First Look: Graded stakes at Keeneland, Aqueduct are on tap

The stakes schedule has lightened considerably now that the Breeders' Cup qualifiers in the U.S. have concluded. But Keeneland hosts three graded stakes on turf, and Pizza Bianca will look for a win at Aqueduct.

Here's an early look at the likely fields for this weekend's graded stakes.

Friday

Sycamore (G3), Keeneland, 1 1/2 miles (turf), 3-year-olds and up

Seven runners from the Kentucky Downs Turf Cup (G2) are entered in this overflow field, including winner Red Knight, who’s 2-for-2 this year, and Arklow, who rallied to finish second in the July 31 Bowling Green (G2) in his first start of the year before finishing sixth in the Turf Cup. Channel Maker is on a win-lose-win-lose pattern this year, scoring in the Elkhorn (G2) and Grand Courturier but finishing ninth and 10th in the Manhattan (G1) and Sword Dancer (G1). Admission Office won the Arlington (G3) in June but is 0-for-3 since. Highland Chief beat Gufo and Yibir to win the Man o’ War (G1) but then was fourth in both the Manhattan (G1) and Bowling Green (G2).

Saturday

Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1), Keeneland, 1 1/8 miles (turf), 3-year-old fillies

The 10 invitees are shown here, but Pizza Bianca and Vergara are listed as probable for the Sands Point (G2) at Aqueduct. Others invited include McKulick, who is 5: 2-3-0 this year with wins in the Jockey Club Oaks (G3) last out and the Belmont Oaks (G1) in July. Bellabel’s second-place finish in the Del Mar Oaks (G1) was her first loss of the year after wins in the Blue Norther and San Clemente (G2). Cairo Memories is looking for her first win since back-to-back victories in the Providencia (G3) and Honeymoon (G3).

Sands Point (G2), Aqueduct, 1 1/8 miles (turf), 3-year-old fillies

After winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf last year, Pizza Bianca opened 2022 with stakes wins at Aqueduct and Pimlico before her eighth-place finish in the Coronation (G1) at Ascot. Vergara’s rallying win by a head last out in the Dueling Grounds Oaks was her first win in five tries this year. Eminent Victor came off a nine-month break to win the Wild Applause at Belmont but is 0-for-2 since.

Sunday

Franklin (G3), Keeneland, 5 1/2 furlongs (turf), fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Change of Control had finished no worse than fourth in her last nine wins before her ninth-place finish last out in the Presque Isle Masters (G2). Twilight Gleaming, last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner, has an 8: 5-3-0 career record and has won two straight.

Probables were not available for the Ontario Fashion (G3) at Woodbine on Saturday.