Keeneland Barn Notes — Friday, April 22

By Amy Owens —-

FRIDAY, APRIL 22

Keeneland’s 15-day Spring Meet runs through Friday, April 29.
First post is 1 p.m. ET except April 29 when the first post is 12:30 p.m.

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· DIAZ HAS DAY TO REMEMBER WITH KEENELAND RIDING DOUBLE

· AFTERNOON OF FIRSTS FOR HAMILTON, PETERSON AND MCCRAKEN

· WORK TAB

· PROSPECTIVE FIELD FOR CLOSING-DAY BEWITCH

· SPRING MEET WEEK 3 SPECIAL EVENTS

· SPRING MEET LEADERS

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DIAZ HAS DAY TO REMEMBER WITH KEENELAND RIDING DOUBLE

Apprentice jockey Rene Diaz, who began riding in April 2021 at Gulfstream Park, had his biggest day yet at Keeneland on Thursday.

“It is one day I will never forget,” said the 22-year-old native of Venezuela who grew up in Miami about the afternoon when he rode two winners and finished second on an 85-1 longshot.

Both winners – Pliantlea, who paid $6.80 in the fifth race and Pistol, who paid $12.60 in the ninth race – are owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and trained by Michael McCarthy. Diaz never had ridden for McCarthy before, nor had he ridden for Neil Pessin, who conditions the longshot runner-up in the seventh race, Fine Cotton.

How does one celebrate after such a day?

“Had a salad, went to the gym and went to sleep early because I have horses to work this morning,” Diaz said between sets Friday morning at Keeneland. He has two mounts here Saturday and one Sunday.

Diaz rode this winter at Fair Grounds, where his main supporter was trainer Tom Amoss. His agent is Jose Santos Jr., who says Diaz has mounts booked for Derby Week at Churchill Downs.

“For now I’d like to stay in Kentucky and Indiana (at Horseshoe Indianapolis),” said Diaz, who receives a 7-pound apprentice weight allowance. “I’ll go wherever my agent tells me.”

AFTERNOON OF FIRSTS FOR HAMILTON, PETERSON AND MCCRAKEN

Randy Finegan’s Crackalacking not only won on debut Thursday afternoon at Keeneland, she provided a bevy of firsts for her human and equine connections.

Breaking from the outside in a nine-horse field of debuting 2-year-olds, Crackalacking went right to the front and cruised to a 5-length victory at odds of 18-1. In doing so, she gave trainer Sarah Hamilton and jockey Ferrin Peterson their first Keeneland victories and gave her sire, McCraken, a winner with his first starter.

Finegan purchased Crackalacking for $20,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Hamilton is familiar with McCraken, a three-time graded stakes winner who was third in the 2017 Toyota Blue Grass here.

“I used to work for (trainer) Ian (Wilkes) when he had McCraken,” Hamilton said. “(Crackalacking) was not on my original list of horses (to inspect at the sale), but I added her.”

Hamilton first stabled at Keeneland last spring with two horses. Now she has 10 horses in her shedrow with the majority being 2-year-olds.

“I plan to stay here until Ellis (Park in Henderson, Kentucky, opens in July),” said Hamilton, who conditions $218,750 earner Edgemont Road and Circle Back Jack, most recently fourth in the Palisades (L) here on April 10.

Crackalacking’s victory added another line to Peterson’s packed resume as a self-described “full-time jockey and part-time veterinarian.”

Peterson breezes horses at Keeneland and nearby training centers until noon and spends her afternoons at a local equine veterinarian clinic when she is not scheduled to race. During the winter, her schedule flip-flopped with afternoons at the clinic and jockey duties during Turfway Park’s night racing. She plans to continue a similar agenda while pursuing mounts at Churchill Downs, Ellis and other area tracks.

Peterson is familiar with Lexington life after working at Thoroughbred farms and Keeneland auctions before launching her jockey career in Northern California in 2018 while completing her degree at University of California, Davis.

“I want to be in horse country with racehorses,” said Peterson, who made her Keeneland debut during the 2021 Spring Meet with one mount for trainer Graham Motion. “I have worked here on an off for eight years and can pursue both my passions here.”

WORK TAB

Old Homestead, winner of the opening-day Lafayette on April 8, returned to the work tab with a :47.40 half-mile for trainer Brett Brinkman. … Dolce Zel (FR), runner-up in the Appalachian (G2) Presented by Japan Racing Association, worked a half-mile in :49 for trainer Chad Brown. … Storm the Court, champion 2-year-old male of 2019, worked 5 furlongs in 1:00 for trainer Peter Eurton.

On the all-weather training track, Awake At Midnyte, fourth in the Central Bank Ashland (G1), worked a half-mile in :48.60 for trainer Doug O’Neill.

PROSPECTIVE FIELD FOR CLOSING-DAY BEWITCH

Entries taken Sunday. Race Friday, April 29.

$300,000 BEWITCH (G3) – Breeze Rider (trainer Steve Manley), Queen Goddess (Michael McCarthy). Possible: Core Values (Vicki Oliver), Janelle Monae (BRZ) (Brad Cox), La Lune (GB) (Edward Vaughan), Stand Tall (Rusty Arnold).

SPRING MEET WEEK 3 SPECIAL EVENTS

All year

Official Keeneland Tours. Visit keeneland.com/tours for availability and to purchase.

Every Friday and Saturday

The Hill. No ticket or reservation is required for Keeneland’s popular free tailgating area on The Hill, which is open Fridays and Saturdays and offers a unique way to experience the Spring Meet. Fans on The Hill can participate in the racing action via a jumbo TV and wagering, while food trucks and live music presented by The Burl create a festive atmosphere. Those who wish to elevate their tailgating experience can book a premium package that includes tent, tables, amenities, reserved area for the day and more with the Tailgate Guys “A REVELxp Company.” Visit Keeneland.com/tailgating for details.

Friday, April 22

Spring Handicapping Challenge. Available only at the track, the Spring Handicapping Challenge offers one berth to the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC) in November at Keeneland and as many as four spots to the 2023 National Handicapping Challenge. (NHC). Players will wager a live bankroll of $250 on any or all of the races at Keeneland. Click here to register and for more information. Contestants may enter until 12:45 p.m. the day of the contest.

Saturday, April 23

Sunrise Trackside. This morning program is geared toward families and offers a unique view of Thoroughbreds during training hours. Children’s activities, located on the first-floor Grandstand from 8-10 a.m., include a meet and greet with Keeneland’s mascot, Buckles, along with face painting, games and more. Fans can enjoy coffee and donuts at Clockers Corner while watching horses train. Mini tours are available at the Welcome Stand in the Paddock. A 30-minute demonstration in the Walking Ring begins at 8:30 a.m.

Grade 1 Gamble. The signature handicapping contest of the Spring Meet is the Grade 1 Gamble, which Keeneland is hosting in cooperation with XpressBet, NYRABets, 4NJ Bets and TVG on the day of the Elkhorn (G2) and Ben Ali (G3). The entry fee is $3,500 with $2,500 going to a live bankroll and $1,000 to the prize fund. Contestants may play at Keeneland or on one of the aforementioned ADW platforms; Keeneland also will accept phone wagers from players residing in states or provinces that do not permit ADW wagering. Prizes include an estimated $75,000 for first place (based on 300 entries) and as many as six Breeders’ Cup Betting Contest berths and 10 National Handicapping Championship spots. Click here to register.

Sunday, April 24

Military Day at the Races. This popular, rewarding event recognizes the men and women who serve our country. All active duty, reserve, veterans and military families receive free general admission and reserved Grandstand seating with a military I.D. A POW-MIA Chair will be displayed outside The Keeneland Shop during the afternoon.

Events include:

11:30-11:55 a.m. – 202nd Army Band of the Kentucky National Guard will perform in the Walking Ring.

Noon – Presentation of colors by the U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard from Military Police Company Alpha 4th Law Enforcement Battalion. Noted tenor Dr. Everett McCorvey of the University of Kentucky will sing the National Anthem in the Walking Ring.

Noon to 4 p.m. – Free food, children’s activities and more at the Military Family Zone in the North Terrace.

After Races 1-5 – Winner’s Circle recognitions and check presentation.

After Race 4 (post time 2:36 p.m.) – American flag rollout on the main track by the Henry Clay High School Junior ROTC and Dr. McCorvey sings “God Bless America.”

SPRING MEET LEADERS

Through April 21 (9 days of 15-day season)

Jockey

Starts

Wins

2nd

3rd

Purses

Tyler Gaffalione

53

13

4

7

$1,240,237

Irad Ortiz Jr.

55

12

14

9

$1,877,661

Flavien Prat

41

11

4

6

$1,812,787

Luis Saez

51

7

8

9

$1,666,333

Gerardo Corrales

25

6

2

3

$497,594

Trainer

Starts

Wins

2nd

3rd

Purses

Wesley Ward

30

9

4

4

$831,244

Chad Brown

29

6

9

1

$1,583,109

Brad Cox

26

6

3

5

$1,034,560

Todd Pletcher

21

5

4

2

$944,786

Mike Maker

25

5

3

4

$305,970

Brendan Walsh

16

4

2

2

$426,608

Owner

Wins

Godolphin (Mohammed Al Maktoum et al)

3

Stonestreet Stables (Barbara Banke)

3

Calumet Farm (Brad Kelley)

2

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners (Aron Wellman)

2

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