Closing-Day Fayette May Attract Dozen
Headed by millionaire Willcox Inn, next Saturday’s 56th running of the $200,000 Hagyard Fayette (G2) might attract a field of a dozen runners to bring down the curtain on the 2013 fall meet.
Owned by Lael Stables and All In Stable, Willcox Inn surpassed the $1 million mark with a third-place finish in the Oct. 5 Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) that was rained off the grass. In his start prior to the Shadwell, Willcox Inn won the Washington Park Handicap (G3) at Arlington Park.
According to Keeneland stakes coordinator Allison DeLuca, 11 other horses are considered as probable starters in the 1 1/8-mile test on the main track.
Of the probables, all have racing experience on an all-weather surface except for Donegal Racing’s Finnegans Wake. Trained by Dale Romans, Finnegans Wake finished second in the Bowling Green Handicap (G2) in his most recent start and was fourth in three Grade 1 grass stakes prior to the Bowling Green.
Other horses considered as probable for the Hagyard Fayette are Braveman, Hattaash, Major Marvel, Mezzano, Nikki’s Sandcastle, Ol Army, Perfect Afleet, Set the Sail, Villandry and Winning Cause.
Entries for the Hagyard Fayette will be taken Wednesday.
COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP DAY DRAWS A CROWD
Friday was College Scholarship Day, and 3,409 college students received free admission as part of activities during the afternoon.
Students who were able to register to win a $1,000 scholarship awarded after each of the day’s 10 races. Scholarship winners represented the University of Kentucky (Makenzie Barbee, Emily Fairchild, Ellie Gray, Blake Meade, Lauren Payne); Campbellsville University (Mollie Williams); Transylvania University (Michael Martin, Dakota Porter); Cedarville University (Sarah Miller) and Indiana University (Kenya Morrow).
Keeneland holds College Scholarship Day in conjunction with the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association/Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders.
Yesterday’s total attendance reached 19,568.