Keeneland Barn Notes — Wednesday, Oct. 16

By Amy Owens —-

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 16

Keeneland’s 17-day Fall Meet runs through Saturday, Oct. 26.
First post is 1 p.m. ET. No racing Mondays and Tuesdays.

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BOOK’EM DANNO BRINGS ROAD SHOW TO KEENELAND FOR SATURDAY’S PERRYVILLE
UNDEFEATED, UNTESTED KNIGHTSBRIDGE MAKES STAKES DEBUT IN PERRYVILLE
FUTURE IS NOW ENDS SEASON WITH FRANKLIN WIN
TRIP TO DEL MAR IN PLANS FOR PANDORA’S GIFT (IRE), FROST AT DAWN, SOPRANO (IRE)
DÉJÀ VU FOR OWNER STANLEY AFTER ORTIZ’S 4,000TH CAREER WIN
PROSPECTIVE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES
FALL MEET THIRD WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS
FALL MEET LEADERS

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BOOK’EM DANNO BRINGS ROAD SHOW TO KEENELAND
FOR SATURDAY’S PERRYVILLE

Atlantic Six Racing’s Book’em Danno, who has emerged as one of the top 3-year-old sprinters in the land, tested out the main track at Keeneland Wednesday morning after arriving the day before from trainer Derek Ryan’s base at Monmouth Park.

“He’s doing great; hopefully he gets the job done,” Ryan said of Saturday’s $300,000 Perryville (G3) going 7 furlongs for 3-year-olds.

Book’em Danno has gotten the job done at every stop he has made in 2024, beginning with a 12½-length romp in the 7-furlong Pasco at Tampa Bay Downs in January.

From Tampa, Ryan took Book’em Danno to Saudi Arabia for the 1-mile Saudi Derby (G3) in which the New Jersey-bred son of Bucchero was caught in the final strides by the then-undefeated Forever Young (JPN), who now looms as one of the prime contenders for the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar on Nov. 2.

Returning to the States, Book’em Danno won the Woody Stephens (G1) at Saratoga going 7 furlongs, then added the Jersey Shore at Monmouth to his resume before a third-place finish in the H. Allen Jerkens (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 24.

“I thought he should have won the Jerkens,” Ryan said of Book’em Danno, who finished 1¼ lengths behind Domestic Product. “If he gets to the outside, he wins. The rail that day was dead.”

Ryan said the Perryville was the target for Book’em Danno after the Jerkens and said even though the field features a couple of runners from the Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve, “I’m not worried about any of them.”

Irad Ortiz Jr., who was aboard for the Saudi Derby and Woody Stephens, has the mount Saturday.

UNDEFEATED, UNTESTED KNIGHTSBRIDGE
MAKES STAKES DEBUT IN PERRYVILLE

One of the most intriguing entrants for Saturday’s $300,000 Perryville (G3) for 3-year-olds is Godolphin’s Knightsbridge.

Undefeated in two starts with his victories coming by a combined 19½ lengths, Knightsbridge will be making his first start since a 9-length victory at Gulfstream Park going a mile on March 28.

“The timing and distance (7 furlongs) of the Perryville makes sense as a good opportunity to start him back,” said Michael Banahan, Godolphin’s Director of Bloodstock.

“It will be good to get him back to the track, as he had some bone bruising in the spring so he needed a few months of turn out before he could resume training.”

Trained by Bill Mott, Knightsbridge returned to the work tab Aug. 31 at Saratoga and has had seven works leading up to the Perryville. His most recent work was Sunday at Saratoga, a half-mile in :50.33.

Knightsbridge shipped to Churchill Downs on Monday to join Mott’s string and has trained the past two mornings there. Junior Alvarado, who was aboard for the victory at Gulfstream, has the mount Saturday.

“We don’t have any plans other than Saturday’s race,” Banahan said. “We will take it one step at a time.”

FUTURE IS NOW ENDS SEASON WITH FRANKLIN WIN

R. Larry Johnson’s Future Is Now, winner of Sunday’s Franklin (G2) in stakes-record time, is done for the year.

“She ships out Friday to Fair Hill (Training Center in Maryland) and then be turned out for the winter,” said Chris Aro, assistant to trainer Mike Trombetta. “She’d probably come back here in the spring (for the Giant’s Causeway-G3). She seems to like the course.”

TRIP TO DEL MAR IN PLANS FOR PANDORA’S GIFT (IRE),
FROST AT DAWN, SOPRANO (IRE)

Owner-trainer Stuart Williams’ Pandora’s Gift (IRE) and Rabbah Bloodstock’s Frost At Dawn, the respective third- and fifth-place finishers in Sunday’s Franklin (G2), are headed to Del Mar in the coming days.

“We are looking at 7 furlongs on the dirt (PNC Bank Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint-G1 on Nov. 2) if she can get in or 5 furlongs on the grass (Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint-G1 on Nov. 2),” said Peter McDermott, assistant to Williams. “We plan to leave on the 28th.”

Frost At Dawn is scheduled to ship to Del Mar on Oct. 23.

“I was packed and ready to go (back to England),” said Michelle Gross, who has been overseeing Frost At Dawn’s preparations here for trainer William Knight. “But we are going to Del Mar. There are other races to run out there.”

The Turf Sprint is possible for Frost At Dawn.

Highclere Thoroughbred Racing’s Soprano (IRE), second in last Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) Presented by Dixiana, also is Del Mar-bound for a possible start in the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) on Nov. 2.

“The owner (Harry Herbert) is happy (with her race), and the horse is happy and that is the most important thing,” said Charles Eddery, assistant to trainer George Boughey. “They feel it (the Breeders’ Cup) is worth a try even though she is stepping up in trip (from 1⅛ miles to 1⅜ miles).”

Soprano is scheduled to ship to Del Mar on Oct. 23.

DÉJÀ VU FOR OWNER STANLEY AFTER ORTIZ’S 4,000TH CAREER WIN

On Sunday, Oct. 13, Irad Ortiz Jr. was the center of attention after guiding Mark Stanley’s Good Temper to victory in Keeneland’s first race for the 4,000th win of his career. After the traditional Winner’s Circle picture with the filly’s connections, another photo was taken with Ortiz surrounded by his fellow riders as Stanley stood to the side.

The scene was somewhat familiar to Stanley, who owned the horse, Camden Park, who provided Hall of Famer Pat Day with his 8,000th triumph in 2001 at Churchill Downs. Camden Park was trained by Elliott Walden, whose son Will trains Good Temper.

“I have known Will since he was about 8 years old,” Stanley said. “He would come to the races, and he played basketball with my nephews. This is my first horse with Will, and I will support him as best I can.

“I didn’t know until that morning that Irad was going for his 4,000th win,” Stanley added. “There was no pressure for me. I was excited and hoping that it would turn out that way with a bookend of Elliott and Will.”

Stanley and his wife, Nancy, have been campaigning Thoroughbreds since 1993. Their considerable success includes such runners as Grade 1-winning millionaire Ecton Park, a starter in the 1999 Kentucky Derby. The elder Walden trained Ecton Park before he became a private trainer and later President of WinStar Farm.

Good Temper’s name follows a theme the Stanleys started with their first racehorse, Her Temper, winner of Keeneland’s Beaumont (G2) in 1994. Her Temper was named for the Stanleys’ daughter, Alex, who was a toddler at the time and attended Sunday’s race. Their other notable “Temper” horses include Grade 2 winner Tiny Temper and graded stakes-placed Quick Temper.

With Ortiz aboard Good Temper in Sunday’s maiden race for 2-year-olds, the filly became a winner in her second career start.

The younger Walden was well aware of the victory’s many generational and coincidental connections.

“I hope that Irad is to me what Pat Day was to my dad,” he said.

PROSPECTIVE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES

$350,000 BANK OF AMERICA VALLEY VIEW (G2) (Entries taken Friday; race Friday, Oct. 25) – Boomin’ Belle (trainer Mike Maker), Buttercream Babe (Maker), Kalispera (IRE) (Brian Lynch), Memorialize (Graham Motion), Neom Beach (Steve Asmussen), Pharoah’s Wine (Dale Romans). Possible: Poolside With Slim (IRE) (Rusty Arnold).

$200,000 MYRTLEWOOD (Entries taken Friday; race Friday, Oct. 25) – Glee (Asmussen), White Sands (Wesley Ward).

$600,000 BRYAN STATION (G3) (Entries taken Saturday; race Saturday, Oct. 26) – Brilliant Berti (Cherie DeVaux), Evade (FR) (Maker), Lagynos (Asmussen), My Boy Prince (Mark Casse), Neat (Rob Atras), Silent Heart (Lynch), Trikari (Motion).

$200,000 BOWMAN MILL (G2) (Entries taken Saturday; race Saturday, Oct. 26) – Long Neck Paula (Ward), Macho Music (Rohan Crichton), Politicallycorrect (Chris Davis), Tough Catch (Dallas Stewart), White Sands (Ward).

FALL MEET THIRD WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS

Throughout the Fall Meet, special events and activities will continue Keeneland’s historic mission to support the Central Kentucky community and the Thoroughbred industry. They include:

Year-round

Official Keeneland Tours: Click here for description, availability and to purchase tickets.

Wednesday, Oct. 16

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 will receive a free Daily Racing Form and an appetizer card from Malone’s.

Friday, Oct. 18

Friday, Saturday and Sunday (weather permitting)

The Hill. No ticket or reservation is required for tailgating on 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 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.

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

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. Click here for more details.

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 Oct. 18 and must be at the track for 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 with Amplify Horse Racing, Drake’s, Rivertown Photo Booths, LexLive and others will take place at the North Terrace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Keeneland Shop will offer a 15% discount to registrants. Pre-register at www.Keeneland.com/csd.

Saturday, Oct. 19

Sunrise Trackside. No ticket is required to attend this free Saturday morning program from 8-10 a.m., which is geared toward families and offers a unique view of Thoroughbreds during training hours. Fans can enjoy a light breakfast for purchase at the Starting Gate concession stand while watching racehorses train. Children’s activities on the first floor Grandstand will include a visit with Keeneland mascot Buckles, face painting and games. Mini tours will be available at the Tours podium near the Paddock. From 8:30 to 9 a.m., fans can pet a horse in the Walking Ring, and the John Deere Tractor Break will take place during the renovation period on the main track with a drawing for prizes from John Deere/Meade Tractor.

On Oct. 26, a special Halloween edition of Sunrise Trackside with a costume contest and an appearance by the Headless Horseman will take place.

Sunday, Oct. 20

Heroes Day. Keeneland will honor members of the military (active duty and veterans), first responders, health care workers and their families. Heroes and their families will receive free general admission, reserved Grandstand seating, a complimentary meal at the North Terrace provided by City Barbeque (for the first 2,000 people) and a 30% discount at The Keeneland Shop. Special programming will include a flag rollout on the track and honoree recognitions in the Winner’s Circle.

A POW-MIA Chair of Honor will be displayed on the Paddock Apron to bring awareness to past and current POW-MIA military members through a partnership with The Rolling Thunder Kentucky Chapter 5.

Each hero is eligible to receive up to four complimentary tickets. Click here for more information and to reserve complimentary tickets.