Keeneland Barn Notes — Tuesday, Oct. 15

By Amy Owens —-

TUESDAY, OCT. 15

Keeneland’s 17-day Fall Meet concludes Saturday, Oct. 26, with racing
Wednesdays through Sundays. Post time for the first race each day is 1:05 p.m. ET.

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· BLENDED CITIZEN, SISTERSON COME FULL CIRCLE

BLENDED CITIZEN, SISTERSON COME FULL CIRCLE

Before going out on his own in 2018, the last horse Jack Sisterson saddled for his boss, Doug O’Neill, was Blended Citizen.

Fast-forward a little more than a year and guess who has taken up residence in Sisterson’s Calumet Farm barn adjacent to Keeneland?

“Blended Citizen came here about two weeks before he ran at Kentucky Downs (in the Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup-G3 on Sept. 7),” said Sisterson, who is overseeing the 4-year-old’s training here for O’Neill as he readies for Thursday’s $150,000 Sycamore (G3).

Sisterson was with Blended Citizen here in the spring of 2018 when the colt was on the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail.

“He just blossomed here last spring and he trains so well here on the dirt,” Sisterson said of Blended Citizen, who won the Peter Pan (G3) in Sisterson’s final role as an assistant. “They like to keep him here as long as possible.”

Owned by Sayjay Racing, Greg Hall and Brooke Hubbard, Blended Citizen has spent 2019 racing on grass, the surface he will be on for Thursday’s 1½-mile test.

“He broke his maiden on the grass and then he won the Jeff Ruby (G3) on the all-weather track at Turfway,” Sisterson said. “In the (Toyota) Blue Grass (G2) he was fifth behind (champion) Good Magic, but that race was better than it looked on paper.”

Sisterson already has struck stakes gold for O’Neill this meet when he saddled McShane Racing’s Stubbins for his course record-setting victory in the Woodford (G2) Presented by Keeneland Select on Oct. 5.

Blended Citizen, by Proud Citizen, has been supplemented to Keeneland’s November Breeding Stock Sale from Nov. 6-17. He is Hip 2761A consigned by South Point Sales Agency, agent.

LEXINGTON RESIDENT WINS SUNDAY HANDICAPPING CONTEST

A stellar group of 159 players from across North America contested the Fall BCBC/NHC Challenge at Keeneland on Sunday, and local player Nick Mannella came away the big winner. Mannella turned a $2,000 bankroll into $28,314 on the strength of a large double play with the heavily favored entry of Hotshot Anna and Aiken to Be in Race 8 and with Royal Mesa, the 20-1 winner of Race 9.

He barely held off defending BCBC champion Chuck Grubbs, also of Lexington, who went all in on Race 9 with a $1,000 win bet on Royal Mesa that netted $21,000.

Longtime leader Dave Nichols of Wayne, Pennsylvania, settled for third place with $19,122.50.

The top five finishers won fully paid entries into the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge at Santa Anita plus a fully paid entry into the National Horseplayers Championship at Bally’s Las Vegas in February. Prize money was $30,000 for first, $15,000 for second and $1,500 for sixth through 15th place.

GALLOPING OUT

Jockey Corey Lanerie, who has picked up six victories in the first half of the 17-day Fall Meet, has moved into 10th place all time at Keeneland with 235 victories. He passed Steve Brooks (233) for the 10th spot and is 10 victories behind recently inducted Hall of Famer Craig Perret for ninth all-time here.

UPCOMING STAKES PROBABLES

$250,000 Lexus Raven Run (G2) (Entries taken Wednesday; race Saturday) – Bell’s the One (Neil Pessin), Fancy Dress Party (Ben Colebrook), First Star (Ron Ellis), Free Cover (Bret Calhoun), Horologist (Richard Baltas), Indian Pride (Chad Brown), Irish Mischief (Brad Cox), Lady T N T (Joe Sharp), Needs Supervision (Jeremiah O’Dwyer), Oxy Lady (Jack Sisterson), Restless Rider (Kenny McPeek), Royal Charlotte (Brown).

$125,000 Rood & Riddle Dowager (G3) (Entries taken Thursday; race Sunday) – Elysea’s World (IRE) (Richard Baltas), Gentle Ruler (Ian Wilkes), Get Explicit (Barbara Minshall), Lafta (Patrick Biancone), Lemoona (Richard Baltas), Sea Dream (BRZ) (Paulo Lobo), Simply Breathless (GB) (Neil Drysdale), Vevina (Phil D’Amato), Violet Blue (James Toner). Possible: Pamina (Michael Dickinson), Pantsonfire (IRE) (Baltas).

FALL MEET SPECIAL EVENTS

All Year

Official Keeneland Tours – A variety of guided walking tours showcase Keeneland’s racing and sales operations. Click here for more information.

Through March 2020

The Keeneland Library Presents “A Day in the Life: Volume I” – This new exhibit features the work of early Turf photographer John C. Hemment. The Keeneland Library is home to the largest known surviving body of work of Hemment, a photographer during the late 19th and early 20th century. A virtual counterpart of the Hemment exhibit is at keenelandlibrary.omeka.net/exhibits. Celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, the Library is free and open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET.

Wednesday, Oct. 16

WINS-Day Challenge Sponsored by Malone’s – Handicappers of all levels can test their skills through this contest, which has a guaranteed $2,500 pool. The entry fee is $10.

East Gate Shop special offer – The satellite location of The Keeneland Shop is offering a $5 off hat purchase on Wednesdays and Thursdays during the Fall Meet (offer not available at The Keeneland Shop and Milliners Corner or at satellite locations at Wagering Central and the finish line). Located on the first floor of the Saddling Paddock Chalet – in a corner near the East Gate Grandstand entrance – the East Gate Shop is open to the public Wednesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. ET until 30 minutes after the final race. (Re-entry to the track is available through the East Gate entrance.)

The East Gate Shop, which has a selection of hats, T-shirts and other Keeneland souvenir items, has personalization and engraving options to give fans the opportunity to customize their purchases. A complimentary bag check enables fans to leave their purchases there during the races and pick them up when they leave.

Thursday, Oct. 17

Budweiser Clydesdales at Keeneland. A single Clydesdale will be available for photo opportunities at the East Gate entrance from noon to 1 p.m.

East Gate Shop special offer – The satellite location of The Keeneland Shop is offering a $5 off hat purchase on Wednesdays and Thursdays during the Fall Meet (offer not available at The Keeneland Shop and Milliners Corner or at satellite locations at Wagering Central and the finish line). Located on the first floor of the Saddling Paddock Chalet – in a corner near the East Gate Grandstand entrance – the East Gate Shop is open to the public Wednesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. ET until 30 minutes after the final race. (Re-entry to the track is available through the East Gate entrance.)

The East Gate Shop, which has a selection of hats, T-shirts and other Keeneland souvenir items, has personalization and engraving options to give fans the opportunity to customize their purchases. A complimentary bag check enables fans to leave their purchases there during the races and pick them up when they leave.

Friday, Oct. 18

College Scholarship Day – Full-time college students will receive free general admission and the chance to win a total of 18 college scholarships worth $70,000: ten $2,000 scholarships from Keeneland and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, two $10,000 Runhappy Scholarships and six $5,000 scholarships from Claiborne Farm, Glen Hill Farm, Hinkle Farms, Paramount Sales, Solis/Litt Bloodstock and Taylor Made Farm. At Keeneland’s College Zone on the North Terrace, students will enjoy music, free food, prize drawings and more. Click here to pre-register before 5 p.m. on Thursday.

Budweiser Clydesdales at Keeneland. A single Clydesdale will be available for photo opportunities at the East Gate entrance from noon to 1 p.m.

The Hill – Keeneland’s official tailgate lot features a jumbo screen to watch live racing and football, wagering booths, live music, local food trucks and free shuttles to the Grandstand.

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

The Keeneland Shop presents a trunk show with Frederique.

Saturday, Oct. 19

Sunrise Trackside – Families, out-of-town guests, longtime Keeneland fans and others will enjoy spending a morning at the track before the races begin. Watch racehorses train over the track and enjoy Breakfast With the Works and trackside commentary (7-8:30 a.m.); children’s activities in the Kids Club Corner (7:30-9:30 a.m.); free guided tours of the grounds (7:30-10 a.m.) and a demonstration by New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program in the Paddock (9 a.m.).

Budweiser Clydesdales at Keeneland. The famous hitch will appear between races weather permitting.

The Hill – Keeneland’s official tailgate lot features a jumbo screen to watch live racing and football, wagering booths, live music, local food trucks and free shuttles to the Grandstand.

The Keeneland Shop presents a trunk show with Frederique.

$300,000 Guaranteed Pick 4 Presented by TVG

Sunday, Oct. 20

Heroes Day Presented by City BBQ – Keeneland will recognize the men and women who serve our community. All military (active duty and veterans), first responders – law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs – and their families will receive free general admission, access to reserved Grandstand seating, free lunch and be able to take part in children’s activities. The day will include a flag unfurling on the main track between races and recognition of local heroes in the Winner’s Circle.

Budweiser Clydesdales at Keeneland. A single Clydesdale will be available for photo opportunities at the East Gate entrance from noon to 1 p.m.

The Keeneland Shop presents Milliners Corner with Dorfman.

Tuesday, Oct. 22

Library Lecture Series – The Keeneland Library, which is celebrating its 80th birthday, will present Brien Bouyea, who will discuss his new book, The Travers: 150 Years of Saratoga’s Greatest Race, which he co-wrote with Michael Veitch. The event, which begins at 6:30 p.m., is free and open to the public.