Keeneland Barn Notes — Tuesday, Oct. 16

By Amy Owens —-

Keeneland’s 17-day Fall Meet concludes Saturday, Oct. 27, with racing
Wednesdays through Sundays. Post time for the first race each day is 1:05 pm. ET.
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• DADDY IS A LEGEND RESTED AND READY FOR RETURN TO KEENELAND
• POETIC CHARM (GB) WELL-ACCLIMATED FOR INITIAL U.S RUN
• GALLOPING OUT
• HANDICAPPER TOMMY MASSIS WINS BIG AT KEENELAND – AGAIN
• UPCOMING STAKES PROBABLES
• FALL MEET SPECIAL EVENTS
• FALL MEET LEADERS

DADDY IS A LEGEND RESTED AND READY FOR RETURN TO KEENELAND
She has spent the better part of 2018 campaigning against the best in her division, and now Susan and Jim Hill’s Daddy Is a Legend is back at Keeneland seeking a third graded stakes victory.
Trained by George Weaver, Daddy Is a Legend looms as the filly to beat in Friday’s $150,000 Pin Oak Valley View (G3). The race is run over the course where she broke her maiden last fall.
“We decided to wait for Keeneland following her last race,” Weaver said of Daddy Is a Legend, who finished third behind Rushing Fall in the Lake Placid (G2) on Aug. 18 at Saratoga. “She has had a busy campaign and we wanted her fresh for her race here.”
The two-month break from the races is the longest the daughter of Scat Daddy has had in 2018, a year in which she has compiled a record of 5-1-0-2, all in graded stakes company. Her victory came in the Lake George (G3) in July at Saratoga going the Pin Oak Valley View distance of 1 1/16 miles.
A good performance Friday could send Daddy Is a Legend back to Del Mar where she won the Jimmy Durante (G3) last fall. Weaver said the $300,000 Matriarch (G1) at a mile on Dec. 2 is under consideration for the filly.
Manny Franco, who has been aboard Daddy Is a Legend in her past three starts, has the mount Friday.

POETIC CHARM (GB) WELL-ACCLIMATED FOR INITIAL U.S. RUN
Usually when runners from Europe come to Keeneland, they arrive the week of the race.
Godolphin’s Poetic Charm (GB) has been here almost two weeks preparing for Friday’s $150,000 Pin Oak Valley View (G3).
“She was going to come with another horse (Art du Val [GB]) on the seventh, but he was a non-runner (for the Dixiana Bourbon-G3),” said Christiane Harley, assistant to trainer Charles Appleby. “There was another plane coming over on the third to pick up some yearlings, so she came over on that plane.”
Harley has accompanied Poetic Charm from England in two starts in France, where she won the Prix de la Cochere against older fillies at Longchamp and placed second in the Prix de Lieurey (G3) at Deauville.
“She’s a good traveler and very easy to train,” Harley said. “She has done well here, but we have only been able to get on the turf twice because of the rain.”
Poetic Charm, who will be ridden by Mike Smith on Friday, trained on Keeneland’s all-weather training track and took several laps around the Walking Ring Tuesday morning.

GALLOPING OUT
There will be no Breeders’ Cup for 3 Batterhams and Reay’s Nyaleti (IRE), who finished third in Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Lane’s End (G1).
“We are heading back to Europe,” said Hayley Kelly, exercise rider for the Mark Johnston-trained filly. “She is going to run next in Italy (in the Nov. 4 Premio Lydia Tesio-G1 at a mile and a quarter).”
Nyaleti had been under consideration by her connections for the $2 million Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) at Churchill Downs on Nov. 3. …
Fatale Bere (FR), who was fractious at the gate in the QE II, returned to California Monday. Trainer Leonard Powell said the filly, owned by the partnership of the Benowitz Family Trust, Head of Plains Partners, Mark Mathiesen and the trainer’s wife, Mathilde Powell, had not had any gate issues prior to Saturday’s race.
“We will regroup and point to the American Oaks (G1) in late December at Santa Anita,” Powell said via text. …
Woodford Racing’s recent two-time Kentucky Downs winner, Campaign, worked a half-mile on a sealed track Tuesday morning in :51.60 in preparation for Thursday’s $100,000 Sycamore (G3) at 1½ miles on the grass. …
Keeneland racing analyst Tom Leach interviewed trainer Brad Cox about running Arklow in Thursday’s Sycamore (G3). …
Jockey Rogelio Miranda earned his first Keeneland victory when he rode Paul Clayman and Tamara Faulkner’s Bella Noire to win Sunday’s fourth race at odds of 19-1. Trained by Larry Demeritte, the 2-year-old Temple City filly won the about 7-furlong race by 4¾ lengths in 1:30.88.

HANDICAPPER TOMMY MASSIS WINS BIG AT KEENELAND – AGAIN
Tommy Massis of Toronto is the king of Keeneland handicapping contests. On Sunday, he rode a $1,000 win bet on 19-1 shot Bella Noire in Keeneland’s fourth race to a win in the BCBC-NHC Challenge. His winning total of $20,800 bested second-place finisher Blake Jessee of Carmel, Indiana, by nearly $8,000.
Massis, who also won the BCBC at Keeneland in 2015, took home $30,000 for his latest win, along with a fully paid $10,000 berth in the BCBC at Churchill Downs and a fully paid entry plus expenses into the 2019 National Horseplayers Championship in February in Las Vegas.
Runner-up Jessee, who collected $15,000 in prize money in addition to a BCBC and NHC berth, had a memorable week in the Bluegrass. He got married Saturday, Oct. 6; celebrated in a Keeneland Corporate Suite with his bride and their families the next day; traveled to Thistledown on Saturday, Oct. 13, to oversee Loooch Stables’ entries in the Best of Ohio championship for state-breds; and returned to Keeneland on Sunday to cash for $12,865.
Sunday’s tournament drew 167 entries (53 of which qualified online with the cooperation of Horsetourneys.com and DRF.com) and awarded BCBC and NHC spots to the top five finishers; NHC spots to sixth through eighth place; and prize money to 15th place.
Also securing BCBC and NHC spots were third-place finisher Jonathon Kinchen of Austin, Texas (double qualified and ineligible for another NHC entry); fourth-place finisher David Rink of Chicago and fifth-place finisher Faron McCubbins of Mount Washington, Kentucky.
NHC spots went to respective sixth- through ninth-place finishers Steven Shaffer of Prospect, Kentucky; Marshall Gramm of Memphis; Nick Tammaro of Houston; and Ken Hopkins of Flushing, New York (eligible due to double qualifying status of Kinchen).
Click here for complete standings.

UPCOMING STAKES PROBABLES
$250,000 LEXUS RAVEN RUN (G2) (Entries taken Wednesday; race Saturday) – Alter Moon (trainer Chad Brown), Amy’s Challenge (Mac Robertson), Blamed (Bill Mott), Bronx Beauty (Anthony Margotta Jr), Chauncey (Steve Asmussen), Divine Queen (Buff Bradley), Dream Pauline (Kiaran McLaughlin), Everyonelovesjimmy (Ian Wilkes), Kelly’s Humor (Brad Cox), Moonshine Memories (Simon Callaghan), Shamrock Rose (Mark Casse), She’s a Gypsy (Helen Pitts-Blasi), She’s Pretty Lucky (Eddie Kenneally), Take Charge Paula (McLaughlin), True Royalty (John Sadler).
$125,000 ROOD & RIDDLE DOWAGER (G3) (Entries taken Thursday; race Sunday) – Daring Duchess (trainer Mike Maker), Res Ipsa (Ian Wilkes), Savannah Belle (Brian Lynch), Vexatious (Neil Drysdale), Viva Vegas (Derek Ryan). Possible: Amboseli (James Cassidy), Beach Flower (Mac Robertson), Coco Channel (Charlie LoPresti).
$200,000 HAGYARD FAYETTE (G2) (Entries taken Wednesday, Oct. 24; race Saturday, Oct. 27) – Guest Suite (trainer Neil Howard), Hence (Steve Asmussen), Leofric (Brad Cox), Name Changer (Alan Goldberg), Nice Not Nice (Buff Bradley), Prime Attraction (James Cassidy), Rated R Superstar (Kenny McPeek).
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 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.”
Wednesday, Oct. 17
Backstretch Tour and Owner’s Experience Tour. Click here for more information about these tours and other Official Keeneland Tours.
WINS-Day Challenge Sponsored by Malone’s. 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. Winners receive $1,250 with money distributed through 10th place. Limit three entries per person.

Thursday, Oct. 18
Tour Keeneland, Behind-the-Scenes Racing Tour and Owner’s Experience Tour. Click here for more information about these tours and other Official Keeneland Tours.
Friday, Oct. 19
Tour Keeneland, Behind-the-Scenes Racing Tour and Owner’s Experience Tour. Click here for more information these tours and other Official Keeneland Tours.

Racing from the Top: Behind the Scenes at Keeneland with Chris McCarron. Tour offered by Horse Country includes reserved Grandstand seating, program and food voucher. Portion of proceeds benefit Old Friends Equine. Click here for more information and to reserve through Horse Country.

seeblue. Day at the Races. The day before the University of Kentucky football team takes on Vanderbilt, Keeneland becomes the center of Big Blue Nation. 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. Keep your eye on Keeneland Bugler Steve Buttleman, who has been known to lead fans in the UK fight song, “On! On! U of K.”

The Hill (weather permitting) – Keeneland’s designated tailgate lot offers fans a jumbo screen TV to watch live racing, wagering, local food trucks and free shuttles to the Grandstand.

Bluegrass Experience Sweepstakes. Sign up to win a Horse Country VIP tour at Pin Oak Stud along with a Keeneland experience and gift basket from noon to 2:30 p.m. Also learn more about the Woodford Humane Society and sign up to win a Keeneland gift basket.
The Keeneland Shop presents a trunk show with Frederiquec.

$200,000-guaranteed Friday Pick Four Presented by TVG.

Saturday, Oct. 20
Sunrise Trackside. Thoroughbreds and their human connections begin the day well before sunrise. See what they’re up to during Sunrise Trackside, 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 racehorses train on the main track; children’s activities in the Kids Club Corner (7:30-9:30 a.m.); free guided Keeneland tours (7:30-10 a.m.); Paddock demonstration with a blood donor horse from Hagyard Equine Medical Institute (9 a.m.); and Q&A session with a jockey in the Paddock (12:05 p.m.).
The Hill (weather permitting). Keeneland’s designated tailgate lot 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 Frederique.

Sunday, Oct. 21
Owner’s Experience Tour. Click here for more information about this tour and other Official Keeneland Tours.

Heroes Day Presented by City Barbecue. Heroes Day honors members of the military (active duty and veterans), first responders – law enforcement, firefighters and EMTs – and their families with free general admission and access to reserved Grandstand seats. The Family Zone will offer free lunch and children’s activities for those families in the North Terrace from noon to 4 p.m.
Other special activities include a flag unfurling on the main track between races and recognition of local heroes in the Winner’s Circle throughout the afternoon.
The Keeneland Shop presents a trunk show with Frederique.
 
FALL MEET LEADERS
Through Oct. 14 (8 days of 17-day season)
Jockey Starts Wins 2nd 3rd Purses

Jose Ortiz 36 6 6 4 $450,206
*Edgar Morales 31 6 1 2 $140,990
Julien Leparoux 39 5 2 4 $354,256
Tyler Gaffalione 31 4 4 3 $811,665
Ricardo Santana Jr. 42 4 3 5 $353,279
Chris Landeros 25 4 2 3 $197,053
Javier Castellano 14 4 2 2 $525,797

*apprentice

Trainer Starts Wins 2nd 3rd Purses

Todd Pletcher 15 6 2 1 $392,356
Brad Cox 23 4 4 3 $374,732
Ian Wilkes 22 3 3 4 $269,393
Mike Maker 24 3 2 3 $174,146
Eddie Kenneally 15 3 2 0 $136,607
Steve Asmussen 21 3 1 4 $188,847
Joe Sharp 14 3 1 2 $156,593

Owner Wins

Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey 3
John C. Oxley 2