KEENELAND Barn Notes — Wednesday, Oct. 22

By Amy Owens —-

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 22 — FINAL WEEK

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HORSEMEN TAKE AIM ON TITLES AS FALL MEET NEARS FINISH

Before the start of racing on Wednesday — with four days remaining in Keeneland’s 17-day Fall Meet — jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., trainer Brendan Walsh and owner Spendthrift Farm lead their respective categories.

Ortiz, who is bidding for his second title as leading rider during a Keeneland meet, has 18 wins. He has won three stakes: the Coolmore Turf Mile (G1) on Rhetorical, the Castle & Key Bourbon (G2) on Final Score and the Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (G2) on Nakatomi.

Ortiz — also the winningest jockey at Keeneland’s 2024 Spring Meet — begins today’s 14th day of the season with four more wins than Luis Saez in second. Ortiz is named on horses in seven races today, nine races Thursday, nine races Friday and nine races Saturday.

Saez is named on horses in six races today, nine races Thursday, nine races Friday and 10 races Saturday.

In third place is Irad’s brother, Jose Ortiz, who begins today with 12 wins. He is named on horses in six races today, eight races Thursday, nine races Friday and 10 races Saturday.

Walsh — who is looking for his second title as leading trainer of a Keeneland meet — tops trainers with nine victories, including four stakes: the Juddmonte Spinster (G1) with Gin Gin, the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) Presented by Dixiana with Lush Lips (GB), the Jessamine (G2) Presented by Keeneland Sales with Imaginationthelady and the Rood & Riddle Dowager (G3) with Venencia (FR).

The conditioner has horses entered in one race today, three races Thursday, four races Friday and seven races Saturday.

Spendthrift Farm has six wins from seven starters to lead owners. Its stakes victories are the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) with Ted Noffey and the Darley Alcibiades (G1) with Tommy Jo. In partnership with Repole Stable, Spendthrift co-owns a seventh winner: Tenacious Leader.

For the Fall Meet, Spendthrift has its final entrant Thursday.

The season record for wins by an owner is 17 set by Ken and Sarah Ramsey during the 2013 Fall Meet.

CHARLIE HOBBS PREPARES TO RETIRE AFTER 44 YEARS AT KEENELAND

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The 2025 Fall Meet marks the final racing season for Keeneland Arboriculture Manager Charlie Hobbs, who has worked here so long — 44 years — that it will be hard to imagine the track without him and him without the track following his retirement.

Hobbs was 18 when he accepted a maintenance position at Keeneland, and he never left. Through the decades, he has done countless chores on the property while interacting with co-workers, horsemen, fans and whoever crosses his path. Now he says he plans to steer clear of Keeneland during retirement, but he won’t be far away. He and his wife, Lori, who is Keeneland’s Assistant Director of Payroll, live in nearby Versailles.

Hobbs recently recounted a few memorable moments of his long career.

Q: How did you get your first job at Keeneland?

A: “Years ago, I worked at a car dealership and my brother-in-law worked at Keeneland. He said, ‘You ought to come out here,’ so I did. I was 18 and figured it would last a little while. Now it’s 44 years later. Never left, just stayed here. I’ve spent my life here.”

Q: What was your first job here?

A: “General labor. I started working with the trees a couple of months after I started. Now I am the Arboriculture Manager, taking care of trees, shrubs, landscaping. I drove the starting gate for about 28 years, drove the water trucks, just about anything out here.”

Q: What are some of your responsibilities with the trees?

A: “We water and trim, make sure the dead ones are out. We’re moving dead trees, taking care of fertilizing, just general maintenance on all the trees around the property.”

Q: Favorite memory?

A: “A recent one was meeting one of the Make-A-Wish kids who wanted to ride in the tractor, so he came out a few days early and I took him around the grounds and around the track a few times. I got to talk to him, and that was probably one of the most heartfelt moments.

“Another was with some of my car buddies. We did a parade of cars to take Cody Dorman (who became well-known through his relationship with Horse of the Year Cody’s Wish) to his prom. We got to meet his family. Good memories.”

Q: What will you miss?

A: “The people. I’ve gotten to meet a lot of different people over the years. The guys I work with – that’s probably one of the most important things.”

Q: What made you stay so long? Did you ever think about leaving?

A: “No, I didn’t. I figured when I started, I’d come out here probably a year or two, then find something else. They always treated me good here. With all of my supervisors, bosses, the guys I work with, it’s just great. Shannon Arvin is the fifth President that I’ve worked under. My three kids were born and raised in this area. My son (Jesse Hobbs) works here now with the trees, been here about 25 years.”

Q: What about the lasting friendships you’ve made?

A: “Some of the guys I work with and some of my old supervisors, we go fishing and stuff like that. A lot of them, I still talk to today. Even some of the trainers that I’ve known over the years, just everybody. I can’t tell you how many people I met and that know my name, know my face. I met country singers, baseball players, actresses. I helped out on several movies. I ran a bucket truck for lights and the starting gate for movies filmed here like ‘Seabiscuit.’ ”

Q: Now you’ll have more time for the boat, camper and grandkids?

A: “And car shows. I have a couple old cars, and we go a lot. I want to be able to do some things in the fall that I haven’t ever gotten to do. Some of the festivals, some of the places that my friends say, ‘Come on, we’re going here this weekend.’ Well, I can’t go because fall is such a busy time here. Next year I will get to go.”

CLOSING-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

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 and Saturday (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 people with 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.
Saturday

Halloween Edition of Sunrise Trackside. No ticket is required to attend this free 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 Saddling Paddock. From 8:30 to 9 a.m., fans can pet a horse in the Stakes Winner’s Circle (formerly 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.

The Halloween edition of Sunrise Trackside will include an appearance by the Headless Horseman at 8:30 a.m. in the Saddling Paddock and on the main track after the horses in Race 4 have left the track (post time for Race 4 is 2:36 p.m.).

Teacher Appreciation Day. Teachers, educators and staff along with one guest each will receive free general admission and access to reserved Grandstand seating. Upon having their tickets scanned, this group will be automatically entered to win a giveaway to be drawn at 4 p.m. Through a partnership with Coca-Cola and UPS, educators are invited to visit a tent near the Paddock to sign up for giveaways and receive a complimentary voucher for a Coca-Cola beverage. The Keeneland Shop will offer a 15% discount to any active educator with a valid ID.