Keeneland: McPeek shoots for fourth Alcibiades with Restless Rider
KEENELAND’S BARN NOTES MONDAY, OCT. 1
Keeneland’s 17-day Fall Meet opens Friday and concludes Saturday, Oct. 27, with racing
Wednesdays through Sundays. Post time for the first race each day is 1:05 p.m. ET
except Saturday, Oct. 6, when the first post is 12:40 p.m.
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- RESTLESS RIDER TUNES UP FOR DARLEY ALCIBIADES FOR McPEEK
- MOQUETT HAS 1-2 PUNCH FOR FALL STARS WEEKEND SPRINTS
- @BETKEENELAND RETURNS FOR FALL MEET
- HORSES WITH KEENELAND TIES AMONG THOROUGHBRED MAKEOVER ENTRANTS
- PROBABLE STARTERS FOR OPENING FALL STARS WEEKEND
- 2018 FALL MEET SPECIAL EVENTS
RESTLESS RIDER TUNES UP FOR DARLEY ALCIBIADES FOR McPEEK
Three Chimneys Farm and Fern Circle Stables’ Restless Rider, the likely favorite for Friday’s $400,000 Darley Alcibiades (G1) for 2-year-old fillies, worked a half-mile in company in :49 over a fast track Monday morning.
Trainer Kenny McPeek, who has won the race three times and been second seven times, was happy with the work.
“I thought (jockey) Brian (Hernandez Jr.) nailed it,” McPeek said. “Of all the horses I have run in the Alcibiades, she may have the most raw talent of any of them.”
Restless Rider won her first two starts at Churchill Downs, the latter being an 11¼-length score in the Debutante. In her previous start, Restless Rider finished second in the Spinaway (G1) at Saratoga.
McPeek saddled the 2000 and 2001 Darley Alcibiades winners with She’s a Devil Due and Take Charge Lady, respectively, and scored again in 2008 with Dream Empress.
The trainer’s past four starters in the race have run second: Princess Warrior (2017), Daddys Lil Darling (2016), Dothraki Queen (2015) andRosalind (2013).
The Darley Alcibiades is a “Win and You’re In” race for the $2 million Tito’s Handmade Vodka Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) to be run Nov. 2 at Churchill Downs.
McPeek will be trying to earn a second Breeders’ Cup spot when he sends out Eskimo Kisses in Sunday’s $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster (G1). The Juddmonte Spinster is a “Win and You’re In” for the $2 million Distaff on Nov. 3.
Eskimo Kisses worked 5 furlongs in 1:00.40 on Saturday in her final prep for the Juddmonte Spinster.
“She is a doing super,” McPeek said of Eskimo Kisses, who won the Alabama (G1) by 6½ lengths in her most recent start. “I just want to see (jockey) Jose (Ortiz) ride her just like he did at Saratoga (in the Alabama).”
MOQUETT HAS 1-2 PUNCH FOR FALL STARS WEEKEND SPRINTS
Westrock Stables’ Torrent, third in last year’s Lexus Raven Run (G2) in her most recent Keeneland start, worked a half-mile in :47.80 over a fast track Monday morning for trainer Ron Moquett.
Working solo, Torrent produced fractions of :12.20, :23.40, :35.60 and out 5 furlongs in 1:00.60.
“She likes this track and seems very relaxed here,” Moquett said of Torrent, a probable starter in Saturday’s 6-furlong $250,000 Thoroughbred Club of America (G2), a “Win and You’re In” race for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) on Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs.
Torrent most recently sprinted three starts back with a fifth-place finish in the 7-furlong Humana Distaff (G1) on May 5 at Churchill Downs.
“We were chasing the money,” Moquett said about racing Torrent at longer distances. “I think she can do anything.”
On Friday, Moquett will send out defending champion Whitmore in the $250,000 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (G2), also at 6 furlongs and a “Win and You’re In” race for the $2 million TwinSpires Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1).
Winner of the Forego (G1) at Saratoga in his most recent start, Whitmore is scheduled to van to Keeneland Tuesday from Churchill, where he worked Friday in the fog.
“I just saw the stretch and the gallop out, but he looked good,” Moquett said.
The victory in the Forego earned Whitmore a fees-paid berth in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) and a win Friday would guarantee a spot in the Sprint, a race in which Whitmore finished eighth last year at Del Mar.
“I will probably wait until the last minute (to decide on which Breeders’ Cup race),” said Moquett, who owns Whitmore in partnership with Robert LaPenta and Head of Plains Partners. “Right now I would say it is 80 percent to go to the Sprint.”
@BETKEENELAND RETURNS FOR FALL MEET
The popular @BetKeeneland on Twitter, an interactive handle that provides horseplayers with real-time handicapping tips and insights, resumes for the 2018 Fall Meet and again will benefit the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) through its Handicapper of the Day Series.
Guest handicappers slated for the season include Britney Eurton, TVG reporter and part of the NBC Sports Triple Crown broadcast team; Gabby Gaudet, on-air racing analyst for the New York Racing Association and its Fox Sports telecasts; Scott Hazelton, on-air host and reporter for TVG; Richard Migliore, retired jockey and racing and workout analyst for XBTV; Jeff Siegel, noted Southern California handicapper and analyst/on-air host for XBTV; and Steve Sherack, senior editor of Thoroughbred Daily News.
They will share their daily picks and recommended wagers with a $200 bankroll they will play each race day to benefit the TAA, which accredits, inspects and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retire, retrain and rehome Thoroughbreds.
“The TAA is delighted to be participating in the @BetKeeneland initiative with Keeneland and select handicappers during the 2018 Fall Meet,” TAA Operations Consultant Stacie Clark Rogers said. “The relationship with horseplayers is important to us and the industry, and the TAA is honored to again be a part of this great initiative with our supporter Keeneland. We wish good luck to all of the handicappers playing this meet.”
Following the 2018 Spring Meet, Keeneland presented TAA with a check for $5,193.55.
HORSES WITH KEENELAND TIES AMONG
THOROUGHBRED MAKEOVER ENTRANTS
A Keeneland track record setter is among the entrants for the $100,000 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium Presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America this Thursday-Sunday at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. The event is designed to inspire the transition of racehorses into other purposes and is limited to Thoroughbreds that have raced or been in race training since June 30, 2016.
Approximately 500 Thoroughbreds were entered in the competition, which features 10 disciplines such as barrel racing, trail riding, dressage, freestyle, polo, jumping and working ranch. The overall winner will be crowned America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred.
Perhaps the most accomplished of the 47 Thoroughbred Makeover entrants who raced at Keeneland is Hammers Terror. Trained by Keeneland regular Mike Stidham, the son of Artie Schiller set a track record for 7 furlongs on Oct. 20, 2011, and returned the following spring to finish third in the Coolmore Lexington (G3). He eventually made two additional starts at Keeneland before closing his 43-race career last year with 10 victories and earnings of $522,372.
Hammers Terror is registered for the competitive trails and the freestyle division in which trainers get creative with trick riding and other entertaining moves.
Other competitors Croninthebarbarian, Element, Site Read and Stormofthecentury and Musical Flair also made appearances in Keeneland stakes races.
Croninthebarbarian ran in the 2014 Dixiana Bourbon (G3) for trainer Gary Simms. The son of Stroll is entered in the jumping divisions.
Element represented Keeneland-based trainer Rusty Arnold in the 2017 Shakertown (G2). The son of Unbridled’s Song is a dressage entrant at the Thoroughbred Makeover.
Site Read was in the 2015 Dixiana Bourbon when trained by Bill Mott. The Tizdejavu gelding is entered in the eventing category, which incorporates jumping and dressage.
Stormofthecentury, a son of Dark Kestrel, participated in the 2013 Woodford (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select for trainer Louis Ruberto Jr. He is scheduled for dressage and competitive trail riding.
In a 97-race career, Musical Flair stayed on the Florida and Western New York circuit except for one side trip to Keeneland for the 2011 Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity (G1) for trainer Sal Santoro. The Songandaprayer gelding will show off his new skills in eventing.
Another Thoroughbred Makeover entrant who competed at Keeneland is Grey by You, who made five of his 63 career starts at Keeneland and scored a win during the 2013 Spring Meet for trainer John Hancock. The son of Concorde’s Tune has dressage and competitive trails on his agenda.
Thoroughbred Makeover features more than 60 vendors, horsemanship demonstrations and Thoroughbreds for sale. For more information, visitretiredracehorseproject.org.
PROBABLE STARTERS FOR OPENING FALL STARS WEEKEND
Here are the probable starters for Fall Stars Weekend stakes as compiled by Keeneland Stakes Coordinator Allison DeLuca:
*$400,000 DARLEY ALCIBIADES-G1 (Entries taken Tuesday, Oct. 2; race Friday, Oct. 5) – Bella Ciao (Antonio Sano), Catherinethegreat (trainer Mark Casse), Champagne Anyone (Ian Wilkes), Chocolate Kisses (Casse), Into Trouble (Ben Colebrook), Lady TNT (Joe Sharp), Lightscameraaction (Kenny McPeek), Malocchio (John Servis), Oxy Lady (Jack Sisterson), Reflect (Keith Desormeaux), Restless Rider (McPeek), Somewhere (Buff Bradley).
*$250,000 STOLL KEENON OGDEN PHOENIX-G2 (Entries taken Tuesday, Oct. 2; race Friday, Oct. 5) – Dalmore (Anthony Quartarolo),Distinctive B (Peter Miller), Heartwood (James Chapman), Limousine Liberal (Ben Colebrook), Promises Fulfilled (Dale Romans), Whitmore (Ron Moquett).
*$1,000,000 SHADWELL TURF MILE-G1 (Entries taken Wednesday, Oct. 3; race Saturday, Oct. 6) – Almanaar (GB) (Chad Brown), Big Score (Tim Yakteen), Bound for Nowhere (Wesley Ward), Forge (GB) (Bill Mott), Christian C (Wayne Catalano), Divisidero (Kelly Rubley), Great Wide Open (IRE) (Conor Murphy), Heart to Heart (Brian Lynch), Holiday Stone (George Weaver), Mr. Misunderstood (Brad Cox), Next Shares (Richard Baltas), Qurbaan (Kiaran McLaughlin), Synchrony (Michael Stidham), Voodoo Song (Linda Rice), Zulu Alpha (John Ortiz). Possible: Analyze It (Brown).
*$500,000 CLAIBORNE BREEDERS’ FUTURITY-G1 (Entries taken Wednesday, Oct. 3; race Saturday, Oct. 6) – Aurelius Maximus (Chad Brown), Borracho (Rusty Arnold), Classy John (Dallas Stewart), Dream Maker (Mark Casse), Knicks Go (Ben Colebrook), Looking At Bikinis (Brown), Mind Control (Greg Sacco), Moonster (Dale Romans), Mr. Ankeny (Romans), Signalman (Kenny McPeek), Sombeyay (Todd Pletcher), Standard Deviation (Brown), Tobacco Road (Steve Asmussen), Unionizer (Bill Mott).
*$400,000 FIRST LADY-G1 (Entries taken Wednesday, Oct. 3; race Saturday, Oct. 6) – A Raving Beauty (GER) (Chad Brown), Crown Walk (GB) (Henri-Alex Pantall), Dona Bruja (ARG) (Ignacio Correas IV), Indian Blessing (Ed Walker), Insta Erma (Richard Baltas), La Sardane (FR) (Neil Drysdale), Off Limits (IRE) (Brown), One Liz (Wayne Catalano), Pas de Soucis (IRE) (Jorge Abreu), Pyscho Sister (Ari Herbertson), Quidura (GB) (Brown), Valadorna (Mark Casse).
*$250,000 THOROUGHBRED CLUB OF AMERICA-G2 (Entries taken Wednesday, Oct. 3; race Saturday, Oct. 6) – Awestruck (Rusty Arnold), Chalon (Arnaud Delacour), Curlin’s Approval (Happy Alter), Happy Like a Fool (Wesley Ward), Mia Mischief (Steve Asmussen), Miss Sunset (Jeff Bonde), Rich Mommy (Victor Barboza Jr.), Torrent (Ron Moquett).
$200,000 WOODFORD PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SELECT-G2 (Entries taken Wednesday, Oct. 3; race Saturday, Oct. 6) – Bucchero (Tim Glyshaw), Done Deal (Ian Wilkes), Holding Gold (Mark Casse), Machismo (Gary Johnson), Master Merion (Wesley Ward), Undrafted (Ward), Vici (Mike Maker), Will Call (Brad Cox).
*$500,000 JUDDMONTE SPINSTER-G1 (Entries taken Thursday, Oct. 4; race Sunday, Oct. 7) – Blue Prize (ARG) (Ignacio Correas IV), Eskimo Kisses (Kenny McPeek), Fuhriously Kissed (Anthony Quartarolo), Pacific Wind (Chad Brown), Skeptic (Rusty Arnold), Talk Veuve to Me (Rodolphe Brisset).
*$250,000 DIXIANA BOURBON-G3 (Entries taken Thursday, Oct. 4; race Sunday, Oct. 7) – All American Hero (Mark Casse), Art du Val (GB) (Charles Appleby), Blockbuster (Casse), Gins and Tins (Wesley Ward), Henley’s Joy (Mike Maker), Life Mission (Ben Colebrook), Mr Wrench It (Coty Davidson), Salvator Mundi (Kenny McPeek), Tracksmith (Joe Sharp).
*$200,000 INDIAN SUMMER (Entries taken Thursday, Oct. 4; race Sunday, Oct. 7) – Blame the Frog (Ben Colebrook), Chelsea Cloisters (Wesley Ward), Egoli (Ward), Nitrous (Steve Asmussen), Perfect Answer (Coty Davidson), Shang Shang Shang (Ward), Strike Silver (Mark Casse).
*Breeders’ Cup Challenge race
2018 FALL MEET SPECIAL EVENTS
Through Spring 2019
Keeneland Library exhibit “From the Vault: Historic Tracks.” This exhibit features 26 select images from the Library’s archive that showcase photographs from a variety of tracks from the early 20th century. Pioneering Turf photographers John C. Hemment and Charles Christian Cook are featured, with additional representation from Joel Clyne Meadors and Robert Lee McClure, among others. The Library is open to the public Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET.
The online exhibit “Photo Treasures from the Keeneland Library” presents nearly 100 other historic images of U.S. racing facilities in its “Tracks Gallery.”
Tuesday, Oct. 2
Tour Keeneland and Behind-the-Scenes Racing Tour. Click here for more information about these tours and other Official Keeneland Tours.
Wednesday, Oct. 3
Backstretch Tour. Click here for more information about this tour and other Official Keeneland Tours.
Thursday, Oct. 4
Tour Keeneland. Click here for more information about this tour and other Official Keeneland Tours.
Friday, Oct. 5
Tour Keeneland and new Owner’s Experience Tour. The Owner’s Experience Tour will make participants feel like racehorse owners. Before the first race, they will follow horses through the Saddling Paddock and Walking Ring then watch the race from the Winner’s Circle. Click here for more information these tours and other Official Keeneland Tours.
Darley Umbrella Giveaway. The first 3,000 fans 18 and older will receive a voucher to redeem for a Darley umbrella from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
The Keeneland Shop presents a trunk show with Christine A. Moore Millinery.
The Hill (weather permitting) – Keeneland’s designated tailgate lot offers fans a jumbo screen TV to watch live racing and football, wagering, live music, local food trucks and free shuttles to the Grandstand. On opening Friday and all Saturdays in October, enjoy performances from the area’s favorite bluegrass bands from noon-4 p.m.
The Keeneland Shop presents a trunk show with Christine A. Moore.
$200,000-guaranteed Friday Pick Four Presented by TVG.
Saturday, Oct. 6
Sunrise Trackside. Thoroughbreds and their human connections begin the day well before sunrise. See what they’re up to during Sunrise Trackside, a free, family-friendly event with activities for all ages: Breakfast With the Works features breakfast for purchase and trackside commentary (7-8:30 a.m.) while racehorses train on the main track; children’s activities in the Kids Club Corner (7:30-9:30 a.m.); free guided Keeneland tours (7:30-10 a.m.); Paddock demonstration with Asbury University Mounted Police (9 a.m.); and Q&A session with a jockey in the Paddock (noon).
The Hill (weather permitting). As Keeneland’s designated tailgate lot, The Hill offers fans a jumbo screen TV to watch live racing and football, wagering, live music, local food trucks and free shuttles to the Grandstand.
The Keeneland Shop presents a trunk show with Christine A. Moore Millinery.
$350,000-guaranteed All-Stakes Pick Four Presented by TVG on races 7-10: Thoroughbred Club of America (G2), First Lady (G1), Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) and Shadwell Turf Mile (G1).
$250,000-guaranteed All-Stakes Pick Five Presented by TVG on races 6-10: Woodford (G2) Presented by Keeneland Select, Thoroughbred Club of America (G2), First Lady (G1), Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) and Shadwell Turf Mile (G1).
Sunday, Oct. 7
Keeneland’s new Owner’s Experience Tour will make participants feel like racehorse owners. Before the first race, they will follow horses through the Saddling Paddock and Walking Ring then watch the race from the Winner’s Circle. Click here for more information about this tour and other Official Keeneland Tours.
The Keeneland Shop presents a trunk show with Christine A. Moore Millinery.
Jockey Autograph Signing. Meet jockeys competing during the Fall Meet, retired jockeys, Hall of Famers, history makers and Keeneland favorites and participate in an autograph signing to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.
