Keeneland Barn Notes — Tuesday, Oct. 1

By Amy Owens —-

TUESDAY, OCT. 1

Keeneland’s 17-day Fall Meet opens Friday and runs through Saturday, Oct. 26.
First post is 1 p.m. ET. No racing Mondays and Tuesdays.

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FEROCIOUS TESTS KEENELAND’S MAIN TRACK FOR CLAIBORNE BREEDERS’ FUTURITY
MORE THAN LOOKS LOOKS TO STAY ON BREEDERS’ CUP PATH IN COOLMORE TURF MILE
GALLOPING OUT
OPENING WEEKEND SPECIAL EVENTS

FEROCIOUS TESTS KEENELAND’S MAIN TRACK

Even though the fog was thick, trainer Gustavo Delgado liked what we saw through his binoculars Tuesday morning at Keeneland.

What he saw was Ferocious testing the main track for the first time since his arrival from Saratoga on Sunday.

“Everything is very, very, very good,” Delgado said of the probable favorite for Saturday’s $600,000 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1).

Owned by the partnership of JR Ranch, Ramiro Restrepo, High Step Racing and Delgado’s OGMA Investments, Ferocious won at first asking at Saratoga by 7¾ lengths and then was a close second as the odds-on favorite in the Hopeful (G1) there on Sept. 2 despite losing his left front shoe during the race.

Delgado, who saddled Mage to victory in the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve, opted to bypass this weekend’s Champagne (G1) at Aqueduct going a mile for the 1 1/16-mile Breeders’ Futurity.

“He’s a baby; he needs to learn,” Delgado said. “The Champagne at a mile: That’s like going 7 furlongs at Saratoga. It’s the same thing. Here he gets two turns.”

Luis Saez will have the mount Saturday and exit post position 1 in the 11-horse field.

“That is good; he is very fast,” Delgado said. “The inside is no problem. The problem would have been drawing to the outside.”

MORE THAN LOOKS LOOKS TO STAY ON BREEDERS’ CUP PATH
IN COOLMORE TURF MILE

Trainer Cherie DeVaux has two horses on track for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar on Nov. 1-2, and on Saturday Victory Racing Partners’ More Than Looks will try to solidify his status as a third runner.

Sixth beaten 2 lengths in the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) Presented by PDJF last year, More Than Looks will make his second start of 2024 in the $1.25 million Coolmore Turf Mile (G1).

“The Breeders’ Cup has always been the goal even with his abbreviated campaign,” DeVaux said Tuesday morning.

More Than Looks was scheduled to make his 2024 debut in the restricted Lure Stakes at Saratoga but that race was rained off the turf. Instead of starting there, he came back a week later on Aug. 11 to run second of six in the Fourstardave Handicap (G1) behind Saturday rival Carl Spackler (IRE).

“He’s doing really well and he got a lot out of the Fourstardave,” DeVaux said of More Than Looks, who will be ridden Saturday by Jose Ortiz.

DeVaux’s other Breeders’ Cup hopefuls are Pyrenees (Classic) and Vahva (Filly and Mare Sprint).

Pyrenees, an allowance winner here in the spring, has emerged as a major player with a victory in the Pimlico Special (G3) and runner-up finishes in the Stephen Foster (G1) and Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1).

“He gets a lot out of his races, and I wanted to give him time,” DeVaux said of Pyrenees, who worked a half-mile in :49 here Monday. It was his second work since the Sept. 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Vahva, winner of the Lexus Raven Run (G2) here last fall and the Derby City Distaff (G1) at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day, is coming off a third-place finish in the Ballerina Handicap (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 24.

“There were no races for her,” DeVaux said of training up to the Breeders’ Cup. “She is training well, and she runs well fresh.”

GALLOPING OUT

Harry Veruchi’s West Saratoga, unraced since a fifth-place finish in the Matt Winn (G3) at Churchill Downs on June 9, worked 5 furlongs in 1:01.60 under jockey Julien Leparoux for trainer Larry Demeritte. Prior to the Matt Winn, West Saratoga was 12th in the Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve. Demeritte indicated the 7-furlong $300,000 Perryville (G3) to be run here Oct. 19 is the target race for West Saratoga’s comeback test. …

A quartet of Godolphin runners trained by Charlie Appleby turned in half-mile works on their own on a turf course labeled as good in preparation for upcoming stakes engagements. Cavallo Bay (GB), entered in Sunday’s Castle & Key Bourbon (G2), covered the distance in :52.80. Other workers were last year’s Sycamore (G3) winner Bold Act (IRE) for the Sycamore in :51.60 along with two-time graded stakes winners Star of Mystery (GB) for the Franklin (G2) in :51.80 and two-time graded stakes winner Cinderella’s Dream (GB) in :55.

OPENING WEEKEND SPECIAL EVENTS

Throughout the Fall Meet, special events and activities will continue Keeneland’s historic mission to support the Central Kentucky community and the Thoroughbred industry. They include:

Year-round

Official Keeneland Tours: Click here for description, availability and to purchase tickets.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday (weather permitting)

The Hill. No ticket or reservation is required for tailgating on The Hill, located adjacent to the Keene Barn & Entertainment Center and accessible via Gate 1 (at Man o’ War Blvd.) or Gate 4 (off Van Meter Road on the east side of Keeneland). Fans can watch the racing action via a jumbo TV and place their bets in a wagering tent while they enjoy live music presented by The Burl, food trucks and handicapping assistance from BETologists. Complimentary shuttles to the track are offered.

The Hill is open from 8 a.m. to 60 minutes after the final race. Amenities are available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For fans who want to elevate their experience, Keeneland again is partnering with RevelXP to offer tailgate packages for groups of any size. RevelXP will organize tailgates by furnishing a designated tent, catering, amenities and more. Click here for more details.

Saturday, Oct. 5

Sunrise Trackside. No ticket is required to attend this free Saturday morning program from 8-10 a.m., which is geared toward families and offers a unique view of Thoroughbreds during training hours. Fans can enjoy a light breakfast for purchase at the Starting Gate concession stand while watching racehorses train. Children’s activities on the first floor Grandstand will include a visit with Keeneland mascot Buckles, face painting and games. Mini tours will be available at the Tours podium near the Paddock. From 8:30 to 9 a.m., fans can pet a horse in the Walking Ring, and the John Deere Tractor Break will take place during the renovation period on the main track with a drawing for prizes from John Deere/Meade Tractor.

On Oct. 26, a special Halloween edition of Sunrise Trackside with a costume contest and an appearance by the Headless Horseman will take place.

Jockey Autograph Signing. Fans will meet active and retired Keeneland riders and Hall of Famers in an event that benefits the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF). Autograph books, caps, jockey goggles and posters to be signed will be available for purchase; personal items may be signed with a donation to PDJF. Event will take place in the North Terrace from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Check out these additional events

Milliners Corner near The Keeneland Shop (by Grandstand South entrance) will feature Christine A. Moore (all weekend) and a book signing with John Paul Miller (Saturday). The North Terrace will host a Castle & Key pop-up location (Sunday).