Carina Mia Works for Ashland Stakes

Three Chimneys Farm’s Carina Mia, who will make her 2016 debut in Saturday's $500,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1), worked three furlongs in :35.20 on a fast track Tuesday after the renovation break. Ridden by exercise rider Rodolphe Brisset, the 3-year-old Malibu Moon filly is trained by Bill Mott.

Mott’s son Riley, who is overseeing the Keeneland string, was pleased with the move by Carina Mia, who set Keeneland’s 6½-furlong track record last October in winning her second career start.

“That’s exactly what we were looking for,” Riley Mott said. “She went to the pole nice and easy and finished up good. That’s her. She doesn’t need much more. She has a good bottom from (training) this winter at Payson (Park in Florida), so this was just a little maintenance.”

A half-sister to Miss Match (ARG), winner of the 2011 Santa Margarita Invitational (G1), Carina Mia opened her career last October at Keeneland, running second to Stageplay on Oct. 10. She returned 19 days later with a 9¼-length victory in track-record time at the same distance. In the process, she set the 1:15.18 track record.

At Churchill on Nov. 28, Carina Mia defeated Stageplay by 4¼ lengths in the Golden Rod (G2).

Riley Mott has seen a change in Carina Mia from the first time she was at Keeneland last fall.

“Mentally, she’s grown up quite a bit,” he said. “She’s very relaxed and professional in her training. I think if she runs up to her training, she should have a big shot.”

Three Chimneys Farm, agent, paid $410,000 for Carina Mia at Keeneland’s 2014 September Yearling Sale. The filly has another Keeneland connection. Her dam is a full sister to Miss Linda (ARG), winner of the 2001 Overbrook Spinster (G1).

Another Central Bank Ashland contender who worked Tuesday was Glenn S. Bromagen’s Weep No More, who worked a half-mile in :49.60. Rusty Arnold trains the Mineshift filly.

GALLOPING OUT

Harold Queen’s Sheer Drama, unraced since finishing fourth in the Breeders' Cup Distaff, arrived at Keeneland Monday afternoon for an anticipated start in Saturday’s $300,000 Madison (G1) at seven furlongs.

“She gets fit pretty easy and we needed a place to start,” trainer David Fawkes said. “We want to run in the race at Churchill Downs (the Grade 1 La Troienne on May 6) and that gives us four weeks.”

Sheer Drama was a two-time Grade 1 winner in 2015, taking the Delaware Handicap and the Personal Ensign and ran second in the La Troienne and Fleur de Lis Handicap (G2) at Churchill Downs.

“I’d like to run the two races at Churchill and then go to the race she won last year at Delaware with the eventual goal of getting to the Breeders’ Cup,” Fawkes said. “I am going to enter here (for the Madison) and see how it comes up. There is always the Oaklawn race (the Grade 1 $600,000 Apple Blossom at 1 1/16 miles on April 15).” …

LNJ Foxwoods’ Super Majesty worked a half-mile in :49.60 before the renovation break in preparation for the Madison for trainer Steve Asmussen.

“HOW TO HANDICAP: KEENELAND” AIRS TONIGHT

Tonight’s edition of Night School, the racing industry’s national online fan education and player development program since 2011, will debut a new subject matter when the premiere of “How to Handicap: Keeneland” features an in-depth look at racing at the historic Kentucky venue. The program is the first in a library-building series of “How to Handicap” the nation's leading race tracks that will continue throughout the free 2016 online learning curriculum.

Keeneland opens its Spring Meet on Friday, and students will be put on the fast track toward learning the ins and outs of racing on the dirt and turf. Co-hosts Jeremy Plonk and Caton Bredar of Horse Player NOW will be joined by guest instructors Jonathon Fowler of Keeneland Select, as well as the Daily Racing Form duo of Kentucky handicappers Marty McGee and Byron King.

OPENING WEEKEND SPECIAL EVENTS

Friday, April 8 – Opening Day

College Scholarship Day. Thousands of students from colleges and universities in Kentucky and beyond will be at the track for this popular event. Admission is free with a college ID. Full-time students can register in the North Terrace to win one of ten $1,000 scholarships and prizes from local vendors awarded after each of the day’s races. The first 2,000 students to register will receive a Keeneland College Scholarship Day T-shirt courtesy of Kennedy’s Wildcat Den or a Southern Proper hat.

Keeneland Shop’s Milliners Corner presents Christine A. Moore Millinery adjacent to the Walking Ring from 9 a.m. to the last race. Milliners Corner will feature hat makers from across the country.

Tailgating on The Hill. Keeneland’s hugely popular tailgate lot, The Hill, located adjacent to the Keene Barn & Entertainment Center, will feature local food trucks, a jumbo television screen, wireless wagering and wagering terminals, race-day programs, a Keeneland Shop kiosk and free shuttles to the track.

Friday Pick 4 Presented by TVG. A $200,000-guaranteed pool will be offered on the final four races of the day.

Saturday, April 9

Sunrise Trackside. Itching to experience the sights and sounds of Keeneland in the morning? Sunrise Trackside, sponsored by LEX18 and Dunkin’ Donuts, offers activities for all ages beginning at 7 a.m.  Fans can enjoy Breakfast With the Works, a Southern-style breakfast and trackside commentary while horses train on the main track (until 8:30 a.m.); children’s activities in the Kids Club Corner (7-9 a.m.); Keeneland tours (8-10:30 a.m.); Paddock demonstration with the Lexington Mounted Police Unit (9 a.m.); a trackside handicapping seminar (11 a.m.); and a Q&A session with jockey Javier Castellano in the Paddock (11:35 a.m.).

Keeneland Shop’s Milliners Corner presents Christine A. Moore Millinery adjacent to the Walking Ring from 9 a.m. to the last race.

Craft Beer Tent. The special selection of beers will include Blue Stallion, Country Boy, Fat Tire, Kentucky Ale Race Day IPA, Land Shark, Shock Top, Sierra Nevada and Woodchuck Hard Cider.

Tailgating on The Hill. Keeneland’s hugely popular tailgate lot, The Hill, located adjacent to the Keene Barn & Entertainment Center, will feature local food trucks, a jumbo television screen, wireless wagering and wagering terminals, race-day programs, a Keeneland Shop kiosk and free shuttles to the track. The Hill will showcase Central Kentucky’s favorite bluegrass bands from 12-4 p.m. BETologists also will be available to answer fans’ questions.

Big Apple/Bluegrass Pick 4 Wager. Keeneland and the New York Racing Association have created the special Big Apple/Bluegrass Pick 4 wager that begins with the Bay Shore (G3) (4:52 p.m. ET), followed by the Madison (G1) (5:20 p.m.), Wood Memorial (G1) (5:30 p.m.) and Toyota Blue Grass (6 p.m.).

All-Stakes Pick 4 Presented by TVG. A $300,000-guaranteed Pick 4 featuring races 7-10, the Commonwealth (G3), Shakertown (G2), Madison and Toyota Blue Grass.

All-Stakes Pick 5 Presented by TVG. A $300,000-guaranteed Pick 5 featuring races 6-10, Central Bank Ashland (G1), Commonwealth, Shakertown, Madison and Toyota Blue Grass.

Sunday, April 10

Jockey Autograph Signing. Fans may get autographs of active jockeys from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. adjacent to the Paddock to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. 

Source: Keeneland Association