Keeneland Barn Notes: Sunday, Oct. 20

By Amy Owens —-

Keeneland’s 17-day Fall Meet concludes Saturday, Oct. 26. After today’s action,
racing returns Wednesday with the final four days of the season.
Post time for the first race each day is 1:05 p.m. ET.

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· WARD TRIO AMONG BREEDERS’ CUP CANDIDATES TO WORK SUNDAY

· LEXUS RAVEN RUN TOP TWO COULD MEET AGAIN IN LA BREA

· LATE PICK 5 TICKET ON SATURDAY RACES PAYS RECORD $308,872

· GALLOPING OUT

· FALL MEET SPECIAL EVENTS

· FALL MEET LEADERS

WARD TRIO AMONG BREEDERS’ CUP CANDIDATES TO WORK SUNDAY

Trainer Wesley Ward’s three possible contenders for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2) – Stonestreet Stables’ Cambria, Ten Broeck Farm’s Kimari and Breeze Easy’s Four Wheel Drive – led Sunday workers who are preparing for the Nov. 1-2 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita.

The trio of 2-year-olds each worked a half-mile on firm turf. Cambria, a filly by Speightstown ridden by Vimael Torres, worked in company with Karak in :49.80 (click here for a video of the work). Kimari, a Munnings filly ridden by Julio Garcia in company with Bound for Nowhere, worked in :48.80 with the final quarter in :23.40 (click here for a video of the work). On his own under Alex Achard, the American Pharoah colt Four Wheel Drive was timed in :50 (click here for a video of the work).

Ward said the horses earned their way to the Breeders’ Cup because “they’re proven. They rose to the top of the ranks in America.”

Cambria is unbeaten in three starts, including the $500,000-added Kentucky Downs Juvenile Turf Sprint on Sept. 7 in her most recent start. Four Wheel Drive has won his two starts, including the Futurity (G3) at Belmont Park on Oct. 6.

Kimari began to establish her credentials during Keeneland’s Spring Meet in April. She won her career debut by 15 lengths, went to Royal Ascot in England and was second in the Queen Mary (G2) and since has wins in the Bolton Landing at Saratoga and the Indian Summer on opening weekend of Keeneland’s Fall Meet. The latter performance earned her an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.

Ward was pleased with today’s performances by his Breeders’ Cup hopefuls, especially the one by Kimari.

“That was a very, very impressive work today in that she outworked a real quality horse – although he’s not a very good work horse,” Ward said, referring to Bound for Nowhere. “He’s gotten outworked every work in his life – from Lady Aurelia on down to whoever. Luckily enough, when you lead him over in the afternoon, he runs like hell. He’s a tough horse to judge, but still it was a beautiful work.”

Among the people watching Kimari was Ben McElroy, racing manager of owner David Mowat’s Ten Broeck Farm.

“She’s danced every dance,” McElroy said about Kimari. “When she won at Keeneland in April, it was a Lady Aurelia-type performance. She went to Royal Ascot and she was beaten by Raffle Prize, who went on and broke the track record at Newmarket. So obviously it was a bang-up race she ran. And at Saratoga (in the Bolton Landing she ran) a great race, and here (her last-to-first win in the Indian Summer) was sensational to watch.

“She’s just always been super-talented. At Keeneland in April, when they win like that, you’re thinking Royal Ascot – that’s your first goal. Breeders’ Cup is a bonus. Says a lot for the filly and says a lot for the way Wesley has managed her.”

Ward said Cambria, Kimari and Four Wheel Drive would work again over the Keeneland turf next Sunday and leave Tuesday, Oct. 29, for Santa Anita.

He owns Bound for Nowhere, who won Keeneland’s 2018 Shakertown (G2) and is entered in a Wednesday allowance for his first start since the Diamond Jubilee (G1) in June at Royal Ascot.

In other Sunday turf works:

Amy Dunne’s Leinster, runner-up in the Woodford (G2) Presented by Keeneland Select in his most recent start, worked a half-mile in :52.80 with Crystal Conning aboard for trainer Rusty Arnold. (Click here for a video of the work.)

“It looked good to me and he will come back with another easy half next Sunday,” said Arnold, who will have Tyler Gaffalione aboard Leinster for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) on Nov. 2. “I know how fast he is.”

Qatar Racing Limited, Marc Detampel and Bottle Rocket Stable’s Vitalogy (GB), runner-up in the Dixiana Bourbon (G3) in his most recent start, was credited with a half-mile work in :50.20 for trainer Brendan Walsh. (Click here for a video of the work.)

“I got him in :50, but we were just letting him stretch his legs,” Walsh said of the move with Paul Madden aboard. “He’ll work again Friday and then leave on the 26th (for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf-G1 on Nov. 1).

Merriebelle Stable’s Walk In Marrakesh (IRE), a possible candidate for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) on Nov. 1, worked a half-mile in company in :50.40 for trainer Ignacio Correas IV. (Click here for a video of the work.)

Walk In Marrakesh finished second in the Natalma (G1) at Woodbine on Sept. 15 in her most recent start.

In addition, Breeders’ Cup hopeful Totally Boss worked on his own on the fast main track at 6:15 a.m. for Arnold. Owned by Susan and Jim Hill, Totally Boss covered a half-mile in :47.80 with fractions of :11.80, :24, :35.60, :47.80 and out 5 furlongs in 1:00.80.

Arnold was happy with the work, the third for Totally Boss since winning the Runhappy Turf Sprint (G3) at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 7. Totally Boss is scheduled to work again next Sunday and then ship to Santa Anita on Oct. 29 for the Turf Sprint with Jose Ortiz to ride.

LEXUS RAVEN RUN TOP TWO COULD MEET AGAIN IN LA BREA

The La Brea (G1) in late December at Santa Anita could be the next thing on the docket for Bell’s the One and First Star, the top two finishers in Saturday’s $250,000 Lexus Raven Run (G2).

Trainer Neil Pessin said Lothenbach Stables’ Bell’s the One emerged from her first graded stakes victory in “great shape” Sunday morning.

“We will wait and see (on the La Brea),” Pessin said. “The plan all along after the Acorn (G1) in June was the Raven Run. We gave her time after the Acorn. She will go to Fair Grounds next Sunday, and we’ve got a couple weeks (to consider a next start).”

Last early in the field of 10, Bell’s the One circled the field and drew off to a 1¼-length victory.

At the three-eighths (pole), I was pretty confident,” Pessin said. “I don’t usually scream during a race, but I did yesterday.”

Albert and Kathleen Mattivi’s First Star, who recorded her first defeat after beginning her career with two victories at Del Mar, left Sunday morning to return to trainer Ron Ellis’ barn at Santa Anita.

Ellis confirmed by text that the La Brea is the next target for First Star.

Brereton Jones’ Indian Pride, who finished third as the favorite, as well as stablemate and fifth-place finisher Royal Charlotte, who is owned by First Row Partners and Parkland Thoroughbreds, came out of the race well, according to Whit Beckman, assistant to trainer Chad Brown.

“They will both get a break and probably be held out until next spring,” said Beckman, noting that the entire Brown string will leave Keeneland on Monday.

With seven victories, Brown leads the trainer standings by two with five racing days remaining in the meet that ends Saturday.

LATE PICK 5 TICKET ON SATURDAY RACES PAYS RECORD $308,872

A string of upsets in the late Pick 5 at Keeneland on Saturday resulted in a big payoff for one lucky player, with a single ticket paying a record $308,872.

The previous Pick 5 record payout at Keeneland was $266,430 paid on Oct. 11, 2012.

Saturday’s winning 50-cent Pick 5 ticket for races 6-10 was sold through NYRA Bets and cost $96. The combinations on the ticket were 2,4/3,8,10/1,4,5,6/2,3/1,5,10,11.

Beginning with race 6, the winners were Extra Medium ($25.40), Wayne O ($12), Tough Irma ($38.40), Bell’s the One ($28.60) and Star of Kodiak ($49.20).

GALLOPING OUT

Trainer Cipriano Contreras earned his first Keeneland victory when Crystal Racing Enterprises and Contreras Stable’s 18-1 longshot Tough Irma won Saturday’s eighth race. Shaun Bridgmohan rode the 4-year-old daughter of Stormy Atlantic to win the 1 1/16-mile turf race by 1½ lengths in 1:44.49.

CLOSING-DAY STAKES PROBABLES

$200,000 Hagyard Fayette (G2) (Entries taken Wednesday; race Saturday) – Bal Harbour (trainer Todd Pletcher), Big Dollar Bill (Ian Wilkes), Core Beliefs (Peter Eurton), Everfast (Dale Romans), Mocito Rojo (Shane Wilson), The Great Day (ARG) (Arnaud Delacour), Tom’s d’Etat (Al Stall Jr.). Possible: Firey Speech (Brian House), Mr Darcy (Angel Montano).

BREEDERS’ CUP CANDIDATES STABLED AT KEENELAND

Keeneland is home to several possible contenders for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita on Nov. 1-2.

Pre-entry deadline for the Breeders’ Cup is noon on Monday. Pre-entries will be announced Wednesday.

Here are the trainers and their possible Breeders’ Cup runners:

Trainer (Barn)

Horse

BC Race

Last Race

Latest Work

Rusty Arnold (60)

Leinster

Turf Sprint (G1)

2nd 10/5 Woodford (G2) at KEE

10/20: 4f in :52.80

Totally Boss

Turf Sprint

Won 9/7 Runhappy Turf Sprint (G3) at KD

10/20: 4f in :47.80 (dirt)

Ignacio Correas IV (41, 70)

Blue Prize (ARG)

Distaff (G1)

Won 10/6 Juddmonte Spinster (G1) at KEE

10/18: 4f in :49.40

Walk In Marrakesh (IRE)

Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1)

2nd 9/15 Natalma (G1) at WO

10/20: 4f in :50.40 (turf)

Bob Hess (1)

Heavenhasmynikki

Filly and Mare Sprint (G1)

Won 10/5 Diana at TDN

10/17: 5f in 1:00.20

Eddie Kenneally (72)

Abscond

Juvenile Fillies Turf

Won 9/15 Natalma at WO

10/18: 4f in :48.80

Kiaran McLaughlin (33)

Dawn the Destroyer

Filly and Mare Sprint

2nd 10/5 Thoroughbred Club of America (G2) at KEE

10/18: 4f in :48.20

Henri-Alex Pantall (quarantine barn)

Castle Lady (IRE)

Filly and Mare Turf (G1)

2nd 10/12 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Lane’s End (G1)

Todd Pletcher (6)

Sweet Melania

Juvenile Fillies Turf

Won 10/9 JPMorgan Chase Jessamine (G2) at KEE

Jack Sisterson (Calumet Farm barn on Rice Road)

Bandua

Turf (G1)

8th 10/5 Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) at KEE

Lexitonian

Sprint (G1)

3rd 10/4 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (G2) at KEE

10/19: 4f in :49.60

Brendan Walsh (24)

Maxfield

TVG Juvenile (G1)

Won 10/5 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at KEE

10/18: 4f in :48.60

Vitalogy (GB)

Juvenile Turf (G1)

2nd 10/6 Dixiana Bourbon (G3) at KEE

10/20: 4f in :50.20 (turf)

Wesley Ward (47, 68)

Cambria

Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2)

Won 9/7 Kentucky Downs Juvenile Sprint at KD

10/20: 4f in :49.80 (turf)

Four Wheel Drive

Juvenile Turf Sprint

Won 10/6 Futurity (G3) at BEL

10/20: 4f in :50 (turf)

Kimari

Juvenile Turf Sprint

Won 10/6 Indian Summer at KEE

10/20: 4f in :48.80 (turf)

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.

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 at 3:30 p.m. (after the race 5 trophy presentation) and recognition of local heroes in the Winner’s Circle.

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.