Keeneland Barn Notes – Monday, April 8

By Amy Owens —-

MONDAY, APRIL 8

Racing resumes Wednesday with a 1:05 p.m. ET first post. The 16-day season
runs through Friday, April 26. Keeneland is closed Easter Sunday, April 21.

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· PLANS INDEFINITE FOR APPALACHIAN WINNER THE MACKEM BULLET (IRE)

· EIGHT BELLES POSSIBLE NEXT START FOR BEAUMONT WINNER FANCY DRESS PARTY

· “LEGIT HORSE” QURBAAN GEARS UP FOR MAKER’S 46 MILE

· GALLOPING OUT

· UPCOMING STAKES PROBABLES

· SPRING MEET SPECIAL EVENTS

· SPRING MEET LEADERS

PLANS INDEFINITE FOR APPALACHIAN WINNER
THE MACKEM BULLET (IRE)

Katsumi Yoshida’s The Mackem Bullet (IRE), who recorded her first graded stakes victory with a stylish score in Sunday’s $200,000 Appalachian (G2) Presented by Japan Racing Association, was reported to be doing great Monday morning by trainer Wesley Ward.

Three-time group stakes-placed in Great Britain last year, The Mackem Bullet finished sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) at Churchill Downs for trainer Brian Ellison, who left the filly in the U.S. under Ward’s care after the World Championships in Louisville.

Ward indicated that The Mackem Bullet is a filly who needs time between her races with the $250,000 Edgewood (G3) at Churchill on May 3 not considered likely for her next start.

One Ward runner who might race at Churchill Derby Week is Bound for Nowhere, who finished second in Saturday’s $200,000 Shakertown (G2) in his first start in six months.

Ward, who also owns Bound for Nowhere, indicated the $250,000 Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G2) on May 3 is a possibility for the 5-year-old.

EIGHT BELLES POSSIBLE NEXT START
FOR BEAUMONT WINNER FANCY DRESS PARTY

LNJ Foxwoods’ undefeated Fancy Dress Party passed a huge class test Sunday when she turned back a couple of challenges to win the $150,000 Beaumont (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select.

“Luis Saez made all the difference,” trainer Ben Colebrook said of his jockey. “He ran them off their feet.”

Saez put Fancy Dress Party on the lead, fended off a bid from Grade 3 winner Feedback on the turn and then held off three-time graded stakes-placed Mother Mother in deep stretch.

“She was a little under fit,” Colebrook said about Fancy Dress Party. “I brought her up from Tampa Bay (Downs), but the weather didn’t cooperate. She was short a work and I didn’t want to work on the dirt. So I hedged my bets a little bit and nominated her to the Appalachian just in case I needed to (get Keeneland’s permission to) work on the turf.”

Now undefeated in four starts, Fancy Dress Party won her career debut, an off-the-turf race here last fall.

“I will probably keep her sprinting and will consider the ($250,000) Eight Belles ([G2] at Churchill Downs on May 3),” Colebrook said. “We will see how she does and will know two weeks out (about the Eight Belles).”

Colebrook also said Katherine Ball’s millionaire Limousine Liberal, third in Saturday’s $250,000 Commonwealth (G3) in his 2019 debut, is under consideration for the $500,000 Churchill Downs (G1) going 7 furlongs on May 4. Limousine Liberal has won that race the past two years after making his season debut in the Commonwealth.

“Same as with her, we’ll know in a couple of weeks,” Colebrook said of Limousine Liberal. “He was a little under fit because the weather affected his training. He ran better than I thought he would.”

“LEGIT HORSE” QURBAAN GEARS UP FOR MAKER’S 46 MILE

Roger Horgan, assistant to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, is not sure why Shadwell Stable decided to ship Qurbaan to the U.S. from Europe, but he is glad the move was made.

“He’s a legit horse,” Horgan said of the entrant in Friday’s $300,000 Maker’s 46 Mile (G1) before the 6-year-old jogged once around a muddy main track Monday morning.

“We got him in the barn June of last year at Saratoga. I am not sure about the decision to send him here. (Shadwell and McLaughlin) had success with the last (offspring of) Speightstown they sent here and were hoping lightning could strike twice.”

The last Speightstown was Tamarkuz, who closed his career in 2016 with a victory at Santa Anita over Gun Runner in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1).

Qurbaan has compiled a record of 4-1-1-2 in the U.S. with his most recent effort coming in the Tampa Bay (G3) in which he finished third as the favorite.

“When he came in, the plan was to run in an allowance race, but it didn’t fill,” Horgan said. “He was doing so good and they didn’t want to wait on another allowance race, so they put him in the (Bernard) Baruch (G2), which he won.”

Qurbaan finished third in last fall’s $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) here and closed 2018 with a runner-up finish in the Fort Lauderdale (G2) at Gulfstream Park.

“The ground was a bit soft in the Shadwell, and that is probably not his favorite type of course,” Horgan said. “We tried to get him in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) but were excluded. In the Fort Lauderdale he couldn’t catch the unopposed leader, and he was unlucky in his last start getting caught in traffic.”

In the Maker’s 46 Mile, Qurbaan will face Heart to Heart, the defending champion in the race and a two-time runner-up. Qurbaan finished ahead of that rival in their two previous meetings: the Shadwell Turf Mile, in which Heart to Heart was ninth, and the Tampa Bay, with Qurbaan finishing a neck in front of Heart to Heart.

GALLOPING OUT

The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) reported that $250,000 was raised Sunday during the second TVG-PDJF Telethon, which took place at Keeneland and Santa Anita. Hall of Fame jockeys and TVG personalities at the two tracks talked to callers. The amount topped the nearly $230,000 raised at the inaugural telethon last year. Donations to the PDJF are accepted any time at https://pdjf.org/donate/. …

Two trainers recorded their first Keeneland wins on Sunday. Jack Hancock won the first race with a first-time starter he owns, Secretly Wicked. Paco Lopez rode the 2-year-old filly by Wicked Strong to a half-length victory at odds of 4-1. Her time for the 4½-furlong race was :54.05.

Paulo Lobo recorded his first Keeneland win when Bonne Chance Farm’s Holly Blame won the fourth race. Ridden by Florent Geroux, the 4-year-old Blame gelding captured the 7-furlong race by 3¼ lengths at odds of 12-1 in 1:25.01.

UPCOMING STAKES PROBABLES

$350,000 COOLMORE JENNY WILEY (G1) (Entries taken Wednesday, April 10; race Saturday, April 13) – Bellevais (Todd Pletcher), Goodyearforroses (IRE) (Brian House), Got Stormy (Mark Casse), Onthemoonagain (FR) (Chad Brown), Phantom Opening (Jordan Blair), Princess Warrior (Kenny McPeek), Rushing Fall (Brown) and Rymska (FR) (Brown). Possible: Daddy Is a Legend (George Weaver).

$200,000 STONESTREET LEXINGTON (G3) (Entries taken Wednesday, April 10; race Saturday, April 13) – Anothertwistafate (Blaine Wright), Award Winner (Brian Lynch), Chase the Ghost (Dallas Stewart), Durkin’s Call (Bill Mott), Harvey Wallbanger (Kenny McPeek), Owendale (Brad Cox), Skywire (Mark Casse), Sueno (Keith Desormeaux) and Zenden (Victor Barboza Jr.). Possible: Knicks Go (Ben Colebrook), Preamble (Rodolphe Brisset) and Roiland (Tom Amoss).

$200,000 BEN ALI (G3) (Entries taken Wednesday, April 10; race Saturday, April 13) – Bourbon Resolution (Ian Wilkes), Flameaway (Mark Casse), Noble Commander (Phil D’Amato) and Third Day (Brian Lynch). Possible: Bonus Points (Todd Pletcher), Krewe Chief (Mike Maker) and Kukulkan (MEX) (Fausto Gutierrez).

$100,000 GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (L) (Entries taken Wednesday, April 10; race Saturday, April 13) – Excessivespending (Chris Hartman), La Dame Blanche (Ian Wilkes), Morticia (Rusty Arnold), Mrs. Ramona G. (Jeremiah Englehart) and Student Body (Chris Davis). Possible: Missap (John Ennis).

SPECIAL EVENTS

Celebrating its 80th anniversary, the Keeneland Library is one of the world’s largest repositories of information related to the Thoroughbred. In its exhibit “Herbert Haseltine: The Gold Standard,” visitors will see two prominent works from the latter period of the acclaimed sculptor of the early 20th century: “The Thoroughbred Horse” and “Portrait of the Racehorse Tom Fool.” The exhibit “From the Vault: Jockeys” features 26 images dating from the late 1800s to the mid-20th century from the Library’s archive of more than 1 million negatives and photographic prints. Varied memorabilia from Hall of Fame jockeys Eddie Arcaro, Ted Atkinson and Bill Shoemaker accompany the photographs. The Library is open weekdays at no charge from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Official Keeneland Tours – Keeneland offers a selection of year-round, guided racing and sales tours, including Behind-the-Scenes Racing Tours, Owner’s Experience Tours and Backstretch Tours with a Day at the Races. Behind-the-Scenes Sales Tours will be offered April 8-9. On Saturdays during Sunrise Trackside, free guided tours begin every 20 minutes from the welcome stand near the Paddock and Walking Ring from 7:30-10 a.m.

Tuesday, April 9

Keeneland April Two-Year-Olds in Training and Horses of Racing Age Sale – The auction, free and open to the public, begins in the Keeneland Sales Pavilion at 2 p.m.

Wednesday, April 10

WINS-Day Challenge – This is an inexpensive way for beginning handicappers to test their skills and give handicapping contests a try. The contest has a $2,500-guaranteed pool. Enter for $10 at Wagering Central and place a mythical $2 win and place wager – no actual money required – on Keeneland races 3-8. Limit three entries per person. The first 200 participants receive a card for a free Malone’s appetizer and a complimentary copy of Daily Racing Form.

Wear Red Day – Fans are encouraged to wear red to Keeneland to help raise awareness of heart disease: the No. 1 killer of women. The first 3,000 patrons will receive a red dress pin.

Friday, April 12

Maker’s Mark Bottle Signing – Sales of commemorative Maker’s Mark bottles have raised millions of dollars to benefit deserving causes in Central Kentucky. Fans can have their 2019 commemorative bottle signed at the Keeneland Entertainment Center beginning at 7 a.m. All tickets for the bottle signing, which are free, have been distributed. One ticket entitles the holder to have two 2019 Maker’s Mark commemorative bottles signed. At Wagering Central, The Keeneland Shop will offer patrons the opportunity to dip their purchases into the iconic Maker’s Mark red wax to commemorate Maker’s 46 Mile (G1) race day.

The Hill – Fans who like to tailgate will enjoy the festive atmosphere of The Hill, where they can watch races on a jumbo TV and place wagers. The Hill also features food trucks, The Keeneland Shop kiosk and complimentary shuttles to the track. Live music is presented by The Burl, a popular live music venue in Lexington, from noon to 4 p.m. Two Maker’s Mark events will be held: Makers Wanted Experience, including items from leather craftsmen Clayton & Crume and complimentary tea featuring Kentucky Straight Ice, and American Field, a curated marketplace of unique brands and items.

$200,000 Friday Pick Four Presented by TVG. Includes races 7-10. Race 7 is the inaugural Limestone Turf Sprint (4:24 p.m. post time). Race 9 is the Maker’s 46 Mile (G1) (5:30 p.m. post).

The Keeneland Shop Milliners Corner with Forme Millinery (April 12-14) and Trunk Show with Maui Jim (April 12-14).

Saturday, April 13

Sunrise Trackside – The day begins early for racehorses. Keeneland invites you and your family to experience their mornings with Breakfast With the Works, which features breakfast for purchase and trackside commentary (7-8:30 a.m.) while horses train on the main track. The event includes children’s activities in the Kids Club Corner (7:30-9:30 a.m.); guided Keeneland tours that depart from the welcome stand near the Paddock (7:30-10 a.m.) and Paddock demonstration from the Kentucky Horseshoeing School (9-9:30 a.m). Parking and admission to the morning events are free.

Jockey Q&A in the Walking Ring (12:05 p.m.).

The Hill – Fans who like to tailgate will enjoy the festive atmosphere of The Hill, where they can watch races on a jumbo TV and place wagers. The Hill also features food trucks, The Keeneland Shop kiosk and complimentary shuttles to the track. Live music is presented by The Burl, a popular live music venue in Lexington from noon to 4 p.m.

$300,000 Guaranteed All-Stakes Pick Four Presented by TVG. Includes races 7-10: Ben Ali (G3), Giant’s Causeway (L), Stonestreet Lexington (G3) and Coolmore Jenny Wiley (G1).

NYRA Cross Country Wager features races from Keeneland and other tracks.

$400 Spring Challenge – This handicapping tournament has a $400 buy-in with a live bankroll of $250 and $150 prize fund fee.

Sunday, April 14

Military Day at the Races Presented by Marathon – Keeneland recognizes the men and women who serve our country. All active and reserve military and their families will receive free general admission and access to reserved Grandstand seating with military I.D. Military families are invited to enjoy free food and children’s activities in the North Terrace from noon to 4 p.m.

Grade One Gamble – This nationally prominent event 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.