Keeneland Barn Notes — Friday, April 18

By Amy Owens —-

FRIDAY, APRIL 18

First post during the Spring Meet is 1 p.m. ET except for the April 25 closing day,
when the first race is at 12:30 p.m. to accommodate
the Keeneland April Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale after the races.

*************************

FOREVER AFTER ALL HEADLINES FIELD FOR CLOSING-DAY BEWITCH PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SALES
QUIETSIDE DRILLS 5 FURLONGS IN :59 IN KENTUCKY OAKS PREP
GALLOPING OUT
SPRING MEET LEADERS
THIRD WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS

************************

FOREVER AFTER ALL HEADLINES FIELD FOR CLOSING-DAY
BEWITCH PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SALES

Dixiana Farms’ homebred Forever After All headlines a field of nine fillies and mares entered Friday for the 63rd running of the $350,000 Bewitch (G3) Presented by Keeneland Sales.

The 1½-mile grass test will serve as the closing-day feature on Friday, April 25 for the 15-day Spring Meet. First post for the 10-race program is 12:30 p.m. ET with the Bewitch going as the eighth race with a 4:07 p.m. post time.

Trained by Brendan Walsh, Forever After All kicked off her 6-year-old campaign with a victory in the 1½-mile La Prevoyante (G3) Presented by Stella Artois at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 25.

In her most recent Keeneland start, Forever After All finished second beaten a nose by Chop Chop in last October’s Rood & Riddle Dowager (G3).

Irad Ortiz Jr. has the Bewitch mount from post 3.

Starting next to Forever After All in post 2 will be Wathnan Racing’s Immensitude (FR). A Group 3 winner in France in 2023, Immensitude opened her 2025 campaign with a runner-up finish in The Very One (G3) Presented by MyRacehorse on March 1 at Gulfstream in which she finished three-quarters of a length in front of Forever After All.

Trained by Bill Mott, Immensitude will be ridden by Flavien Prat.

QUIETSIDE DRILLS 5 FURLONGS IN :59 IN KENTUCKY OAKS PREP

Shortleaf Stable’s homebred Quietside amped up her preparations for the $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) by working 5 furlongs in :59 over a fast track Friday morning at Keeneland.

Working on her own at 7:30 a.m. with Jose Ortiz in the saddle, Quietside produced fractions of :12.20, :36.20, :59 and out 6 furlongs in 1:12.20.

“We wanted to give her a good five-eighths to get some air in her,” said trainer John Ortiz, no relation to the jockey. “Jose worked her in 58 and 4 at the Fair Grounds before the Honeybee (G3) and wanted to do the same today.

“We know she will do 12s (second eighths of a mile) and then finish down the lane – which she did. She had a strong gallop out. We were very pleased with the work. She is a filly that is peaking at the right time.”

Winner of the Fantasy (G2) and Honeybee at Oaklawn Park in her past two starts, Quietside finished at the top of the leaderboard on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks and figures to be one of the main players in the 1⅛-mile race at Churchill Downs on May 2.

“I probably will keep her here because it is quieter,” John Ortiz said about his plans for the filly. “We’ll work next Friday morning and then ship over to Churchill that afternoon.”

Quietside is named for the resort area of Maine where Shortleaf Stable owner John Ed Anthony has a home. One of her stablemates is Grade 1-placed Barber Road, a starter in the 2022 Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve and Belmont (G1) Presented by NYRA Bets, who is now a “stable pony” in the Ortiz barn. Barber Road accompanied Quietside to the track on Friday.

GALLOPING OUT

Repole Stable’s Grande, runner-up in the Wood Memorial (G2) Presented by Resorts World Casino, arrived at trainer Todd Pletcher’s Keeneland barn at 5 a.m. Friday following an overnight van ride from Belmont Park to continue his preparation for the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve. …

Jockey Joe Ramos picked up his initial Keeneland win Thursday afternoon when he guided Mila Rose to a 1-length victory in the eighth race. Owned by the partnership of West Point Thoroughbreds, Michael Lyden and Michael Olszewski, Mila Rose completed the 6-furlong allowance test in 1:12.66 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Ramos, who finished third in the rider standings at the recent Turfway Park meet, is slated to ride Flying Mohawk in the Kentucky Derby.

THIRD WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS

Keeneland has been investing in the horse industry and the Central Kentucky community since it began racing in October 1936. Throughout the 2025 Spring Meet, special events at the track will benefit worthwhile organizations, while other activities are designed to educate and entertain racing fans.

Year-round

Through Aug.15

Keeneland Library. Located on Keeneland’s campus, Keeneland Library is presenting the free exhibit Of Turf and Stone: Keeneland Through the Ages to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Keeneland Association. Enjoy photographs and memorabilia in the exhibit, which coincides with 250LEX celebrations of Lexington’s 250th anniversary this year. The Library is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To reach the Library, enter Keeneland at Gate 1 on Keeneland Blvd. and take the first right on Entertainment Court. The Library is to the left of the Keene Barn and Entertainment Center.

Friday and Saturday, April 18-19

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.

New this meet is the Race Day Social at The Hill located in the RevelXP Village. This exclusive space offers guests a perfect blend of comfort and excitement to enjoy the race day in style. Relax under a covered tent with plush lounge seating, enjoy classic yard games and watch live race coverage while having a catered lunch featuring local cuisine. A full bar with signature cocktails and other alcoholic beverages is available for purchase. BETologists will be on hand to provide wagering insights throughout the day. Exclusive amenities include access to private restroom trailers, comfortable seating and a premium atmosphere. The space has a capacity of 250 guests per day. Visit Keeneland.com/tailgating for full details.

Saturday, April 19

Easter edition of Sunrise Trackside featuring the appearance of the Easter Bunny. This free Saturday morning program from 8-10 a.m. is geared toward families and offers a unique view of Thoroughbreds during training hours. Fans can enjoy coffee and breakfast items at a concession stand while watching horses train. Children’s activities on the first floor of the Grandstand will include a visit with Keeneland mascot Buckles, face painting and games. Mini tours will be available at the Welcome Stand near the Paddock.

The John Deere Tractor Break will take place during the renovation period on the main track from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and include a drawing for a kids item from John Deere/Meade Tractor. Meanwhile, a meet and greet with a horse will be offered in the Walking Ring from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

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). Hats, posters, goggles and autograph books that can 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.

PDJF Telethon. Racing Hall of Fame riders, leading active jockeys and racing personalities will take part in the seventh annual fundraiser, which is presented by Lane’s End. Keeneland will hold a call center in the Limestone Café in the Sales Pavilion. The event will be broadcast on both FanDuel TV and America’s Day at the Races on the Fox Sports family of networks and be streamed on tvg.com. Fans can participate by calling 1 844 884-7353 between 12:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. or by donating directly at https://pdjf.org/donate/.

Sunday, April 20 – EASTER – KEENELAND IS CLOSED FOR RACING

####