Keeneland Barn Notes — 10th Anniversary Horses and Hope Pink Day

By Amy Owens —-

Keeneland’s 16-day Spring Meet runs through Friday.
Post time for the first race each day is 1:05 p.m. ET.
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• TRAINER AUSTIN TRITES TO SEND OUT FIRST RUNNER
• @BETKEENELAND SETS HANDICAPPERS FOR FINAL DAYS OF SPRING MEET
• KEENELAND WELCOMES FANS TO CELEBRATE KENTUCKY OAKS AND DERBY
• CLOSING WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS
• SPRING MEET LEADERS

TRAINER AUSTIN TRITES TO SEND OUT FIRST RUNNER

Austin Trites, who will launch his training career in Thursday’s fifth race with Ruis Racing’s The Critical Way, was living in California and working in an entirely different profession when he decided to pursue a career in Thoroughbred racing.

Trites, 31, grew up on a farm in upstate New York, and was encouraged by his father to learn about horsemanship by participating in United States Pony Club and 4-H. Trites’ family moved to western Massachusetts when he was 16, and he graduated from Wheaton College near Boston.

“After college, I was out in California working for special effects (in) movies and TV,” Trites said. “(I was) just at the race track every weekend and realizing that that really was my true calling, so I applied to the (University of Arizona) Race Track Industry Program.”

Excelling during his first semester at Arizona, he was encouraged to pursue a master’s degree. But he wanted to become a trainer, “so I got in my car and drove cross-country to Saratoga.”

There, while working as a vet tech, Trites met trainer Gary Contessa. After a couple of years with Contessa’s operation, working his way up from hot walking to becoming a foreman, Trites began a two-year stint with trainer Christophe Clement. He spent the next two years as an assistant to trainer George Weaver and came to Keeneland.

“Keeneland I love, because I really started to make a name for myself as an assistant with some of the success I had here for George Weaver,” he said. “I’ve had great luck at Keeneland and I just find it to be the most phenomenal horse racing atmosphere.”

Trites was offered a position as private trainer for Mick and Wendy Ruis of Ruis Racing, who have top Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) contender Bolt d’Oro. He returned to California to learn about the Ruis Racing operation.

Trites has six horses in his care at Keeneland, including his first starter, The Critical Way. He plans to remain at Keeneland through June.

“There are a lot of chapters in the book already, but I think I just started the biggest and the most important one yet.”

@BETKEENELAND SETS HANDICAPPERS
FOR FINAL DAYS OF SPRING MEET

Keeneland is presenting @BetKeeneland on Twitter during the Spring Meet to provide horseplayers with real-time handicapping tips and insights while benefiting the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) through its Handicapper of the Day Series.

The @BetKeeneland handle is providing horseplayers with on-demand wagering content including live reports and updates lasting 60-90 seconds approximately 10 minutes prior to each race from Jeremy Plonk of the fan education website Horseplayernow.com along with scratches, changes, clockers reports and other wagering-related information.

In addition, nationally recognized handicappers are sharing their daily picks and recommended wagers with a $200 bankroll they will play each race day to benefit the TAA, which accredits, inspects and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retire, retrain and rehome Thoroughbreds.

Handicappers participating this week are:

• Samantha Siegel (April 26), whose Jay Em Ess Stable campaigned such top horses as champion Declan’s Moon. During Keeneland’s 2017 Fall Meet, Siegel won $4,050.80 in the Handicapper of the Day series that benefited the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.
• Paul Matties Jr. (April 27), a professional gambler and horse owner from Ballston Spa, New York. He won the 2017 National Handicapping Championship and its $800,000 first prize while outdueling, among others, his brother Duke, who finished fourth.
• Michael Beychok (April 28), who won the 2012 National Handicapping Championship and its record prize of $1 million, and soon after claimed the filly, Glorious Dancer, who won him the contest. The political consultant from Louisiana created Thetournamentedge.net for contest players.

KEENELAND WELCOMES FANS
TO CELEBRATE KENTUCKY OAKS AND DERBY

Keeneland invites fans to come to the track to watch and wager on the May 4 Kentucky Oaks (G1) and May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) while enjoying a variety of activities, from a casual picnic in the Paddock to accommodations in Keeneland’s dining and private rooms to the Derby Bash at the Keene Barn & Entertainment Center.

Click here for more information and to make reservations for tables in Keeneland’s dining rooms on May 4-5 and the Derby Bash. In addition, private dining options, including a limited number of Keeneland’s corporate suites for eight guests, are available for both days.

On Oaks and Derby Days, fans may picnic in the Paddock and Walking Ring and view the races on the large video board overlooking the Paddock or sit in the Grandstand and watch Churchill’s races on the infield tote board. TVs throughout the Grandstand also will show racing.

Admission to Keeneland is free on Oaks Day and $5 per person on Derby Day when children 12 and younger will be admitted free. Gates open at 9 a.m. ET, and parking is free on both days.
From 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Keeneland will host Party in the Paddock, featuring drink specials, live music with the Whiskey Bent Valley Boys and the simulcast of the Kentucky Oaks.

Post time for the Oaks is approximately 6:12 p.m.

On Derby Day, fans will celebrate the Derby across Keeneland grounds. Children’s activities, including pony rides ($5), crafts, face painting and games, will be held in the Lower Club from 2-6 p.m. The Paddock will host live music with Aly’ An from 1-6 p.m., and a hat contest will take place there at 3 p.m.

The Hill, Keeneland’s official tailgate lot, will be open Derby Day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. with food trucks from Mr. Gyro and Salsarita’s, and live music with The Ranahans. A big-screen TV will show the races, and fans will be able to wager.

Post time for the Derby is approximately 6:50 p.m.

The Keeneland Shop will be open on Oaks and Derby Days from 9 a.m. until after the last race.

Here are some related details:

Advance wagering on the Oaks full card will be available at Red Mile only and start Thursday, May 3, at 12:15 p.m.

Advance wagering on the Derby full card and Oaks-Derby Double will start Friday, May 4, when drive-thru windows at Keeneland will open at 8 a.m. Wagering will begin at Keeneland Grandstand Mutuels and Red Mile at 10 a.m.

Patrons also can watch and wager on simulcast racing on Oaks Day and Derby Day at Red Mile.

Red Mile’s Clubhouse will host the Derby Fest with reserved seating, a buffet and access to wagering for $50 per seat. The event opens at 11 a.m., and the buffet will be served from 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. (Click here for more information.)

CLOSING WEEK 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 a Backstretch Tour and Behind-the-Scenes Tour.
Thursday, April 26
10th Anniversary Horses and Hope Pink Day. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to Keeneland. Horses and Hope was established in 2008 by the Kentucky Cancer Program with former first lady Jane Beshear and the Pink Stable, made up of members of the racing community, to increase breast cancer awareness, education and treatment referral, along with providing lifesaving screenings to members of Kentucky’s signature horse industry workers and others across the Commonwealth. Horses and Hope’s cancer screening van travels across Kentucky, screening men and women for seven types of cancer. The program has provided more than 7,000 mammograms.
 
Friday, April 27 – Closing Day
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’ questions.

The Hill is among the hosts of Everything is Science, a science festival at locations across Lexington. Keeneland is among the community partners for the event, which aims to bridge the gap between science and the general public while making science accessible. Topics cover subjects relevant to the Lexington community. “Hold Your Horses – The Science of Horse Racing” will be held on The Hill from 1-6 p.m.

SPRING MEET LEADERS
Through April 22 (13 days of 16-day season)
Jockey Starts Wins 2nd 3rd Purses

Florent Geroux 72 18 10 4 $903,724
Jose Ortiz 81 14 12 14 $1,480,011
Joel Rosario 53 12 12 11 $778,109
Corey Lanerie 73 12 10 8 $707,331
Brian J. Hernandez Jr. 63 9 7 7 $705,657

Trainer Starts Wins 2nd 3rd Purses

Brad Cox 23 12 1 1 $646,971
Chad Brown 21 11 3 2 $1,491,910
Wesley Ward 34 10 8 3 $571,064
Bret Calhoun 12 5 1 2 $401,820
Kenny McPeek 33 4 8 3 $401,784
Tom Amoss 14 4 2 2 $93,630
Larry Jones 12 4 1 3 $148,177

Owners (*includes partnerships) Wins

Mark Detampel 4
G. Watts Humphrey Jr.* 4
Peter M. Brant* 3
Michael Dubb* 3
Calumet Farm (Brad Kelley) 2
Cobra Cooper Racing (Ted Cooper) 2
Tom Durant 2
e Five Racing Thoroughbreds (Robert J. Edwards Jr.)* 2
Fern Circle Stables (Paul Fireman) 2
Charles E. Fipke 2
Stonestreet Stables (Barbara Banke) 2

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10th Anniversary Horses and Hope Pink Day – Thursday, April 26 – Keeneland

WHAT: Keeneland encourages fans to wear pink to the races for the 10th Anniversary Horses and Hope Pink Day. The event celebrates Horses and Hope, which works to increase breast cancer awareness, education and treatment referral, along with providing lifesaving screenings, to members of Kentucky’s signature horse industry workers and others across the Commonwealth.
Horses and Hope was established in 2008 by the Kentucky Cancer Program with former first lady Jane Beshear and the Pink Stable, made up of members of the racing community. Its screening van travels across Kentucky, testing people for seven types of cancer. The program has provided more than 7,000 mammograms.
Before the races, some 450 people are expected to attend a Survivor Luncheon and Fashion Show at the Keeneland Entertainment Center.

WHEN: Thursday, April 26. Gates open at 11 a.m. Post time for the first race is 1:05 p.m.

Horses and Hope Pink Day Photo Opportunities:

All afternoon Keeneland jockeys will wear pink leg bands that read “Fight with Shantel” to support Shantel Lanerie, wife of jockey Corey Lanerie, who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
1:39 p.m. Post time for Race 2. Following the race, Keeneland will present a check to Horses and Hope on behalf of Shantel Lanerie.
1:50 p.m. Keeneland jockey colony carrying Horses and Hope saddle towels joined by Mrs. Beshear and Shantal Lanerie in the Winner’s Circle.
2 pm. Breast cancer survivors gather near the Rolex clock in the Paddock Garden.
2:45 p.m. Post time for Race 4, the Horses and Hope race. After the race, Keeneland will show a special video to commemorate the anniversary.