Rushing Fall Posts Front-running Victory in Coolmore Jenny Wiley

By Amy Owens —-

LEXINGTON, KY (April 13, 2019) – E Five Racing Thoroughbreds’ brilliant Rushing Fall took the lead out of the gate and held off a late bid from stablemate Rymska (FR) by a length to win the 31st running of the $350,000 Coolmore Jenny Wiley (G1) for fillies and mares before a sun-splashed Saturday afternoon crowd of 34,527.

Also capturing stakes on the Saturday program were Rupp Racing’s Owendale in the 38th running of the $200,000 Stonestreet Lexington (G3) for 3-year-olds, Bourbon Lane Stable’s Bourbon Resolution in the 89th running of the $200,000 Ben Ali (G3) for 4-year-olds and up and G. Watts Humphrey Jr.’s Morticia in the 23rd running of the $100,000 Giant’s Causeway (L) for fillies and mares.

The Jenny Wiley victory was worth $210,000 and increased Rushing Fall’s earnings to $1,518,000 with a record of 8-7-1-0. She also earned her fourth Keeneland stakes victory to tie her with Take Charge Lady for the second most stakes wins at Keeneland behind only Wise Dan’s seven stakes victories.

The victory in the Coolmore Jenny Wiley was the third for both trainer Chad Brown and jockey Javier Castellano.

Brown previously won with Ball Dancing in 2015 and Sistercharlie (IRE) last year, in what was a 1-2-3 sweep by Brown trainees.

Castellano, who previously won the race on Ball Dancing and Hard Not to Like in 2014, earned his sixth stakes victory of the Spring Meet.

Making her first start since winning last fall’s Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Lane’s End (G1) and her first start against older runners, Rushing Fall was sent to the lead by Castellano and led the field of eight through fractions of :23.81, :48.41 and 1:13.62 while owning a daylight advantage.

Approaching the stretch as the field began to close in, Rushing Fall kicked clear again with the only late threat coming from Rymska who rallied along the rail. Rushing Fall covered the
1 1/16 miles on a firm turf course in 1:42.77.

Rushing Fall’s other Keeneland victories came in the JPMorgan Chase Jessamine (G3) in 2017 and last spring’s Appalachian (G2) Presented by Japan Racing Association. She is a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of More Than Ready out of the Forestry mare Autumnal.

Rushing Fall returned $3.80, $2.40 and $2.20. Rymska, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., returned $2.60 and $2.40 and finished a half-length in front of Got Stormy who paid $4.20 to show under Tyler Gaffalione.

It was another neck back to the third Brown runner in the race, Onthemoonagain (FR), who was followed in order by Bellavais, Phantom Opening, Princess Warrior and Goodyearforroses (IRE).

Quotes from the $350,000 Coolmore Jenny Wiley (G1)

Chad Brown (winning trainer of 9-10 favorite Rushing Fall)

“She definitely loves the (Keeneland turf) course. Big team effort. Just a great day – so many people that played a part in her development are here today.

On Brown-trained Rymska (FR) making a run up the inside late to finish second

“She’s fit, she’s sharp right now. I knew it would be close. She’s a top filly herself, but there can only be one winner. All three (his Onthemoonagain [FR]) ran fourth) ran well, and they’ll probably go their separate ways now.”

Javier Castellano (winning rider)

“I give all the credit to Mr. (Chad) Brown, the way he’s been training this horse since the layoff. This filly, she’s so nice – the way she broke out of the gate, the way she relaxed. I just enjoyed the ride. She (got) tired, but just a little bit. But she finished strong and did it very easy.”

Irad Ortiz Jr. (rider of runner-up Rymska [FR])

“The pace was a little slow, and not too many horses had speed in the race. We got beat by a nice filly. We were second best today. It was a little tight getting through on the rail, but she went through anyway. We have no excuses today.”

Tyler Gaffalione (rider of third-place finisher Got Stormy)

“My filly really ran her heart out. She tries so hard every time. I’m just so happy for her to get a Grade 1 placing now. She’s going to have a great year. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Owendale Scores Upset in Stonestreet Lexington

In the Stonestreet Lexington, Owendale burst past Knicks Go in the upper stretch and drew off to post a 1¾-length victory over favored Anothertwistafate, which likely will end that colt’s chance at the $3 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) on May 4.

Anothertwistafate added eight points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby to boost his total to 38 points, a total that is right on the cut line for the Derby pending the outcome of the Arkansas Derby (G1) run later Saturday. The Kentucky Derby is limited to the top 20 point earners and invitees that pass the entry box.

Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Florent Geroux, Owendale covered the 1 1/16 miles on a fast main track in 1:44.14. Owendale picked up his first Kentucky Derby points (20) with the victory.

Hawaiian Notes led the field of 10 through fractions of :24.33 and :48.23 with Knicks Go in closest pursuit. On the far turn, Knicks Go surged to the lead but was soon joined by Owendale, who quickly shot to an insurmountable lead.

A Keeneland September Yearling Sale graduate, Owendale is a Kentucky-bred son of Into Mischief out of the Bernardini mare Aspen Light. The victory was worth $120,000 and boosted Owendale’s earnings to $187,225 with a record of 8-3-1-1.

Owendale returned $27.40, $10 and $5.60. Anothertwistafate returned $3.40 and $2.60 and finished 1 ¼ lengths in front of Sueno who paid $2.80 to show under Corey Lanerie. Sueno added four Derby points to his total, upping that figure to 32 that is good for 23rd on the leaderboard pending the Arkansas Derby.

It was another five lengths back to Knicks Go, who was followed in order by Shang, Roiland, Harvey Wallbanger, Zenden, Hawaiian Noises and Chase the Ghost.

Quotes from the $200,000 Stonestreet Lexington (G3)

Ricky Giannini (assistant to Brad Cox, winning trainer of Owendale)

On the difference in today’s race and Owendale’s eighth-place finish in the Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds in his last race

“I wish I could tell you. Last race, we felt like he ate too much dirt, and he kind of backed out down the backside and then had too much to do. Today, he ate the same amount of dirt. I think he’s just maturing and turning into a good horse. He’s always trained like it and today he put it all together and got the job done.”

Florent Geroux (winning rider)

“(I lost) a little (ground) but gained momentum. The horse was running really quick, and it was time to go. I just tipped him out, tapped him twice.”

On whether taking back after the start was the plan

“No. It changed a lot when the gates opened. He didn’t break so well, (Knicks Go) went out and (Zenden) looked at me. Things change a lot – sometimes you need to go to Plan B very quick. He ran a very good race.”

Javier Castellano (rider of 7-5 favorite and runner-up Anothertwistafate)

“I wish I had a better trip. I was in tight all the way, and the two horses in front stopped early. But I kept coming and saved ground. The winner got the jump and in the meantime I was bottled up inside on the rail looking for room, and I didn’t have any room.”

Corey Lanerie (rider of third-place finisher Sueno)

“I found myself tracking (Anothertwistafate), and we both ran into traffic on the turn so I had to wait longer than I wanted to coming into the (finish of the 1 1/16-mile race.) I think it cost me a little bit. Did it cost me the win? I’m not sure. But I would have liked to have had some momentum when (Owendale) went by me. I still had the brakes on. Kind of unfortunate for the horse.”

Albin Jimenez (rider of fourth-place finisher Knicks Go)

“I tried to take him back a little bit and get him to relax, but he was so fresh. But he did good.”

Longshot Bourbon Resolution is the Toast of Ben Ali

In the Ben Ali, Bourbon Resolution raced third in the early going under jockey Chris Landeros as favored Flameaway led the field of 10 through fractions of :24.36, :49.06 and 1:13.75 while being pressed by Noble Commander.

At the head of the stretch, Bourbon Resolution collared the top two and by mid-stretch had opened a daylight advantage that expanded to 4½ lengths at the wire over Nun the Less.

Trained by Ian Wilkes, Bourbon Resolution covered the 1 1/8 miles on a fast main track in 1:50.82. The victory was the first in the Ben Ali for Wilkes and Landeros.

The victory was worth $120,000 and more than doubled Bourbon Resolution’s earnings to $231,340 with a record of 9-3-1-3.

Bourbon Resolution is a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred son of New Year’s Day out of the Vindication mare Vindicated Ghost.

Bourbon Resolution returned $38.60, $17.20 and $9. Nun the Less, ridden by Rodney Prescott, returned $9.60 and $6.80 and finished 2½ lengths in front of Third Day, who paid $7 to show under Javier Castellano.

It was another three-quarters of a length back to Just Whistle, who was followed in order by Solomini, Flameaway, Noble Commander, Hence, Bonus Points and First Mondays.

Favored Morticia Wins Giant’s Causeway

In the Giant’s Causeway, Morticia raced fourth early behind dueling leaders Student Body and Seeknthegiantpearl, swung four wide in the stretch where she opened a daylight advantage and then had enough to hold off Excessivespending by a neck.

Trained by Rusty Arnold and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., Morticia covered the 5½ furlongs on a firm turf course in 1:03.18. It is the first victory in the race for Arnold and Ortiz Jr.

The victory was worth $60,000 and increased her earnings to $593,325 with a record of 20-8-5-4 that includes a victory in the 2017 Buffalo Trace Franklin County (G3) here.

Morticia is a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Twirling Candy out of the Mr. Greeley mare Halloween Party.

Favored in the field of 10, Morticia returned $6.40, $3.40 and $2.60. Excessivespending, ridden by Julien Leparoux, returned $4.60 and $3.40 and finished a length in front of Surrender Now who paid $3.60 to show under John Velazquez.

It was another three-quarters of a length back to Luvin Bullies in fourth with La Dame Blanche, Factorofwon, Seeknthegiantpearl, Straitouttapopcorn, Student Body and A Little Bit Me following in order.

Racing continues Sunday with a nine-race program that begins at 1:05 p.m. ET.

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For more than 80 years, the Keeneland Association has devoted itself to the health and vibrancy of the Thoroughbred industry. The world’s largest Thoroughbred auction house, Keeneland conducts four sales a year, in January, April, September and November, and its sales graduates dominate racing globally at every level. In April and October, Keeneland offers some of the highest caliber and richest Thoroughbred racing in the world. Keeneland hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in 2015 and will hold the event again in 2020. Uniquely structured, Keeneland is a private, for-profit corporation that returns its earnings to the industry and the community in the form of higher purses and millions of dollars donated in support of horse industry initiatives and charitable contributions for education, research and health and human services throughout Central Kentucky. To learn more, visit Keeneland.com.

For more information contact Amy Gregory at 859 361-3490 or Amy Owens at 859 421-2566