G1 winners Cinderella’s Dream, She Feels Pretty headline QEII invites

Keeneland’s Friday media notes by Keeneland’s publicity team (Coglianese photo of Cinderella’s Dream winning the Belmont Oaks)

• TWO GRADE 1 WINNERS AMONG 10 INVITEES TO QUEEN ELIZABETH II CHALLENGE CUP PRESENTED BY DIXIANA
• BOLD ACT (IRE) HEADS FIELD OF 11 IN BID FOR SYCAMORE REPEAT
• ARZAK LOOKS FOR WOODFORD DOUBLE
• GALLOPING OUT
• PROSPECTIVE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES
• OPENING WEEKEND SPECIAL EVENTS

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TWO GRADE 1 WINNERS AMONG 10 INVITEES
TO QUEEN ELIZABETH II CHALLENGE CUP PRESENTED BY DIXIANA

Ten 3-year-old fillies, including two Grade 1 winners, have been extended invitations for the 41st running of the $750,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) Presented by Dixiana to be held Saturday, Oct. 12 going 1⅛ miles over the turf.

The Grade 1 winners are Godolphin’s Cinderella’s Dream (GB), who took the Belmont Oaks Invitational for trainer Charlie Appleby, and Lael Stables’ She Feels Pretty, winner of the Johnnie Walker Natalma last fall for trainer Cherie DeVaux.

Other nominees include two-time Keeneland stakes winner Buchu along with Candala (FR), Grayosh, Pin Up Betty, Pounce, Soprano (IRE), Waves of Mischief and Yatta.

Entries for the race will be drawn Saturday. 

BOLD ACT (IRE) HEADS FIELD OF 11 IN BID FOR SYCAMORE REPEAT

Godolphin’s Bold Act (IRE), a popular winner as the favorite in last year’s $300,000 Sycamore (G3) in his U.S. debut, will face 10 rivals Friday, Oct. 11 in the 30th running of the 1½-mile grass test.

The Sycamore will go as the ninth race on the 10-race program with a 5:16 p.m. ET post time. First post is 1 p.m.

Trained by Charlie Appleby, Bold Act will be making his first start since the Chorleywood Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs on June 15. Luis Saez has the mount and will exit post 11.

Chief among his rivals are the 2-3 finishers from last month’s FanDuel TV Kentucky Turf Cup (G2) at Kentucky Downs: Susan and Jim Hill’s Highway Robber and Peachtree Stable’s Tawny Port.

Trained by Brian Lynch, Highway Robber finished second at Kentucky Downs in his graded stakes debut. Tyler Gaffalione has the mount from post 3.

Fifth in the Sycamore last year, Tawny Port comes into this year’s race off a steady diet of Grade 2 and Grade 3 placings in 2024. Irad Ortiz Jr. has the mount from post 7 for trainer Christophe Clement.

The field for the Sycamore, with trainers, riders and weights from the rail out, is:

ARZAK LOOKS FOR WOODFORD DOUBLE

Sonata Stable’s Arzak will put his perfect Keeneland record on the line Saturday afternoon as he goes after a second victory in the $350,000 Woodford (G2) Presented by FanDuel going 5½ furlongs over the Keeneland turf.

Trained by Mike Trombetta, Arzak also won the Shakertown (G2) here this spring. With a victory Saturday, he would join Golden Pal as the most recent runners to complete a Woodford-Shakertown-Woodford hat trick.

“That’s a pretty good one right there,” Trombetta said of Golden Pal, a two-time Breeders’ Cup winner.

Arzak, who arrived at Keeneland on Tuesday from Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland, has not won in three tries – all stakes – since the Shakertown in April. He has been close in all of those races.

“In the Jaipur (G1), Cogburn was in there and everybody else was pretty much running for second,” Trombetta said. “Then at Monmouth (in the Wolf Hill), I didn’t realize how short that stretch was and he just ran out of track, and the last time at Saratoga (in the Harvey Pack-L) he ran into some traffic.”

With a good showing Saturday, Arzak could find himself California-bound for the Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) at Del Mar on Nov. 2.

“We are trying to get him to regain his top form,” Trombetta said regarding a possible venture to California. “The five-eighths (of the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint) is not impossible for him. Last year it was five-eighths at Santa Anita, and he was just too far outside.”

Arzak finished sixth in the field of 12 last year beaten only 2 lengths after breaking from post 11.

GALLOPING OUT

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., who is in town to saddle Comedy Town and Swirvin in this afternoon’s Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (G2), said “it is a possibility” that $3 million earner Skippylongstocking could come to Keeneland to continue his preparation for a run in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships Nov. 2 at Del Mar. 

The seven-time graded stakes winner finished second in last Saturday’s Woodward (G2) at Belmont at the Big A. He is under consideration for the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) or the $1 million Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1).

Joseph also said that Soul of an Angel, winner of the Princess Rooney Invitational (G3) at Gulfstream Park on Sept. 21, would remain in Florida to train up to an expected start in the $1 million PNC Bank Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1). …

Welch Racing’s Epic Ride, unraced since finishing 14^th in the Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve, breezed 5 furlongs in :59.80 at Keeneland on Friday. The time was the second fastest of 19 at the distance. Epic Ride was third in Keeneland’s Toyota Blue Grass (G1) in April. 

PROSPECTIVE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES

$750,000 QUEEN ELIZABETH II CHALLENGE CUP (G1) PRESENTED BY DIXIANA (Entries taken Saturday; race Saturday, Oct. 12) – Buchu (trainer Phil Bauer), Candala (FR) (Francis-Henri Graffard), Cinderella’s Dream (GB) (Charlie Appleby), Grayosh (Chad Brown), Pin Up Betty (Mike Maker), Pounce (Mark Casse), She Feels Pretty (Cherie DeVaux), Soprano (IRE) (George Boughey), Waves of Mischief (Brendan Walsh), Yatta (Graham Motion).

$350,000 FRANKLIN (G2) (Entries taken Sunday; race Sunday, Oct. 13) – Accomplished Girl (Steve Asmussen), Bling (Vicki Oliver), Dontlookbackatall (Christophe Clement), Elm Drive (Phil D’Amato), Future Is Now (Mike Trombetta), Kairyu (IRE) (Cherie DeVaux), Pipsy (IRE) (Will Walden), Roses for Debra (Clement), Star of Mystery (GB) (Appleby).

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 thePermanently 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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