Keeneland Barn Notes — April 14

By Amy Owens —-

SATURDAY, APRIL 14

Keeneland’s 16-day Spring Meet runs through Friday, April 27, with racing
Wednesdays through Sundays. Post time for the first race each day is 1:05 pm. ET.

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• COOLMORE JENNY WILEY SET FOR 30TH RUNNING
• HEART TO HEART IN GOOD ORDER AFTER MAKER’S 46 MILE VICTORY
• BRAVE DAISEY COMES FROM TEXAS FOR GIANT’S CAUSEWAY
• GALLOPING OUT
• DADDYS LIL DARLING HEADLINES 21 NOMINATIONS FOR CLOSING-DAY BEWITCH
• PROSPECTIVE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES
• SPRING MEET SPECIAL EVENTS
• SPRING MEET LEADERS

COOLMORE JENNY WILEY SET FOR 30TH RUNNING

Today’s 10th race is the 30th running of the $350,000 Coolmore Jenny Wiley (G1), the featured event of the 11-race card with four stakes worth $850,000. Post time for the Coolmore Jenny Wiley is 6:12 p.m. ET.

Three graded or group stakes winners from the barn of trainer Chad Brown and John Oxley’s La Coronel, a three-time graded stakes winner at Keeneland in as many starts, headline the field of 11 fillies and mares entered in the race.

Brown, who won the Jenny Wiley in 2015 with Ball Dancing, will send out Michael Dubb, Bethlehem Stables and Gary Aisquith’s Grade 2 winner Fourstar Crook, Martin Schwartz’s Grade 1 winner Off Limits (IRE) and Peter Brant’s Group 3 winner Sistercharlie (IRE).

La Coronel, trained by Mark Casse, won the JPMorgan Chase Jessamine (G3) as a 2-year-old here in 2016 and last year won the Appalachian (G3) Presented by Japan Racing Association and the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Lane’s End (G1).

In 2018, she finished second to Coolmore Jenny Wiley rival Dona Bruja (ARG) in the Endeavor (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs and was third in the Hillsborough.

Here is additional info about the Coolmore Jenny Wiley:

Fastest time: The stakes record for the 1 1/16-mile turf race is 1:40.53, set by Tepin in 2016. The course record is 1:40.30, set by Quiet Resolve in an allowance race on April 27, 2000.
Record margin of victory: 5 lengths, set by Tepin in 2016.
Shortest-priced favorite: Tepin, who won the race in 2016 at 2-5 odds.
Owners
Juddmonte Farms has a record three wins in the race: Tates Creek (2002) and Intercontinental (GB), who won the race in 2004 and 2005 and is the only two-time winner in the history of the stakes.
Trainers
Two trainers with entrants in today’s race have previous victories in the race:
Chad Brown (Off Limits [IRE], Sistercharlie [IRE] and Fourstar Crook) won with Ball Dancing in 2015.
Mark Casse (Bletchley [GB], La Coronel) won with Tepin in 2016.
Two trainers have a record four wins in the race:
Bobby Frankel won four consecutive runnings with Tates Creek (2002), Sea of Showers (2003) and Intercontinental (GB) (2004-2005).
Bill Mott won with Misspitch (1994), Apolda (1996), Wend (2006) and My Typhoon (IRE) (2007).
Jockeys
Two jockeys named to ride in today’s race have previous wins in the race:
Julien Leparoux (Cambodia) won aboard Forever Together (2009), Centre Court (2013) and Tepin (2016).
Javier Castellano (Fourstar Crook) rode winners Hard Not to Like (2014) and Ball Dancing (2015).
Jerry Bailey won a record five runnings of the race: Apolda (1996), Pleasant Temper (1999), Sea of Showers (2003) and Intercontinental (2004-2005).
Keeneland sales graduates
Two horses entered in the Coolmore Jenny Wiley are graduates of Keeneland sales: Kitten’s Roar (offered as a weanling at the 2012 November Breeding Stock Sale and sold at the 2013 September Yearling Sale for $130,000) and La Coronel (offered as a weanling at the 2014 November Sale).
About the name
Jenny Wiley was a Virginia pioneer who survived an Indian attack, captivity and the murders of her five children and three brothers. After escaping captivity and reuniting with her husband, Wiley and her family moved to Kentucky. Her story is commemorated with two highway markers and the Jenny Wiley State Resort Park and Jenny Wiley Theatre in Prestonsburg.
About the sponsor
Coolmore, who began to sponsor the Jenny Wiley in 2016, is the world’s largest Thoroughbred breeding operation. Based in Ireland with farms in Australia and Versailles, Kentucky, Coolmore began its partnership with Keeneland in 1998.

HEART TO HEART IN GOOD ORDER AFTER MAKER’S 46 MILE VICTORY

Terry Hamilton’s Heart to Heart had his own little celebration this morning after winning Friday’s $300,000 Maker’s 46 Mile (G1).

“He had a nice hour out grazing,” trainer Brian Lynch said about the 7-year-old son of English Channel who has two consecutive Grade 1 victories. “So he’s in good order. He’s been banging heads in that race for the last three years, ran two very game races in it in 2016 and 2017, so that was really cool to get it done. He can finally put his name beside that one (as the winner).

“When he straightened for the run down the lane and he opened up a few lengths, I could see there was no one running behind him and it was his day.”

Lynch’s long-range goal for Heart to Heart is the Nov. 3 Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Churchill Downs, where he is undefeated. He said Heart to Heart likely will travel east to prepare for that race.

“He’ll have a couple more races through the summer, maybe two more, and hopefully be back here to Churchill for the Breeders’ Cup,” Lynch said. “He’ll maybe run again at Belmont and then run at Saratoga, and that will be his prep for getting him back here.”

Last October, Heart to Heart was a close second in Keeneland’s Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) a month prior to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

The second- and third-place finishers in the Maker’s 46 Mile, Ballagh Rocks and Forge (GB) came out of the race fine, according to Riley Mott, assistant to his father, Bill Mott.

“I was real proud of him,” Riley Mott said of Ballagh Rocks, who is owned by Donegal Racing and Head of Plains Partners. “He ran a big race off the layoff (of five months) and we know he likes it here. He just got beat by a better horse yesterday.”

Juddmonte Farms’ Forge was a half-length behind his stablemate in third in his second race in three weeks.

“The three weeks between races (to the Grade 1 $500,000 Old Forester Turf Classic at Churchill Downs May 5) is a bit of an issue with him,” Riley Mott said. “My dad and the owners will talk it over.”

Fourth-place finisher Om was going to return to his Southern California base and point to the $400,000 Shoemaker Mile (G1) on May 28 at Santa Anita, according to trainer Dan Hendricks.

“We are going to take him back home and get his shoe put back on,” Hendricks said. “He lost a shoe at some point in the race but I don’t know where. That was no excuse.”

Also heading back to California is seventh-place finisher Next Shares.

“We are going back to the firm turf in California,” trainer Richard Baltas said. “We were kind of up against it yesterday with the pace being so slow. I thought Om would get the lead but when I saw the 47 and 4 (seconds for the first half-mile), I knew we were in trouble.

“Heart to Heart is ultra-tough when he gets on the lead.”

BRAVE DAISEY COMES FROM TEXAS FOR GIANT’S CAUSEWAY

Trainer Tina Hurley recounted a recent phone call she received from owner Peter Varga, with whom she races horses mostly in Texas and Louisiana.

“He said, ‘I’ve nominated Brave Daisey to a race.’ I’m thinking Texas, Louisiana,” she recalled. ‘He said, ‘Keeneland.’

“I said OK.”

Brave Daisey, a 3-year-old daughter of Hidden Blessing bred by Varga in Texas, is entered in today’s $100,000 Giant’s Causeway (L) and will take on the likes of such older rivals as European champion and 2017 race winner Lady Aurelia and 2017 Buffalo Trace Franklin County (G3) winner Morticia. The race marks the turf debut for Brave Daisey, who has one win in four starts at 5 and 6 furlongs in Texas and Louisiana.

On Tuesday, Varga and Brave Daisey arrived at Keeneland, and he has been her groom and hot walker.

Hurley explained his faith in the filly in today’s race:

“He said, ‘I know we’re going to be the longshot. It is what it is, but I want to try.’ ”

Brave Daisey will become the first Keeneland starter for Varga and Hurley, who began her career working for racing American Quarter Horse trainers before shifting to Thoroughbred racing and working for several trainers. She spent several seasons as the paddock judge at Retama Park.

Hurley also has attended Keeneland sales in recent years, and her current stable includes Canterbury Park stakes winner Plot Twist, purchased as a 2-year-old at the 2014 November Breeding Stock Sale.

“I’m blessed to do the racehorses because I’ve been able to see so many things through them,” she said. “This (racing at Keeneland) is another thing off the bucket list.”

GALLOPING OUT

Keeneland racing analyst Tom Leach interviewed trainer Chad Brown about his three entrants in today’s Coolmore Jenny Wiley (G1) – Fourstar Crook, Off Limits (IRE) and Sistercharlie (IRE) – and trainer Rusty Arnold about Morticia in today’s Giant’s Causeway (L). …
Riley Racing Stables, Jason and Megan Tackitt and Mike Hensen’s undefeated Gas Station Sushi, winner of the Beaumont (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select last Sunday, will remain at Keeneland for another couple of weeks, according to trainer Richard Baltas.
“She is going to the Eight Belles,” Baltas said of the $200,000 Grade 2 race on May 4. “She will go over to Churchill Downs Derby week.”

DADDYS LIL DARLING HEADLINES 21 NOMINATIONS
FOR CLOSING-DAY BEWITCH

Normandy Farm’s homebred millionaire Daddys Lil Darling headlines a roster of 21 fillies and mares nominated to the 57th running of the $150,000 Bewitch (G3) for fillies and mares going 1½ miles on the turf to be run closing day, Friday April 27. Entries will be taken April 22.

Trained by Kenny McPeek, Daddys Lil Darling finished second in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Lane’s End (G1) in her most recent Keeneland start. She closed 2017 with a victory in the American Oaks (G1) at Santa Anita in late December.

Also among the nominations are John Oxley’s Dream Dancing, winner of last summer’s Del Mar Oaks (G1). Mark Casse trains Dream Dancing, who also won the Herecomesthebride (G3) last year at Gulfstream Park.

PROSPECTIVE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES
$100,000 Hilliard Lyons Doubledogdare (G3) (Entries taken Sunday; race Friday) – Probable: Apologynotaccepted (trainer Brendan Walsh), Blue Collar (Eddie Kenneally), Jenda’s Agenda (Larry Jones), Julerette (Ben Colebrook), Mines and Magic (Vicki Oliver), Not Now Carolyn (Keith Desormeaux), Promise of Spring (Steve Margolis), Someday Soon (Will VanMeter), Tapa Tapa Tapa (Tim Hamm), Valadorna (Mark Casse), Well Humored (Arnaud Delacour). Possible: Ascertain (Todd Pletcher.)
$250,000 Dixiana Elkhorn (G2) (Entries taken Wednesday; race Saturday, April 21) – Probable: Big Bend (Tom Proctor), Bullards Alley (Tim Glyshaw), Call Provision (Chad Brown), Canessar (FR) (Arnaud Delacour), Danish Dynaformer (Roger Attfield), Hayabusa One (FR) (Peter Miller), Hunter O’Riley (James Toner), Itsinthepost (FR) (Jeff Mullins), One Go All Go (Scooter Dickey), Oscar Nominated (Mike Maker), Royal Son (Kellyn Gorder), Some in Tieme (BRZ) (Kenny McPeek).

SPRING MEET SPECIAL EVENTS
The Keeneland Library is paying tribute to Pierre Bellocq, the internationally celebrated artist better known as “Peb,” with the exhibit “Artistry of Peb: Fifty Years of Features” and a virtual exhibit on Keeneland.com titled “The Artistry of Peb.” “Artistry of Peb” showcases 18 of Bellocq’s features from The Morning Telegraph and Daily Racing Form spanning the mid-1950s to the mid-2000s. This work solidified Peb’s renown as an artistic commentator of the Thoroughbred racing industry. The Keeneland Library is free and open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.
Official Keeneland Tours – Keeneland offers a selection of guided tours, including Behind-the-Scenes Racing Tours and a Backstretch Tour and Day at the Races. On Saturdays during Sunrise Trackside, free guided tours begin every 20 minutes from the Paddock and Walking Ring from 7:30-10 a.m.
Sunday, April 15
The Keeneland Shop’s Milliners Corner presents Christine A. Moore Millinery, Formé Millinery and Maui Jim adjacent to the Walking Ring.
Kids Club Family Day. The Keeneland Kids Club is our Official Kids Club for fans 12 and younger. Members and their families are invited to enjoy a special day at the races with 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.
Grade One Gamble. The nationally prominent Grade One Gamble has a $3,000 buy-in and as many as six spots in the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge and 10 spots in the NTRA National Horseplayers Championship up for grabs.

SPRING MEET LEADERS
Through April 13 (6 days of 16-day season)
Jockey Starts Wins 2nd 3rd Purses

Corey Lanerie 40 8 5 1 $468,526
Jose Ortiz 41 7 7 7 $1,068,674
Florent Geroux 32 6 5 3 $522,362
Joel Rosario 16 4 5 4 $256,980
Gabriel Saez 14 4 1 1 $152,428

Trainer Starts Wins 2nd 3rd Purses

Chad Brown 13 7 2 1 $1,046,990
Wesley Ward 15 6 3 2 $350,890
Bret Calhoun 9 4 0 2 $338,740
Tom Amoss 9 3 1 2 $62,040
Brad Cox 11 3 1 1 $434,944
Larry Jones 6 3 1 0 $95,800

Owners Wins

Michael Dubb* 2
Tom Durant 2
e Five Racing Thoroughbreds (Robert J. Edwards Jr.)* 2
G. Watts Humphrey Jr.* 2