Eden Prairie Steps Up in Jenny Wiley

“This is probably her last year and the original thought was to get a piece of it and get her Grade 1 placed,” trainer Neil Pessin said. “It is a good time to try. There is not one in there that I don’t think we can’t beat, but I do have respect for a lot of them.”

A 5-year-old daughter of Mizzen Mast, Eden Prairie has compiled a 16-6-2-2 record on grass and has performed well under all conditions.

“She’s a tryer and she runs well on everything,” Pessin said. “Before her last race, people were saying she didn’t like firm turf and she won.”

A four-time non-graded stakes winner, Eden Prairie ran third in the Appalachian (G3) here as a 3-year-old on turf and that fall finished second in the Lexus Raven Run (G2) on Polytrack here.

“She should already have a Grade 2, but she got beat right on the wire in the Raven Run when she never saw the other filly (Madame Cactus),” Pessin said. “That was the day speed wasn’t holding and she held. Those horses that went with her finished at the back of the pack.”

Florent Geroux, who has ridden Eden Prairie in her past three starts, has the mount Saturday.

“They will have to catch her,” Pessin said.

The Keene Barn & Entertainment Center was packed with enthusiastic fans of University of Kentucky men’s basketball and bourbon for this morning’s Maker’s Mark Commemorative Bottle Signing. The 2015 version of the bottle features legendary UK coach Adolph Rupp.

Sales of the bottle, which began April 3 at retail locations across Kentucky, benefit the University of Kentucky Athletics Association’s Center for Academic and Tutorial Services (C.A.T.S). Bottle signers were former great Kentucky players Cliff Hagan, Dan Issel, Frank Ramsey and Adrian “Odie” Smith, Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason and Maker’s Mark CEO Rob Samuels.

A gathering of Racing Hall of Fame horsemen will relive their Kentucky Derby experiences during “It’s my Derby” April 17 at Keeneland’s Sale Pavilion. Proceeds from the event benefit the Kentucky Derby Museum and Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

Racing Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas is master of ceremonies for It’s my Derby and will be joined by retired Hall of Fame jockeys Pat Day, Angel Cordero Jr., Chris McCarron, Laffit Pincay Jr. and Jorge Velasquez in reliving their Kentucky Derby experiences.

It’s my Derby will begin immediately after the conclusion of Keeneland’s last race, set for a 5:44 p.m. ET post time. Tickets range from $15 to $150.

Click here for more information and to purchase tickets online. Tickets also are available for purchase today and Friday, April 17, at a booth outside the Keeneland Gift Shop.

UPCOMING STAKES PROBABLES
$100,000 Hilliard Lyons Doubledogdare (G3) (Entries taken Tuesday, race on Friday, April 17) – Blue Violet, Flashy American, Handmade, Tiz Windy.

$250,000 Dixiana Elkhorn (G2) (Entries taken Wednesday, race on Saturday, April 18) – Aldous Snow, Biz The Nurse (IRE), Dynamic Sky, Java’s War, My Afleet, Reflecting, Unitarian.     

Craft Beer Tent. Located on the North Terrace patio, the popular Craft Beer Tent offers a special selection, including Blue Stallion, Country Boy, Fat Tire, Kentucky Ale, Land Shark, Shock Top, Sierra Nevada, Sweetwater and Woodchuck Hard Cider.

The Hill. Located adjacent to the Keene Barn & Entertainment Center, The Hill features food trucks, a jumbo television screen, wireless wagering and wagering terminals, race-day programs, a Keeneland Gift Shop kiosk and free shuttles to the track. BETologists also will be available to answer fans’ questions.

$200,000-Guaranteed Pick Four Presented by TVG. Pick the winners of the day’s final four races, including the $300,000 Maker’s 46 Mile (G1).

Saturday, April 11
Sunrise Trackside. Want to experience the sights and sounds of Keeneland many don’t get to see? 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.); guided walking tours of Keeneland (8-10:30 a.m.); demonstration in the Paddock from the Lexington Mounted Police (9 a.m.); trackside handicapping seminar (11 a.m.); and a Q&A session in the Paddock with jockey Kerwin Clark, winner of Saturday’s $500,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1) on Lovely Maria (11:35 a.m.). Keeneland Bugler Steve Buttleman will be on hand to take photos with fans.

The Hill. Located adjacent to the Keene Barn & Entertainment Center, The Hill features food trucks, a jumbo television screen, wireless wagering and wagering terminals, race-day programs, a Keeneland Gift Shop kiosk and free shuttles to the track. On Saturdays, fans can enjoy live music. BETologists also will be available to answer fans’ questions.

Sunday, April 12
Keeneland’s inaugural Kids Club Day gives all Kids Club members and their families free general admission with their Kids Club badge at any pass gate. Children’s activities, including face painting and crafts, in the North Terrace from noon to 4 p.m. The Keeneland Kids Club is the free Official Kids Club for Keeneland fans 12 and under. Members of the Kids Club will receive a personalized membership pass, birthday card from Buckles, discounts, invitations to exclusive Kids Club events and more.