Keeneland Barn Notes — Thursday, Oct. 13

Posted On 13 Oct 2022

By Amy Owens —-

THURSDAY, OCT. 13

Keeneland’s 17-day Fall Meet runs through Saturday, Oct. 29.
Post time for the first race each day is 1 p.m. ET. No racing Mondays and Tuesdays.

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TWILIGHT GLEAMING (IRE) HEADS OVERFLOW FIELD FOR SUNDAY’S $300,000 FRANKLIN
MIRA MISSION GETS DRESS REHEARSAL FOR BREEDERS’ CUP IN FRIDAY’S SYCAMORE
UPCOMING STAKES PROBABLES
WEEK 2 SPECIAL EVENTS
FALL MEET LEADERS

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TWILIGHT GLEAMING (IRE) HEADS OVERFLOW FIELD
FOR SUNDAY’S FRANKLIN

Stonestreet Stables’ Twilight Gleaming (IRE), winner of last fall’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2) at Del Mar, headlines a field of 12 fillies and mares plus three also-eligibles entered Thursday for Sunday’s 26th running of the $300,000 Franklin (G3) to be contested at 5½ furlongs over the turf course.

The Franklin will go as the seventh race on Sunday’s nine-race program that begins at 1 p.m. ET. Post time for the Franklin is 4:12 p.m.

Trained by Wesley Ward, Twilight Gleaming has compiled a 7-5-2-0 mark on grass and comes into Sunday’s race off a victory in the 5-furlong Daisycutter Handicap on July 29 at Del Mar. John Velazquez has the mount Sunday and will exit post position six.

Returning to defend her title in the race is Perry Harrison’s Change of Control.

Trained by Michelle Lovell, Change of Control seeks to join Ayrial Delight (1998-1999) as the only back-to-back winner of the race. Owner of an 8-1-3-1 record in 2022, Change of Control will be ridden by Colby Hernandez and break from post position 10.

The field for the Franklin, from the rail out with riders and weights, is: Star Devine (IRE) (Adam Beschizza, 120 pounds), Caravel (Tyler Gaffalione, 122), Querobin Dourada (Joe Talamo, 120), Creative Credit (Perry Ouzts, 120), Have A Good Day (IRE) (Rey Gutierrez, 118), Twilight Gleaming (IRE) (Velazquez, 118), Tobys Heart (Vincent Cheminaud, 122), Bout Time (Brian Hernandez Jr., 120), Thundering Creed (Joe Rocco Jr., 122), Change of Control (Colby Hernandez, 122), Brooke Marie (Luis Saez, 124), Elle Z (Mitchell Murrill, 120). Also-Eligible: Illegal Smile (IRE) (Gerardo Corrales, 120), Miner’s Queen (Joe Talamo, 120), Violenza (Chris Landeros, 120).

MIRA MISSION GETS DRESS REHEARSAL FOR BREEDERS’ CUP
IN FRIDAY’S SYCAMORE

To get Mira Mission to the $4 million Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) here on Nov. 5, trainer Ian Wilkes had a choice of using last Saturday’s $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) at Aqueduct or Friday’s $300,000 Sycamore (G3) at Keeneland.

In the end, there was really no decision at all.

“I’m based here, so why ship 14 to 16 hours to New York and then back?” Wilkes said. “He can run right out of his stall here and why risk the chance of shipping and knocking him out (of the Breeders’ Cup).

“You’ve got to think of the horse and he’s a small, lighter frame horse, so why put extra stress in shipping?”

Owned by the Mary Abeel Sullivan Revocable Trust, Mira Mission came to the Wilkes barn last fall after beginning his career with Tom Bush. Winner of the Canadian Turf (G3) at Gulfstream in March, Mira Mission made his presence felt on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs with a runner-up finish in the Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (G1) going 1 1/8 miles.

In his most recent start, Mira Mission nearly pulled off an 18-1 upset in the Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 27.

“I loved his first race at a mile and a half,” Wilkes said of the Sword Dancer. “He has a great turn of foot for a mile, mile and an eighth, and I wanted to see if he had it at a mile and a half.”

Julien Leparoux has ridden Mira Mission in all seven of his races for Wilkes and will be aboard Friday afternoon.

“The good thing about Mira Mission is he listens to the rider,” Wilkes said. “He doesn’t get rank and he doesn’t pull.”

The plan for Mira Mission, with a good showing Friday, is to go to the Breeders’ Cup.

“We’d be coming back in three weeks, but we do that all the time,” Wilkes said.

UPCOMING STAKES PROBABLES

$350,000 Lexus Raven Run (G2), 3-year-old fillies, 7 furlongs (entries taken Wednesday, Oct. 19; race Saturday, Oct. 22) – Colorful Mischief (trainer Todd Pletcher), Fingal’s Cave (David Donk), Last Leaf (Eddie Kenneally), Midnight Stroll (John Terranova), Republique (Saffie Joseph Jr.), Smash Ticket (Rob Atras), Union Lake (Terranova), Wicked Halo (Steve Asmussen). Possible: Desert Dawn (Phil D’Amato).

$250,000 Perryville (L), 3-year-olds, 7 furlongs (entries taken Wednesday, Oct. 19; race Saturday, Oct. 22) – B Dawk (Doug O’Neill), Gunite (Steve Asmussen), Pinehurst (Brendan Walsh), Provocateur (Todd Pletcher).

$300,000 Rood & Riddle Dowager (G3), fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, 1½ miles on the turf (entries taken Thursday, Oct. 20; race Sunday, Oct. 23) – Core Values (Vicki Oliver), Luck Money (Arnaud Delacour), Mia Martina (Graham Motion), Sister Otoole (Motion), Stand Tall (Rusty Arnold), Temple City Terror (Brendan Walsh). Possible: Virginia Joy (GER) (Chad Brown).

WEEK 2 SPECIAL EVENTS

Year-round

Official Keeneland Tours. Visit keeneland.com/tours for availability and to purchase. New: Road to the Breeders’ Cup Tour and Breeders’ Cup Experience Tour.

Now through December

Keeneland Library Exhibit “Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland.” Enjoy photographs from the memorable 2015 and 2020 runnings of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland along with artifacts from Breeders’ Cup Ltd. and mementos of fan favorites American Pharoah and Zenyatta. The Library is free and open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 13

Make-A-Wish Day. This is the 15th year for this event, the culmination of a rewarding experience for a special group of deserving children. Local Thoroughbred farms and organizations team up with Keeneland to grant wishes for the children, who with their families are treated to a VIP experience, complete with presenting a trophy after each race, meeting jockeys and experiencing all the excitement of a day at the races. Fans are encouraged to support Make-A-Wish® Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana by placing a donation into the “Wishing Well” near the Keeneland Paddock. Click here to donate.

Every Friday and Saturday

The Hill. No ticket or reservation is required for Keeneland’s popular free tailgating area, which is open Fridays and Saturdays and offers a unique way to experience the races. Fans on The Hill can participate in the racing action via a jumbo TV and wagering, while food trucks and live music presented by The Burl create a festive atmosphere. Those who wish to elevate their tailgating experience can book a premium package that includes tent, tables, amenities, reserved area for the day and more with REVELxp, the official tent partner for organized tailgates. Visit Keeneland.com/tailgating for details.

Friday, Oct. 14

College Scholarship Day Presented by Lane’s End. Full-time college students can enjoy a day at the races and the chance to win scholarships and prize packages from local businesses. Any student who pre-registers is eligible to win one of ten $2,000 scholarships provided by Keeneland and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association. Students present at Keeneland that day can win one of two $10,000 scholarships provided by Lane’s End. Pre-register online at www.Keeneland.com/csd before 5 p.m. on Oct. 14. Admission is free with a college ID.

Fall $400 Challenge. Registration is open for Keeneland’s live bankroll handicapping tournament, which has a $400 buy-in. Players will wager a live bankroll of $250 on any or all races at Keeneland with no minimums per race. One Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge berth and as many as four National Horseplayers Championship spots are up for grabs. Click here for more information. Players may register the day of the contest.

Saturday, Oct. 15

Sunrise Trackside. This free morning program is geared toward families and offers a unique view of Thoroughbreds during training hours. Children’s activities from 8-10 a.m. include a meet and greet with Keeneland’s mascot, Buckles, along with face painting, games and more. Fans can enjoy coffee and donuts at The Starting Gate concessions while watching horses train. Mini tours are available at the Welcome Stand near the Paddock. A 30-minute Paddock demonstration by equine chiropractor Dr. Larkspur Carroll with a horse for patrons to pet begins at 8:30 a.m. Sunrise Trackside is open to the public and does not require a ticket to attend.

$3,500 Fall BCBC/NHC Challenge. Registration is open for in-person and remote participation in this live-money contest that Keeneland is holding in cooperation with XpressBet, NYRA Bets, 4NJ Bets and FanDuel (formerly TVG). Click here for details and to register. The entry fee is $3,500, with $2,500 going to the live bankroll and $1,000 to the prize fund. Players must wager a minimum of $400 in at least five races at Keeneland and wager a minimum total of $2,500. Prizes include cash and as many as six Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge berths and 10 NHC spots (based on number of entries).

Sunday, Oct. 16

Kids Club Family Day Presented by Kentucky Children’s Hospital. The Keeneland Kids Club is the Official Kids Club for fans 12 and younger. Kids Club members and their families are invited to enjoy this special day at the races with free general admission and access to reserved Grandstand seating. Children’s activities will take place in the North Terrace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include local community partners such as Kentucky Children’s Hospital, Amplify, Living Arts & Sciences Center, Explorium and Eckert’s Orchard.

FALL MEET LEADERS

Through Oct. 12 (4 days of 17-day season)

Jockey

Starts

Wins

2nd

3rd

Purses

Irad Ortiz Jr.

$1,210,296

Joel Rosario

$933,072

Jockeys Gerardo Corrales, Florent Geroux, Luis Saez and John Velazquez have three wins apiece.

Trainer

Starts

Wins

2nd