Keeneland Barn Notes

By Amy Owens —-

Keeneland’s 17-day Fall Meet concludes Saturday, Oct. 27, with racing
Wednesdays through Sundays. Post time for the first race today is 12:40 p.m ET.
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• MORNING-LINE FAVORITE MIND CONTROL OUT OF CLAIBORNE BREEDERS’ FUTURITY
• DARLEY ALCIBIADES WINNER RESTLESS RIDER TO PREP AT KEENELAND FOR BREEDERS’ CUP
• STOLL KEENON OGDEN PHOENIX TOP THREE EYE BREEDERS’ CUP SPRINT
• HUMPHREY BIDS FOR MILESTONE KEENELAND TRAY
• TEST WINNER SEPARATIONOFPOWERS TOPS 31 NOMINEES TO LEXUS RAVEN RUN
• PIN OAK VALLEY VIEW ATTRACTS 51 NOMINATIONS
• MOM’S ON STRIKE, TRICKY ESCAPE HEADLINE ROOD & RIDDLE DOWAGER NOMINATIONS
• DEFENDING CHAMPION BIG BEND HEADS NOMINEES TO SYCAMORE
• UPCOMING STAKES PROBABLES/INVITEES
• 2018 FALL MEET SPECIAL EVENTS
• KEENELAND FTP SITE INFORMATION

MORNING-LINE FAVORITE MIND CONTROL
OUT OF CLAIBORNE BREEDERS’ FUTURITY
Red Oak Stable and Madaket Stables’ Hopeful (G1) winner Mind Control was declared out of today’s Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) because of an elevated temperature.
“We came in yesterday at 5 in the morning and his temperature was 102, and it stayed that way until 4 in the afternoon and we treated him,” said Rick Sacco, brother of trainer Greg Sacco. “By 6 o’clock, he was fine.”
Mind Control was the 7-2 morning-line favorite for the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity, a “Win and You’re In” race for the $2 million Sentient Jet Breeders Cup Juvenile (G1) to be run Nov. 2 at Churchill Downs.
“He’s perfect this morning,” Sacco said. “We did bloodwork on him again this morning and if it comes back perfect he will be on a 6 a.m. Tex Sutton flight back to Monmouth tomorrow and train up to the Breeders’ Cup.”

DARLEY ALCIBIADES WINNER RESTLESS RIDER TO PREP
AT KEENELAND FOR BREEDERS’ CUP
Fern Circle Stables and Three Chimneys Farm’s Restless Rider, winner of Friday’s Darley Alcibiades (G1), will remain at Keeneland to prepare for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, reported trainer Kenny McPeek Saturday morning. With the Darley Alcibiades victory, the 2-year-old daughter of Distorted Humor earned a fees-paid spot in the $2 million Tito’s Handmade Vodka Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) on Nov. 2 at Churchill Downs.
“I’m probably going to keep her here for the whole month,” said McPeek, who won the Darley Alcibiades for the fourth time. “I might send her to Churchill Downs for her last work over that track. I like the way she’s settled here. I haven’t decided when (her next work at Keeneland will be), probably in 15 days, something like that.”

At the 2017 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, McPeek, agent for Fern Circle and Three Chimneys, purchased Restless Rider for $150,000. She was consigned by Denali Stud, agent for Stonestreet Bred & Raised.
Now Restless Rider has won three of four races for earnings of $401,360, including the Darley Alcibiades check of $240,000. She won the June 30 Debutante at Churchill by 11¼ lengths and was second in the Sept. 1 Spinaway (G1) at Saratoga.
McPeek said he celebrated the Darley Alcibiades triumph with dinner at a downtown Lexington restaurant.
“We were home by 10 but I am still tired,” he said.
McPeek could add to his opening-day success with starters in other weekend stakes. He will send out Signalman in today’s Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1). On Sunday, he has Eskimo Kisses in the Juddmonte Spinster (G1) and Salvator Mundi in the Dixiana Bourbon (G3).
He has two wins in the Breeders’ Futurity with Tejano Run (1994) and Noble’s Promise (2009). He won the Spinster in 2002 and 2003 with Take Charge Lady.
McPeek has three wins in the Dixiana Bourbon with Lawn Ranger (2014), Rogue Romance (2010) and Pineaff (1st division in 1998 when the race was run as the Hopemont).
Darley Alcibiades runner-up Reflect is scheduled to return Sunday afternoon to Churchill, where she will train for the Breeders’ Cup with two works scheduled.
“She is good this morning, but a little bit tired,” said Julie Clark, assistant to trainer Keith Desormeaux. “Keith was absolutely thrilled with her race; very happy. We had a question about her handling two turns, but she answered that.”
Owned by Impact Thoroughbreds and Madaket Stables, Reflect received a ground-saving trip from jockey James Graham while racing in midpack early. She rallied into second at the head of the stretch but was no threat to Restless Rider.
“Keith said the winner was a monster,” Clark said of Desormeaux, who watched the race from Santa Anita. “He was pleased to be that close to her.”
As for going on to the Breeders’ Cup, Clark said that question was answered quickly.
“The owners had their hotels and flights booked 10 minutes after the race,” Clark said.
Darley Alcibiades pacesetter Meadow Dance, who finished third 5¼ lengths behind Restless Rider, is scheduled to return to trainer Brad Cox’s barn at Churchill Saturday.
“She came out of the race fine, and I was pleased with her effort,” Cox said. “I don’t think she will get into the Breeders’ Cup, so we will probably back off a little bit.”

STOLL KEENON OGDEN PHOENIX TOP THREE
EYE BREEDERS’ CUP SPRINT
The top three runners who finished within a length of each other in Friday’s Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (G2) remained on track for a run in the $2 million TwinSpires Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Churchill Downs on Nov. 3.
Robert Baron’s Promises Fulfilled led all the way in the 6-furlong dash to prevail by a head over defending champion Whitmore with Limousine Liberal another half-length back in third.
The victory in the Breeders’ Cup Challenge race secured a fees-paid berth into the Sprint for Promises Fulfilled, who is back at trainer Dale Romans’ barn at Churchill Downs.
“ ‘Promises’ didn’t want to let Whitmore or Limousine Liberal by, and I certainly didn’t want him to let them by either for the ‘Win and You’re In’ spot,” Romans said Sunday morning. “He has a real shot to be the sprint champion now. We still aren’t sure which race we’ll go in yet (the Sprint-Gt or Dirt Mile-G1) but it’s good to know he came back OK and we have a real legitimate shot to win a Breeders’ Cup race in our backyard at Churchill Downs.”
Ron Moquett, who trains Whitmore and is co-owner with Robert LaPenta and Head of Plains Partners, said he was happy with Whitmore’s effort Friday and was still thinking Breeders’ Cup Sprint. “There should be a more favorable pace scenario (in the Sprint),” Moquett said.
Whitmore, who won the Forego (G1) at Saratoga to earn a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, finished eighth in the Sprint last year at Del Mar.
Trainer Ben Colebrook also was thinking Breeders’ Cup for Katherine Ball’s Limousine Liberal, who endured a tough trip in the stretch in finishing third in the race for the second consecutive year.
“He came out of the race good and he will be tough in the Breeders’ Cup,” Colebrook said. “He did not have the greatest trip and (jockey) Jose (Ortiz) apologized after the race.”
Limousine Liberal altered course a couple of times in the stretch trying to get to Promises Fulfilled.
“It seems like he has all the luck at Churchill Downs,” Colebrook said of Limousine Liberal, who has posted an 8-6-1-0 record at the Louisville track as opposed to a 7-1-2-3 mark at Keeneland.
Horses have to be on the grounds 72 hours before their Breeders’ Cup race and Colebrook plans to stay at Keeneland as long as possible.
“He loves to train here and we will stay until we have to go,” Colebrook said.

HUMPHREY BIDS FOR MILESTONE KEENELAND TRAY
G. Watts Humphrey Jr. is on the verge of a unique accomplishment at Keeneland: victories in eight graded stakes.
He could reach the mark in today’s seventh race if his Awestruck wins the Thoroughbred Club of America (G2).
Humphrey also has a starter in Sunday’s Juddmonte Spinster (G1) with Skeptic, owned in partnership with Ashbrook Farm.
The Keeneland Tray is part of Keeneland’s signature Milestone Trophy Program. Only 20 other owners in Keeneland history have received the award.

TEST WINNER SEPARATIONOFPOWERS TOPS
31 NOMINEES TO LEXUS RAVEN RUN
Klaravich Stables’ Separationofpowers, winner of the Test (G1) at Saratoga in August, headlines a roster of 31 fillies nominated to the 20th running of the Lexus Raven Run (G2) to be run at 7 furlongs on the main track on Oct. 20.
Trained by Chad Brown, Separationofpowers won the Frizette (G1) last fall and most recently was fourth in the Cotillion (G1) at Parx.
Another Grade 1 winner nominated to the race is Michael Tabor, Bridlewood Farm, Mrs. John Magnier and Derrick Smith’s Moonshine Memories. Trained by Simon Callaghan, Moonshine Memories won the Del Mar Debutante (G1) and Chandelier (G1) last year and most recently was third in the Prioress (G2).
PIN OAK VALLEY VIEW ATTRACTS 51 NOMINATIONS
Stephanie Seymour Brant’s Significant Form and Godolphin Racing’s Poetic Charm (GB) headline a list of 51 3-year-old fillies nominated to the 28th running of the $150,000 Pin Oak Valley View (G3) to be run at 1 1/16 miles on the turf on Oct. 19.
Trained by Chad Brown, Significant Form won the Miss Grillo (G3) last fall and this year took the Memories of Silver by 6¼ lengths.
Poetic Charm, who arrived at Keeneland this week from Europe, is a two-time stakes winner in 2018. Trained by Charles Appleby, Poetic Charm took the Prix de la Cochere at Longchamp in her most recent start on Sept. 5.

MOM’S ON STRIKE, TRICKY ESCAPE HEADLINE
ROOD & RIDDLE DOWAGER NOMINATIONS
Carl R. Moore Management and Brad Grady’s Mom’s On Strike, winner of the Bewitch (G3) here in the spring, and Jon Marshall’s Tricky Escape, who has gotten the best of her in their past two meetings, tops a roster of 27 fillies and mares nominated to the 27th running of the $125,000 Rood & Riddle Dowager (G3).
The Rood & Riddle Dowager is contested at 1½ miles on the turf and is scheduled for Oct. 21.
Trained by Joe Sharp, Mom’s On Strike could become the third horse to win the Bewitch and Rood & Riddle Dowager in the same year, joining Kitten’s Point (2015) and Upperline (2012).
A multiple Grade 3 winner, Tricky Escape has defeated Mom’s On Strike in the Ramsey Farm at Kentucky Downs and the Waya at Saratoga in their past two starts. Trained by Lynn Ashby, Tricky Escape won the Cardinal (G3) at Churchill Downs last fall for one of her three Grade 3 victories.

DEFENDING CHAMPION BIG BEND HEADS NOMINEES TO SYCAMORE
Union Rags Racing’s Big Bend, who pulled an 18-1 shocker in the 2017 Sycamore (G3), is among the marquee names of 39 nominees to the 24th running of the $100,000 race contested over 1½ miles on the turf on Oct. 18.
Trained by Tom Proctor, Big Bend became only the second 3-year-old to win the Sycamore.
Multiple graded stakes winners dot the nominations roster, including Augustin Stable’s Spring Quality, winner of the Woodford Reserve Manhattan (G1) this year, and Donegal Racing, Joseph Bulger and Peter Coneway’s Arklow and Three Diamonds Farm’s Bigger Picture, the 1-2 finishers in the recent Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup (G3) at Kentucky Downs.

BEST TURNED OUT AWARDS RECOGNIZE KEENELAND GROOMS

In selected races during Keeneland’s 2018 Fall Meet, grooms of racehorses determined to have the best overall appearance in the Saddling Paddock are recognized in a special ceremony before each race as part of the Best Turned Out Awards. The groups that sponsor some of Keeneland’s most important races will provide cash prizes ranging from $250 to $500.

Today, Shadwell Farm will be sponsoring the Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) for the 20th year. Shadwell’s participation includes Best Turned Out Awards throughout the day. Awards also will be handed out by the sponsors of the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) and Thoroughbred Club of America (G2).

Judges choose horses and grooms based on overall appearance as well as specifics such as the Thoroughbreds’ shiny hair, flowing tails and manes and the handlers’ neat attire.

“We are so grateful to our sponsors that present the Best Turned Out Awards,” Keeneland Sponsorship Director Bonnie Senft said. “They enjoy judging the horses in the Saddling Paddock and having the opportunity to honor their grooms – the unsung heroes who give such good care to the Thoroughbreds.”

UPCOMING STAKES PROBABLES/INVITEES
$100,000 BUFFALO TRACE FRANKLIN COUNTY (G3) (Entries taken Sunday; race Friday, Oct. 12) – Brielle’s Appeal (trainer Al Stall Jr.), Brittney On Blades (Fernando Bahena), Girls Know Best (Eddie Kenneally), Miss Gossip (IRE) (Eduardo Caramori), Morticia (Rusty Arnold), On Probation (Neil Pessin), Ruby Notion (Darrin Miller), Smiling Causeway (Arnaud Delacour). Possible: Goldwood (Alan Goldberg), Lady Alexandra (Graham Motion).
$500,000 QUEEN ELIZABETH II CHALLENGE CUP PRESENTED BY LANE’S END (G1) INVITEES (Entries taken Wednesday; race Saturday, Oct. 13) – Beyond Blame (Brad Cox), Capla Temptress (IRE) (Bill Mott), Chipolata (FR) (Christophe Clement), Daddy Is a Legend (George Weaver), Fatale Bere (FR) (Leonard Powell), Mission Impassible (IRE) (Jean-Claude Rouget), Nyaleti (IRE) (Mark Johnston), Pollara (IRE) (Chad Brown), Princess Warrior (Kenny McPeek), Rushing Fall (Brown), Secret Message (Graham Motion).
2018 FALL MEET SPECIAL EVENTS
Through Spring 2019
Keeneland Library exhibit “From the Vault: Historic Tracks.” This exhibit features 26 select images from the Library’s archive that showcase photographs from a variety of tracks from the early 20th century. Pioneering Turf photographers John C. Hemment and Charles Christian Cook are featured, with additional representation from Joel Clyne Meadors and Robert Lee McClure, among others. The Library is open to the public Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET.
The online exhibit “Photo Treasures from the Keeneland Library” presents nearly 100 other historic images of U.S. racing facilities in its “Tracks Gallery.”
Saturday, Oct. 6
The Hill. As Keeneland’s designated tailgate lot, The Hill offers fans a jumbo screen TV to watch live racing and football, wagering, live music, local food trucks and free shuttles to the Grandstand.

The Keeneland Shop presents a trunk show with Christine A. Moore Millinery.

$350,000-guaranteed All-Stakes Pick Four Presented by TVG on races 7-10: 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 races 6-10: Woodford (G2) Presented by Keeneland Select, Thoroughbred Club of America (G2), First Lady (G1), Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) and Shadwell Turf Mile (G1).

Sunday, Oct. 7
Keeneland’s new Owner’s Experience Tour will make participants feel like racehorse owners. Before the first race, they will follow horses through the Saddling Paddock and Walking Ring then watch the race from the Winner’s Circle. Click here for more information about this tour and other Official Keeneland Tours.

The Keeneland Shop presents a trunk show with Christine A. Moore Millinery.

Jockey Autograph Signing. Meet jockeys competing during the Fall Meet, retired jockeys, Hall of Famers, history makers and Keeneland favorites and participate in an autograph signing to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. Scheduled to appear along with current Keeneland jockeys are James Bruin, Mike Bryant, Jean Cruguet, Tony D’Amico, Carl Faulconer, Mike Manganello, Larry Melancon, Suzie and John Oldham, Shane Sellers, Mickey Solomone, Anthony Stephen, Bill Troilio, Kaoru Tsuchiya and Charlie Woods. The cost is $30 for a Keeneland hat, $20 for a Keeneland poster, $10 for a program and $5 for each additional autographed item, limited to three per person. A check presentation will take place in the Winner’s Circle on Sunday to present the funds raised.

KEENELAND FTP SITE INFORMATION
For the convenience of media covering Keeneland’s 2018 Fall Meet, which opens Friday and runs through Saturday, Oct. 27, Keeneland is posting select photos and video on its FTP site.
Photos will include finish and winner’s circle shots of stakes races, morning works of prominent horses, general scenics and special event photos.
Video clips of stakes races are uploaded daily. At the conclusion of each race day during the meet, a short highlight video also will be uploaded. Video of morning works of prominent horses also might be available.
Photos and video are available for editorial use only. Please credit as “Keeneland photo” or “Keeneland video.”
Please note: Access to Keeneland’s FTP site no longer requires a username or password.
Click here to access the FTP site.
Folder: 2018 Fall Race Meet