Mystik Dan to train at Keeneland – but don’t get excited about a race any time soon; Ag Bullet targeting First Lady
Wednesday’s barn notes by Keeneland’s publicity team (Grace Clark-Sweet/Kentucky Downs photo of Ag Bullet winning the Kentucky Downs’ $1.5 million Exacta Systems Ladies Sprint)
Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve winner Mystik Dan is scheduled to arrive at Keeneland on Wednesday to continue training for his first start since finishing unplaced in the Belmont (G1) on June 8. Owned by Four G Racing, Lance Gasaway, Daniel Hamby III and Valley View Farm, Mystik Dan has been tuning up at trainer Kenny McPeek’s Magdalena Farm about 12 miles northeast of Keeneland.
“No race plans” McPeek said. “Not making any race plans yet – too early. He’ll be at Keeneland for the month to get him going. He has been galloping at Magdalena and doing fine. It was time to bring him to Keeneland.”
Former jockey Robby Albarado has been riding Mystik Dan at Magdalena, and McPeek said he wanted to continue with that program at Keeneland.
After training last year at Keeneland, Mystik Dan made his career debut here Oct. 22 and finished second in a maiden special weight race.
Mystik Dan has compiled a 9-3-2-1 record and a $4,161,360 bankroll that includes a runner-up finish in the Preakness (G1).
“POWERHOUSE” QUIETSIDE FACES FAMILIAR RIVALS
IN FRIDAY’S DARLEY ALCIBIADES
Shortleaf Stable’s homebred Quietside, runner-up in the Spinaway (G1) at Saratoga in her most recent start, is one of eight 2-year-old fillies entered for Friday’s 73rd running of the $600,000 Darley Alcibiades (G1) at 1 1/16th miles. She will face undefeated Spinaway winner Immersive and third-place finisher Sherbini.
“What we saw in the Spinaway was that she can go a distance,” trainer John Ortiz said. “She put in an effort for the whole race. With the added distance (from 7 furlongs), I want to see her come home with a big kick.”
The Darley Alcibiades is a “Win and You’re In” race for the $2 million NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) Nov. 1 at Del Mar.
Ortiz said he recognized Quietside’s talent when she first arrived at his barn.
“We could tell she was special,” he said. “She just looked the part. We watched her train, and she had the right attitude. Sure enough when she started breezing, you could see all of her ability starting to shine through. I told (Shortleaf owner) Mr. John Ed Anthony ‘this one might have it’ and she has proven me right.”
Ortiz routinely rides the horses in his care and said he also sensed Quietside’s talent from the saddle.
“I’ve been on her several times, and she is a little powerhouse,” he said. “I have been on a lot of nice horses through my career, and she definitely fits all the criteria.”
Shortleaf is the downsized version Anthony’s Loblolly Stable, which produced a steady stream of superior horses, including 1993 Blue Grass (G2) and Preakness (G1) winner Prairie Bayou, who earned an Eclipse Award that season. Other standouts include champion and 1980 Belmont (G1) winner Temperence Hill and 1992 Preakness winner Pine Bluff.
On Saturday, Ortiz will send out WSS Racing’s Grade 1 winner Brightwork in Keeneland’s $350,000 Thoroughbred Club of America (G2). Fifth in last year’s Darley Alcibiades, she is coming off a win in the Aug. 31 Prioress (G3) at Saratoga in her 2024 debut.
AG BULLET MAKES GRADE 1 DEBUT IN SATURDAY’S
FIRST LADY PRESENTED BY UK HEALTHCARE
When she last raced in Kentucky, Calvin Nguyen and Joey Tran’s Ag Bullet showed her heels to 11 rivals in the Exacta Systems Ladies Turf Sprint (G2) at Kentucky Downs on Aug. 31.
“She’s just really good right now,” trainer Richard Baltas said Wednesday morning before Ag Bullet went through her paces on the main track. “It’s like she has just come into her own.”
At Kentucky Downs, Ag Bullet established a course record of 1:14.19 for 6½ furlongs while recording her fourth win in five starts this year. Umberto Rispoli, who has been aboard for those victories, has the mount Saturday in the $750,000 First Lady (G1) Presented by UK HealthCare going a mile on the turf.
“I think 6½ (furlongs) to a mile is best for her,” Baltas said of Ag Bullet, who has posted front-running victories in her past two races.
“She doesn’t have to be on the lead. She has a lot of natural speed, and she puts herself into the race.”
The lone blemish on Ag Bullet’s resume in 2024 is a ninth-place finish in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2) on Kentucky Derby Day.
“She didn’t break well that day, and then she set fast fractions and fell apart,” Baltas said. “She likes it firm, and that day it had rained.”
FIRST LADY PRESENTED BY UK HEALTHCARE
TO BE FINAL RACE FOR EVVIE JETS
Saturday’s 27th running of the $750,000 First Lady (G1) Presented by UK HealthCare will mark the final race for Evvie Jets.
“We were going to retire her last year, but we wanted to go one more year,” trainer Mertkan Kantarmaci said Wednesday morning. “It has been a good year.”
Evvie Jets, now 6, closed her 2023 campaign with a third-place finish in the First Lady. That performance helped prompt the decision to make her farewell bow here.
“She ran good here last year at a mile and she is proven at the distance, so we thought we’d try again,” said Kantarmaci, who trains the mare for the Estate of Robert Amendola.
Evvie Jets was third to Gina Romantica in last year’s First Lady Presented by UK HealthCare and will face that rival again Saturday.
This is the third trip to Kentucky in 2024 for Evvie Jets, who arrived at Keeneland Sunday from New York. She began the year with an eighth-place finish to Saturday rival Chili Flag (FR) in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2), and in her most recent start was third to another Saturday rival, Walkathon, in the Ladies Turf (G3) at Kentucky Downs on Aug. 31.
Saturday also will bring to a close the training career for the 33-year-old Kantarmaci, who has 20 horses in his New York-based stable.
“I am going to take a break and step back,” he said. “My older brother Ilkay will be taking over.”
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).
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