Keeneland Barn Notes

By Amy Owens —-

FRIDAY, APRIL 20

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.
**********

• FORMER BROWN ASSISTANT ABREU CHERISHES FIRST KEENELAND WIN
• HUMPHREY ONE VICTORY AWAY FROM KEENELAND MILESTONE
• GALLOPING OUT
• GRADED STAKES WINNERS MEET IN SATURDAY ALLOWANCE
• FARMS HONOR KEENELAND GROOMS WITH BEST TURNED OUT AWARDS
• PROSPECTIVE FIELD FOR CLOSING-DAY BEWITCH
• SPRING MEET SPECIAL EVENTS
• SPRING MEET LEADERS

FORMER BROWN ASSISTANT ABREU CHERISHES FIRST KEENELAND WIN

Jorge Abreu is no stranger to Keeneland’s Winner’s Circle, but Thursday marked the first time he gained entry with his name listed as the triumphant trainer. When asked about the experience the following morning, Abreu took a deep breath and paused before answering.

“I don’t even know how to explain it,” he said. “It was a really special moment.”

The victory was courtesy of first-time starter Themanbehindtheman, who won the 1-mile turf race against 11 rivals by 2¾ lengths. The 3-year-old Quality Road colt is owned by Michael Dubb, Monomoy Stables and Bethlehem Stables.

Abreu has had two other Keeneland starters this season, including Goodthingstaketime (IRE), the third-place finisher in the Appalachian (G2) Presented by Japan Racing Association on April 8.

Abreu spent his early years in the Dominican Republic, where his father was a top jockey. The family relocated to New York in 1984 when his parents obtained jobs at Belmont Park. His father was an exercise rider and his mother was a stablehand, and as a youngster, Abreu spent weekends at the barn.

“They would let me wash the feed tubs, fill the water buckets, things like that,” he said. “That is how I got my start.”

When he turned 16, Abreu started riding the racehorses around the barn. He honed those early skills into full-time work as an exercise rider for leading trainers, including Nick Zito. In 2008, Abreu transferred to the Chad Brown barn and in 2016 opted to begin his own training career. He was an instant success with two victories from as many starts that year. Abreu’s brother, Reynaldo, is one of Brown’s key assistants after several years as a trainer himself.

Jorge Abreu plans to race several horses at Churchill Downs in early May before shipping to Saratoga Race Course well before the racing season begins there.

HUMPHREY ONE VICTORY AWAY FROM KEENELAND MILESTONE

A win by Mines and Magic in today’s ninth race, the Hilliard Lyons Doubledogdare (G3), will mark owner G. Watts Humphrey Jr.’s eighth graded stakes win here and earn for him the Keeneland Tray.
The Keeneland Tray is part of Keeneland’s signature Milestone Trophy Program, which recognizes owners for their stakes success here. Only 20 other owners in Keeneland history have achieved such an accomplishment. The most recent owner to secure a Keeneland Tray was John C. Oxley during the 2017 Spring Meet.

GALLOPING OUT

Stonestreet Lexington (G3) winner My Boy Jack is scheduled to leave Keeneland on Sunday for Churchill Downs, according to Julie Clark, assistant to trainer Keith Desormeaux. …

Quip, runner-up in last Saturday’s Arkansas Derby (G1), will remain at Keeneland another week, according to trainer Rodolphe Brisset. No decision has been made on where Quip will have his final work for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). …

Keeneland racing analyst Tom Leach interviewed these horsemen competing in Keeneland’s next two stakes.

In today’s Hilliard Lyons Doubledogdare (G3) are jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. on Valadorna and trainer Ben Colebrook on Julerette.

In Saturday’s Dixiana Elkhorn (G2) are jockey Jorge Ricardo on Some in Tieme (BRZ) with trainer Kenny McPeek serving as interpreter and jockey Chris Landeros on One Go All Go. …

Recipients of the 2017 Sovereign Awards as Canada’s champions were announced last night. Among the winners are two alumni of Keeneland sales: Wonder Gadot and Channel Maker.

GRADED STAKES WINNERS MEET IN SATURDAY ALLOWANCE

The highlight of Saturday’s 10-race program is the 33rd running of the $250,000 Dixiana Elkhorn (G2) for turf marathoners, but the preceding race also figures to offer high entertainment value.

The eighth race, a 1 1/16-mile allowance test, has attracted a field of 10 that includes Grade 3 winners One Liner, Sticksstatelydude and Senior Investment.

The morning-line favorite is WinStar Farm, China Horse Club International, SF Racing and Head of Plains Partners’ One Liner.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, One Liner won his first three races and was a leading candidate for last year’s Arkansas Derby (G1) following a daylight victory in the Southwest (G3). But the Southwest victory was the last time One Liner was seen at the races for nearly a year until he returned in a Feb. 9 allowance race at Gulfstream Park, where he chased the likes of three-time Grade 1 winner Mind Your Biscuits in finishing third.

“He has been training good (at Palm Beach Downs training center in Florida),” said Ginny DePasquale, who is overseeing Pletcher’s Keeneland string. “He got here Tuesday and if all goes well Saturday, he will go on to Belmont.”

Sticksstatelydude returns to race at Keeneland for the first time since finishing fourth in the 2015 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1). The 5-year-old has only started 13 times in his four-year racing career.

“It tests your patience,” trainer Greg Burchell said of his lone runner’s racing schedule. “He has battled tendon issues all along and he had a bowed tendon after the Breeders’ Futurity and I stopped on him. I always try to do what’s right by the horse.”

Owned by the partnership of Alvin Haynes Jr., John Ferris, Pack Pride Racing, Mitch Haynes and Brad Ward, Sticksstatelydude made three unsuccessful starts at the recently completed Oaklawn Park meet, but Burchell said, “He is better than he has been in a while.”

Burchell has shared the training duties with Sticksstatelydude with Kiaran McLaughlin, who has been the trainer of record when the horse has run in New York.

“We will see how he does Saturday and I may run him back Derby Day,” Burchell said. “I know it is a little quick, but he is doing well. After that, I may give him to Kiaran.”

Fern Circle Stables’ Senior Investment, trained by Kenny McPeek, won the Stonestreet Lexington (G3) here last year prior to running third in the Preakness (G1). 

FARMS HONOR KEENELAND GROOMS WITH BEST TURNED OUT AWARDS

In selected races during Keeneland’s 2018 Spring Meet, grooms of racehorses determined to have the best overall appearance in the Saddling Paddock are recognized in a special ceremony before each race as part of the Best Turned Out Awards. The prize in each race is $500.

On Saturday, representatives of Dixiana Farm, sponsor of the Dixiana Elkhorn (G2), will select horses in separate races throughout the day. Coolmore America, sponsor of the Jenny Wiley (G1), and Stonestreet Farm, which sponsors the Lexington (G3), had that honor April 14.

Judges like to see horses with shiny coats, 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.”

PROSPECTIVE FIELD FOR CLOSING-DAY BEWITCH

$150,000 Bewitch (G3) (Entries taken Sunday; race Friday, April 27) – Probable: Daddys Lil Darling (trainer Kenny McPeek), Daring Duchess (Mike Maker), Ickymasho (GB) (Roger Attfield), Mom’s On Strike (Joe Sharp), Proud Reunion (Tom Proctor).

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.
 
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 jockey Adam Beschizza in the Paddock (12:05 pm.).

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 19 (10 days of 16-day season)
Jockey Starts Wins 2nd 3rd Purses

Florent Geroux 51 11 10 3 $743,437
Corey Lanerie 55 9 8 4 $545,225
Jose Ortiz 64 8 10 11 $1,182,987
Joel Rosario 37 8 9 9 $521,219
Brian J. Hernandez Jr. 47 7 5 6 $556,801
Gabriel Saez 25 6 1 3 $259,694
Javier Castellano 14 5 3 1 $479,768
Luis Saez 33 5 2 4 $342,734
Albin Jimenez 20 5 2 2 $190,983

Trainer Starts Wins 2nd 3rd Purses

Chad Brown 18 10 3 2 $1,433,030
Wesley Ward 27 9 6 3 $499,638
Brad Cox 16 7 1 1 $547,024
Bret Calhoun 12 5 1 2 $401,820
Tom Amoss 14 4 2 2 $93,630
Kenny McPeek 25 3 6 2 $335,996
Charlie LoPresti 11 3 3 1 $172,538
Larry Jones 7 3 1 1 $98,200

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