Keeneland Barn Notes — Saturday, April 23

By Amy Owens —-

SATURDAY, APRIL 23

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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· TOYOTA BLUE GRASS WINNER ZANDON TUNES UP FOR KENTUCKY DERBY WITH KEENELAND WORK

TOYOTA BLUE GRASS WINNER ZANDON TUNES UP
FOR KENTUCKY DERBY WITH KEENELAND WORK

Jeff Drown’s Zandon, winner of Keeneland’s $1 million Toyota Blue Grass (G1) on April 9, worked 4 furlongs in :48.60 Saturday morning over a fast track for trainer Chad Brown in his penultimate tune-up for the Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve. The colt is second on the Derby leaderboard with 114 points and is guaranteed a spot in the starting gate for the May 7, $3 million race at Churchill Downs.

The son of Upstart, a graduate of Keeneland’s 2020 September Yearling Sale, is scheduled to ship to Churchill Sunday morning and have his final workout there on Saturday, April 30.

With exercise rider Kriss Bon aboard today, Zandon clocked splits of :12.80, :25.20, and :37 as Brown and jockey Flavien Prat watched from the Grandstand. The colt galloped out in 1:00.80, 1:13.80 and 1:27.60. (Click here for a video of the work.)

“He was moving super; just what we wanted to see,” Brown said. “We just wanted to maintain where he is. He does not have to get any fitter. I was impressed with how he galloped out.”

Last October at Belmont Park, Zandon opened his career with a 1½-length triumph after lagging behind in the early part of a 6-furlong maiden special weight race. Two months later at Aqueduct, he battled through the stretch with Kentucky Derby contender Mo Donegal and was beaten a nose in the Remsen (G2). In his next start before the Toyota Blue Grass, Zandon was third behind Kentucky Derby hopefuls Epicenter and Smile Happy in the Risen Star (G2) Presented by Lamarque Ford at Fair Grounds on Feb. 19.

The 2-1 second choice in the Toyota Blue Grass, Zandon came from behind to catch favored Smile Happy in the closing yards to win by 2½ lengths.

“He has had a small number of races but those races were very meaningful,” Brown said. “We quite liked him by the time he debuted (but) I was surprised he won sprinting. When he won, he really picked my head up. (That is when) I thought he had way above average potential. Then he showed a lot in the Remsen going 1 1/8 miles. He has a lot of good experience in a small number of races.”

KATHLEEN O., CANDY RAID HAVE FINAL KEENELAND WORKS
FOR KENTUCKY OAKS

Two fillies under consideration for the May 6 Kentucky Oaks (G1) put in their final Keeneland works for the race Saturday morning over a fast track.

Working at 7:30 a.m. after the first track renovation break, Winngate Stables’ undefeated Kathleen O. worked a half-mile in :48.80 under exercise rider David Jego. (Click here for a video of the work.)

Following a few minutes later was Don’t Tell My Wife Stables and trainer Keith Desormeaux’s Candy Raid, who covered the same distance in :49.20 under jockey Rafael Bejarano. (Click here for a video of the work.)

Kathleen O., the leading point earner on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks with 150 points from her victories in the Davona Dale (G2) and Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2), galloped out past the three-quarter pole under Jego, who has been her regular exercise rider all winter.

“She picked it up and galloped out strong,” said Anthony Hamilton, assistant to trainer Shug McGaughey. “We are in good shape. She’s a happy horse – that’s what you look for.”

Kathleen O. worked a half-mile in :48.60 here last Saturday in her first work back since winning the Gulfstream Park Oaks on April 2.

Hamilton said Kathleen O. would make the short trip to Churchill Downs Monday or Tuesday. He said McGaughey, who won the Oaks in 1993 with Dispute, would arrive in Louisville on Wednesday.

Candy Raid worked a half-mile in :50.40 last Saturday here. She is 13th on the Oaks leaderboard with 51 points of which 50 came from a victory in the Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway Park in her most recent start April 2.

“This was her last work here,” said Bejarano, who rode Candy Raid for the first time in the victory at Turfway. “She’s feeling good. I got her out five-eighths in 1:02 and change.”

Candy Raid is scheduled to ship to Churchill on Thursday and have her final pre-Oaks work there.

ROYAL ASCOT HOPEFUL GOLDEN PAL “TEARING THE BARN DOWN”

Two weeks after his dominating, 4¾-length victory in the Shakertown (G2) on April 9, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith and Westerberg’s Golden Pal returned to the Keeneland turf course and galloped at a two-minute lick.

Trainer Wesley Ward said today’s exercise resulted from Golden Pal coming out of the Shakertown so well.

“He’s really feeling good,” Ward said about the 4-year-old Uncle Mo colt, who is pointed to the June 14 King’s Stand (G1) at Royal Ascot in England. “Our plan was to wait a little bit, but he’s just tearing the barn down right now. We decided to do a little something (extra) with him. We left the exercise rider on him who rides him every day: Jose Hernandez. I told him to go the easiest three-eighths that he can. And he did, so we’re really happy.

“These racehorses – especially ones like (Golden Pal) – just come on the track and he’s like dynamite. If you can take a little bit of the edge off them, it’s certainly going to help. No place better to do it than the Keeneland turf course.”

With nine wins during the first 10 days of Keeneland’s 15-day Spring Meet, Ward is atop the trainer standings.

GALLOPING OUT

Vincent Cheminaud recorded his first Keeneland victory Friday afternoon when he won the final race on Shannon ($51) for trainer Ignacio Correas IV. The 28-year-old Frenchman had had one previous U.S. victory from 10 mounts: the 2015 Sword Dancer (G1) at Saratoga aboard Flintshire (GB) for trainer Andre Fabre.

WORK TAB

Godolphin’s Mystic Guide, winner of the 2021 Dubai World Cup (G1) Sponsored by Emirates Airline), worked 3 furlongs in :37.40. … Westerberg Limited, Mrs. John Magnier, Jonathan Poulin, Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor’s Grade 1 winner Kimari worked 5 furlongs in 1:00 for trainer Wesley Ward. … Working over a turf course labeled as good was Klaravich Stables’ three-time graded stakes winner Public Sector (GB) with a half-mile in :51 for trainer Chad Brown.

PROSPECTIVE FIELD FOR CLOSING-DAY BEWITCH

Entries taken Sunday. Race Friday, April 29.

$300,000 BEWITCH (G3) – Breeze Rider (trainer Steve Manley), Family Way (Brendan Walsh), Queen Goddess (Michael McCarthy). Possible: Core Values (Vicki Oliver), 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.

Saturday, April 23

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.

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.

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.”