Keeneland Barn Notes — Thursday, Oct. 28

By Amy Owens —-

THURSDAY, OCT. 28 – CLOSING WEEK

Keeneland’s 17-day Fall Meet runs through Saturday.
Post time for the first race each day is 1 p.m. ET.

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· GAFFALIONE ON VERGE OF FOURTH JOCKEY TITLE AT KEENELAND

· FALL MEET SPECIAL EVENTS

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GAFFALIONE ON VERGE OF FOURTH JOCKEY TITLE AT KEENELAND

With three days remaining in Keeneland’s Fall Meet, Tyler Gaffalione is on his way to earning his fourth title as the track’s leading rider. He has 24 victories, 11 more than Florent Geroux in second.

Gaffalione, 27, relishes the experience of competing at Keeneland, where he first won a race during the 2016 Fall Meet and topped the rider standings for the 2018 Fall Meet, 2020 Summer Meet and 2020 Fall Meet.

“There’s just so much history here,” Gaffalione said. “The feeling you get when walking on the grounds is like nothing else. With all the colors and the people, it made my first win here very special. It could be a claiming race on a Wednesday, and that excitement is just always there.”

Gaffalione grew up in Ocala, Florida, and followed in the footsteps of his father, Steve Gaffalione, and grandfather, Robert Gaffalione, as a jockey. Immersed in the horse industry at a young age, he received a pony for his fourth birthday. He competed in barrel racing until he was old enough to start exercising racehorses. He began his career as a jockey in 2014 at Gulfstream Park and received the 2015 Eclipse Award as outstanding apprentice.

Through Oct. 27, Gaffalione has ridden 1,670 winners and the earners of more than $82 million. He rode War of Will to win the 2019 Preakness (G1). His other riding accomplishments include rider titles at Gulfstream and Churchill Downs.

“I’ve just been so blessed along the way,” Gaffalione said. “I have great support from trainers and owners and all of the horsemen. I don’t really even know how to describe it, it’s just really exciting.”

In the closing days of Keeneland’s Fall Meet, Gaffalione is preparing for the Nov. 5-6 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar.

“You always go in there thinking you have a good chance, but I would say this year is my strongest,” Gaffalione, who has ridden in 28 Breeders’ Cup races since 2016. “I’ve got a couple of nice young horses, and I’m really looking forward to these races.”

COX AND WARD TIED FOR LEADING TRAINER ENTERING FINAL THREE DAYS

While Tyler Gaffalione is in command of the list of the Keeneland Fall Meet’s leading jockeys by wins, the race for leading trainer of the Fall Meet is much tighter. With victories from his two starters on Wednesday, Brad Cox recorded his 10th win to tie Wesley Ward atop the list.

Cox has horses entered in three races today, five races Friday and three races on Saturday’s closing day. Ward has horses entered in two races today, two races Friday and four races Saturday.

Mike Maker is third with eight wins. He has horses entered in three races today, two races tomorrow and two races Saturday.

BREEDERS’ CUP WORK TAB

David Ingordo, LBC Stable and Manganaro Bloodstock’s Tarabi, who is pre-entered in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) on Nov. 5 at Del Mar, worked 4 furlongs in :48.60 and out in 1:01.60 over a fast track Thursday around 7:30 a.m. Working in company with Halaga, the daughter of First Samurai was second to Echo Zulu in the Spinaway (G1). She is trained by Cherie DeVaux.

GALLOPING OUT

Keeneland Racing Analyst Tom Leach talks to trainer Brad Cox about his two fillies in Saturday’s Rubicon Valley View (G3): Adventuring and Saranya. Cox also discusses Essential Quality and Knicks Go in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Nov. 6.

FALL MEET CLOSING WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS

Every race day

Keeneland Select Handicapping Challenge. Sport of Kings, the free horse racing contest website, has this new free online handicapping contest for casual fans and serious horseplayers. Participants make mythical selections on two Keeneland races for each day of the meet. Two seats to the 2022 NTRA National Horseplayers Championship will be awarded. To sign up, click here.

The new Keeneland Turf Pick 3 wager is offered on the final three turf races each race day. The minimum wager is $3 and will follow the same rules as the traditional Pick 3. The new wager has a 15 percent takeout, the same low takeout as Keeneland’s popular Pick 5 wager.

Friday and Saturday

The Hill. At this popular tailgating area, fans can watch and wager while enjoying the racing action from the Jumbotron and wagering tent, while food trucks and live music presented by The Burl create a festive atmosphere. No ticket or reservation is required for The Hill. Parking opens at 10 a.m. Live music and food trucks from noon to 4 p.m.

Saturday – Closing day

Sunrise Trackside (Special Halloween Edition). This free Saturday morning program is geared toward families and offers a unique view of Thoroughbreds during training hours. This Saturday, children are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes. They will enjoy fun Halloween treats, games and face painting (8-10 a.m.) and may participate in a costume contest hosted by Keeneland mascot Buckles (9:30 a.m.) A Paddock demonstration featuring the Headless Horseman begins at 8:30 a.m. Fans can purchase coffee and donuts; the Keeneland Track Kitchen at the east end of the stable area (with no track view) is open for breakfast that includes “grab and go” and seating options. Mini tours of Keeneland are available at the Welcome Stand in the Paddock. The Headless Horseman is scheduled to appear on the main track after Race 4 (post time 2:46 p.m.)

Hagyard Race to Give Campaign. Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, which sponsors the day’s $200,000 Hagyard Fayette (G2), is supporting Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA), a non-profit that benefits Thoroughbred aftercare organizations, all this month through its “Race to Give” campaign. To help, visit racetogive.org. At Keeneland on Oct. 30, fans may donate wagering tickets by dropping them in the “Race to Give” donation box inside the Grandstand East Gate entrance. Funds will go directly to TCA.

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