Keeneland barn notes October 11 -- Jessamine and QE II Challenge Cup

Lael Stables’ Hawksmoor (IRE), who arrived at Keeneland on Sunday from Europe, began her preparations for Saturday’s $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Lane’s End (G1) by going a little more than once around Keeneland’s five-furlong Training Track with Steve Gaillard aboard.

“She shipped well,” said Chris Durham, who accompanied the filly for trainer Hugo Palmer. “She is a seasoned traveler and has been all over Europe. She did not like it much last year as a 2-year-old, but she thrives on it now.”

Hawksmoor has won one of four races this year with that score coming in the German One Thousand Guineas (G2). In her most recent start, Hawksmoor finished fifth beaten six lengths in the Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron (G1) at Leopardstown in Ireland.

“That was a very good race for her,” Durham said of the mile race that was won by three-time Group 1 winner Alice Springs (IRE). “The second horse (Persuasive [IRE]) had been unbeaten and the third filly (Qemah [IRE]) has won two Group 1s.”

Durham said the filly can be placed anywhere and has had success on the lead as well as stalking.

In her most recent start at the QE II distance of 1 1/8 miles, Hawksmoor set the pace in the Kilboy Estate Stakes (G2) at the Curragh and was caught late in finishing third.

Hawksmoor is scheduled for a schooling session at the starting gate Thursday.

SHARP HOPES MAJESTIC GALE EARNS BREEDERS’ CUP TICKET 
IN JPMORGAN CHASE JESSAMINE

In last year’s JPMorgan Chase Jessamine (G3), trainer Joe Sharp watched as Sapphire Kitten was caught at the wire by favored Harmonize. 

On Wednesday, Sharp will be hoping for a little more luck when he sends Allan Peterson’s Majestic Gale postward in this year’s renewal of the JPMorgan Chase Jessamine, a “Win  and You’re In” challenge race for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) to be run Nov. 4 at Santa Anita.

“Majestic Gale is further along mentally than Sapphire Kitten was last year and more seasoned,” Sharp said. “She (Majestic Gale) has had four starts and last year Sapphire Kitten was making her first start around two turns.”

Majestic Gale is 2-for-2 on the grass with a maiden victory going a mile at Ellis Park and a victory in the one-mile Happy Ticket at Louisiana Downs on Sept. 10.

“She beat a pretty soft field at Louisiana Downs and won easily,” Sharp said. “This is tougher, but we’ve always been real high on her. Hopefully she can take us to California. We will know a lot more after tomorrow.”

Sapphire Kitten was fourth in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf here, beaten only 1¼ lengths by Catch a Glimpse.

DIVINE HUMOR RETURNS TO KEENELAND 
FOR JPMORGAN CHASE JESSAMINE

KY Doodles’ Divine Humor will make her turf debut in Wednesday’s JPMorgan Chase Jessamine (G3), which marks her return to Keeneland. In April, the 2-year-old daughter of Divine Park was third in her career debut here. In her next start, she was second in a maiden race at Churchill Downs in which eventual Grade 1 winner Pretty City Dancer finished third. Divine Humor is coming off a maiden victory in September at Thistledown.

KY Doodles is Rebecca and Scott Roaden of Cynthiana, Ky., who purchased Divine Humor for $3,000 at Keeneland’s 2015 September Yearling Sale. The filly, who is out of a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Sweet Reason, was among the five horses the couple bought at the sale to mark their entrance in Thoroughbred racing. For several years they have been breeding Thoroughbreds at their farm near Lexington and foaled 10 mares this year.

The Roadens, who also breed Labradoodles and Goldendoodles, intended to race Divine Humor on the turf earlier in her career, but two of her races were rained off the grass.

“She’s bred for the turf,” said Rebecca Roaden, a clinical psychologist who has a degree in animal behavior, about entering Divine Humor in the JPMorgan Chase Jessamine. “It just depends on if she can go the distance, if she has a good trip.”

Divine Humor will make her first start for trainer Larry “Bubba” Harris Jr. and jockey Calvin Borel. Both are from Louisiana, which the Roadens consider a good omen. They love Mardi Gras so much their silks contain Mardi Gras colors of gold, purple and green. With a Labradoodle on front and back.

GALLOPING OUT

Jack Gilligan earned his first Keeneland victory when he rode Nelson McMakin’s homebred Favorite Coach to a neck victory in the first race on Sunday for trainer Phil Sims. Since launching his career in 2014, the native of England has won 102 races while riding primarily in Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. 

PROBABLE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES

$500,000 QUEEN ELIZABETH II CHALLENGE CUP PRESENTED BY LANE’S END (G1) (Entries taken Wednesday, race Saturday) – Catch a Glimpse (Mark Casse), Harmonize (Bill Mott), Hawksmoor (IRE) (Hugo Palmer), Mokat (Richard Baltas), On Leave (Shug McGaughey), Outsider Art (Jonathan Sheppard), Queen Caroline (Michael Matz), Stays in Vegas (Jerry Hollendorfer), Time and Motion (James Toner), Try Your Luck (Mike Maker).

THIS DAY IN KEENELAND HISTORY: OCT. 11

Keeneland’s 2016 Fall Meet, which runs through Oct. 29, marks the track’s 80^th anniversary. To celebrate this milestone, Barn Notes throughout the Fall Meet will look back at memorable races and track highlights from Keeneland’s rich history.

Here are a few highlights from Oct. 11:

1936: More than 15,000 people attend an open house at Keeneland held primarily to introduce the public to the new totalizator, the first to be installed in Kentucky. Keeneland will open its inaugural race meet four days later.

1984: Queen Elizabeth II visits Keeneland for the first Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup, won by Cherry Valley Farm’s Sintra. Keith Allen rides the winner for trainer Steve Penrod. To accommodate the queen, per the wishes of her security team, Keeneland built a Winner’s Circle in which she makes the trophy presentation. During her visit, the queen also watches a mock sale of a Thoroughbred in the Sales Pavilion and meets members of the jockey colony.

1991: Wimborne Farm’s La Gueriere wins the inaugural Valley View Stakes (now the Grade 3, $150,000 Pin Oak Valley View on Oct. 21). Brian Peck rides the winner for trainer Peter Perkins.

1997: Mr. and Mrs. Richard Kaster and Mr. and Mrs. Don Propson’s Countess Diana wins the Alcibiades by 2¾ lengths and next will win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Hollywood Park to cap her Eclipse Award-winning campaign.

1998: Racing Hall of Famer Silverbulletday wins the Alcibiades (G1) (now the Grade 1, $500,000 Darley Alcibiades won by Dancing Rags on Saturday). She will win the Ashland (G1) at Keeneland the following April.

2013: Keeneland sets a record attendance for a Friday during the Fall Meet when 22,807 fans are at the track for seeblue. Day at the Races.

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS

Wednesday, Oct. 12

Merchandise Pavilion: The Keeneland Shop’s new Merchandise Pavilion, located near the track’s Grandstand East entrance, features Keeneland-branded apparel and accessories. Open race days from 10 a.m. until 30 minutes after the final post.

WINS-DAY Challenge. Place a mythical $2 win and place wager on Keeneland Races 3-8. Entry fee is $10 with a guaranteed $2,500 pool. Limit three entries per person. The first 200 participants receive a free Daily Racing Form and an appetizer card from Malone's. Visit Wagering Central to sign up.

Thursday, Oct. 13

Official Keeneland Tour. Available Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in October at 8:30 a.m. ET. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets ($8 per person; 12 and younger free).

Merchandise Pavilion: The Keeneland Shop’s new Merchandise Pavilion, located near the track’s Grandstand East entrance, features Keeneland-branded apparel and accessories. Open race days from 10 a.m. until 30 minutes after the final post.

Make-A-Wish-Day. Local Thoroughbred farms and organizations have teamed up with Keeneland to grant wishes for deserving children. Click here to meet them. They will present the trophies to the winning connections after each race.Participating farms and organizations are Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, Ashford Stud, Shadwell Farm, Darley, Gainesway Farm, Shawnee Farm, Flaxman Holdings and Lane’s End.

Friday, Oct. 13

Official Keeneland Tour. Available Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in October at 8:30 a.m. ET. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets ($8 per person; 12 and younger free).

College Scholarship Day. One of Keeneland’s most popular promotions invites college students to enjoy a day at the races. Free general admission with a valid student ID and a chance to win one of 10 college scholarships awarded after each of the day’s races. NEW: Click here to register online and be entered to win an outdoor box for six at Keeneland for Thursday, Oct. 27.

Merchandise Pavilion: The Keeneland Shop’s new Merchandise Pavilion, located near the track’s Grandstand East entrance, features Keeneland-branded apparel and accessories. Open race days from 10 a.m. until 30 minutes after the final post.

The Hill. The popular free tailgate area, available Fridays and Saturdays, is located adjacent to the Keene Barn & Entertainment Center (accessible via Gate 4) and features food trucks, a jumbo TV screen to capture all the racing and college football action, wagering facilities, The Keeneland Shop kiosk and complimentary shuttles to the track. On Saturdays, fans can enjoy live Bluegrass music from noon-4 p.m. BETologists also will be available to answer fans’ questions.

Friday Pick 4 Presented by TVG. A $200,000-guaranteed pool will be offered on Races 7-10.


                                                                 Saturday, Oct. 15

Sunrise Trackside, sponsored by LEX18 and Dunkin’ Donuts, offers activities for people of all ages beginning at 7 a.m. ET: Breakfast With the Works, a Southern-style breakfast (until 8:30 a.m.) while horses train on the main track; children’s activities in the Kids Club Corner (7-9 a.m.); guided walking tours departing from the welcome stand near the Paddock (8-10:30 a.m.); demonstration by Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in the Paddock (9 a.m.); trackside handicapping seminar with expert handicapper Katie Gensler (11:30 a.m.); and Q&A session with a jockey in the Walking Ring (12:05 p.m.).

Merchandise Pavilion: The Keeneland Shop’s new Merchandise Pavilion, located near the track’s Grandstand East entrance, features Keeneland-branded apparel and accessories. Open race days from 10 a.m. until 30 minutes after the final post.

The Hill. The popular free tailgate area, available Fridays and Saturdays, is located adjacent to the Keene Barn & Entertainment Center (accessible via Gate 4) and features food trucks, a jumbo TV screen to capture all the racing and college football action, wagering facilities, The Keeneland Shop kiosk and complimentary shuttles to the track. On Saturdays, fans can enjoy live Bluegrass music from noon-4 p.m. BETologists also will be available to answer fans’ questions.

Craft Beer Tent. The tent on the North Terrace patio offers a special selection that includes Keeneland Fall Ale, produced by Country Boy, along with Ethereal Brewing Common Ale, SweetWater 420, Kentucky Ale College Heights, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, New Belgium Fat Tire, Stella Artois, Country Boy Cougar Bait, Shock Bait and Breckenridge Vanilla Porter Nitro.

$1 Pick 6 on final six races of the day.

Sunday, Oct. 16

Kids Club Family Day. Keeneland Kids Club members and their families will receive free general admission and access to reserved Grandstand seating. Visit the North Terrace from 12-3 p.m. for free children’s activities, including face painting, crafts and more.

Merchandise Pavilion: The Keeneland Shop’s new Merchandise Pavilion, located near the track’s Grandstand East entrance, features Keeneland-branded apparel and accessories. Open race days from 10 a.m. until 30 minutes after the final post.

National Handicapping Challenge/Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge Handicapping Challenge. The Fall Meet’s live bankroll contest awards as many as six qualifying spots to the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge at Santa Anita on Nov. 4-5 and up to six qualifying spots to the 2017 $2.5 million DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship in Las Vegas.

$1 Pick 6 on final six races of the day.

FALL MEET LEADERS

Through Oct. 9 (three days of racing)

Source: Keeneland