Lush Lips seeks G1 QEII-Jenny Wiley double

Apr 8, 2026 Jennie Rees No Comments

The Spring Meet runs through Friday, April 24.
First post every day is 1 p.m. ET.

Click here for Keeneland’s 2026 Media Guide.

Click here for the Spring Meet stakes schedule, which includes links to the lists
of nominees for upcoming stakes and their past performances.

Every race during the Spring Meet will be streamed live and at no charge
on Keeneland.com and broadcast live on FanDuel TV.

Complimentary digital programs with Equibase past performances
Powered by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF)
are available to download by clicking here.

Keeneland barn notes by the track’s media team (Coady Media/John Gallagher photo above of Lush Lips, head-and-head for lead on the hedge, in her QEII victory last fall)

LUSH LIPS (GB) SEEKS RARE QUEEN ELIZABETH II-JENNY WILEY DOUBLE

TWIRLING QUEEN LAUNCHES KENTUCKY INVASION FOR D’ANGELO IN SUNDAY’S GIANT’S CAUSEWAY PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SELECT
PROSPECTIVE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES
SECOND WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS
SPRING MEET LEADERS

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LUSH LIPS (GB) SEEKS RARE QUEEN ELIZABETH II-JENNY WILEY DOUBLE

A little more than a month after Lush Lips (GB) gave trainer Brendan Walsh his fourth Keeneland Grade 1 victory with a score in the 2025 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Dixiana, Walsh watched the filly enter the sales ring for the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.

Did Walsh think that would be the last time he saw Lush Lips?

“We didn’t want to lose her,” Walsh said.

And he didn’t as William Shively’s Dixiana Farms purchased Lush Lips for the sale-topping price of $3.7 million and kept her with Walsh.

“We were delighted,” Walsh said Wednesday morning. “She is probably worth more now than she was then.”

Lush Lips has enhanced her value with victories in the Mrs. Revere (G2) at Churchill Downs and the Honey Fox (G3) Presented by MyRacehorse at Gulfstream Park. She will go for a fourth consecutive victory in Saturday’s 38th running of the $650,000 Jenny Wiley (G1).

Only one filly has won the Queen Elizabeth II and then come back the following spring to win the Jenny Wiley and that was Rushing Fall in 2018-2019.

“The goal is the Breeders’ Cup (here Oct. 30-31) and we know she likes the course,” Walsh said. “There is a long way to go and we will see how things go in the interim. I expect her to take a step forward Saturday.”

Tyler Gaffalione, who has been aboard for Lush Lips’ past three victories, has the mount Saturday from post 7.

Lush Lips is not the only Walsh entrant in the Jenny Wiley riding a win streak into the race.

Farfellow Farms’ Expensive Queen (IRE) is 2-for-2 this year with her most recent win coming in the Albert M. Stall Memorial (L) at Fair Grounds.

An allowance winner here last spring in her U.S. debut, Expensive Queen finished fourth in the Gamely (G1) at Santa Anita before going to the sidelines for nearly eight months.

“She had some foot issues last year and we gave her some time,” Walsh said. “She came back fine and should be a factor Saturday.”

Luis Saez, who has been aboard for all three U.S. wins, has the mount from post 1.

TWIRLING QUEEN LAUNCHES KENTUCKY INVASION FOR D’ANGELO
IN SUNDAY’S GIANT’S CAUSEWAY PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SELECT

GU Racing Stable’s Twirling Queen will carry the baton for trainer Jose D’Angelo in Sunday’s 29th running of the $400,000 Giant’s Causeway (G2) Presented by Keeneland Select.

“She is doing very well (since winning the Captiva Island on March 14 at Gulfstream Park),” D’Angelo said via text Wednesday morning. “That is why we decided to go to Keeneland for this race.”

Luis Saez, who has been aboard for Twirling Queen’s past two victories, has the mount from post 3.

“I really like the post,” D’Angelo said. “I think we will be all right.”

D’Angelo had one other runner nominated to the Giant’s Causeway: 2025 Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) winner and champion female sprinter Shisospicy.

“She is going to run in the ($500,000) Unbridled Sidney (G2 on May 1 at Churchill Downs),” D’Angelo said of Shisospicy, who won her first stakes here last spring in the FanDuel Limestone (L) that gave D’Angelo his initial Keeneland stakes victory.

Also headed to Churchill is Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) winner Bentornato.

“He’s going to be there training and looking forward to run in the ($400,000) True North (G3 at Saratoga June 6),” D’Angelo said of Bentornato, who opened his 2026 campaign with a runner-up finish March 28 in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) Sponsored by Nakheel.

PROSPECTIVE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES

Entries taken Friday. Race is Friday, April 17.

$400,000 BAIRD DOUBLEDOGDARE (G2) – Aye Candy (trainer Todd Fincher), Gin Gin (Brendan Walsh), Peignoir (Rodolphe Brisset).

Entries taken Saturday. Races are Saturday, April 18

$400,000 VISITLEX ELKHORN (G2) – Burnham Square (Ian Wilkes), Freedom’s Way (Eddie Kenneally), Layabout (Patrick Biancone), Utah Beach (Walsh). Possible: Anegada (Mike Maker), Zverev (Maker).

$350,000 BEN ALI (G3) – Batten Down (Bill Mott), San Siro (Walsh), Stars and Stripes (Mott), Tennessee Lamb (Rusty Arnold). Possible: Dragoon Guard (Brad Cox), Tappan Street (Cox), Wynstock (Cox).

Entries taken Sunday. Race is Sunday, April 19.

$300,000 PALISADES (L) – Bronze Bullet (Jose D’Angelo), Monster (D’Angelo), Throckmorton (D’Angelo), Walter the Mason (Greg Green). Possible: I C Light (Mark Casse), Reb Five (Casse).

SECOND WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS

Year-round

Official Keeneland Tours. Click here for availability and to purchase.

Keeneland Library. Located on Keeneland’s campus, Keeneland Library is presenting the free exhibit Raices: The Making of Latino Legacies in Racing, a landmark bilingual showcase and education initiative that highlights 100 trailblazing Latino men and women whose contributions have shaped Thoroughbred racing and breeding from the late 1800s to today.

The Library is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 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.

Wednesday

WINS-Day Challenge Presented by Malone’s. 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 is required – on Keeneland’s final six races of the day. This is an inexpensive way for beginner handicappers to give contests a try.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday

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 trucksand 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.

The Keeneland Shop. Located near the Grandstand South entrance, The Keeneland Shop isopen from 9 a.m. to 30 minutes following the final race and on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On race days, Milliners Corner, Wagering Central and Finish Line locations will be open.

Milliners Corner near The Keeneland Shop will feature Hats Off by Helen (April 11).

Friday

College Scholarship Day Presented by Lane’s End. Keeneland invites college students to enjoy a day of racing, prizes, scholarship giveaways, behind-the-scenes tours, reserved seating and more. By pre-registering, students will receive a free general admission ticket good for April 10 and the opportunity to win one of 10 $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 one of two additional $10,000 scholarships provided by Lane’s End Farm, as well as prize packages from local Kentucky businesses. Students must be on site to be eligible to win all prizes and scholarships. Activities will take place at the North Terrace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pre-register at www.Keeneland.com/csd.

$400 Spring Challenge. Available only at Keeneland, this handicapping contest offers one berth to the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC) on Oct. 30-31 at Keeneland and as many as four spots to the 2027 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

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 breakfast items at a concession stand while watching horses train. Children’s activities on the first floor of the Grandstand include a visit with Keeneland mascot Buckles, face painting and games. Mini tours are available at the Welcome Stand near the Saddling Paddock.

Every Saturday, the John Deere Tractor Break will take place during the renovation period on the main track from 8:30-9 a.m. and include a drawing for a kids John Deere electric-powered truck with trailer from John Deere/Meade Tractor. Meanwhile, a meet and greet with a horse will be held in the Saddling Paddock from 8:30-9 a.m.

Keeneland Library Exhibit Companian Book Signing. On the North Terrace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., meet some of the people featured in Keeneland Library’s current exhibit, Raices: The Making of Latino Legacies in Racing, a landmark bilingual showcase and education initiative. The Raices exhibit companion book shares stories and never-before-published photographs. Books are $10 each with all proceeds benefiting the Keeneland Library Foundation. (Cash only. Patrons are required to have a race meet ticket to attend the book signing.)

Grade 1 Gamble. Keeneland hosts this signature handicapping contest of the Spring Meet with the cooperation of XpressBet, NYRABets, 4NJ Bets, HPI and TVG on the day of the Jenny Wiley and the Stonestreet Lexington. 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 $70,000 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 read more information about the contest, which will be held in the Dogwood Room in Keeneland’s new Paddock Building.

Sunday

Heroes Day. This event honors members of the military (active duty and veterans), first responders and community heroes with programming tied to Lexington Navy Week. Heroes and their families will receive free general admission, reserved Grandstand seating, access to the Family Zone on the North Terrace and a complimentary meal from Jimmy John’s. A flag rollout will take place on the track, and heroes will be recognized in the Winner’s Circle.

A POW-MIA Chair of Honor will be displayed near the Paddock to bring awareness to past and current POW-MIA military members through a partnership with The Rolling Thunder Kentucky Chapter 5.

Each hero is eligible to receive up to four complimentary tickets. Click here to reserve.

SPRING MEET LEADERS

Through April 4 (2 days of 15-day season)