Keeneland Barn Notes — Friday, Oct. 28

Posted On 28 Oct 2022

By Amy Owens —-

FRIDAY, OCT. 28

Keeneland’s 17-day Fall Meet runs through Saturday.
Post time for the first race each day is 1 p.m. ET.

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GOLDEN PAL, LOVE REIGNS (IRE) WRAP UP MAJOR BREEDERS’ CUP PREPARATIONS
FALL STARS WEEKEND WINNERS DRILL FOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
CHURCHILL DOWNS ARRIVALS CURLY JACK, SHOPLIFTER TEST KEENELAND TRACK
GALLOPING OUT
SAEZ, GAFFALIONE TIED AT THE TOP OF FALL MEET RIDER STANDINGS
PROBABLES FOR KEENELAND SUPPORTING STAKES FOR BREEDERS’ CUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
CLOSING DAY SPECIAL EVENTS
FALL MEET LEADERS

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GOLDEN PAL, LOVE REIGNS (IRE) WRAP UP MAJOR
BREEDERS’ CUP PREPARATIONS

Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor and Westerberg’s Golden Pal worked 5 furlongs in 1:03.80 over a turf course rated as good as he completed his major preparations toward defending his title in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1).

“It was good. Just another cruise with Julio (Garcia),” trainer Wesley Ward said.

Golden Pal, undefeated in four Keeneland starts including the Woodford (G2) Presented by FanDuel on Fall Stars Weekend, won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G2) here as a 2-year-old and since has added two victories in the Woodford plus one this past spring in the Shakertown (G2).

“Sometimes when you come up to a big event like the Breeders’ Cup, you can get a little nervous and try to overdo things,” Ward said. “But we are just sticking with the plan.”

Friday’s plan also called for a 5-furlong work from Stonestreet Stables’ Love Reigns (IRE), who figures to be one of the favorites in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) that will kick off Future Stars Friday on Nov. 4.

Love Reigns, winner of the Bolton Landing at Saratoga in her most recent start, worked 5 furlongs in 1:08 with Garcia up.

“We made the plan after Saratoga to train up to this race,” Ward said. “I didn’t want to go too fast this morning and Julio didn’t.”

FALL STARS WEEKEND WINNERS DRILL FOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

In addition to Golden Pal, six other winners from Fall Stars Weekend put in their final works for next weekend’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

The first worker of the morning was Darley Alcibiades (G1) winner Wonder Wheel, who covered a half-mile in :48.40 for trainer Mark Casse in preparation for the NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). D.J. Stable owns Wonder Wheel, as well as Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) pre-entrant Webslinger, who worked a half-mile on the grass in :50.40.

Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable’s Forte, winner of the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1), worked a half-mile in company with Harrell Ventures’ Lost Ark in :48.80 for trainer Todd Pletcher in preparation for the $2 million FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, a race in which both runners are pre-entered.

Pletcher’s colts worked at 7:30 and then at 9 he brought out his two Juvenile Fillies candidates, Chocolate Gelato and Atomically, who worked a half-mile in company in :49.80.

Susan Moulton’s Keeneland stakes winners Andthewinneris and Manny Wah, both trained by Wayne Catalano, had their final half-mile tune-ups for their Breeders’ Cup engagements in the 7:30 time slot reserved for workers.

Manny Wah, victorious in the Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (G2) Oct. 7, went in :47.40 in advance of the Qatar Racing Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1). Andthewinneris, winner of the Castle & Key Bourbon (G2), was clocked in :48 in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

“They went really nice,” Catalano said. “Everything went as planned.”

Brad King, Suzanne Kirby and Barbara Coleman’s Slammed, winner of the Thoroughbred Club of America (G2), worked 5 furlongs after the second track renovation break in 1:01.60 with jockey Florent Geroux aboard for trainer Todd Fincher. She is pre-entered in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1).

Augustin Stable’s Delight, winner of the JPMorgan Chase Jessamine (G2), worked a half-mile over the turf in :52 in company with Born Dapper for trainer Jonathan Thomas in preparation for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1).

Other Breeders’ Cup pre-entrants working this morning were trainer Chad Brown’s duo of Klaravich Stables’ Free Look (4 furlongs in :48.40 on the dirt for the Juvenile Fillies Turf) in company with Alpha Delta Stables’ Raging Sea (4 furlongs in :48.40 for the Juvenile Fillies); Michael Ryan’s Be Your Best (IRE) (4 furlongs in :50.40 on the dirt for the Juvenile Fillies Turf for Horacio DePaz); Maple Lane Farm’s Cairo Consort (4 furlongs in :53.60 on the grass for the Juvenile Fillies Turf for trainer Nathan Squires) and BBN Racing’s Mo Stash (5 furlongs in 1:01 on the dirt for the Juvenile Turf for Vicki Oliver).

CHURCHILL DOWNS ARRIVALS CURLY JACK, SHOPLIFTER
TEST KEENELAND TRACK

Michael McLoughlin’s Curly Jack had his first timed Keeneland workout Friday in advance of the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance on Nov. 4.

With regular jockey Edgar Morales aboard, the son of 2017 Juvenile winner Good Magic covered the half-mile in :49.80 on a fast main track. The Juvenile will be Curly Jack’s first start since capturing the Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs Sept. 17.

“This is his last work going into the race,” trainer Tom Amoss said. “I know the big question on everyone’s mind is the time between races and how he will respond to that. I am very comfortable with that. Today’s work was designed to be an easy half-mile with a good gallop out. We got just that.”

Curly Jack, a Keeneland September Yearling Sale graduate, began his career with a 4-length victory in a Churchill Downs maiden race June 2. After finishing fifth in the Sanford (G3) at Saratoga in July, he was beaten a head in the Runhappy Ellis Park Juvenile Aug. 14 in his only other start.

Curly Jack’s previous works have been at Amoss’ Churchill base.

“I am at Churchill more than I am here and I wanted to be around him on a daily basis,” Amoss said.

Working about the same time as Curly Jack was Anderson Stables, Christian Hays and trainer Eddie Kenneally’s Shoplifter, who breezed a half-mile in :48.20.

The NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) pre-entrant had been training at Churchill since her runner-up finish Sept. 17 in the Pocahontas (G3).

“She went right after the (renovation) break and did it the right way,” Kenneally said. “It was just a maintenance work. She had her major work last Friday at Churchill (5 furlongs in 1:01.60).”

GALLOPING OUT

Trainer Doug O’Neill said Reddam Racing’s Awake At Midnyte, who was pre-entered in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) and the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) with first preference in the Sprint, would be entered in the Distaff.

“We weren’t getting in the Sprint,” O’Neill said of Awake At Midnyte, who was third on the preference list of the oversubscribed race. “So she will go in the Distaff.”

Awake At Midnyte is scheduled to work Saturday morning at 6 o’clock. …

Tami Bobo and Lugamo Racing Stable’s Congruent worked 5 furlongs on the main track in 1:01. Although Congruent was pre-entered in both the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) and the $2 million FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance with first preference in the Juvenile Turf, trainer Antonio Sano said the Laurel Futurity winner would be entered in the Juvenile. …

Hronis Racing’s Bran (FR) worked a half-mile on the turf with Juan Leyva aboard in :48.40 for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1). Trainer John Sadler confirmed that Vincent Cheminaud, who rode Bran to victory in the FanDuel Turf Sprint (G2) at Kentucky Downs, would retain the mount for the Breeders’ Cup. Bran will mark the first mount for Cheminaud in the Breeders’ Cup.

Also working for Sadler this morning was Hronis Racing’s Heywoods Beach, who is being pointed to the 15th running of the $350,000 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G2) on Nov. 4. With Leyva aboard, Heywoods Beach completed 6 furlongs on the main track in 1:15.

SAEZ, GAFFALIONE TIED AT THE TOP OF RIDER STANDINGS

Jockeys Luis Saez and Tyler Gaffalione enter the final two days of Keeneland’s 17-day Fall Meet with 17 victories each and comfortably ahead in the race for leading rider.

Saez won two races Thursday to move into a tie with Gaffalione. Saez has six mounts today and 10 Saturday while Gaffalione has eight mounts this afternoon and nine on Saturday.

Todd Pletcher won one race Thursday for his 10th victory of the meet to retain the lead in the race for leading trainer. However, a new challenger emerged with Wesley Ward winning three races to boost his total for the meet to nine.

Pletcher has runners in two races today and one Saturday. Ward has runners in three races this afternoon and one Saturday.

PROBABLES FOR KEENELAND SUPPORTING STAKES
FOR BREEDERS’ CUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Entries taken Monday, Oct. 31

$350,000 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G2) – 3-year-olds and up, 1 5/8 miles (Race Friday, Nov. 4) – Always Above (trainer Michelle Nihei), Bal Harbour (Robertino Diodoro), Celerity (Wayne Cundiff), Heywoods Beach (John Sadler), Next (William Cowans), Rattle N Roll (Kenny McPeek), Ridin With Biden (Butch Reid), Sheriff Brown (Todd Fincher), Win the Day (Doug O’Neill).

$350,000 Fall Harvest Presented by Mint Gaming Hall – Fillies and Mares, 1 mile turf (Race Saturday, Nov. 5) – Burning Ambition (Brad Cox), Dalika (GER) (Al Stall Jr.), Henrietta Topham (Geoff Mulcahy), Shantisara (IRE) (Chad Brown), Stolen Holiday (Shug McGaughey), Technical Analysis (IRE) (Brown), Wakanaka (IRE) (Bill Mott). Possible: Princess Grace (Mike Stidham).

CLOSING DAY SPECIAL EVENTS

Sunrise Trackside – Halloween Edition. 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. Children 12 and younger are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes for a contest that starts at 9:30 a.m. under the Grandstand. The Headless Horseman will appear in the Paddock/Walking Ring at 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. Sunrise Trackside is open to the public and does not require a ticket to attend.

The Hill. No ticket or reservation is required for Keeneland’s popular free tailgating area, which 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.

Hagyard Equine Medical Institute’s Race to Give. Until Nov. 12, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute is supporting Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA), a non-profit that benefits Thoroughbred aftercare organizations, through its Race to Give campaign (racetogive.org). On closing day of the Fall Meet, which features the $350,000 Hagyard Fayette (G2), fans may donate wagering tickets to Race to Give by dropping them in the donation box near Wagering Central.

Teacher Appreciation Day Presented by Coca-Cola. New this Fall, Keeneland will honor educators and staff by granting free admission with a valid ID. Teachers only will receive free admission; guests are encouraged to purchase tickets ahead of time at tickets.keeneland.com.

FALL MEET LEADERS

Through Oct. 27 (15 days of 17-day season)

Jockey

Starts

Wins

2nd

3rd

Purses

Tyler Gaffalione

$1,956,940

Luis Saez

103