Ennis hoping ‘Epic Ride’ continues in Blue Grass

• ENNIS LOOKS FORWARD TO TOYOTA BLUE GRASS WITH “ULTIMATE PROFESSIONAL” EPIC RIDE
• FIELD SET FOR 100^TH RUNNING OF $1 MILLION TOYOTA BLUE GRASS
• TOYOTA BLUE GRASS PART OF NEW BIG 3 PICK 3 WAGER
• RED CARPET READY SET FOR KEENELAND RACING DEBUT
• ALVA STARR SETTLED IN, READY TO GO IN RESOLUTE RACING MADISON
• GALLOPING OUT
• PROSPECTIVE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES
• OPENING WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS
  
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Keeneland barn notes by track’s publicity staff (Jennie Rees photo of John Ennis with Epic Ride at The Thoroughbred Center)

ENNIS LOOKS FORWARD TO TOYOTA BLUE GRASS
WITH “ULTIMATE PROFESSIONAL” EPIC RIDE

Saturday will be extra special for Lexington-based trainer John Ennis when he saddles Welch Racing’s Epic Ride in the 100^th running of the $1 million Toyota Blue Grass (G1).

“It is a privilege to have any horse run at Keeneland but to have one in such a historic race is really a privilege,” said Ennis, who will send out Icicles in Saturday’s Resolute Racing Madison (G1). “Keeneland is like the royalty of horse racing in America.”

Ennis speaks from experience. Prior to obtaining his trainer’s license in 2012, the native of Ireland spent plenty of time here an exercise rider. His notable mounts included Racing Hall of Famer Wise Dan, who won a record seven Keeneland stakes.

Welch Racing paid $160,000 for Epic Ride at Keeneland’s 2022 September Yearling Sale. The colt, who has won two races in four starts on the all-weather surface at Turfway Park, comes to the Toyota Blue Grass after finishing as the runner-up – a length behind Toyota Blue Grass entrant Encino – on March 2 in the John Battaglia Memorial (L), a traditional prep for the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3). Ennis opted to bypass the Jeff Ruby.

“I thought the extra two weeks (between races) would help him,” he said. “He has definitely filled out and matured.”

Ennis said Epic Ride relishes the tranquility of stabling at the trainer’s base at Keeneland’s The Thoroughbred Center 15 miles to the northeast. On March 21, the colt got a feel for Keeneland with a 5-furlong breeze in :59. 

“He moved super over the track,” he said. “He’s an ultimate professional horse. Mentally he is a complete pro.” 

Epic Ride, who will be ridden by Adam Beschizza in the Toyota Blue Grass, will leave from post 8. He is 20-1 on the morning line.

“I would have liked a lower draw,” Ennis said, “but he is a fast horse and I am sure we will go forward from there. We’ll play the cards we’re dealt.”

FIELD SET FOR 100^TH RUNNING OF $1 MILLION TOYOTA BLUE GRASS

Peter Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg and Brook Smith’s Sierra Leone is the 2-1 morning line favorite in a field of 11 3-year-olds entered in Saturday’s 100^th running of the $1 million Toyota Blue Grass (G1).

Contested at 1 1/8 miles over the main track, the Toyota Blue Grass is the 10^th race on the 11-race program with a 5:52 p.m. ET post time. First post Saturday is 1 p.m.

Here is the field:

All starters carry 123 pounds.

TOYOTA BLUE GRASS PART OF NEW BIG 3 PICK 3 WAGER

Saturday’s Toyota Blue Grass (G1) is part of a new wager called the Big 3 Pick 3.

The wager also includes the $750,000 Wood Memorial (G2) Presented by Resorts World Casino from Aqueduct and the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1). All three races are contested at 1 1/8 miles and offer 100-50-25-15-10 Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying points to the first five finishers. 

The Big 3 Pick 3, which includes a mandatory payout, is offered with a base wager of $3 and 19% takeout. Hosted by Aqueduct, the Big 3 Pick 3 will appear as a separate wager/track on your wagering machine or online account: Big 3 Pick 3.

RED CARPET READY SET FOR KEENELAND RACING DEBUT

Ashbrook Farm and Upland Flats Racing’s Red Carpet Ready looks poised to finally make into the starting gate at Keeneland Saturday in the 23^rd running of the Resolute Racing Madison (G1) going 7 furlongs.

“It is just a matter of circumstances that she hasn’t raced here,” trainer Rusty Arnold said of Red Carpet Ready, who has logged 19 works over the track dating to her arrival in Arnold’s barn in the summer of 2022.

“She was not ready to run here that fall, and she went to Churchill for their opening week and then came back to win a stake on the closing weekend,” he added. “Then the timing wasn’t right last spring and we waited for Churchill and she beat a quality bunch (in the Eight Belles-G2 Presented by Sysco).”

Red Carpet Ready exited the Victory Ride (G3) at Belmont Park in July “with a minor issue that we got taken care of” and did not return to the races for eight months. In the return, Red Carpet Ready won the Hurricane Bertie (G3) going 6 ½ furlongs at Gulfstream Park on March 9.

“I was very happy with that race,” Arnold said. “She was back to her old self and a lot of times you don’t know how they will come back, especially fillies.”

A winner of five of seven races, Red Carpet Ready will be making her Grade 1 debut on Saturday.

Early on, Arnold thought Red Carpet Ready might be a Grade 1-caliber runner.

“She trained like she might be, but you never know until they do it,” said Arnold, who is third all-time among Keeneland trainers with 294 victories here.

ALVA STARR SETTLED IN, READY TO GO
IN RESOLUTE RACING MADISON

In a course that was plotted last October, Dale Ladner’s Alva Starr has returned to Keeneland for Saturday’s 23^rd running of the $600,000 Resolute Racing Madison (G1).

The morning after Alva Starr was caught late in finishing second to Vahva in the Lexus Raven Run (G2), trainer and co-breeder Brett Brinkman had the Madison in mind and began planning for the return to Keeneland.

“The winter went fine,” Brinkman said of the time spent at Fair Grounds. “We had plotted for two races (before the Madison), but when Oaklawn moved the American Beauty (L) back a week because of weather, we opted to train up to the race.”

The American Beauty, originally scheduled for Jan. 27, was run Feb. 3, and Alva Starr cruised to a 3½-length victory over a sealed muddy track.

“I was very pleased with the effort that day,” Brinkman said. “She handled it well even though the conditions were not ideal. They had moved the race back because a lot of horses there had missed training because of the weather.”

Following the American Beauty, Brinkman brought Alva Starr back to Fair Grounds.

“She was training so well at Fair Grounds, she had her final major work (for the Madison) there (on March 14),” Brinkman said. “She’s had time to acclimate here and had two good works over the track.”

Tyler Gaffalione, who was aboard for the Lexus Raven Run, has the mount Saturday on Alva Starr.

GALLOPING OUT

Godolphin’s Pretty Mischievous, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2023, arrived at Keeneland on Sunday from her winter base at Palm Meadows training center in South Florida. Winner of last year’s Kentucky Oaks (G1) plus two other Grade 1s, Pretty Mischievous is on track to make her 2024 debut in the $1 million La Troienne (G1) going 1 1/16 miles on May 3 at Churchill Downs according to trainer Brendan Walsh. …

Foster Family Racing, William Wargel, R.K. Eckrich Racing and Maxis Stable’s Everland, winner of the Bourbonette Oaks (L) at Turfway Park on March 23, arrived at Keeneland on Monday to continue her preparations for the $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) on May 3. Everland is trained by Eric Foster.

PROSPECTIVE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES

April 12 races. Entries taken Friday.

$600,000 Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) – Integration (trainer Shug McGaughey), Master of The Seas (IRE) (Charlie Appleby), Naval Power (GB) (Appleby), Shirl’s Speight (Roger Attfield).

$250,000 FanDuel Limestone (L) – Kodiac Wintergreen (IRE) (Rusty Arnold), Pipsy (IRE) (Will Walden), Zoe’s Prime (Jose Camejo).

April 13 races. Entries taken Saturday.

$600,000 Jenny Wiley (G1) – Didia (Ignacio Correas IV), Embrace Me (Tom Albertrani), English Rose (IRE) (Appleby), Evvie Jets (Mertkan Kantarmaci), Olivia Maralda (IRE) (Walden).

$300,000 Giant’s Causeway (G3) – Elm Drive (Phil D’Amato), Secret Money (Brendan Walsh). Possible: Oeuvre (Chris Block).

OPENING WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS

Throughout the Spring 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 availability and to purchase.

Through Aug. 16

Keeneland Library is recognizing this year’s historic running of the Toyota Blue Grass at its free exhibit, A Rite of Spring: The 100^th Running of the Blue Grass Stakes. The exhibit features photographs that capture race highlights curated from Keeneland Library collections and public submissions from professional and amateur photographers along with memorabilia from noted jockeys Bill Shoemaker, Mike Manganello and Chris Antley and celebrated runners Whirlaway, Riva Ridge, Spectacular Bid and Strike the Gold.

Open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the Library is located on the Keeneland campus. Enter Keeneland at Gate 1 on Keeneland Blvd. and take the first right on Entertainment Ct. The Library is to the left of the Keene Barn and Entertainment Center.

Thursday, April 4

Central Bank Thursday Night Live. Keeneland will kick off the Spring Meet with a celebration of the 100^th Toyota Blue Grass, including a promotion of Keeneland Library’s exhibit about the race and handicapping tips from BETologists. The event, which includes beverages, food, art and live music, takes place from 5-8 p.m. at Fifth Third Pavilion in Tandy Park in downtown Lexington.

Friday, April 5 through Sunday, April 7

The Hill. Keeneland’s popular tailgating area will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the Spring Meet, weather permitting. No ticket or reservation is required for 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 on The Hill 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.

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. Visit Keeneland.com/tailgating for full details.

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

The Keeneland Shop is open from 9 a.m. to 30 minutes following the final race. Milliners Corner, featuring Christine A. Moore (April 5-7), Wagering Central and Finish Line locations are open race days. On April 5, Draper James will be located just inside the North Grandstand entrance from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday, April 6

Sunrise Trackside. 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 donuts at the Starting Gate concession stand while watching horsestrain. 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 kid’s tractor from John Deere/Meade Tractor. The April 6 Sunrise Trackside will feature the appearance of two-time champion Goodnight Olive in the Paddock between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. On April 6 and 13, a meet and greet with a horse from the Life Adventure Center of Versailles, Kentucky, 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, goggles and autograph books that can be signed will be available for purchase; personal items and commemorative Toyota Blue Grass poster may be signed with a donation to PDJF. The event will take place in the North Terrace from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

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