Keeneland Barn Notes — Thursday, April 18

By Amy Owens —-

THURSDAY, APRIL 18

Keeneland’s 16-day Spring Meet runs through Friday, April 26.

First post is at 1 p.m. ET except April 26, when the first race is at 12:30 p.m.

Keeneland is closed for racing Mondays and Tuesdays.

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LOVED GOES BACK TO WORK IN FRIDAY’S BAIRD DOUBLEDOGDARE
VISITLEX ELKHORN ENTRANT MISSED THE CUT BRINGS LEYVA BACK TO KEENELAND
PROSPECTIVE FIELD FOR CLOSING-DAY BEWITCH PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SALES
SPRING MEET LEADERS
THIRD WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS

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LOVED GOES BACK TO WORK IN FRIDAY’S BAIRD DOUBLEDOGDARE

A half-sister to two-time Grade 1 winner and $2 million earner Maxfield, Godolphin’s Loved figures to play a key role in Friday’s Baird Doubledogdare (G3) for fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles on the main track in her first start since July.

“This is a good race for her to start back,” said trainer Brendan Walsh, who also conditioned Maxfield. “She has been doing well after freshening, and this will be a good race to build on.”

Loved, who has put together a 5-3-0-0 record, has not raced since a fourth-place finish in the Molly Pitcher (G3) at Monmouth Park last July 22.

“We just gave her a little break and backed off (after the Molly Pitcher),” Walsh said. “Not sure she will be as good as her brother, but we are very hopeful about her.”

After spending the winter at Palm Meadows Training Center in South Florida, Loved has had two works here, both in company with 2023 champion 3-year-old filly Pretty Mischievous. Tyler Gaffalione, who has ridden Loved in all of her races, will have the mount Friday.

Godolphin won the Baird Doubledogdare with Frost Point last year.

VISITLEX ELKHORN ENTRANT MISSED THE CUT
BRINGS LEYVA BACK TO KEENELAND

In the fall of 2022, Southern California-based Juan Leyva was at Keeneland in the center of the phenomenon that was Flightline.

On Thursday, Leyva was back on the track with Bee Zee, Lane’s End Racing, St. Elias Stable, Edward Babington and Edward and Lynne Hudson’s Missed the Cut, who figures to be a major player in Saturday’s 39th running of the $350,000 VisitLEX Elkhorn (G2) going a mile and a half on the turf.

“Hard to believe it has been that long,” Leyva said of returning to Keeneland. “The last time I was in Kentucky was last spring at Churchill when we brought Anywho for a stakes, but she got sick on us and didn’t get to run.”

Leyva, the top assistant to trainer John Sadler, was the morning partner of Flightline, who finished an undefeated career with an 8¼-length blowout victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland. He was voted Horse of the Year and champion older dirt male.

“That was very magical and stressful at the same time, especially the last day knowing that he was not going to run again,” Leyva said. “You don’t forget it; you chase it.”

The Sadler team now is chasing the VisitLEX Elkhorn with Missed the Cut, who galloped on the main track and walked through the Paddock and Walking Ring later in the morning.

Missed the Cut began his career in Europe, where he won three of his first four races on turf with two victories coming at 1¼ miles. He arrived in the Sadler barn last spring for a campaign that ended with a run in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita.

“The owners wanted to see if he was a dirt horse,” Leyva said. “He had won a stakes (the Tokyo City-G3) going a mile and a half on the dirt, and they gave it a shot.”

Missed the Cut finished 12th in the Classic and has returned to the grass.

“He’s been doing very well,” Leyva said. “He was second to Phil D’Amato’s good horse Easter (FR) (in the San Gabriel-G2) and then he won his next two.”

Missed the Cut won both of those races as the favorite in the San Marcos (G3) going 1¼ miles and the San Luis Rey (G3) at 1½ miles. Irad Ortiz Jr., who was aboard Missed the Cut in the San Gabriel, has the mount Saturday.

When Leyva returns to California on Sunday, one of the horses waiting for him will be a 3-year-old named Eagles Flight.

“He’s a half to Flightline by Curlin, and he’s working this morning (at Santa Anita),” Leyva said. “He is unraced, but he is getting ready to run.”

PROSPECTIVE FIELD FOR CLOSING-DAY
BEWITCH PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SALES

Friday, April 26 race. Entries taken Friday, April 19.

$300,000 Bewitch Presented by Keeneland Sales – Tower Bridge (trainer Cherie DeVaux). Possible: Chop Chop (Brad Cox), Lovely Princess (Kenny McPeek), Vergara (Graham Motion).

THIRD WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS

Year-round

Official Keeneland Tours. Click here for availability and to purchase.

Through Aug. 16

Keeneland Library is recognizing this year’s historic running of the Toyota Blue Grass at its free exhibit, A Rite of Spring: The 100th Running of the Blue Grass Stakes. The exhibit features photographs that capture race highlights curated from Keeneland Library collections and public submissions from professional and amateur photographers along with memorabilia from noted jockeys Bill Shoemaker, Mike Manganello and Chris Antley and celebrated runners Whirlaway, Riva Ridge, Spectacular Bid and Strike the Gold.

Open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the Library is located on the Keeneland campus. Enter Keeneland at Gate 1 on Keeneland Blvd. and take the first right on Entertainment Ct. The Library is to the left of the Keene Barn and Entertainment Center.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday

The Hill. Keeneland’s popular tailgating area is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the Spring Meet, weather permitting. No ticket or reservation is required for The Hill, located adjacent to the Keene Barn & Entertainment Center and accessible via Gate 1 (at Man o’ War Blvd.) or Gate 4 (off Van Meter Road on the east side of Keeneland).

Fans on The Hill can watch the racing action via a jumbo TV and place their bets in a wagering tent while they enjoy live music presented by The Burl, food trucks and handicapping assistance from BETologists. Complimentary shuttles to the track are offered.

For fans who want to elevate their experience, Keeneland again is partnering with RevelXP to offer tailgate packages for groups of any size. RevelXP will organize tailgates by furnishing a designated tent, catering, amenities and more. Visit Keeneland.com/tailgating for full details.

The Hill is open from 8 a.m. to 60 minutes after the last race. Amenities are available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Friday, April 19

College Scholarship Day Presented by Lane’s End. Keeneland invites college students to enjoy a day of racing, prizes, scholarship giveaways, behind-the-scenes racing experiences, reserved seating and more. By pre-registering, students will receive a free general admission ticket good for April 19 and the opportunity to win one of 10 $2,000 scholarships provided by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and Keeneland. Students who attend the race day and have their tickets scanned day-of also will be eligible to win two additional $10,000 scholarships provided by Lane’s End Farm, as well as prize packages from local Kentucky businesses. Activities will take place at the North Terrace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pre-register at www.Keeneland.com/csd.

Saturday, April 20

FINAL Sunrise Trackside of Spring Meet. This free Saturday morning program from 8-10 a.m. is geared toward families and offers a unique view of Thoroughbreds during training hours. Fans can enjoy coffee and donuts at the Starting Gate concession stand while watching horses train. Children’s activities on the first floor of the Grandstand will include a visit with Keeneland mascot Buckles, face painting and games. Mini tours will be available at the Welcome Stand near the Paddock.

Two activities will be held from 8:30-9 a.m.: The John Deere Tractor Break will take place during the renovation period on the main track and include a drawing for a kids tractor from John Deere/Meade Tractor, while fans can pet a horse in the Walking Ring.

Sunday, April 21

Keeneland Kids Club Family Day Presented by Kentucky Children’s Hospital. The Keeneland Kids Club is the Official Kids Club for Keeneland fans 12 and younger. Kids Club members and their families are invited to a special day at the races and will receive free general admission and access to reserved Grandstand seating when they present their membership cards at admission entrances. Children’s activities, which will take place in the North Terrace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., include face painting and activities with local community partners such as Amplify Horse Racing, Kentucky Children’s Hospital, LexArts, Lexington Ballet and Salvation Army. Sign up for the Kids Club at Keeneland.com/kidsclub.

PDJF Telethon. The fourth annual fundraising event for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund will be based in the Limestone Café in the Keeneland Sales Pavilion.

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