Keeneland Barn Notes — April 18

By Amy Owens —-

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18

Keeneland’s 16-day Spring Meet runs through Friday, April 27, with racing
Wednesday through Sunday. Post time for the first race each day is 1:05 p.m ET.
**********

• ITSINTHEPOST (FR) FACES 11 RIVALS IN BID FOR DIXIANA ELKHORN REPEAT
• WORLD’S WINNINGEST JOCKEY TO RIDE AT KEENELAND SATURDAY
• VALADORNA LOOKS FOR FIRST GRADED STAKES WIN IN HILLIARD LYONS DOUBLEDOGDARE
• GALLOPING OUT
• SPRING MEET SPECIAL EVENTS
• SPRING MEET LEADERS

ITSINTHEPOST (FR) FACES 11 RIVALS IN BID
FOR DIXIANA ELKHORN REPEAT

Red Baron’s Barn’s defending champion Itsinthepost (FR) headlines a field of 12 older horses entered Wednesday for Saturday’s 33rd running of the $250,000 Dixiana Elkhorn (G2) going 1½ miles on the turf.

The Dixiana Elkhorn will go as the ninth race on Saturday’s 10-race program with a 5:30 p.m. ET post time. First post time Saturday is 1:05 p.m.

Trained by Jeff Mullins, Itsinthepost has won six Grade 2 races in the past 13 months. A victory Saturday would make him the fourth horse to win the Dixiana Elkhorn in consecutive years.

The other back-to-back winners are African Dancer (1998-1999), Kim Loves Bucky (2002-2003) and Musketier (GER) (2010-2011).

Tyler Baze, who has been aboard for all six of those Grade 2 victories, has the mount Saturday and will break from post position 10.

Chief among the rivals for Itsinthepost is Wayne Spalding and Faron McCubbins’ Bullards Alley.

Trained by Tim Glyshaw, Bullards Alley won the Canadian International (G1) by 10¾ lengths last October at Woodbine. Sixth in the Dixiana Elkhorn last year, Bullards Alley will break from post position nine and be ridden by Corey Lanerie.

The field for the Dixiana Elkhorn, with riders and weights from the rail out, is: Some in Tieme (BRZ) (Jorge Ricardo, 118 pounds), Oscar Nominated (Joel Rosario, 118), Call Provision (Jose Ortiz, 118), Danish Dynaformer (Robby Albarado, 118), Dot Matrix (Shaun Bridgmohan, 118), Canessar (FR) (Ricardo Santana Jr., 118), One Go All Go (Chris Landeros, 118), Hunter O’Riley (Florent Geroux, 120), Bullards Alley (Lanerie, 123), Itsinthepost (FR) (Baze, 120), Big Bend (Gary Stevens, 118) and Hayabusa One (FR) (James Graham, 118).

WORLD’S WINNINGEST JOCKEY TO RIDE AT KEENELAND SATURDAY

Jorge Ricardo, who has ridden more winners than any jockey in Thoroughbred racing history, is scheduled to ride Some in Time’s Some in Tieme (Brz) in Saturday’s $250,000 Dixiana Elkhorn (G2). The 1½-mile turf stakes is the ninth race on the 10-race program with a post time of 5:30 p.m. ET.

Based in South America, Ricardo surpassed Russell Baze as the world’s winningest jockey in February at Hipodromo da Gavea in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Baze, based primarily in Northern California throughout his career, retired in 2016 with 12,842 victories.

“Some in Tieme is a Brazilian horse with Brazilian ownership, and we’ve used a Brazilian jockey (Manoel Cruz) previously on him,” trainer Kenny McPeek said. “One of the owners came up with the idea of bringing Jorge (pronounced Georgie) here, and I thought it was a good idea.

“(Ricardo) is scheduled to arrive Thursday. He will spend some time around the stables and at my farm (in Lexington) and then ride Some in Tieme on Saturday. He heads back to Brazil on Sunday.”

This marks the second time Ricardo has ridden at Keeneland. He finished ninth in the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) aboard longshot Ordak Dan (Arg), who came from Argentina for the race.

Some in Tieme made six starts in Brazil before making his North American debut last year. The 6-year-old horse was the runner-up in a Keeneland allowance race last spring prior to winning the Louisville Handicap (G3) at Churchill Downs in May. He was sixth in the Mac Diarmida (G2) at Gulfstream Park on March 3.

“It’s very exciting,” McPeek said. “Jorge has won more races than any jockey in the history of the game, which is no small feat. He is getting towards the end of his career, but he is still winning high-level races.”

VALADORNA LOOKS FOR FIRST GRADED STAKES WIN
IN HILLIARD LYONS DOUBLEDOGDARE

After scoring her first career victory at Keeneland as a 2-year-old by six lengths, Stonestreet Stables’ Valadorna ran second in the 2016 14 Hands Winery Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Santa Anita – the closest she has coming to win a graded stakes. Trained by Mark Casse, Valadorna will try to change that status in Friday’s $100,000 Hilliard Lyons Doubledogdare (G3) against 12 other fillies and mares.

“We were happy to win the (Dec. 26 Tiffany Lass at Fair Grounds) stakes with her, and (she was) second in the Breeders’ Cup, so we’d like to add to that,” said Casse’s assistant David Carroll. “We’d love to get that far (as a graded stakes win).”

In 2017, Valadorna finished third in the Rachel Alexandra (G2) at Fair Grounds and won two allowance races before taking the Tiffany Lass by 3½ lengths. The 4-year-old Curlin filly made her first start of the year in the Jan. 28 Houston Ladies Classic (G3) at Sam Houston Race Park. After tracking the leaders in third for the first three-quarters of a mile, Valadorna finished sixth.

“It was a bit of a head-scratcher; she had trained beautifully,” Carroll said about Valadorna’s performance in the race. “It was kind of a muddy, drying-out track. The horses that were placed forwardly all faltered, and the horses at the back of the pack, they all came out of the quarter pole, so the whole race changed at the quarter pole. Tiger Moth, the horse who won the race, came from last, so we were a little bit too close (to the pace). She just didn’t run her race, but she came out of it fine.”

After briefly considering the Azeri (G2) at Oaklawn Park, Casse decided to point Valadorna to the Hilliard Lyons Doubledogdare. Carroll said the filly has been training sharply and become even stronger in the nearly three months since her Texas race.

“Physically she’s filled out. She’s got dapples on her,” Carroll said. “We know she loves the track. It looks like a competitive race, but she fits in there with them and we’re looking forward to a big race from her.”

GALLOPING OUT

WinStar Farm, China Horse Club International and SF Racing’s Quip, runner-up in last Saturday’s Arkansas Derby (G1), returned to the track early Wednesday morning to jog under trainer Rodolphe Brisset.

Brisset said no decision has been made yet on when Quip would relocate to Churchill Downs for a run in the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).

“We will give him a couple of days, see how he is and then make plans (on when to go to Louisville),” Brisset said. ….

Millionaire Daddys Lil Darling, prepping for an expected start in the April 27 Bewitch (G3) on closing day of the Spring Meet, on Wednesday morning worked 5 furlongs on the yielding turf in 1:02 with a final quarter-mile in :23. Kenny McPeek trains Daddys Lil Darling for Normandy Farm.

McPeek said Radar Racing’s Rated R Superstar, winner of last Saturday’s Ben Ali (G3), is being pointed to the $300,000 Pimlico Special (G3) to be run at 1 3/16 miles on May 18 at Pimlico.

UPCOMING STAKES PROBABLES

$150,000 BEWITCH (G3) (Entries taken Sunday; race April 27) – Daddys Lil Darling (trainer Kenny McPeek), Ickymasho (GB) (Roger Attfield), Mom’s On Strike (Joe Sharp).

SPRING MEET SPECIAL EVENTS

The Keeneland Library is paying tribute to Pierre Bellocq, the internationally celebrated artist better known as “Peb,” with the exhibit “Artistry of Peb: Fifty Years of Features” and a virtual exhibit on Keeneland.com titled “The Artistry of Peb.” “Artistry of Peb” showcases 18 of Bellocq’s features from The Morning Telegraph and Daily Racing Form spanning the mid-1950s to the mid-2000s. This work solidified Peb’s renown as an artistic commentator of the Thoroughbred racing industry. The Keeneland Library is free and open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.
Official Keeneland Tours – Keeneland offers a selection of guided tours, including Behind-the-Scenes Racing Tours and a Backstretch Tour and Day at the Races. On Saturdays during Sunrise Trackside, free guided tours begin every 20 minutes from the Paddock and Walking Ring from 7:30-10 a.m.
Friday, April 20
The Keeneland Shop’s Milliners Corner presents Dorfman Pacific adjacent to the Walking Ring.
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’ questions.
Friday Pick 4 Presented by TVG. A $200,000-guaranteed pool will be offered on the final four races of the day, including the Hilliard Lyons Doubledogdare (G3).
Saturday, April 21
Sunrise Trackside Racehorses and the people who work with them begin the day well before sunrise. See what they’re up to Saturday mornings during Sunrise Trackside, a free family-friendly event. Breakfast With the Works features breakfast for purchase and trackside commentary (7-8:30 a.m.) while horses train on the main track, and is accompanied by children’s activities in the Kids Club Corner (7-9 a.m.); guided walking tours (7:30-10 a.m.); Paddock demonstration (9 a.m.) with Central Kentucky Riding for Hope; and a Q&A session with a jockey in the Paddock (12:05 p.m.).

The Keeneland Shop’s Milliners Corner presents Dorfman Pacific adjacent to the Walking Ring.
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. One of Central Kentucky’s favorite bluegrass bands will perform from 12-4 p.m. BETologists will be available to answer fans’ questions.

$300,000 All-Stakes Pick 4 Presented by TVG. Features races 7-10, including the Dixiana Elkhorn (G2)
Sunday, April 22
The Keeneland Shop’s Milliners Corner presents Dorfman Pacific adjacent to the Walking Ring.
Military Day at the Races Presented by Marathon. Keeneland recognizes the men and women who serve our country. All active-duty, reserve, veterans and military families will receive free general admission and access to reserved Grandstand seating with military I.D. Military families will join us in the North Terrace from noon to 4 p.m. for free food and children’s activities. Keeneland will have a setup in the Paddock area for patrons to write letters to deployed service members.  

SPRING MEET LEADERS
Through April 15 (8 days of 16-day season)
Jockey Starts Wins 2nd 3rd Purses

Florent Geroux 38 8 6 3 $606,192
Corey Lanerie 45 8 6 2 $493,436
Jose Ortiz 51 7 7 8 $1,096,536
Brian J Hernandez Jr. 42 7 5 6 $558,821
Joel Rosario 28 6 7 8 $409,276
Javier Castellano 14 5 3 1 $479,768
Luis Saez 33 5 2 4 $342,734
Gabriel Saez 21 5 1 2 $206,814

Trainer Starts Wins 2nd 3rd Purses

Chad Brown 16 8 3 2 $1,361,990
Wesley Ward 16 6 4 2 $370,890
Brad Cox 15 6 1 1 $524,824
Bret Calhoun 10 5 0 2 $384,340
Kenny McPeek 24 3 6 2 $332,996
Charlie LoPresti 9 3 3 1 $167,088
Tom Amoss 12 3 2 2 $74,380
Larry Jones 6 3 1 0 $95,800

Owners Wins

G. Watts Humphrey Jr.* 3
Peter M. Brant* 2
Calumet Farm (Brad Kelley) 2
Cobra Cooper Racing (Ted Cooper) 2
Mark Detampel 2
Michael Dubb* 2
Tom Durant 2
e Five Racing Thoroughbreds (Robert J. Edwards Jr.)* 2
Charles E. Fipke 2

*Includes partnerships.