Keeneland Barn Notes — Friday, Oct. 11

By Amy Owens —-

FRIDAY, OCT. 11

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

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CAITLINHERGRTNESS LOOKS TO FIRE BEST SHOT IN SATURDAY’S QUEEN ELIZABETH II CHALLENGE CUP PRESENTED BY DIXIANA
CANDALA (FR) BRINGS GRAFFARD BACK TO KEENELAND
PROSPECTIVE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES
FALL MEET SECOND WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS
FALL MEET LEADERS

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CAITLINHERGRTNESS LOOKS TO FIRE BEST SHOT IN SATURDAY’S

QUEEN ELIZABETH II CHALLENGE CUP PRESENTED BY DIXIANA

Elliott Walden of WinStar Farm, who was known to play a little basketball in his younger days, was watching some videos a couple of years ago when he ran across footage of Caitlin Clark at the University of Iowa.

“I saw a video of (Clark) and thought we’ve got to name a horse after her, and that was a year before we bought (the filly),” Walden said of Caitlinhergrtness, who is co-owned by Siena Farm and will make her Keeneland debut Saturday in the $750,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) Presented by Dixiana for 3-year-old fillies.

Now in the hands of trainer Kevin Attard, Caitlinhergrtness arrived at Keeneland at 10 p.m. Thursday after vanning from Woodbine. The daughter of Omaha Beach made her first four starts on dirt for Todd Pletcher.

“Elliott and I spoke around the end of February in regard to her coming north to Woodbine,” Attard said. “Her being a Canadian-bred and with the 3-year-old program that we have for Canadian-breds, it just made sense to try her here and see how things unfolded.

“She obviously showed talent early in her career and seemed to be a horse that could possibly fit the bill for the Woodbine Oaks.”

Once at Woodbine, Caitlinhergrtness began to thrive on the all-weather surface.

“I had originally entered her in a synthetic race to try and get a prep in before the Oaks, but it failed to fill,” Attard said. “Talking to Elliott and discussing our options, we elected to run her on the turf as our backup and she won impressively.

“The Oaks came back quickly in two weeks, but she seemed to bounce out of it well enough to give her the opportunity to run in it.”

Despite an outside post in the Oaks, Caitlinhergrtness was caught late and finished second beaten a neck going 1⅛ miles over the all-weather surface. That set up her run against males in the King’s Plate on Aug. 23 going a mile and a quarter over the all-weather.

“We basically let her decide if we should tackle the boys in the King’s Plate,” Attard said. “She just seemed to keep flourishing. She ran a game and determined race (winning by three-quarters of a length) that day to win, and it was just a big highlight of my career.

“The King’s Plate in Canada has so much meaning and significance – (winning is) very rewarding to everyone involved with her. She’s made history, and we’re hopeful she continues to write more.”

Saturday’s race could mark the start of a huge three-week span for Attard, who has 2022 Canadian Horse of the Year Moira and Grade 1 winner Full Count Felicia both pointing to the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly and Turf (G1) on Nov. 2. Attard said the two mares would ship to Del Mar from Woodbine on Oct. 28.

CANDALA (FR) BRINGS GRAFFARD BACK TO KEENELAND

On Friday, a day after trainer Francis-Henri Graffard arrived in Lexington, he got a good look at the H.H. Aga Khan’s Candala (FR) as she put in a spirited gallop over Keeneland’s main track.

“The trip over (from France) took a little bit out of her, and the boys took it easy on her the first few days here going to the (all-weather) Training Track,” Graffard said. “We took her to the main track this morning, and she was very fresh and the rider couldn’t pull her up.”

A Group 3 winner who has twice been Group 2-placed in France, Candala figures to be a major presence in Saturday’s $750,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) Presented by Dixiana going 1⅛ miles on the turf.

The trip will serve as a cutback in distance for Candala, whose past three races have come at distances between 1¼ miles to 1½ miles.

“Her pedigree says she should stay a mile and a half, and I was comfortable to step her up in distance,” Graffard said of the daughter of Frankel. “It turned out to be a mistake. Too long. The 9 furlongs is perfect for her.”

Candala will be the second Keeneland starter for Graffard. In 2022, he saddled Malavath (IRE) to a fifth-place finish out of 14 against the boys in the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) Presented by PDJF.

PROSPECTIVE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES

$350,000 LEXUS RAVEN RUN (G2) (Entries taken Saturday; race Saturday, Oct. 19) – Emery (trainer Brad Cox), Haulin Ice (Saffie Joseph Jr.) Legadema (Phil Bauer), Mink’s Palace (Eddie Kenneally), My Mane Squeeze (Mike Maker), V V’s Dream (Kenny McPeek). Possible: Cap Classique (Brittany Russell), Fibber (Chris Hartman).

$3g00,000 PERRYVILLE (G3) (Entries taken Saturday; race Saturday, Oct. 19) – Book’em Danno (Derek Ryan), Epic Ride (John Ennis), Illuminate (Todd Pletcher), Justifreak (Kenneally), Locked (Pletcher), Patriot Spirit (Michael Campbell), West Saratoga (Larry Demeritte).

$300,000 ROOD & RIDDLE DOWAGER (G3) (Entries taken Sunday; race Sunday, Oct. 20) – Anatolian (Maker), Chop Chop (Cox), Forever After All (Brendan Walsh), Let’sbefrankbaby (AUS) (Mark Casse). Possible: Neecie Marie (Butch Reid), Surprisingly (Pletcher).

FALL MEET SECOND WEEK 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.

Friday, Oct. 11

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 (BCBC) berth and as many as four National Horseplayers Championship spots are up for grabs. Click here for more information. The Challenge is only available for players who are at Keeneland. Participants may register the day of the contest.

Big Blue Day. In celebration of Homecoming Weekend at the University of Kentucky, Keeneland will become the center of Big Blue Nation. Fans will enjoy a pep rally and appearances throughout the day by such UK royalty as singer/song-writer Hannah Ellis, who will sing the National Anthem, along with basketball superstar Jack “Goose” Givens, football standout Nate Northington and others. Keep your eye on Keeneland Bugler Steve Buttleman, who will lead fans in the UK fight song, “On! On! U of K.” Givens and Northington will participate in book signings on the North Terrace from 1-4 p.m., and other special activities are scheduled. UK hosts Vanderbilt in football the following day.

Saturday, Oct. 12

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 tract 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.

Book signing with Tom Hammond, who wrote Races, Games, and Olympic Dreams: A Sportscaster’s Life with Mark Story will take place at Milliners Corner (near The Keeneland Shop) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Hammond, who received the 2023 Special Eclipse Award for Career Excellence, spent 10 years as an announcer at Keeneland Sales early in his storied career.

In Races, Games, and Olympic Dreams: A Sportscaster’s Life, Hammond and Story, sports columnist for the Lexington Herald Leader, reveal how a Kentucky native who began reading horse racing results on Lexington radio went on to become one of the nation’s top broadcasters. Hammond most prominently was the longtime host of NBC Sports’ coverage of the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup World Championships, highlighted by American Pharoah’s historic 2015 “Grand Slam” during which he won the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland.

As part of the NBC Sports broadcast team, Hammond covered 13 Olympic Games, anchoring track and field, gymnastics, figure skating and speed skating, among others. He was a play-by-play announcer on NFL games and was the lead voice for Notre Dame football on NBC.

$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 TwinSpires, XpressBet, NYRA Bets, 4NJ Bets, HPI and 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. Prices include cash and as many as six BCBC berths and 10 NHC spots (based on number of entries).

Sunday, Oct. 13

Keeneland Kids Club Family Day Presented by Kentucky Children’s Hospital. The Keeneland Kids Club is the Official Kids Club for Keeneland fans 12 and younger. Kids Club members and their families are invited to a special day at the races and will receive free general admission and access to reserved Grandstand seating when they present their membership cards at admission entrances. Children’s activities in the North Terrace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. will include face painting, a sweet treat and activities with local community partners such as Amplify Horse Racing, Kentucky Children’s Hospital, LexArts and Eckert’s Orchard. Sign up for the Kids Club at Keeneland.com/kidsclub.