Keeneland Barn Notes: Last Promise Kept Wins Sunday’s Featured Claiborne Farm Purse

By Amy Owens —-

LEXINGTON, KY (Oct. 15, 2017) – Tim Turney’s Last Promise Kept rallied from far off the pace to win Sunday’s featured $67,000 Claiborne Farm Purse for fillies and mares by a half-length over La Sola Ranger before a crowd of 13,544. (Click here for a replay of the race.)
Trained by Tom Proctor and ridden by Florent Geroux, Last Promise Kept covered the 1 1/16 miles on a firm turf course in 1:45.58.
Sunday’s triumph was the second in three career starts for Last Promise Kept, a 3-year-old Kentucky-bred filly by Langfuhr out of the Distorted Humor mare Dash of Humor. The victory was worth $40,200 and boosted Last Promise Kept’s earnings to $120,240.
Last Promise Kept returned $10, $5 and $3.40. La Sola Ranger, ridden by Channing Hill, returned $7 and $5.20 with Corby finishing third under Joe Rocco Jr. and paying $3.60 to show.
Racing resumes Wednesday with an eight-race program with first post time at 1:05 p.m. ET.
*********
On Wednesday, Keeneland will offer a Pick Six carryover of $132,849.

Keeneland Barn Notes — Sunday, Oct. 15

Keeneland’s 17-day Fall Meet concludes Saturday, Oct. 28, with racing
on Wednesdays through Sundays. Post time for the first race each day is 1:05 p.m. ET.
**********

· DEFENDING CHAMPION RENOWN (GB) HEADS FIELD OF 13 FOR THURSDAY’S SYCAMORE
· LA CORONEL FINE AFTER WIN IN SATURDAY’S QUEEN ELIZABETH II CHALLENGE CUP PRESENTED BY LANE’S END
· OSCAR PERFORMANCE HEADLINES FIVE BREEDERS’ CUP-BOUND GRASS WORKERS
· HANDICAPPER NICK TAMMARO CAPTURES KEENELAND FALL CHALLENGE
· PROBABLE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES
· FALL MEET SPECIAL EVENTS
· FALL MEET LEADERS

DEFENDING CHAMPION RENOWN (GB) HEADS FIELD
OF 13 FOR THURSDAY’S SYCAMORE
Merriebelle Stable’s Renown (GB) will face 12 rivals Thursday when he attempts to become the fifth horse to win the $100,000 Sycamore (G3) going 1½ miles over the Keeneland turf course in consecutive years.
The Sycamore will go as the eighth race on Thursday’s nine-race program with a 4:57 p.m. ET post time. First post time is 1:05 p.m.
Trained by Elizabeth Voss, Renown captured last year’s running by a nose. With a victory Thursday, he would join Holiday Star (2014-2015), Rochester (2001-2002), Royal Strand (IRE) (1998-1999) and Gleaming Key (1996-1997) as horses who have repeated in the race.
Chris DeCarlo has the mount on Renown, who will break from post position six.
Top threats to Renown include recent stakes winners Big Bend and Canessar (FR).
Union Rags Racing’s Big Bend won the Dueling Grounds Derby at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 10 in his most recent start. Trained by Tom Proctor, Big Bend will be ridden by Drayden Van Dyke and break from post position 11.
Guy Pariente’s Canessar won the Laurel Turf Cup in Maryland in his U.S. debut Sept. 16. Trained Arnaud Delacour, Canessar will break from post position three and be ridden by Feargal Lynch.
The field for the Sycamore, with riders and weights, is: Final Copy (Corey Lanerie, 118 pounds), Some in Tieme (BRZ) (Robby Albarado, 123), Canessar (FR) (Lynch, 121), Tasit (Julien Leparoux, 121), Tobias (Sophie Doyle, 121), Renown (GB) (DeCarlo, 121), Majestic Pride (Alex Canchari, 121), Hardest Core (Emma-Jayne Wilson, 121), Infinite Wisdom (Channing Hill, 121), Flashy Chelsey (Jose Ortiz, 121), Big Bend (Van Dyke, 118), Nessy (Brian Hernandez Jr., 121) and Manitoulin (Florent Geroux, 121).

LA CORONEL FINE AFTER WIN IN SATURDAY’S QUEEN ELIZABETH II
CHALLENGE CUP PRESENTED BY LANE’S END
David Carroll, Keeneland assistant to trainer Mark Casse, reported John C. Oxley’s La Coronel is doing well Sunday morning after her front-running victory in the $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Lane’s End (G1) yesterday for her third Keeneland stakes win.
Stablemate Dream Dancing, who finished seventh in the 10-horse field for Oxley, also exited the race well, he said. The two fillies will return to Casse’s base at Churchill Downs within the next couple of days.
“Both ate up their feed and jogged sound today, so we were very pleased,” Carroll said.
“(The decision on their next races) will be left up to Mr. Oxley and Mark, they’ll talk about it,” he added. “Obviously this was one of our main objectives, to win a Grade 1 with (La Coronel), and she’s accomplished that.”
La Coronel won the JPMorgan Chase Jessamine (G3) at Keeneland in 2016 and the Appalachian Presented by Japan Racing Association (G3) in April. The QE II was her first win since the Edgewood (G3) at Churchill Downs on May 5 before she traveled to England and finished fifth in the Coronation (G1) at Royal Ascot. Upon her return to the U.S., La Coronel ran fourth in the Lake Placid (G2) at Saratoga and was most recently second in the Sands Point (G2) at Belmont Sept. 16.
“Keeneland is certainly her favorite course,” Carroll said. “And she had settled in well, schooled good in the Paddock the last couple of days, and she seemed more relaxed and more familiar with her surroundings. (Jockey) Jose (Lezcano) gave her a beautiful ride and she got to set her own pace, but she kicked awfully hard and it was just a tremendous performance.”
La Coronel gave Casse his third stakes win of the Fall Meet. On Oct. 6 opening day, he won the Darley Alcibiades (G1) with Heavenly Love – a homebred for Oxley’s wife, Debby. He sent out John Oxley’s Flameaway to win the Dixiana Bourbon (G3) a week ago.
On Twitter, trainer Kenny McPeek said he was pleased with Normandy Farm’s homebred Daddys Lil Darling’s game runner-up effort: “Extremely proud of her. She’s traveled the world and always gives every effort. Total class. Deserves Grade 1 win, her 4th second today. So close. Appreciate the support from everyone.”
As the fifth betting choice in the QE II, Daddys Lil Darling raced just behind the moderate pace set by La Coronel. She chased the leader through the stretch and came within a half-length of winning.
Daddys Lil Darling has been second best in four Grade 1 events, including this year’s Central Bank Ashland and Kentucky Oaks. With three victories and five seconds in 13 starts, she has earned $939,405.
Madam Dancealot (IRE) and Beau Recall (IRE), the respective third- and fifth-place finishers, for Slam Dunk Racing, are scheduled to return to Southern California on Monday.
Trainer Richard Baltas indicated via text that Madam Dancealot came out of the race well and would be pointed to the $300,000 American Oaks (G1) at 1¼ miles at Santa Anita on Dec. 30.
Beau Recall, who is co-owned by Medallion Racing, will be given a little break, according to trainer Simon Callaghan via text.
Trainer Chad Brown’s two runners, Uni (GB) and New Money Honey, the respective fourth- and sixth-place finishers, were scheduled to return to New York today.
“So far so good this morning,” said Baldo Hernandez, Brown’s assistant at Keeneland. “They will go back to New York and regroup.”
The Brown barn, which accounted for Wednesday’s JPMorgan Chase Jessamine (G3) with Rushing Fall, is not done for the meet.
“We still have Dolce Lili for the (Pin Oak) Valley View (G3) on Friday,” Hernandez said of the Don Alberto Stable filly who will be making her stakes debut.
Trainer Brendan Walsh said eighth-place finisher Proctor’s Ledge was done for the year.
“She’s good this morning,” Walsh said of the Patricia Moseley homebred. “We will back off and get ready for next year. She was just a little flat yesterday at the end of a long year.”
Trainer Wesley Ward said Hat Creek Racing’s Con Te Partiro exited her ninth-place finish in good order, and he is debating between the $100,000 Cardinal (G3) at Churchill Downs on Nov. 18 or stopping for the year with the daughter of Scat Daddy.
Unforgetable Filly is scheduled to return home to Europe after finishing last of 10.
“Had she won we were going to the Breeders’ Cup, but that is definitely out of the question now,” said Bruce Raymond, representing owner Dr. Ali Ridha.
“Of course we were a little disappointed,” Raymond continued. “I thought she had the perfect position throughout, and you could see in the top bend that she wasn’t going to finish. This filly usually picks up well. She prefers the ground to be like a road and when (jockey) Josephine (Gordon) walked the track she felt that it was kind of shifty underneath her, which, while she’s had that surface before, even last time (in her previous race), she just doesn’t pick up her tune. It happens.”

OSCAR PERFORMANCE HEADLINES FIVE
BREEDERS’ CUP-BOUND GRASS WORKERS
Amerman Racing’s Oscar Performance, winner of the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), worked a half-mile in :49.60 on his own Sunday morning over a Keeneland turf course labeled firm.
It was the first work back for Oscar Performance since finishing third in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) in his first start against older horses. (Click here for a video of the work.)
“His big work will be next week and then he will ship on the 27th,” trainer Brian Lynch said of Oscar Performance, who is being pointed to the $4 million Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) Nov. 4 at Del Mar.
Trainer Wesley Ward had four Breeders’ Cup possible entrants work 5 furlongs on the grass.
Working in company were Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) hopefuls Ultima D (1:02.80) and Fairyland (1:03.20). Also working in company were Master Merion (Turf Sprint, 1:04.80) and Hemp Hemp Hurray (Juvenile Turf, 1:05.60).
Three other fillies nominated for upcoming stakes also worked. Prepping for Friday’s Pin Oak Valley View (G3) were Fizzy Friday (GB) (4 furlongs in :49.80 for trainer Ignacio Correas IV) and Sully’s Dream (5 furlongs in 1:04.40 for trainer John Ortiz). Promotional, nominated to next Sunday’s Rood & Riddle Dowager (G3), worked 5 furlongs in 1:03 for trainer Tom Proctor.

HANDICAPPER NICK TAMMARO CAPTURES
KEENELAND FALL CHALLENGE
La Coronel loves Keeneland. John C. Oxley’s filly improved her record to three for three in graded stakes at Keeneland when she won Saturday’s $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Lane’s End (G1).
And Nick Tammaro, noted handicapper from Houston, Texas, loves La Coronel. So much so that he hit a $50 exacta in the QE II and a $50 double, keying her with 10th race winner Bee Jersey as he compiled an impressive $7,480 bankroll from the original $250 to win the 2017 Keeneland Fall Challenge. Second-place finisher Vaughn Bair from Gilbert, Arizona, had nearly as an impressive total of $6,992, having moved into the lead with a $500 win bet on La Coronel.
The tournament, originally conceived as a companion to the prestigious $3,000 buy-in Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge/National Handicapping Challenge being held today at Keeneland, was a huge success in its own right, with 252 players competing for one BCBC spot and four NHC berths.
Tammaro secured an entry into the $10,000 BCBC at Del Mar, and received $4,000 in prize money. Bair scored an entry into the $2.5 million National Handicapping Challenge in Las Vegas, and $3,000 in prize money.
Joining Bair in Las Vegas are third-place finisher Andy Muhlada of Cincinnati ($2,000 in prize money); fourth-place finisher Frank Mustari of Des Plaines, Illinois ($1,000 in prize money); and fifth-place finisher John Gaspar of Wakefield, Massachusetts ($500 in prize money).
Click here for complete tournament standings.

PROBABLE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES
$150,000 PIN OAK VALLEY VIEW (G3) (Entries taken Tuesday; race Friday, Oct. 20) – Chastise (Todd Pletcher), Dancing Breeze (IRE) (Graham Motion), Defiant Honor (James Toner), Desert Duchess (Mike Maker), Dolce Lili (Chad Brown), Fault (Michelle Lovell), Fizzy Friday (GB) (Ignacio Correas IV), Journey Home (Motion), Ladies’ Privilege (Michael Matz), Let It Ride Mom (Mark Casse), Lovely Bernadette (James DiVito), Oh So Terrible (Bradley Ross), Princess La Quinta (Jimmy Gulick) and Sully’s Dream (John Ortiz). Possible: Domestic Vintage (Neil Drysdale).
$250,000 LEXUS RAVEN RUN (G2) (Entries taken Wednesday; race Saturday, Oct. 21) – Berned (Graham Motion), Classy Tune (Simon Callaghan), Cursor (Mark Hennig), Dawn the Destroyer (Kiaran McLaughlin), Faypien (Bob Baffert), Happy Mesa (Mike Maker), Just a Little Hope (Dan Hendricks), Minnie Blip (Al Stall Jr.), Miss Sunset (Jeff Bonde), Nonna Mela (Todd Pletcher), Overture (Bill Mott), Pinch Hit (Brad Cox), Sandy’s Surprise (Doug O’Neill), Tequilita (Michael Matz), Valadorna (Mark Casse) and Yorkiepoo Princess (Edward Barker).
$125,000 ROOD & RIDDLE DOWAGER (G3) (Entries taken Thursday; race Sunday, Oct. 22) – Apple Betty (IRE) (Shug McGaughey), Coco Channel (Charlie LoPresti), Daring Duchess (Mike Maker), Grateful (Todd Pletcher), Lottie (Graham Motion), Place des Vosges (Richard Baltas) and Quiet Business (Rusty Arnold).

FALL MEET SPECIAL EVENTS
Sunday, Oct. 15
Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge/National Handicapping Challenge – The prestigious event awards cash prizes and as many as six spots in the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge at Del Mar and 10 spots in the National Handicapping Challenge in Las Vegas in February 2018. The contest can accommodate up to 170 players, with a total entry fee of $3,000 ($2,000 live bankroll and $1,000 prize fund).

Kids Club Family Day. The Keeneland Kids Club is the Official Kids Club for fans 12 and younger. Kids Club 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.

The Keeneland Shop’s Milliners Corner presents a trunk show with Darren K. Moore adjacent to the Walking Ring from 11 a.m. to 30 minutes after final post.