Keeneland introduces maiden auction races for 2-year-olds

Keeneland introduced a new type of race Wednesday, a maiden auction race. Worth $70,000 for 2-year-olds, the event is for non-winners who sold or did not meet their reserve price for $50,000 or less in their most recent auction. Thursday’s race 4 had the same condition for fillies.

Both races, run at seven furlongs, attracted overflow fields.

“A maiden auction race is just a step below a maiden special weight,” Keeneland and Churchill Downs racing secretary Ben Huffman said. “People can buy a good prospect for that price at auction, but in a maiden special weight race they might have to face million-dollar purchases and the royally bred homebreds.

“Maiden special weight races in Kentucky are just so tough,” he added. “The maiden auction races give those horses some class relief with lesser competition, and owners do not have to risk having their horse claimed.”

Wednesday’s race with a field limit of 12 horses drew 19 entries. Four of those were placed on the also-eligible list and three were excluded.

With no scratches, a dozen entrants were in the race with Calumet Farm’s Khanate cruising to a 10 1/2-length victory for trainer Todd Pletcher. Bred in Kentucky by Mongolian Stable, Khanate sold to Calumet for $35,000 at Keeneland’s 2022 September yearling sale. He was consigned by Conley Bloodstock, Carolyn Conley, agent.

Runner-up Mr. Faversham was a $50,000 purchase at the same sale. Bradley Thoroughbreds, agent, bought him from consignor and breeder Machmer Hall. Cherie DeVaux trains Mr. Faversham for owners Belmar Racing and Breeding and David Ingordo.

On Thursday, after two scratches, 10 fillies contested the race. It was won by Accommodate Eva, who sold for $25,000 at the Keeneland 2022 September yearling sale.

“These races are very popular with the horseman,” Huffman said. “We are looking forward to offering more in the future.”