Keeneland Barn Notes — Thursday, Oct. 3

By Amy Owens —-

THURSDAY, OCT. 3

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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MAY DAY READY MAKES UNEXPECTED RETURN TO KENTUCKY FOR FRIDAY’S JESSAMINE STAKES PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SALES
KIKKULI (GB) SHOOTS FOR GRADE 1 GLORY IN SATURDAY’S COOLMORE TURF MILE
WALSH HOPES EAST AVENUE CAN FOLLOW IN MAXFIELD’S FOOTSTEPS IN SATURDAY’S CLAIBORNE BREEDERS’ FUTURITY
GALLOPING OUT
PROSPECTIVE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES
OPENING WEEKEND SPECIAL EVENTS

MAY DAY READY MAKES UNEXPECTED RETURN TO KENTUCKY
FOR FRIDAY’S JESSAMINE PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SALES

The connections of KatieRich Stables’ May Day Ready had Friday’s $350,000 Jessamine (G2) Presented by Keeneland Sales penciled in on her calendar but decided to keep the filly at Belmont Park for the Miss Grillo (G2) on Sept. 29 at Belmont at The Big A. Like the Jessamine, the New York grass race offers fees-paid entry and travel expenses to the John Deere Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) at Del Mar on Nov. 1.

Mother Nature changed the plan.

Torrential rain on the East Coast caused the New York Racing Association to postpone the Miss Grillo until Sunday while still conducting the other eight races on dirt. May Day Ready arrived at Keeneland early Wednesday morning for the Jessamine Presented by Keeneland Sales.

“We knew the weather was going to be good in Kentucky and that the turf course on opening day should be pristine, a nice course to run over,” trainer Joe Lee said. “Plus the owners are based in Kentucky. She had a very easy work (4 furlongs in :52 at Belmont Park) on Tuesday and got on the van that afternoon. This is not how we would have planned it, but it worked out after everything transpired.

“The Jessamine is a tough spot,” Lee added, “but we hope she runs well and will go on to the Breeders’ Cup.”

Lee began training for Larry and Karen Doyle’s KatieRich Farm of Midway, Kentucky, after leaving his longtime position with Kiaran McLaughlin and others who trained internationally for Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin. Through that association, he came to know jockey Frankie Dettori, who is slated to ride May Day Ready in the Jessamine Presented by Keeneland Sales.

Dettori rode May Day Ready to victories in her two previous starts: a maiden special weight race at Saratoga and the $1 million Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies (L) on Sept. 8. Coincidentally, Dettori was aboard May Day Ready’s dam, Nemoralia, on five occasions during her successful time in Europe. Nemoralia raced in the U.S. and made two starts at Keeneland, finishing third in the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) and fourth in the 2016 First Lady (G1).

KIKKULI (GB) SHOOTS FOR GRADE 1 GLORY
IN SATURDAY’S COOLMORE TURF MILE

Juddmonte’s Kikkuli (GB) has a lot to live up to as a half-brother to Frankel (GB), an undefeated racehorse who is now one of the world’s great sires.

“That’s a bit of baggage,” trainer Harry Charlton said with a shrug Thursday morning as he readied Kikkuli’s preparations for Saturday’s $1.25 million Coolmore Turf Mile (G1).

Kikkuli enters the Coolmore Turf Mile off a close fourth-place finish in the BetVictor Hungerford Stakes (G2) at Newbury in England on Aug. 17. He has won one of six races with his best efforts coming over good to firm ground, which he figures to have Saturday.

“This is a good opportunity for him to get a Grade 1,” Charlton said. “Given his pedigree, it is important to get one. There was only one race left at the end of October at Ascot (in England) and by that time, the ground should be very soft.”

Charlton, who took over training duties for his father, Roger, last year, is making his first trip to Keeneland. He took Thursday morning to get the lay of the land after Kikkuli went through his paces on the all-weather Training Track.

“First time here. My dad was here for the 2015 Breeders’ Cup (with Time Test-GB, who finished 10th in the Mile),” Charlton said.

Kikkuli is the final foal from Kind (trained by Roger Charlton), who died six days after producing Kikkuli at age 20. In addition to Frankel, Kikkuli is a half-brother to three-time Group 1 winner Noble Mission (GB).

Kikkuli will be ridden by Frankie Dettori on Saturday. The race is a “Win and You’re In” Challenge race for the $2 million FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) Presented by PDJF to be run Nov. 2 at Del Mar.

WALSH HOPES EAST AVENUE CAN FOLLOW IN MAXFIELD’S FOOTSTEPS
IN SATURDAY’S CLAIBORNE BREEDERS’ FUTURITY

In 2019, trainer Brendan Walsh picked up his first Keeneland stakes victory when Maxfield won the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1).

Maxfield came into the 1 1/16th-mile Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity off only one race. On Saturday, Walsh has another Godolphin runner on the same path in East Avenue.

“He’s a nice horse; we’ll find out how nice he is Saturday,” Walsh said of East Avenue, an 8-length winner going 6 furlongs at Ellis Park on Aug. 24. “It is his first time going two turns, and we’ll see how he stands the test.”

The Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity is a “Win and You’re In” Challenge race for the $2 million FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance to be run Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

On Friday, another Challenge race is the 1 1/16-mile Jessamine (G2) Presented by Keeneland Sales for 2-year-old fillies. Walsh has another undefeated runner in there in Isle of Capri.

“She only ran the 6½ furlongs at Kentucky Downs, but she was not stopping,” Walsh said of the 4-length victory.

The Jessamine winner earns a fees-paid berth into the $1 million John Deere Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) on Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

GALLOPING OUT

H.H. The Aga Khan Studs’ Tarawa (IRE), who figures to be one of the major players in Saturday’s $750,000 First Lady (G1) Presented by UK HealthCare, picked up a new rider Thursday morning for her training.

“Got a pinch hitter this morning,” said Dean Sinnott, who is overseeing the Keeneland preparation of Tarawa, who is trained by Dermot Weld.

The pinch hitter was jockey Chris Hayes, who has ridden Tarawa in her past nine races. Hayes, a multiple Group 1-winning rider, jogged Tarawa one lap around the all-weather Training Track.

Hayes will have his first two Keeneland mounts Saturday. In addition to Tarawa, he will ride Mountain Bear (IRE) for trainer Aidan O’Brien in the $1.25 million Coolmore Turf Mile (G1). …

WinStar Farm and Siena Farm’s Mullikin, winner of the Forego (G1) at Saratoga in his most recent start, worked a half-mile in :48.80 over a fast main track Thursday morning for trainer Rodolphe Brisset. It was Mullikin’s second work since the Forego as he prepares for a possible run in the Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Del Mar on Nov. 2.

PROSPECTIVE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES

$300,000 SYCAMORE (G3) (Entries taken Friday, Oct. 4; race Friday, Oct. 11) – Bold Act (IRE) (trainer Charlie Appleby), Cathkin Peak (IRE) (Mike Maker), Dataman (Graham Motion), Highway Robber (Brian Lynch), Ohana Honor (Shug McGaughey), Sugoi (Maker), Tawny Port (Christophe Clement), Verstappen (Brendan Walsh). Possible: English Conqueror (Darwin Banach), Truly Quality (Jonathan Thomas).

$350,000 FRANKLIN (G2) (Entries taken Sunday, Oct. 6; race Sunday, Oct. 13) – Accomplished Girl (Steve Asmussen), Bling (Vicki Oliver), Dontlookbackatall (Clement), Elm Drive (Phil D’Amato), Future Is Now (Mike Trombetta), Kairyu (IRE) (Cherie DeVaux), Pipsy (IRE) (Will Walden), Roses for Debra (Clement), Star of Mystery (GB) (Appleby).

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 the 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).