Keeneland Barn Notes– Monday, Sept. 30

By Amy Owens —-

Keeneland’s 17-day Fall Meet opens Friday and concludes Saturday, Oct. 26, with racing Wednesdays through Sundays. Post time for the first race each day is 1:05 p.m. ET.

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· OURS TO RUN WORKS BULLET FOR SATURDAY’S THOROUGHBRED CLUB OF AMERICA

OURS TO RUN WORKS BULLET FOR SATURDAY’S
THOROUGHBRED CLUB OF AMERICA

When Street Band won the Cotillion (G1) at Parx on Sept. 21, she earned a fees-paid berth to the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).

Trainer Larry Jones hopes he can get a traveling companion for Street Band when he sends out Colonel Thoroughbreds’ Ours to Run in Saturday’s 39th running of the $250,000 Thoroughbred Club of America (G2), a “Win and You’re In” race for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) to be run Nov. 2 at Santa Anita.

A Louisiana-bred 5-year-old mare, Ours to Run worked 5 furlongs in :59.60 over a fast track Monday morning with jockey Gabriel Saez aboard. Working on her own, the daughter of Half Ours carved out fractions of :12.20, :24.60, :36.20, :48.20 and galloped out 6 furlongs in 1:12.40. The five-eighths time was the fastest of four at the distance for the morning.

Acquired in a private purchase in late 2017, Ours to Run has started 12 times for Jones and posted eight victories with seven coming in stakes. Six of those wins were in restricted Louisiana-bred races with the seventh coming against open company in the Carousel at Oaklawn Park in April.

“The owner knew she was nearing the end of her career and didn’t want to do another Louisiana winter and wanted to find out how good she was,” Jones said.

In the Carousel, they found out.

“She beat Mia Mischief (by 3¾ lengths) and then Mia Mischief goes on and wins a Grade 1 (Humana Distaff at Churchill Downs),” Jones said. “At Saratoga (in the Grade 2 Honorable Miss), she just got caught in the last jump for second by Chalon, who almost won the Breeders’ Cup (Filly and Mare Sprint) last year.”

Both of those fillies are expected to pass the entry box Wednesday morning for the 6-furlong Thoroughbred race.

“We have been pointing for this race (since Saratoga),” Jones said of Ours to Run, who arrived at Keeneland last Thursday from Ellis Park. “She runs well fresh. She had worked last Tuesday at Ellis and this morning I was looking for around a minute.”

GALLOPING OUT

La Troienne Presented by Inside Access from Chase (G1) winner She’s a Julie worked a half-mile in :50.20 early Monday morning over a fast track in preparation for Sunday’s $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster (G1). Trained by Steve Asmussen, She’s a Julie clocked her final quarter-mile in :24.40, according to Keeneland clockers. She races for Whispering Oaks Farm, Bradley Thoroughbreds, Tim Cambron, Anna Cambron and Madaket Stables. …

Tracy Farmer’s Perfect Alibi, the likely favorite for Friday’s $400,000 Darley Alcibiades (G1), arrived Sunday night from Belmont Park and galloped over the main track Monday morning. Trained by three-time Darley Alcibiades winner Mark Casse, Perfect Alibi won the Spinaway (G1) and Adirondack (G2) at Saratoga in her most recent starts.

TOYOTA BLUE GRASS STARTER GUNG HO
IS GUNG HO FOR SHOW HORSE CAREER

Owner-trainer Tamara Maxey recognized Gung Ho as a prime show horse prospect when he was in the final stages of his 74-race career at Turfway Park in late 2018. A stakes winner in his prime, Gung Ho finished third in the 2012 Toyota Blue Grass (G1) in a career that includes a bankroll of nearly $350,000 and 10 victories. Maxey told mutual friend Julia Vassar she could have him upon retirement and six months later she took him home to South Carolina.

Later this week, Vassar and Gung Ho, a 10-year-old Kitten’s Joy gelding, will compete in the $100,000 Thoroughbred Makeover Presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Designed to inspire the transition of racehorses into other purposes, the event is limited to Thoroughbreds who have raced or been in race training (within a certain time frame). The pair is entered in the trails division in which horse and rider move through obstacles in an arena.

Vassar said that after eight years at the track, Gung Ho seemed confused at his sudden change in routine after his racing career. When set free in a small paddock, he jumped and played but after 20 minutes became bored.

“It was a slow transition for him to be turned out,” Vassar said. “I brought him in every day out of the heat. I gradually increased his turn out time. He was perfectly content to be outside for about an hour and nibble some grass and then he would start walking the fence line. He would say, ‘Now what? This is how long I am usually (out of my stall) at the track. I am all done now.’ I would give him a bath and put him in a stall for the rest of the day.”

Gung Ho, now known as “Gizmo,” finally felt comfortable when Vassar added a retired gelding to his field to teach him how to be just a horse instead of a racehorse. Vassar, a former race track groom for Steve Hobby, started reschooling Gung Ho in December.

Vassar describes Gung Ho as eager to please yet detached when retraining began. His attitude was most obvious during his initial work under saddle.

“He had a hard time associating me on the ground and me on his back,” she said. “On the ground, he knew I was his person. But when I got on, he had a little meltdown at the beginning. So I would dismount and look at him. When I got back on, he would turn his head to touch my toe. Then he would sigh and we could go on. Now we have a connection.”

The gelding’s biggest challenge was learning to move sideways and stand still, but he is unfazed by most everything.

“He doesn’t care about where he puts his feet or what you put on him,” Vassar said. “I can wave a tarp at him and put it on his back, and he doesn’t care.”

To prepare Gung Ho for the show world, Vassar took him to a show to get accustomed to the setup without having to compete. He thrived on watching the activity. Vassar said he can fret if he does not understand a situation but relaxes once he realizes what is happening.

Long-range plans call for Gung Ho to compete in eventing in which horses perform in cross-country jumping, stadium jumping and dressage in which they move in a pattern in response to the rider’s subtle commands.

“This is long term for me,” Vassar said. “He is a keeper. I will have him forever.”

FALL STARS WEEKEND PROBABLE FIELDS

The following is a list of probable starters for Keeneland’s Fall Stars Weekend stakes on the first three days of the Fall Meet compiled by Keeneland Stakes Coordinator Allison De Luca.

*$400,000 DARLEY ALCIBIADES-G1 (Entries taken Tuesday; race Friday, Oct. 4) – Alandra (trainer Shug McGaughey), Gone Glimmering (Tom Amoss), Heir of Light (Norm Casse), Micheline (Mike Stidham), My Gift From Above (Greg Sacco), Perfect Alibi (Mark Casse), Sequin (Wesley Ward), Spitefulness (Phil D’Amato), Western Taffy (Mark Casse).

*$250,000 STOLL KEENON OGDEN PHOENIX-G2 (Entries taken Tuesday; race Friday, Oct. 4) – American Pastime (Bob Hess), Engage (Steve Asmussen), Heartwood (James Chapman), Hog Creek Hustle (Vickie Foley), Lexitonian (Jack Sisterson), Promises Fulfilled (Dale Romans), Recruiting Ready (Stan Hough), Whitmore (Ron Moquett), Zipp On By (Rey Hernandez).

*$1 MILLION SHADWELL TURF MILE-G1 (Entries taken Wednesday; race Saturday, Oct. 5) – Admission Office (Brian Lynch), Bandua (Jack Sisterson), Bowies Hero (Phil D’Amato), Divisidero (Kelly Rubley), Emmaus (IRE) (Conor Murphy), First Premio (Mark Casse), Get Western (Charlie LoPresti), Lucullan (Kiaran McLaughlin), March to the Arch (Mark Casse), Next Shares (Richard Baltas), Real Story (Ignacio Correas IV), Robin of Navan (FR) (Harry Dunlop), Suedois (FR) (David O’Meara), Van Beethoven (Aidan O’Brien), Vintager (GB) (Charles Appleby). Possible: Valid Point (Chad Brown).

*$500,000 CLAIBORNE BREEDERS’ FUTURITY-G1 (Entries taken Wednesday; race Saturday, Oct. 5) – Ajaaweed (Kiaran McLaughlin), By Your Side (Eddie Kenneally), Enforceable (Mark Casse), Flap Jack (Jack Sisterson), Gouverneur Morris (Todd Pletcher), January Won (Kenny McPeek), Tap It to Win (Mark Casse). Possible: Big City Bob (Jorge Duarte).

*$400,000 FIRST LADY-G1 (Entries taken Wednesday; race Saturday, Oct. 5) – Awesometank (GB) (William Haggas), Conquest Hardcandy (Michelle Nihei), Hanalei Moon (Mark Casse), Indian Blessing (GB) (Ed Walker), Juliet Foxtrot (GB) (Brad Cox), Just Wonderful (Aidan O’Brien), Marina’s Legacy (Aaron West), Mitchell Road (Bill Mott), Ms Bad Behavior (Richard Baltas), Rushing Fall (Chad Brown), Simply Breathless (GB) (Neil Drysdale), Storm the Hill (Phil D’Amato), Vasilika (Jerry Hollendorfer).

*$250,000 THOROUGHBRED CLUB OF AMERICA-G2 (Entries taken Wednesday; race Saturday, Oct. 5) – America’s Tale (Bernie Flint), Chalon (Arnaud Delacour), Danuska’s My Girl (Jerry Hollendorfer), Dawn the Destroyer (Kiaran McLaughlin), Mia Mischief (Steve Asmussen), Ours to Run (Larry Jones), Razorback Lady (Patrick Biancone), Spiced Perfection (Peter Miller), Talk Veuve to Me (Rodolphe Brisset).

$200,000 WOODFORD PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SELECT-G2 (Entries taken Wednesday; race Saturday, Oct. 5) – Bound for Nowhere (Wesley Ward), Extravagant Kid (Brendan Walsh), few (John Ortiz), Imprimis (Joe Orseno), Leinster (Rusty Arnold), Royal Commish (Paula McCenick), Satellite Storm (Valorie Lund), Seven Trumpets (Dale Romans), Stubbins (Doug O’Neill), Win Lion Win (Allison Ramsay-Bank). Possible: Morticia (Rusty Arnold).

*$500,000 JUDDMONTE SPINSTER-G1 (Entries taken Thursday; race Sunday, Oct. 6) – Blue Prize (ARG) (Ignacio Correas IV), Dunbar Road (Chad Brown), Elate (Bill Mott), Lady Suebee (John Sadler), She’s a Julie (Steve Asmussen), Vexatious (Jack Sisterson). Possible: Sally’s Curlin (Dale Romans).

*$250,000 DIXIANA BOURBON-G3 (Entries taken Thursday; race Sunday, Oct. 6) – Bama Breeze (Rusty Arnold), Cadet Connelly (Teresa Connelly), Deviant (Danny Pish), Ete Indien (Patrick Biancone), Field Pass (Mike Maker), Fighting Seabee (Kenny McPeek), Gear Jockey (Rusty Arnold), Invader (Wesley Ward), Kid Mercury (Graham Motion), Peace Achieved (Mark Casse), Peruvian Boy (Ignacio Correas IV), Vitalogy (GB) (Brendan Walsh).

*$200,000 INDIAN SUMMER (Entries taken Thursday; race Sunday, Oct. 6) – Chimney Rock (Mike Maker), Fast Scene (Tim Hamm), Johnny Unleashed (Eric Foster), Kimari (Wesley Ward), Mystic Lancelot (Todd Pletcher), Old Chestnut (Mark Casse), Rockcrest (Nigel Burke), Song River (Mark Casse).

*Breeders’ Cup Challenge race

FALL MEET SPECIAL EVENTS

All Year

Official Keeneland Tours – A variety of guided walking tours showcase Keeneland’s Thoroughbred racing and sales operations. Click here for more information.

Friday, Oct. 4 – Opening Day – Fall Stars Weekend

The Hill – Keeneland’s official tailgate lot features a jumbo screen to watch live racing and football, wagering booths, live music, local food trucks and free shuttles to the Grandstand.

The Keeneland Shop presents a trunk show with Darren K. Moore and Milliners Corner with Christine A. Moore.

$200,000-guaranteed Friday Pick Four Presented by TVG.

Saturday, Oct. 5 – Fall Stars Weekend

Sunrise Trackside – Families, out-of-town guests, longtime Keeneland fans and others will enjoy spending a morning at the track before the races begin. Watch horses train over the track and enjoy Breakfast With the Works and trackside commentary (7-8:30 a.m.); children’s activities in the Kids Club Corner (7:30-9:30 a.m.); free guided tours of the grounds (7:30-10 a.m.) and a demonstration with Central Kentucky Riding for Hope in the Paddock (9 a.m.).

The Hill – Keeneland’s official tailgate lot features a jumbo screen to watch live racing and football, wagering booths, live music, local food trucks and free shuttles to the Grandstand. Saturdays include live Bluegrass music.

Jockey Autograph Signing – Fans will meet active and retired jockeys – including Hall of Famers, history makers and Keeneland favorites – in this fundraiser for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

The Keeneland Shop presents a trunk show with Darren K. Moore and Milliners Corner with Christine A. Moore.

$300,000-guaranteed All-Stakes Pick Five and $400,000-guaranteed All-Stakes Pick Four.

Sunday, Oct. 6 – Fall Stars Weekend

The Keeneland Shop presents a trunk show with Darren K. Moore and Milliners Corner with Christine A. Moore.