KEENELAND Barn Notes — Saturday, Oct. 18

By Amy Owens —-

SATURDAY, OCT. 18

PERCY’S BAR LOGS FINAL WORK FOR BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE FILLIES

Hat Creek Racing’s Percy’s Bar, who looms as one of the main contenders for the $2 million NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Del Mar on Oct. 31, on Saturday worked a half-mile in company in :48.20 with jockey Luan Machado aboard.

Trained by Ben Colebrook, Percy’s Bar started the work about 5 lengths behind Lady Viv, an unraced 2-year-old filly. Percy’s Bar drew alongside her workmate at the eighth pole and pulled away through the lane.

“I loved it for her first and only work for the Breeders’ Cup,” Colebrook said. “She acted like she wanted to do something this morning. Luan never asked her. She cruised up to her workmate and got to do what we set out to do.”

Percy’s Bar has compiled a record of 4-2-2-0 with her setbacks coming to Tommy Jo in the Spinaway (G1) at Saratoga and via disqualification for interference in the 1 1/16-mile Darley Alcibiades (G1) here on Oct. 3.

“We got our two-turn race,” Colebrook said of the Darley Alcibiades. “She might have an open gallop one more morning before she leaves, but this is her only work.”

Percy’s Bar is scheduled to ship to Del Mar on Oct. 27. Colebrook said Machado would retain the mount for the Breeders’ Cup.

THOROUGHBRED CLUB OF AMERICA WINNER PRAYING GETS BACK
TO WORK FOR BREEDERS’ CUP

Newtown Anner Stud’s Praying, winner of the Thoroughbred Club of America (G2) here two weeks ago, worked 3 furlongs on her own in :38.40 early Saturday in the first of two scheduled breezes before heading to Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

“She went nice and easy to the pole and worked well,” said trainer Robbie Medina, who watched the 6 a.m. work from the Grandstand. “I got her going out the half-mile in 50 and 4.”

Coming on the heels of a victory in the Prioress (G3) at Saratoga on Aug. 30, Praying earned a berth in the $2 million PNC Bank Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) on Nov. 1 with her Thoroughbred Club of America victory.

“She will work a half next Saturday and then fly out on the 27th,” Medina said. “When she gets out there, she will have plenty of (saddling) paddock time scheduled.”

BENTORNATO BREEZES 5 FURLONGS FOR BREEDERS’ CUP RETURN

Leon King Stable’s Bentornato, runner-up in last year’s Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), breezed 5 furlongs in company in 1:00 Saturday morning at Keeneland in preparation for a return trip to Del Mar for this year’s race on Nov. 1. He had jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard for the work with Araucano, a 3-year-old maiden.

Bentornato finished 3 lengths clear of his workmate at the wire and lengthened the advantage on the gallop out.

The time was the fastest of 24 at the distance this morning.

“He will have his final work here next week,” trainer Jose D’Angelo said of Bentornato, who had his third work since winning the Louisville Thoroughbred Society (L) at Churchill Downs on Sept. 13 that served as his 2025 debut.

Last year, Bentornato had his final work for the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar.

On Oct. 29, a 25% ownership interest in Bentornato will be offered at the Keeneland Championship Sale in the Del Mar Paddock. Click here for more information.

BREEDERS’ CUP WORK TAB: VAHVA
AND TURF WORKERS FOR ATRAS, WARD

In addition to Percy’s Bar, Praying and Bentornato, five other horses under consideration for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships put in works on a pleasant Saturday morning.

Vahva, owned by a partnership headed by Belladonna Racing and coming off a runner-up finish to Praying by a half-length in the Thoroughbred Club of America (G2) as the favorite, had her first work back since the race. She breezed a half-mile on her own in :48.

Trainer Cherie DeVaux gave the work a thumbs-up and said Vahva would have her final pre-Breeders’ Cup work most likely on Friday before heading to Del Mar on Oct. 27. Vahva finished eighth in last year’s PNC Bank Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1).

Vahva is cataloged to Book 1 of Keeneland’s November Breeding Stock Sale on Nov. 4. Click here for her catalog page.

Working on the firm turf course were Way to Be Marie (Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf), Schwarzenegger and Outfielder (Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint) and No Nay Hudson (IRE) (Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint).

Robert LaPenta and Madaket Stables’ Way to Be Marie, runner-up in the Light & Wonder Ladies Marathon Invitational (G3) at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 6, worked 5 furlongs in 1:04.60 for trainer Rob Atras.

“Tomorrow looks like a washout with the weather, so we decided to do a little something today to stretch her legs,” Atras said. “She may come back again (on the turf) next Saturday and will leave for Del Mar on the 27th.”

Trainer Wesley Ward’s Breeders’ Cup trio all worked on their own going a half-mile each.

Indian Summer (L) Presented by Keeneland Select winner Schwarzenegger covered the distance in :49.60; two-time winner Outfielder worked in :50.20 and No Nay Hudson the half in :50.

Ward indicated the trio would work again next Saturday before heading to Del Mar on Oct. 27.

GRADE 1 WINNER TROUBLESHOOTING TOPS OVERFLOW FIELD
FOR CLOSING-DAY BRYAN STATION

Donamire Farm’s homebred Troubleshooting, winner of the Ainsworth Franklin-Simpson Stakes (G1) at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 6, tops a field of 12 3-year-olds plus three also-eligibles entered Saturday for the 21st running of the $600,000 Bryan Station (G3) going a mile on the grass that serves as the closing-day feature of the 17-day Fall Meet.

A two-time stakes winner this year, Troubleshooting gave trainer Greg Foley his initial Grade 1 victory with the half-length score in the Ainsworth Franklin-Simpson. Tyler Gaffalione has the mount on Troubleshooting from post 4.

DEFENDING CHAMP HIT SHOW HEADLINES DEEP FIELD
FOR HAGYARD FAYETTE

Wathnan Racing’s Hit Show, winner of this spring’s Dubai World Cup (G1) Sponsored by Emirates Airline, headlines a deep field of 11 3-year-olds and up entered today for next Saturday’s 68th running of the $350,000 Hagyard Fayette (G3) going a mile and an eighth on the main track.

Trained by Brad Cox, Hit Show won the Hagyard Fayette last year and most recently was fourth in the Lukas Classic (G2) at Churchill Downs on Sept. 27. Only Royal Harmony (1969-1971) has won this race in consecutive years. Irad Ortiz Jr. has the mount from post 11.

Three-year-olds have won this race 10 times, most recently Blame in 2009. Two 3-year-olds were entered today headed by Harvey A. Clarke Racing Stables’ Gosger, runner-up in the Preakness (G1) and NYRA Bets Haskell (G1) for trainer Brendan Walsh. Luis Saez has the mount from post 10.

The other 3-year-old in the field is BBN Racing’s Bracket Buster, winner of the recent Oklahoma Derby (G3) and runner-up in the DraftKings Travers (G1). John Velazquez has the mount from post 3.

On Oct. 29, a 25% ownership interest in Bracket Buster will be offered at the Keeneland Championship Sale in the Del Mar Paddock. Click here for more information.

HEARTILY TOPS BOWMAN MILL FIELD OF SEVEN

Trainer Wesley Ward, whose runners have captured two of the previous five runnings of the Bowman Mill, will shoot for a third with Lael Stables’ Heartily in the $250,000 race for 2-year-olds that drew a field of seven going 6 furlongs on the main track on next Saturday’s Fall Meet closing-day program.

Heartily is one of three entrants in the field to have started this meet having closed the Oct. 4 program with a 6½-length romp in his debut. John Velazquez has the mount from post 1.

Ward also entered Outfielder who he owns with Amo Racing and Jayson Werth. A two-time winner in three starts, Outfielder won here on the Oct. 4 program and will be ridden by Frankie Dettori from post 3.

THIRD WEEKEND 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.

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 for those who have track admission tickets.

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 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.

Sunday, Oct. 19

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.

Monday, Oct. 20

Keeneland Library will host a free open house from 6-8 p.m. with a welcome and comments from authors who contributed to The Racetracks of America: From the Pre-Civil War Days to the 21st Century.

A limited supply of the book released by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in partnership with Keeneland Library is available at The Keeneland Shop and Keeneland Library. All proceeds from books sales at Keeneland will benefit the Keeneland Library Foundation.