continued to play a significant role long after the great black jockeys had disappeared.”

Harbut’s name is synonymous with Man o’ War. He was the stallion’s primary caregiver at Faraway Farm from 1930-1946. A photo of Harbut and Man o’ War graced the cover of The Saturday Evening Post magazine in 1941. Graves succeeded Harbut in 1946 and has the distinction of holding the reins in the last photograph taken of Man o’ War on Oct. 29, 1947, three days before the horse’s death at age 30. Though both Harbut and Graves are deceased, they have family members in the Lexington area. Both families will be recognized and given a memento at the festival.

The festival also will feature live music, a tribute to the Kentucky Association race track and recognition of 97-year-old Elias “Shug” White, who worked at the track as a young boy. There also will be an opportunity for children to create art under the direction of Josh Nadzam, founder of Art on the Move. Refreshments served at the festival will have an equine theme.

Phoenix Rising Lexington takes its name from the Phoenix Stakes, which originated at the Kentucky Association track in 1831 and is the oldest Thoroughbred stakes race in America. On Friday, the day after the festival, the 165th running of the Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (G2) will take place at Keeneland. The race is always run on the opening day of Keeneland’s Fall Meet.

During his racing career just after World War I, Man o’ War won 20 of 21 races. He was the unofficial 1920 American Horse of the Year and was honored with Babe Ruth as the outstanding athletes of the year by The New York Times. Upon his death, he was originally buried at Faraway Farm in Fayette County but in the early 1970s, his remains were moved to a new burial site at the Kentucky Horse Park where his grave is marked with a majestic bronze statue.

For more information, contact Marsha Bloxsom at wmbloxsom1965@twc.com or Bill Cooke at 859 333-2920 or at bcooke5@gmail.com.

THE KEENELAND SHOP PRESENTS SEASON FULL OF SPECIAL EVENTS
The Keeneland Shop offers unique apparel, home accessories, jewelry, artwork, books and gift items to browse in-store and online at Keenelandshop.com from such vendors as Peter Millar, Barbour, Lela Ray Jewelry, Henry Dry Goods, Dishique and Catstudio.

New this fall is the Keeneland Coloring Book, a hand-illustrated Made South coloring book. Both children and adults will enjoy this entertaining way to explore the history and beauty of Keeneland through maps and illustrations. Keeneland will host a Keeneland Coloring Book signing with illustrator Caleb Faires on Saturday, Oct. 14. Click here for a video about the Keeneland Coloring Book.

Keeneland will hold a Keeneland Coloring Contest in celebration of the new Coloring Book. Fans can enter by simply uploading a photo of their finished work to Instagram: Tag @shopkeeneland and include the hashtag #keenelandcoloringbook. Keeneland will announce winners via Instagram on Oct. 19. The lucky winner receives a reserved Grandstand box for up to six and a Keeneland Kids Club gift crate.

Racing fans with an affinity for fashion can find the latest styles at featured trunk shows this fall: Christine A. Moore (Oct. 6-8), Darren K. Moore (Oct. 13-15) and Lela Ray Jewelry (Oct. 20-21).

2017 FALL MEET SPECIAL EVENTS
Tuesday, Oct. 3
Official Keeneland Tours – During the Fall Meet, guided tours are offered Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays beginning at 8:30 a.m. ET. Fans also can receive an insider view of racing on the Behind-the-Scenes Racing Tours and a Backstretch Tour and Day at the Races on other days.
Friday, Oct. 6 – Opening Day/Fall Stars Weekend
The Keeneland Shop’s Milliners Corner presents Christine A. Moore Millinery adjacent to the Walking Ring from 11 a.m. to the 30 minutes after final post.

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’ handicapping questions.

Friday Pick 4 Presented by TVG. A $200,000-guaranteed pool will be offered on the final four races of the day, including the Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (G2) and Darley Alcibiades (G1).

Saturday, Oct. 7 – Fall Stars Weekend
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 ponies from the Kentucky Horse Park (9 a.m.); trackside handicapping seminar with Paddock Host Katie Gensler (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 adjacent to the Walking Ring from 11 a.m. to the 30 minutes after final post.

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’ handicapping questions. On Saturdays, the area’s favorite bluegrass bands perform from 12-4 p.m.

$350,000 Guaranteed All-Stakes Pick 4 Presented by TVG. Features races 6-10: Thoroughbred Club of America (G2), First Lady (G1), Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) and Shadwell Turf Mile (G1).
$250,000 All-Stakes Pick 5 Presented by TVG. Features races 5-10: Woodford (G2) Presented by Keeneland Select, Thoroughbred Club of America, First Lady, Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity and Shadwell Turf Mile.
The Belmont-Keeneland Pick Four. Wager on premier stakes from Belmont and Keeneland, including the Shadwell Turf Mile, Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity and Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1).

Sunday, Oct. 8 – Fall Stars Weekend
“Keeneland Magazine on TV.” 8 p.m. on The CW Lexington. The 30-minute program chronicles Central Kentucky life and culture from the print edition of Keeneland magazine. The episode features Juddmonte Farms, Brewgrass Trail, Lexington’s Shriners Hospitals for Children Medical Center and Lexington’s murals.