Keeneland Barn Notes: Jockey Autograph Signing Friday, Oct. 13

By Amy Owens —-

WHAT: Race fans can meet members of Keeneland’s current jockey colony and retired riders while participating in an autograph signing to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. The cost is $15 for a Keeneland hat, $10 for a Keeneland poster and $5 for each additional autographed item, with a limit of three per person.
WHO: Current Keeneland jockeys will join 1977 Triple Crown winner Jean Cruguet and Hall of Fame member Chris McCarron, along with Kaye Bell, James Bruin, Kaoru Tsuchiya, P.J. Cooksey, Tony D’Amico, Carl Faulconer, Michael Heath, Mike Manganello, Larry Melancon, John Oldham, Suzie Picou-Oldham, Mickey Solomone, Charlie Woods, Joe Steiner and Shane Sellers.

WHEN: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET, Friday, Oct. 13
WHERE: Adjacent to the Keeneland Paddock

Keeneland Barn Notes — Thursday, Oct. 12.

THURSDAY, OCT. 12
Keeneland’s 17-day Fall Meet concludes Saturday, Oct. 28, with racing
on Wednesdays through Sundays. Post time for the first race each day is 1:05 p.m. ET.

**********
· RUSHING FALL EXITS DOMINANT VICTORY IN JPMORGAN CHASE JESSAMINE IN GOOD ORDER
· WUHEIDA (GB) STRETCHES HER LEGS OVER KEENELAND TURF COURSE
· WESLEY WARD LOOKS FOR HOME-TURF ADVANTAGE FOR CON TE PARTIRO
· DADDYS LIL DARLING FINDING SUCCESS ON TURF FOR KENNY MCPEEK
· LADY AURELIA CONTINUES BREEDERS’ CUP PREPARATIONS WITH WORK
· GALLOPING OUT
· BOOTSY’S GIRL GOES A NEW DISTANCE WEDNESDAY
· SPONSORS HONOR KEENELAND GROOMS WITH BEST TURNED OUT AWARDS
· PROBABLE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES
· FALL MEET SPECIAL EVENTS
· FALL MEET LEADERS

RUSHING FALL EXITS DOMINANT VICTORY
IN JPMORGAN CHASE JESSAMINE IN GOOD ORDER
Baldo Hernandez, assistant to trainer Chad Brown, was all smiles Thursday morning and with good reason.
Their filly Rushing Fall romped to a 3¼-length victory in Wednesday’s JPMorgan Chase Jessamine (G3) to add another major player to the Brown roster of Breeders’ Cup horses that numbers in the double figures.
“She is good this morning,”’ Hernandez said. “I think she may stay here (instead of returning to New York); we’ll see what happens.”
The victory secured a spot in the starting gate for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) to be run Nov. 3 at Del Mar. The Juvenile Fillies Turf has produced three of Brown’s eight Breeders’ Cup winners starting with Maram in 2008, Lady Eli in 2014 and last year with New Money Honey.
Rushing Fall is owned by e Five Racing Thoroughbreds, the same ownership as New Money Honey, who will go for her third Grade 1 victory in Saturday’s $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Lane’s End.

WUHEIDA (GB) STRETCHES HER LEGS OVER KEENELAND TURF COURSE
After a couple of mornings on Keeneland’s all-weather training track, Godolphin Racing’s Wuheida (GB) got her first feel for Keeneland’s turf course Thursday morning with an easy 5-furlong breeze in 1:06 with exercise rider Kirsty Milczarek up over a course classified as “good.” (Click here for a video of the work.)
Trained by Charles Appleby, Wuheida figures to be one of the favorites in Saturday’s $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Lane’s End (G1). William Buick will have the mount in the 1 1/8-mile race.
“She has settled in well here and done well,” said Tim Denniff, the traveling lad with Wuheida, who along with Milczarek has been with Wuheida at her home base in Newmarket, England.
Wuheida won her career debut and then won the Total Prix Marcel Boussac-Criterium des Pouliches (G1) at Chantilly under Buick. She did not return to the races for nine months.
“She had a little bit of a setback in the spring,” Denniff said. “We were pointing for the English One Thousand Guineas (Group 1 on May 7) but we put her on hold until the Falmouth (G1 on July 14).”
Racing strictly in Group 1 company, Wuheida comes into Saturday’s race off a fourth-place finish in the Prix de l’Opera at Chantilly on Oct. 1, beaten only a half-length.
Wuheida arrived at Keeneland early Sunday morning. Denniff said the daughter of Dubawi (IRE) handled the traveling with no problems.
Wuheida should get firm footing Saturday with no rain in the 48-hour forecast for Lexington. Her victory last October at Chantilly was on firm turf.
“That was French firm,” Denniff said. “French firm is a little softer than English firm or American firm.”
Appleby is scheduled to be here for Saturday’s race in which a good performance could move Wuheida forward to the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) Nov. 4 at Del Mar.
“That (racing in the Breeders’ Cup) would be something Charles obviously would have to discuss with Sheikh Mohammed,” Denniff said.

WESLEY WARD LOOKS FOR HOME-TURF ADVANTAGE FOR CON TE PARTIRO
Trainer Wesley Ward respects the talented field of 3-year-old turf fillies invited to compete in Saturday’s $500,000 Queen Elizabeth Challenge Cup Presented by Lane’s End (G1), but he is quite confident in his starter, Hat Creek Racing’s Con Te Partiro.
“It’s like playing Michael Jordan at home, though,” Ward said. “This is our home turf, so we’ve got home-turf advantage, which I’m excited for. She’s trained her whole life here, so we’re excited to have a race here, which I think is a big advantage.
“We drew a beautiful post on the inside,” Ward added. “(Jockey) Mike (Smith) will kinda let her float away from there and he’ll maintain his position on the rail around the first turn and try to weave his way through when they get to the second one.”
By Scat Daddy, Con Te Partiro won her career debut at Keeneland in April 2016. She took the Bolton Landing at Saratoga before running second in the Juvenile Turf Sprint on the undercard of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita.
After a fourth in the Soaring Softly to begin her 3-year-old season, Con Te Partiro won the Sandringham at Royal Ascot in June.
The filly has made one start since that race, traveling to Del Mar for the Del Mar Oaks (G1) on Aug. 19. She was fourth in that race behind QE II rivals Dream Dancing, Beau Recall (IRE) and Madam Dancealot (IRE).
Con Te Partiro galloped over the Keeneland turf course Thursday morning.

DADDYS LIL DARLING FINDING SUCCESS ON TURF FOR KENNY MCPEEK
Even with her impressive career record on dirt, Daddys Lil Darling, owned and bred by Nancy Polk’s Normandy Farm, always has shown an affinity for the turf. On Saturday, the Scat Daddy filly has the opportunity to prove just how good she is on the surface in the $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Lane’s End (G1).
“I never doubted that she would like the turf,” trainer Kenny McPeek said Thursday morning. “She relished being on the turf gallops at my (Magdalena Farm in Lexington.)”
In 12 career starts, Daddys Lil Darling has three wins and four seconds with earnings of $839,405, second among QE II starters behind the $1,360,017 earned by New Money Honey. Her dirt record last year at 2 includes a win in the Pocahontas (G2) at Churchill Downs and a second in the Darley Alcibiades (G1) at Keeneland. Earlier this year, she was second in both the Central Bank Ashland (G1) at Keeneland and Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill.
Daddys Lil Darling, a half-sister to 2015 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) winner Mongolian Saturday, made her turf debut in the Florida Oaks (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs in March. She was sixth in that race, which included runner-up and QE II rival La Coronel. After the Kentucky Oaks, Daddys Lil Darling was fourth behind New Money Honey in the Belmont Oaks Invitational (G1).
After a fifth in Abel Tasman’s Coaching Club American Oaks (G1), Daddys Lil Darling returned to the turf and cruised to a 4¼-length victory in the Dueling Grounds Oaks at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 10.
“That race certainly proved she can win on turf,” McPeek said. “She’s had a really good year. Any time you get checks in high-level races like she has run in, it is a good year. She has eluded winning a Grade 1, but she is certainly in the realm and has a big shot this weekend.”

LADY AURELIA CONTINUES BREEDERS’ CUP PREPARATIONS WITH WORK – NOTE CORRECTED WORK TIME
Barbara Banke of Stonestreet Stables was at Keeneland Thursday morning to watch European champion Lady Aurelia, bred by Stonestreet and owned in partnership with Peter Leidel, work
5 furlongs in 1:01.80 on a soft turf course. (Click here for a video of the work.) Based at Keeneland with trainer Wesley Ward, the 3-year-old Scat Daddy filly is scheduled to make her next start in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) on Nov. 4 at Del Mar.

“She’s staying right on her schedule, and I’m very, very happy with everything,” Ward said.

Lady Aurelia, who is to work one more time at Keeneland before she travels to Del Mar, has turned in three works here since she narrowly lost the Coolmore Nunthorpe (G1) on Aug. 25 at York in England. This year prior to that race, she won Keeneland’s Giant’s Causeway (L) in April and the King’s Stand (G1) at Royal Ascot in June.

GALLOPING OUT
Keeneland Racing Analyst Tom Leach, the “Voice of the Wildcats” for University of Kentucky football and men’s basketball, interviewed these horsemen about their fillies in Friday’s Buffalo Trace Franklin County (G3):
Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. about Lull.
Trainer Neil Pessin about Scatter Gun and Nobody’s Fault. …
John Cruz recorded his first Keeneland victory when Lindy Farms’ Monteleone took the third race Wednesday for trainer Wesley Ward. The 2-year-old Super Saver gelding won the 6-furlong race by two lengths in 1:10.87.

BOOTSY’S GIRL GOES A NEW DISTANCE WEDNESDAY

When Wednesday’s first race, scheduled at 1½ miles on turf, was rained off Keeneland’s turf course and moved to the dirt track, the distance of the race was set at 1 5/8 miles. This marked the first time that distance has been run on the main track since Keeneland installed a new dirt surface in the summer of 2014.

The winner of the marathon, which began in the chute used for 4½-furlong races for 2-year-olds during the Spring Meet, was Bootsy’s Girl, ridden by Channing Hill to a 4½-length victory in 2:47.28. Trained by Luis Jurado, the 5-year-old daughter of Summer Bird races for William Helwig, John Kirkland, Jerry Markham, William Medley and James Bailey.

Keeneland’s dirt track was structurally reconfigured in the summer of 2006 to widen the turns and lengthen the stretch. As a result, dirt track records prior to the 2006 Fall Meet are not comparable to times set on the new dirt surface. A new set of track records was established during the 2014 Fall Meet.

SPONSORS HONOR KEENELAND GROOMS WITH BEST TURNED OUT AWARDS

In selected races during Keeneland’s 2017 Fall Meet, grooms of racehorses determined to have the best overall appearance in the Saddling Paddock will be recognized in a special ceremony before each race as part of the Best Turned Out Awards. The grooms will receive cash prizes ranging from $250 to $500.

Judges like to see horses with shiny hair, flowing tails and tidy manes and grooms wearing neat clothing.

“Our sponsors always enjoy the opportunity to recognize the efforts of the grooms who work so hard with these horses every day,” Keeneland Sponsorship Director Bonnie Senft said. “The Best Turned Out Awards are popular every year for the judges and the grooms.”

Sponsors will present Best Turned Out Awards on these days for the remainder of the Fall Meet:

Friday: Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards
Saturday: Lane’s End
Friday, Oct. 20: Pin Oak Stud
Sunday, Oct. 22: Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital
Sat., Oct. 28: Hagyard Equine Medical Institute

PROBABLE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES
$100,000 SYCAMORE (G3) (Entries taken Sunday; race Thursday, Oct. 19) – Canessar (FR) (trainer Arnaud Delacour), Tasit (Michael Matz). Possible: Flashy Chelsey (Mike Maker), Shining Copper (Maker) and Taghleeb (Maker).
$150,000 PIN OAK VALLEY VIEW (G3) (Entries taken Tuesday; race Friday, Oct. 20) – Chastise (Todd Pletcher), Dancing Breeze (IRE) (Graham Motion), Defiant Honor (James Toner), Desert Duchess (Mike Maker), Dolce Lili (Chad Brown), Fault (Michelle Lovell), Fizzy Friday (GB) (Ignacio Correas IV), Grizzel (IRE) (Michael Doyle), Journey Home (Motion), Ladies’ Privilege (Michael Matz), Let It Ride Mom (Mark Casse), Lovely Bernadette (James DiVito), Oh So Terrible (Bradley Ross).
$250,000 LEXUS RAVEN RUN (G2) (Entries taken Wednesday; race Saturday, Oct. 21) – Berned (Graham Motion), Classy Tune (Simon Callaghan), Cursor (Mark Hennig), Faypien (Bob Baffert), Happy Mesa (Mike Maker), Just a Little Hope (Dan Hendricks), Minnie Blip (Al Stall Jr.), Miss Sunset (Jeff Bonde), Nonna Mela (Todd Pletcher), Pinch Hit (Brad Cox), Sandy’s Surprise (Doug O’Neill), Tequilita (Michael Matz), Valadorna (Mark Casse) and Yorkiepoo Princess (Edward Barker).
$125,000 ROOD & RIDDLE DOWAGER (G3) (Entries taken Thursday, Oct. 19; race Sunday, Oct. 22) — Daring Duchess (Mike Maker), Grateful (Todd Pletcher), Lottie (Graham Motion) and Place des Vosges (Richard Baltas).

FALL MEET SPECIAL EVENTS
Thursday, Oct. 12
10th Anniversary Make-A-Wish Day. Keeneland and area Thoroughbred farms and organizations are proud to partner with Make-A-Wish in this annual event, which this year celebrates its 10th anniversary by granting wishes for 10 deserving children. Fans can support the Make-A-Wish Foundation and cheer on these children as they present the trophies after each race as part of their VIP day at the races. Sponsors are Ashford Stud, Flaxman Holdings/Frizzy Foundation, Gainesway Farm, Godolphin, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Keeneland, Lane’s End Farm, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, Shadwell Farm and Shawnee Farm.
Friday, Oct. 13
Official Keeneland Tours – During the Fall Meet, guided tours are offered Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays beginning at 8:30 a.m. ET. Fans also can receive an insider view of racing on the Behind-the-Scenes Racing Tours and a Backstretch Tour and Day at the Races on other days.
Jockey Autograph Signing. From 11:30-12:30 p.m., meet jockeys competing during the Fall Meet as well as retired jockeys – from history makers to Keeneland favorites – and participate in an autograph signing to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. Retired jockeys scheduled to participate are Racing Hall of Famer Chris McCarron and Triple Crown winner Jean Cruguet along with Kaye Bell, James Bruin, PJ Cooksey, Tony D’Amico, Carl Faulconer, Michael Heath, Mike Manganello, Larry Melancon, John Oldham, Suzie Oldham, Mickey Solomone, Joe Steiner, Kaori Tsuchiya and Charlie Woods.
Buffalo Trace Giveaway. Patrons may enter to win a VIP Buffalo Trace Distillery Experience: a private behind-the-scenes tour of Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, lunch with Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley and a private whiskey tasting. The first 2,000 people to register will receive a free Buffalo Trace drawstring bag. Registration table is located Trackside near Elevator C beginning at noon and continuing while supplies last.

The Keeneland Shop’s Milliners Corner presents a trunk show with Darren K. Moore adjacent to the Walking Ring from 11 a.m. to 30 minutes after final post.
Tailgating on The Hill. Keeneland’s popular tailgate lot, located adjacent to the Keene Barn & Entertainment Center, features local food trucks, a jumbo television screen, wireless wagering and wagering terminals, race-day programs, The Keeneland Shop kiosk and free shuttles to the track. BETologists will be available to answer fans’ handicapping questions.
Friday Pick 4 Presented by TVG. A $200,000-guaranteed pool will be offered on the final four races of the day.

Saturday, Oct. 14
Keeneland Fall Challenge. The handicapping contest has a $400 buy-in with a live bankroll of $250 and $150 prize fund fee. Players may wager any amount on any Keeneland race with no minimum wagers or number of races.
Sunrise Trackside. Keeneland shares a special side of Thoroughbred racing that is worth getting up early to enjoy. Sponsored by LEX18, Sunrise Trackside is a free, family-friendly event with activities for all ages: Breakfast With the Works features breakfast for purchase and trackside commentary (7-8:30 a.m.) while Thoroughbreds train on the main track; children’s activities in the Kids Club Corner (7-9 a.m.); Keeneland tours (7:30-10 a.m.); Paddock demonstration with Stuart Muir, a farrier at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital (9 a.m.); trackside handicapping seminar with Paddock Host Katie Gensler (11 a.m.); and Q&A session with a jockey in the Paddock (12:05 p.m.).

The Keeneland Shop’s Milliners Corner presents a trunk show with Darren K. Moore adjacent to the Walking Ring from 11 a.m. to 30 minutes after final post.
The Keeneland Shop presents a book signing with Caleb Fares, illustrator of the new Made South Keeneland Coloring Book, from 2-4 p.m. Both children and adults will enjoy this entertaining way to explore the history and beauty of Keeneland through maps and illustrations. Click here for a video about the Keeneland Coloring Book.

Keeneland is holding a Keeneland Coloring Contest in celebration of the new Coloring Book. Fans can enter by uploading a photo of their finished work to Instagram: Tag @shopkeeneland and include the hashtag #keenelandcoloringbook. Keeneland will announce winners via Instagram on Oct. 19. The lucky winner receives a reserved Grandstand box for up to six and a Keeneland Kids Club gift crate.

Tailgating on The Hill. Keeneland’s popular tailgate lot, located adjacent to the Keene Barn & Entertainment Center, features local food trucks, a jumbo television screen, wireless wagering and wagering terminals, race-day programs, The Keeneland Shop kiosk and free shuttles to the track. BETologists will be available to answer fans’ handicapping questions. On Saturdays, the area’s favorite bluegrass bands perform from 12-4 p.m.
$350,000 Guaranteed Pick 4 Presented by TVG. Features races 7-10, including the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Lane’s End (G1).
Sunday, Oct. 15
Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge/National Handicapping Challenge – The prestigious event awards cash prizes and as many as six spots in the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge at Del Mar and 10 spots in the National Handicapping Challenge in Las Vegas in February 2018. The contest can accommodate up to 170 players, with a total entry fee of $3,000 ($2,000 live bankroll and $1,000 prize fund).

Kids Club Family Day. The Keeneland Kids Club is the Official Kids Club for fans 12 and younger. Kids Club members and their families are invited to enjoy a special day at the races by receiving free general admission and access to reserved Grandstand seating. Children’s activities will take place in the North Terrace from noon to 3 p.m.

The Keeneland Shop’s Milliners Corner presents a trunk show with Darren K. Moore adjacent to the Walking Ring from 11 a.m. to 30 minutes after final post.