Keeneland — Wednesday, Oct. 25

Posted On 25 Oct 2017

By Amy Owens —-

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 25
Keeneland’s 17-day Fall Meet concludes Saturday.
Post time for the first race each day is 1:05 p.m. ET.
**********

· McCRAKEN RETURNS TO KEENELAND FOR CLOSING-DAY HAGYARD FAYETTE
· KEENELAND SALES REPRESENTED BY 74 HORSES PRE-ENTERED IN BREEDERS’ CUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
· GALLOPING OUT
· BREEDERS’ CUP SIMULCAST OFFERED AT RED MILE
· BREEDERS’ CUP CONTENDERS STABLED AT KEENELAND
· FALL MEET SPECIAL EVENTS
· FALL MEET LEADERS

McCRAKEN RETURNS TO KEENELAND
FOR CLOSING-DAY HAGYARD FAYETTE
Whitham Thoroughbreds’ McCraken, third in Keeneland’s $1 million Toyota Blue Grass (G2) in April who continued to compete in the year’s major stakes for 3-year-olds, will face older rivals for the first time when he starts in Saturday’s 60th running of the $200,000 Hagyard Fayette (G2).
A total of seven horses were entered in the 1 1/8-mile Hagyard Fayette, the ninth race on the 10-race program for closing day of the Fall Meet. First post time is 1:05 p.m. Post time for the Hagyard Fayette is 5:30 p.m.
Trained by Ian Wilkes, McCraken won the Matt Winn (G3) at Churchill Downs in June and was second in the betfair.com Haskell Invitational (G1) at Monmouth in July during his season that also included runs in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) and Travers Presented by NYRA Bets (G1).
Brian Hernandez Jr. will be aboard McCraken, who will break from post position six.
The leading earner in the Hagyard Fayette is Qatar Racing and Starlight Racing’s Neolithic, a 4-year-old son of Harlan’s Holiday who has a bankroll of $2,238,028. Neolithic has three notable third-place finishes this year, in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) behind champion Arrogate and Grade 1 winner Shaman Ghost; Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) behind Arrogate and Gun Runner; and Woodward Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) won by Gun Runner.
Todd Pletcher, who won the 2015 Hagyard Fayette with Race Day, trains Neolithic, who will be ridden by Robby Albarado and break from post position two.
The field for the Hagyard Fayette, with riders and weights, is: Giuseppe the Great (Chris Landeros, 118), Neolithic (Robby Albarado, 121), Fear the Cowboy (Jesus Rios, 123), The Player (Calvin Borel 121), Honorable Duty (Corey Lanerie, 123), McCraken (Hernandez, 120) and Malibu Pro (Joe Rocco Jr., 121).

KEENELAND SALES REPRESENTED BY 74 HORSES PRE-ENTERED
IN BREEDERS’ CUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Seventy-four horses that are graduates of Keeneland sales were pre-entered in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships being held Nov. 3-4 at Del Mar. The number includes 10 of the 14 horses pre-entered in the event’s richest race, the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1): Arrogate, Collected, Cupid, Diversify, Gunnevera, Keen Ice, Pavel, War Story, West Coast and Win the Space.
Entry for the Breeders’ Cup races will be Monday, Oct. 30.
The pre-entered Keeneland sales graduates are:
Nov. 3 races
$2 million Distaff (G1): Abel Tasman, Champagne Room, It Tiz Well, Mopotism.
$1 million Las Vegas Dirt Mile (G1): Accelerate, Cupid, Giant Expectations, Imperative, Iron Fist, Midnight Storm, Mind Your Biscuits, Practical Joke, Win the Space, Gato Del Oro.
$1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1): Best Performance, Dixie Moon, Moon Dash, Orbolution, Ultima D, Stainless, Retro.
$1 million Juvenile Turf (G1): Catholic Boy, Flameaway, Hemp Hemp Hurray, Mendelssohn, Untamed Domain, My Boy Jack, Snapper Sinclair, Count Alexander, Pubilius Syrus, Armour Plate, Hazil.
Nov. 4 races
$6 million Classic (G1): Arrogate, Collected, Cupid, Diversify, Gunnevera, Keen Ice, Pavel, War Story, West Coast, Win the Space.
$4 million Turf (G1): Beach Patrol, Mr. Roary, War Story.
$2 million Mile (G1): Ballagh Rocks, Roly Poly, Midnight Storm, Om, Mr. Roary.
$2 million Sentient Jet Juvenile (G1): Bahamian, Free Drop Billy, Good Magic, Hazit, Hollywood Star, Mendelssohn, Solomini, The Tabulator.
$2 million 14 Hands Winery Juvenile Fillies (G1): Alluring Star, Caledonia Road, Gio Game, Piedi Bianchi, Separationofpowers, Stainless, Wonder Gadot.
$2 million Filly and Mare Turf (G1): Lady Eli, Roly Poly, Zipessa, Lady Ivanka (scratched), Kitten’s Roar.
$1.5 million TwinSpires Sprint (G1): American Pastime, Drefong, Mind Your Biscuits, Practical Joke, Roy H.
$1 million Filly and Mare Sprint (G1): Carina Mia, Constellation, Finest City, Finley’sluckycharm, Princess Karen, Unique Bella.
$1 million Turf Sprint (G1): Hogy, Lady Aurelia, Mongolian Saturday, Tombelaine.

GALLOPING OUT
@BetKeeneland, Keeneland’s Twitter handle that delivers real-time handicapping tips and tools to wagering fans, features a Handicapper of the Day series that benefits the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF). Wednesday’s Handicapper of the Day is Keeneland Sales Associate Jesse Ullery.

Adding to the fun, @BetKeeneland is inviting people to submit why they should be the Handicapper of the Day – in 140 characters or less. Keeneland is providing each Handicapper of the Day with a $200 bankroll to wager over the course of the race day, with winnings going to support PDJF.

BREEDERS’ CUP SIMULCAST OFFERED AT RED MILE
Racing fans are invited to go to Red Mile to watch and wager on the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, being held Nov. 3-4 at Del Mar. Click here for more information.
On Thursday, Nov. 2, advance wagering begins on the full Saturday Breeders’ Cup card.
On Friday, Nov. 3 a number of mutuel windows at Red Mile will open at 8 a.m. ET. Post time for the first Breeders’ Cup race is 5:25 p.m. The $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) is to be run at 7:35 p.m.
On Saturday, Nov. 4, Red Mile’s clubhouse opens for seating at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person and include a seat, program, early afternoon snacks and a buffet from 4-8 p.m. Call 859 255-0752 to make reservations.
Post time for the first Breeders’ Cup race is 3 p.m. The $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) is to be run at 8:35 p.m.

BREEDERS’ CUP CONTENDERS STABLED AT KEENELAND
Keeneland is home to several potential contenders for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar on Nov. 3-4. A few runners already have departed for California.
Pre-entries for the Breeders’ Cup were announced earlier today.
Here are the Breeders’ Cup runners who remain at Keeneland:

Trainer (Barn)
Horse
Breeders’ Cup Race
Last Race
Most Recent Work Since Last Race

To CA
Rusty Arnold (60)
Romantic Vision
Distaff
Won 10/8 Juddmonte Spinster (G1) @KEE

10/27
Chad Brown (30)
Rushing Fall
Juvenile Fillies Turf
Won 10/11 JPMorgan Chase Jessamine (G3) @KEE

10/30
Mark Casse (37-38)
Flameaway
Juvenile Turf
Won 10/8 Dixiana Bourbon (G3) @KEE
10/20 @KEE: 5f in 1:00
10/30

Heavenly Love
Juvenile Fillies
Won 10/6 Darley Alcibiades (G1) @KEE
10/20 @KEE: 5f in 1:00
10/30

Brian Lynch (40)
Heart to Heart
Mile
2nd 10/7 Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) @KEE
10/22 @KEE: 4f (turf) in :49.20
10/27

Oscar Performance
Turf
3rd 9/30 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) @BEL
10/22 @KEE: 4f (turf) in :51.40
10/27

Todd Pletcher (27)
Stainless
Juvenile Fillies Turf/Juvenile Fillies
2nd 10/11 JPMorgan Chase Jessamine (G3) @KEE
10/30

Mike Stidham (2)
Moon Dash
Juvenile Fillies Turf
2nd 10/9 Surfer Girl Stakes @SA
10/22 @KEE:
4f in :51.20
10/30

Zipessa
Filly and Mare Turf
Won 10/7 First Lady (G1) @KEE
10/21 @KEE: 4f (all-weather training)
in :48.60
10/30

FALL MEET SPECIAL EVENTS
Wednesday, Oct. 25
WINS-Day Challenge. An inexpensive way for beginning handicappers to test their skills and give handicapping contests a try, the WINS-Day Challenge has a $2,500 guaranteed pool. Enter for $10 at Wagering Central (first floor of the Grandstand) and place a mythical $2 win and place wager – no actual money required – on Keeneland races 3-8.
Thursday, Oct. 26
Official Keeneland Tour/Behind the Scenes Racing Tour. Click here for more information.
Kentucky State Parks Foundation Day at the Races. Fans are invited to support the Kentucky State Parks Foundation for its 5th annual Day at the Races. “The Works” package includes reserved row parking, brunch, reserved Grandstand seating and a race-day program. Brunch begins at 11 a.m. in the Limestone Cafe of the Keeneland Sales Pavilion. For more information, call 859 351-8430 or click here.

Friday, Oct. 27
Official Keeneland Tour/Behind the Scenes Racing Tour. Click here for more information.
SeeBlue. Day at the Races. The day before the University of Kentucky football team takes on archrival Tennessee, the weekend begins at Keeneland. UK students, alumni, faculty and staff will receive free general admission and access to reserved Grandstand seating with valid UK IDs. Throughout the afternoon, fans will enjoy special activities, including appearances by the UK Wildcat mascot, cheerleaders and band.

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.
Saturday, Oct. 28 – Closing Day of Fall Meet
Sunrise Trackside Halloween Edition. 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 by Old Mims Retirement Haven featuring Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Elmhurst
(9 a.m.); trackside handicapping seminar with Paddock Host Katie Gensler (11 a.m.); and Q&A session with jockey Jack Gilligan in the Paddock (12:05 p.m.).

Buckles, the Keeneland Kids Club mascot, will award Kids Club prize packages to some of the best Halloween costumes. An appearance by the Headless Horseman will occur in the Paddock during Sunrise Trackside and on the track during the race day.

FALL MEET LEADERS
Through Oct. 22 (13 days of racing)

Jockey
Starts
Wins
2nd
3rd
Purses

Julien Leparoux
66
13
8
5
$1,77,549
Florent Geroux
68
12
8
12
$898,360
Ricardo Santana Jr.
59
12
7
3
$505,566
Robby Albarado
73
11
7
12
$899,974
Jose Ortiz
33
8
7
5
$405,933

Trainer
Starts
Wins
2nd
3rd
Purses

Mike Maker
48
11
4
3
$412,621
Mark Casse
29
6
7
2
$961,553
Steve Asmussen
26
6
5
1
$349,028
Rusty Arnold
14
4
1
3
$488,718
Brad Cox
28
4
2
0
$159,474
Kenny McPeek
35
4
6
7
$433,669
Dale Romans
11
4
1
3
$451,450
Wesley Ward
26
4
4
1
$141,545

Owner
Wins

G. Watts Humphrey Jr.
4*
John C. Oxley
4
Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey
4
Charles E. Fipke
3
Three Diamonds Farm (Kirk Wycoff)
3
Ascent Thoroughbred Racing Partners I (Kirk Rovinsky, Robert Goldberg and Mark Zale)
2
Breeze Easy (Mike Hall)
2*
L. William and Corinne Heiligbrodt
2
Jay Em Ess Stable (Samantha Siegel)
2
Maxis Stable (Sidney Karmia)
2*
*includes partnerships