We’ll drink to that! Champ Modern Games heads Maker’s Mark Mile

Tuesday’s media barn notes by Keeneland’s publicity team (photo above of Modern Games winning last fall’s FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile by Alex Evers for Breeders’ Cup/Eclipsesportswire)

Godolphin’s champion and two-time Breeders’ Cup winner Modern Games (IRE) heads a field of eight 4-year-olds and up entered Tuesday for Friday’s 35^th running of the $600,000 Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) on the Keeneland turf course. 

The Maker’s Mark Mile will go as the ninth race on Friday’s 10-race program with a 5:16 p.m. ET post time. First post on Friday is 1 p.m. 

Trained by Charlie Appleby, Modern Games arrived here Saturday to return to where he finished his 2022 campaign with a victory as the 6-5 favorite in a field of 14 in the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) Presented by PDJF on Nov. 5 in his most recent start.

This is the fourth trip to North America for Modern Games, who has taken home the first-place check in all of his previous ventures. As a 2-year-old, he won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) at Del Mar and last year dominated the Ricoh Woodbine Mile (G1) in Canada. 

An earner of more than $3 million, Modern Games will be ridden Friday by William Buick and break from post position seven. 

Among his rivals are Grade 1 winners Speaking Scout and In Love (BRZ). 

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners’ Speaking Scout won the Hollywood Derby (G1) at Del Mar to close his 2022 campaign and opened 2023 with a third-place finish in the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) Presented by Qatar Racing at Gulfstream Park. 

Trained by Graham Motion, Speaking Scout will be ridden by Luis Saez and break from post position one. Speaking Scout worked a half-mile here Monday in :49.20 on the main track. 

Bonne Chance Farm and Stud R D I’s In Love won the Keeneland Turf Mile (G1) in 2021 for trainer Paulo Lobo. In Love will be ridden Friday by Vincent Cheminaud and break from post position six. 

Making his U.S. stakes debut for owner Peter Brant and trainer Chad Brown is Dr Zempf (GB). 

A group winner last year in Ireland, Dr Zempf was an easy allowance winner at Gulfstream on March 10. Tyler Gaffalione has the mount on Dr Zempf, who will break from post position five. 

Brant and Brown teamed up to win the 2021 Maker’s Mark Mile with Raging Bull (FR). 

The field for the Maker’s Mark Mile, with riders and weights from the rail, is: Speaking Scout (Saez, 123 pounds), Up to the Mark (Irad Ortiz Jr., 123), Chez Pierre (FR) (Flavien Prat, 123), Emmanuel (Javier Castellano, 123), Dr Zempf (GB) (Gaffalione, 123), In Love (BRZ) (Cheminaud, 123), Modern Games (IRE) (Buick, 123), Cabo Spirit(Umberto Rispoli, 123). 

DANSE MACABRE HEADLINES FIELD OF 12 FOR FANDUEL LIMESTONE

NBS Stable and Elements Racing’s Danse Macabre, winner of the Herecomesthebride (G3) going a mile in her most recent start, heads a field of 12 3-year-old fillies entered Tuesday for Friday’s fourth running of the $250,000 FanDuel Limestone (L) going 5½ furlongs on the turf. 

The FanDuel Limestone will serve as Friday’s seventh race with a 4:12 p.m. ET post time. First post for the 10-race program is 1 p.m. 

Trained by Kelsey Danner, Danse Macabre owns a record of 5-3-1-1 on the turf that also includes a victory in the Ainsworth Untapable Stakes last September at Kentucky Downs. Adam Beschizza has the mount and will break from post 12. 

Figuring to draw plenty of attention is Stonestreet Stables’ Love Reigns (IRE), winner of the Bolton Landing (L) in August at Saratoga and the favorite against males in last fall’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1). 

Trained by Wesley Ward, who won last year’s Limestone with Ruthin (GB), Love Reigns will be making her first start since an eighth-place finish here in the Breeders’ Cup. Joel Rosario has the mount and will break from post position three. 

Also returning from the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint and making her 2023 debut is KatieRich Stables’American Apple. 

Winner of the Matron (G3) prior to the Breeders’ Cup in which she finished sixth, American Apple is trained by Daniel Leitch and will be ridden by Gerardo Corrales from post position eight. 

The field for the FanDuel Limestone, with riders and weights from the rail, is: Sassy Nature (Julien Leparoux, 123 pounds), My Sweet Affair (Irad Ortiz Jr., 118), Love Reigns (IRE) (Rosario, 120), Accomplished Girl (Edgard Zayas, 118), Stone Silent (Tyler Gaffalione, 118), Just a Care (IRE) (Javier Castellano, 118), Alluring Angel (GB)(Flavien Prat, 118), American Apple (Corrales, 123), Camp Akeela (Edgar Morales, 118), Twirled (Frankie Dettori, 118), Lady Hollywood (GB) (John Velazquez, 120), Danse Macabre (Beschizza, 123). 

AMERICAN APPLE BRIGHT AND POLISHED FOR 2023 DEBUT

The apple of trainer Daniel Leitch’s eye is KatieRich Stables’ homebred American Apple, who is scheduled to open her 2023 campaign in Friday’s fourth running of the $250,000 FanDuel Limestone (L) going 5½ furlongs on the turf. 

American Apple gave the 28-year-old Leitch his first stakes win when she won the Matron (G3) last October. From there, American Apple led the field nearing the far turn in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) against the boys before fading to sixth. 

“I couldn’t believe it,” Leitch said of the Breeders’ Cup experience. “I don’t know if I’ll ever get back there. I still go back and watch the replay.” 

A daughter of American Pharoah out of the graded stakes-placed Miss Mary Apples who was co-owned by KatieRich, American Apple received a vacation following the Breeders’ Cup. 

“She came out of the Breeders’ Cup in wonderful shape,” Leitch said. “I gave her two months off and she came back better than I could have hoped for. (Owner) Larry Doyle said she left a little girl and came back a woman.” 

American Apple had her final Limestone drill Friday going a half-mile on the main track in :50.40, her eighth work since returning to the work tab and third on the main track following five works on Keeneland’s all-weather training track. 

“I never work her on turf. She does fine on the dirt,” Leitch said.

KENTUCKY DERBY WINNER RICH STRIKE AMONG BEN ALI NOMINATIONS

RED TR-Racing’s 2022 Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve winner Rich Strike headlines a roster of 25 runners nominated to the 92^nd running of the $300,000 Ben Ali (G3) to be run here Saturday, April 22 going 1 3/16 miles on the main track. 

Trained by Eric Reed, Rich Strike is one of five Ben Ali nominees to have run in the 2022 Kentucky Derby. The others are WSS Racing’s Barber Road (sixth), trained by John Ortiz; Whisper Hill Farm’s Charge It (17th), trained by Todd Pletcher; Peachtree Stable’s Tawny Port (seventh), trained by Brad Cox; and Barry and Joni Butzow’sZozos (10^th), also trained by Cox. 

In addition to the Derby alums, the Ben Ali also attracted the likes of Lucky Seven Stable’s Rattle N Roll, winner of the 2021 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) for trainer Kenny McPeek; Gary and Mary West’s West Will Power, winner of last fall’s Hagyard Fayette (G2) here for Cox; and Daniel Alonso’s multiple Grade 3 winnerSkippylongstocking for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. 

Two other graded stakes are on tap for the third week of the Spring Meet: the 28^th running of the $300,000 Baird Doubledogdare (G3) for fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles on the main track on Friday, April 21 and the 38^thrunning of the $350,000 Elkhorn (G2) for 4-year-olds and up going 1½ miles on the turf on April 22. 

Grade 1 winners A Mo Reay, owned by Hunter Valley Farm and trained by Brad Cox, and Stonestreet Stables’ Pauline’s Pearl, trained by Steve Asmussen, top the 19 nominees to the Baird Doubledogdare. 

Malathaat won last year’s running of the race to kick off her Eclipse Award-winning campaign as champion older dirt female. 

Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber, R. A. Hill Stable and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing’s defending champion Channel Maker tops a list of 32 nominations to the Elkhorn. Trained by Bill Mott, Channel Maker is an Eclipse Award winner, a Sovereign Award winner and a four-time Grade 1 winner. The 9-year-old has banked more than $3.7 million in his career. 

PROSPECTIVE FIELDS FOR APRIL 15-16 STAKES

Here are the prospective entries for the Saturday and Sunday stakes compiled by Stakes Coordinator Baley Hare. 

Saturday races. Entries taken Wednesday.

$600,000 JENNY WILEY (G1) – Henrietta Topham (Geoff Mulcahy), In Italian (GB) (trainer Chad Brown), Freedom Speaks (Darien Rodriguez), Pizza Bianca (Christophe Clement), Queen Goddess (Michael McCarthy),With The Moonlight (IRE) (Charlie Appleby). Possible: New Year’s Eve (Brendan Walsh), Skims (GB) (Shug McGaughey).

$400,000 STONESTREET LEXINGTON (G3) – Possible: Confidence Game (Keith Desormeaux), Curly Larry and Mo (Caio Caramori), Disarm (Steve Asmussen), Empirestrikesfast (Bill Mott), First Mission (Brad Cox),Midnight Rising (Jordan Blair), Victory Formation (Cox).

$250,000 GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (L) – Oeuvre (Chris Block), Miner’s Queen (Rey Hernandez),
Opening Buzz (Jonathan Wong), Star Devine (IRE) (Jorge Abreu). Possible: Goin’ Good (Cox), Little Jewel(Carlo Vaccarezza), Mamba Wamba (IRE) (Brian Lynch), Minaun (IRE) (Walsh).

Sunday races. Entries taken Thursday.

$400,000 BEAUMONT (G2) PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SELECT – Possible: Interpolate (Brown), Opus Forty Two (Arnaud Delacour), She’s On the Rocks (Cirilo Gorostieta), Shoplifter (Eddie Kenneally).

$250,000 PALISADES (L) – Bushido (Darwin Banach), Damon’s Mound (Michelle Lovell). Possible: Golden Nugget (Walsh).Possible: No Nay Hudson (IRE) (Wesley Ward), Olazabal (Eric Foster).

SPRING MEET LEADERS

Through April 8 (2 days of 15-day season)

SPRING MEET WEEK 2 SPECIAL EVENTS

Year-round

Official Keeneland Tours. Visit keeneland.com/tours for availability and to purchase.

Through August

Located on Keeneland’s campus, Keeneland Library features the free exhibit The Heart of the Turf: Racing’s Black Pioneers through August. 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 (Man o’ War Blvd.) on Keeneland Blvd. and take the first right on Entertainment Ct. The Library is to the left of the Keene Barn and Entertainment Center.

Wednesday, April 12

WINS-Day Challenge Sponsored by Malone’s. This is an inexpensive way for beginner handicappers to try contests. Enter for $10 at Wagering Central on the first floor of the Grandstand and place a mythical $2 win and place wager – no actual money required – on Keeneland races 3-8.

Friday, April 14 through Sunday, April 16

The Hill. Keeneland’s official tailgating area now is open Sundays during the Spring Meet. No ticket or reservation is required for The Hill, located adjacent to the Keene Barn & Entertainment Center and accessible via Gate 4. Amenities, available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., include a jumbo TV, wagering, live music presented by The Burl, food trucks and complimentary shuttles to the track. Keeneland partner RevelXP will offer tailgate packages for groups of any size. Visit Keeneland.com/tailgating.

Friday, April 14

College Scholarship Day Presented by Lane’s End. Keeneland invites college students to enjoy a day of racing, prizes, scholarship giveaways, behind-the-scenes racing experiences, reserved seating and more. By pre-registering, students will receive a free general admission ticket good for April 14 and have the opportunity to win one of ten $2,000 scholarships provided by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and Keeneland. Students who attend the race day and have their tickets scanned day-of also will be eligible to win two additional $10,000 scholarships provided by Lane’s End Farm, as well as prize packages from local Kentucky businesses. Pre-registerwww.Keeneland.com/csd.

Spring Handicapping Challenge. Available only at the track, the Spring Handicapping Challenge offers one berth to the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC) in November at Santa Anita Park and as many as four spots to the 2024 National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) in Las Vegas. Players will wager a live bankroll of $250 on Keeneland races. Click here to register and for more information.

Saturday, April 15

Sunrise Trackside. This free Saturday morning program is geared toward families and offers a unique view of Thoroughbreds during training hours. Children’s activities, located on the first floor of the Grandstand from 8-10 a.m., include a visit with Keeneland’s mascot, Buckles, along with face painting, games and more. Fans can enjoy coffee and donuts at the Starting Gate concession stand while watching horses train. Mini tours will be available at the Welcome Stand in the Paddock. A meet and greet with a horse will take place in the Walking Ring from 8:30-9 a.m.

Grade 1 Gamble. The signature handicapping contest of the Spring Meet is the Grade 1 Gamble, which Keeneland is hosting in cooperation with XpressBet, NYRABets, 4NJ Bets, HPI and TVG on the day of the Jenny Wiley (G1), Stonestreet Lexington (G3) and Giant’s Causeway (L). Entry fee is $3,500 with $2,500 going to a live bankroll and $1,000 to the prize fund. Contestants may play at Keeneland or on one of the aforementioned ADW platforms. Prizes include an estimated $75,000 for first place (based on 300 entries), as many as six berths in the BCBC and 10 spots in the NHC. Click here to register and for more information.

Sunday, April 16

Military Day at the Races Presented by UPS. This event recognizes the men and women who serve our country. All active duty, reserve, veterans and military families receive free general admission and reserved Grandstand seating with a military ID. Military guests and their families can enjoy complimentary food from the Lexington Griffin Gate Marriott and Coca-Cola in the Military Family Zone in the North Terrace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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Click here for Keeneland’s 2023 Media Guide.