Keeneland: Simply in Front, Praying, Khaadem win stakes
Ben Curtis found a seam in the two path in the deep stretch, and he used to guide long shot Simply in Front between horses Saturday. That proved to be the winning move with a neck to spare in the Grade 1, $800,000 First Lady Stakes, a two-turn turf mile for fillies and mares at Keeneland.
Trained by Eddie Kenneally for owner Colebrook Farms, Simply in Front (13-1) got past Segesta (6-1) in the shadow of the finish line for her third graded-stakes victory. The 4-year-old Summer Front filly who has earned more than $2.5 million was coming back from a second-place finish in the Ladies Turf Sprint (G2) on Aug. 30 at Kentucky Downs.
The early pace was established by Raqiya (28-1) with splits of 22.95 and 47.07 seconds. Choisya (4-10) moved ahead through three-quarters of a mile in 1:11.39 before the late duel materialized between Simply in Front and Segesta. Simply in Front prevailed with a time of 1:34.76.
Simply in Front paid $28.24, $11.36 and $6.62. Segesta placed second and returned $7.20 and $5.04. Choisya took third for a payout of $4.96 to show. Deep Satin finished fourth.
Praying scores upset in TCA
Praying outdueled post-time favorite Vahva in a deep-stretch duel to the finish to win the Grade 2, $400,000 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes, a six-furlong dash for seven fillies and mares Saturday at Keeneland.
The win gave Vahva automatic entry into the seven-furlong Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint on Nov. 1 at Del Mar.
A 3-year-old Vekoma filly facing older rivals for the first time, Praying (9-1) carried jockey John Velázquez on a stalking trip behind pacesetter Long Neck Paula (8-1), who set fractions of 22.23 and 45.33 seconds.
Praying and 5-year-old Vahva (7-5), who has earned more than $2 million, emerged in the final furlong to engage in their two-way fight to the finish before Praying prevailed by a half-length with a final time of 1:10.49 on the fast main track. She paid $21.74, $7.40 and $3.88.
Vahva finished second and returned $3.64 and $2.34. Zeitlos (8-5) was third and paid $2.32 to show. Vodka With a Twist (8-1) took fourth.
Trained by Robbie Medina for Newtown Anner Stud, Praying is 2-for-2 in graded stakes. She also won the Prioress (G3) on Aug. 30 at Saratoga.
9-year-old Khaadem rallies, wins Woodford
Making his second U.S. start, 9-year-old gelding Khaadem was last of eight with a furlong to go. That was before Frankie Dettori charged him down the middle of the track with a perfectly timed rally to win the Grade 2, $400,000 Woodford Stakes going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Keeneland.
Third in the Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint on Aug. 30, the Ireland-bred son of Dark Angel who is trained by Charlie Hills won for the first time since he took the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee (G1) last year at Royal Ascot.
Doncho set the early pace with splits of 21.95 and 44.81 seconds before the field closed in on him. Khaadem took the lead in the final strides and won by a neck with a final time of 1:02.18 on the firm turf. He paid $8.54, $5.32 and $3.58.
Script closed to finish second and returned $14.66 and $7.00. Joe Shiesty took third and paid $4.76 to show. Governor Sam wound up fourth.
The victory pushed Khaadem’s career earnings past $2.5 million for owner Fitri Hay.