Keeneland Barn Notes — Wednesday, Oct. 26

Posted On 27 Oct 2022

By Amy Owens —-

Keeneland’s 17-day Fall Meet runs through Saturday, Oct. 29.
Post time for the first race each day is 1 p.m. ET.

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BLUE STRIPE (ARG) TURNS IN SHARP 5-FURLONG DRILL FOR BREEDERS’ CUP DISTAFF
FIRST CAPTAIN HEADLINES FIELD FOR CLOSING-DAY HAGYARD FAYETTE
CLASSIC CAUSEWAY TOPS OVERFLOW FIELD FOR BRYAN STATION
SIR LANCELOT PUTS UNBEATEN MARK ON THE LINE IN BOWMAN MILL
PROBABLES FOR KEENELAND SUPPORTING STAKES FOR BREEDERS’ CUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
CLOSING WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS
FALL MEET LEADERS

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BLUE STRIPE (ARG) TURNS IN SHARP 5-FURLONG DRILL
FOR BREEDERS’ CUP DISTAFF

Pozo De Luna’s recent Grade 1 winner Blue Stripe (ARG) drilled 5 furlongs in 1:00 over a track labeled as good shortly after 9 a.m. Wednesday in preparation for an expected start in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) here on Nov. 5.

Working on her own with Ferrin Peterson aboard, Blue Stripe reeled off fractions of :12.20, :25.20, :37.60, 1:00 then out 6 furlongs in 1:12.20, seven-eighths in 1:24.80 and a mile in 1:39.40.

“She’s got some nice gears,” Peterson told trainer Marcelo Polanco, who put the rider on her first Southern California winner at Los Alamitos in 2019.

Blue Stripe, a half-sister to 2019 Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner and two-time Juddmonte Spinster (G1) winner Blue Prize (ARG), made six starts in native country, where her four wins included the 2021 Criadores (G1) at Hipodromo Argentino de Palermo.

Blue Stripe earned a fees-paid berth into the Distaff by virtue of her victory in the Clement L. Hirsch (G1) at Del Mar on Aug. 6. She finished seventh in last year’s Distaff in what served as her U.S. debut.

“I was a little concerned (about the track after the rain overnight),” Polanco said of Blue Stripe, who arrived at Keeneland Sunday afternoon. “But it was a really nice work and she handled it pretty good.”

The work was the 10th for Blue Stripe since winning the Clement L. Hirsch.

“Her work last week at Santa Anita (:59.60 for 5 furlongs) was very good,” said Polanco, who watched this morning’s breeze from the backstretch rail. “She’ll have one maintenance work next week.”

FIRST CAPTAIN HEADLINES FIELD FOR CLOSING-DAY HAGYARD FAYETTE

West Point Thoroughbreds, Siena Farm, Bobby Flay and Woodford Racing’s First Captain headlines a field of six entered Wednesday for Saturday’s 65th running of the $350,000 Hagyard Fayette (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track.

Serving as the main attraction on the Fall Meet’s closing-day program that features three stakes, the Hagyard Fayette will go as the ninth race with a 5:16 p.m. ET post time. First post is 1 p.m.

Trained by Shug McGaughey, First Captain comes into Saturday’s race off a third-place finish in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) behind Olympiad, one of the leading contenders for the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). Luis Saez has the mount and will break from post position four.

First Captain will share top weight of 123 pounds with Willis Horton Racing’s Last Samurai and Juddmonte’s Fulsome.

Last Samurai, trained by D. Wayne Lukas, has compiled a 6-1-1-1 record in 2022 with the victory coming in the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) in April. Tyler Gaffalione has the mount and will break from post six.

Fulsome, a four-time Grade 3 winner for Brad Cox, has won three of five starts in 2022 with the highlight being the Oaklawn Mile (G3) in April. Florent Geroux has the mount and will break from post three.

The field for the Hagyard Fayette, with riders and weights from the rail, is: West Will Power (Joel Rosario, 121 pounds), Chess Chief (Rey Gutierrez, 121), Fulsome (Geroux, 123), First Captain (Saez, 123), King Fury (Brian Hernandez Jr., 121) and Last Samurai (Gaffalione, 123).

CLASSIC CAUSEWAY TOPS OVERFLOW FIELD FOR BRYAN STATION

Kentucky West Racing and Clarke Cooper’s Classic Causeway, winner of the Belmont Derby (G1), heads a field of 12 3-year-olds plus four also-eligibles entered Wednesday for Saturday’s 18th running of the $300,000 Bryan Station (G3).

Run at a mile on the grass, the Bryan Station will go as the eighth race Saturday afternoon with a 4:44 p.m. ET post time. First post is 1 p.m.

Trained by Kenny McPeek, Classic Causeway comes into Saturday’s race off a seventh-place finish in the Coolmore Turf Mile (G1) on Oct. 8, his first try against older runners. In his other grass tries, Classic Causeway finished third in the Saratoga Derby Invitational (G1) and the Jockey Club Derby Invitational (G3).

Brian Hernandez Jr. has the mount on Classic Causeway and will break from post five.

Three Grade 2 winners are in the field: Three Diamonds Farm and Deuce Greathouse’s Stolen Base, winner of the American Turf in May at Churchill Downs; Jeremy Brooks’ Wow Whata Summer, winner of the Penn Mile in June at Penn National; and Donegal Racing’s Ready to Purrform, winner of the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame in August at Saratoga.

The field for the Bryan Station, with riders and weights from the inside, is: Ready to Purrform (Joel Rosario, 122 pounds), Balnikhov (IRE) (Tyler Gaffalione, 118), Fort Washington (James Graham, 118), Axthelm (Luis Saez, 118), Classic Causeway (Hernandez Jr., 122), Portfolio Company (Florent Geroux, 118), Double Clutch (Corey Lanerie, 118), Wit (Jose Ortiz, 118), Wow Whata Summer (Rey Gutierrez, 122), Fuerteventura (John Velazquez, 118), Stolen Base (Gerardo Corrales, 122) and Play Action Pass (Jose Lezcano, 118). Also-eligibles: Red Danger (Julien Leparoux, 118), Underdressed (Edgar Morales, 118), Churchtown (Tyler Gaffalione, 118), Dakota Gold (Luis Saez, 118).

SIR LANCELOT PUTS UNBEATEN MARK ON THE LINE IN BOWMAN MILL

Susan and John Moore’s undefeated homebred Sir Lancelot heads a field of six 2-year-olds entered Wednesday for Saturday’s third running of the $200,000 Bowman Mill.

Slated to be run at 6 furlongs on the main track, the Bowman Mill will go as the sixth race on Saturday’s 10-race program with a 3:40 p.m. ET post time. First post is 1 p.m.

Trained by Mike Stidham, Sir Lancelot trounced maidens in his Sept. 9 debut at Delaware Park going 6 furlongs and winning by 7¾ lengths. Sir Lancelot came back Oct. 4 to win the Fitz Dixon Jr. Memorial Juvenile by 7 lengths as the 3-5 favorite going 6½ furlongs over the all-weather track at Presque Isle Downs.

Jose Ortiz, who was aboard for the Presque Isle victory, has the call Saturday and will break from post two.

The field for the Bowman Mill, with riders and weights from the rail out, is: Raise Cain (Gerardo Corrales, 118 pounds), Sir Lancelot (Ortiz, 120), Quick Hammer (Luis Saez, 118), Jeremy’s Jet (Jack Gilligan, 118), Super Chow (Chantal Sutherland, 118), Hurricane J (Joe Talamo, 118) and Bourbon Bash (Tyler Gaffalione, 118).

PROBABLES FOR KEENELAND SUPPORTING STAKES
FOR BREEDERS’ CUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Entries taken Monday, Oct. 31

$350,000 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G2) – 3-year-olds and up, 1 5/8 miles (Race Friday, Nov. 4) – Always Above (trainer Michelle Nihei), Bal Harbour (Robertino Diodoro), Heywoods Beach (John Sadler), Next (William Cowans), Ridin With Biden (Butch Reid), Sheriff Brown (Todd Fincher), Win the Day (Doug O’Neill).

$350,000 Fall Harvest Presented by Mint Gaming Hall – Fillies and Mares, 1 mile turf (Race Saturday, Nov. 5) – Dalika (GER) (Al Stall Jr.). Possible: Princess Grace (Mike Stidham).

CLOSING WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS

Year-round

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

Now through December

Keeneland Library Exhibit “Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland.” Enjoy photographs from the memorable 2015 and 2020 runnings of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland along with artifacts from Breeders’ Cup Ltd. and mementos of fan favorites American Pharoah and Zenyatta. The Library is free and open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 26

WINS-Day Challenge Presented by Malone’s. This is an inexpensive way for beginner handicappers to give contests a try. Enter for $10 at Wagering Central on the first floor Grandstand and place a mythical $2 win and place wager – no actual money required – on the final six Keeneland races of the day. First 200 participants receive a free Daily Racing Form and appetizer card from Malone’s.

Friday and Saturday, Oct. 28-29

The Hill. No ticket or reservation is required for Keeneland’s popular free tailgating area, which is open Fridays and Saturdays and offers a unique way to experience the races. 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 REVELxp, the official tent partner for organized tailgates. Visit Keeneland.com/tailgating for details.

Saturday, Oct. 29

Sunrise Trackside – Halloween Edition. This free morning program is geared toward families and offers a unique view of Thoroughbreds during training hours. Children’s activities 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 The Starting Gate concessions while watching horses train. Mini tours are available at the Welcome Stand near the Paddock. Children 12 and younger are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes for a contest that starts at 9:30 a.m. under the Grandstand. The Headless Horseman will appear in the Paddock/Walking Ring at 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. Sunrise Trackside is open to the public and does not require a ticket to attend.

Hagyard Equine Medical Institute’s Race to Give. Until Nov. 12, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute is supporting Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA), a non-profit that benefits Thoroughbred aftercare organizations, through its Race to Give campaign (racetogive.org). On closing day of the Fall Meet, which features the $350,000 Hagyard Fayette (G2), fans may donate wagering tickets to Race to Give by dropping them in the donation box near Wagering Central.

Teacher Appreciation Day Presented by Coca-Cola. New this Fall, Keeneland will honor educators and staff by granting free admission with a valid ID. Teachers only will receive free admission; guests are encouraged to purchase tickets ahead of time at tickets.keeneland.com.

FALL MEET LEADERS

Through Oct. 23 (13 days of 17-day season)

Jockey

Starts

Wins

2nd

3rd

Purses

Tyler Gaffalione

$1,791,665

Luis Saez

$1,357,301