Keeneland wrap: Papilio is neck the best in Appalachian

The Irish-bred Papilio rallied from far off the pace and then held off a late charge from Cairo Consort by a neck to win the Grade 2, $400,000 Appalachian on Saturday at Keeneland.

Trained by Mark Casse, ridden by Javier Castellano and owned by D. J. Stable, Medallion Racing and Parkland Thoroughbreds , Papilio covered the mile on a turf course rated as good in 1:36.32.

It is the third victory in the race for both Casse and Castellano. Casse won in 2016 with Catch a Glimpse and repeated in 2017 with La Coronel. Castellano won with Dayatthespa in 2012 and Rushing Fall in 2018.

Heavenly Sunday led the field of nine through uncontested fractions of 23.50 seconds, 48.27 and 1:12.86 with Well Into and Pleasant Passage in closest pursuit while Papilio raced near the back of the pack. Entering the far turn, Papilio was next to last but began to inch closer between horses midway on the turn and came widest of all for clear running at the top of the stretch.

Papilio is an Irish-bred daughter of Starspangledbanner, out of the High Chaparral mare Glafyra. Starting her career in Ireland last year, Papilio was making her second U.S. start following a runner-up finish in the Herecomesthebride (G3) last month at Gulfstream Park.

She added $176,700 to her bankroll that rose to $258,700 with a record of 7-3-2-0.

Papilio returned $13.98, $5.84 and $4.14. Cairo Consort, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., returned $4.52 and $2.96 and finished a length in front of Heavenly Sunday, who paid $3.72 to show under Florent Geroux.

It was another length back to Well Into, who was followed in order by favored Pleasant Passage, Sabalenka, Be Your Best (IRE), Alpha Bella and Beautifulnavigator (IRE).

Caravel outduels Bad Beat Brian to capture Shakertown

In the Shakertown, Caravel outgamed 40-1 longshot Bad Beat Brian by a head in her first start since winning the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) here in November.

Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, Caravel covered the 5½ furlongs on a turf course rated as good in 1:02.58. It is the second win in the race for Gaffalione, who guided Leinster to a course-record score in 2020.

Caravel shot quickly to the front but immediately had company in Bad Beat Brian. The two leaders ripped through fractions of 21.86 and 44.77 seconds and continued their duel through the stretch with Caravel edging away in the final yards.

Sent off as the favorite, Caravel returned $6.30, $4.82 and $3.60. Bad Beat Brian, ridden by Chris Emigh, returned $23.60 and $10.34 and finished a half-length in front of Arrest Me Red, who paid $4.26 to show under Joel Rosario.

It was another nose back to Oceanic with Mark of the Z, Bakers Boy, Stitched, Noble Emotion, Mister Mmmmm, All in Sync, Artemus Citylimits and Johnny Unleashed following in order.

Here Mi Song is pitch perfect in Commonwealth

Nathan Hayden’s homebred Here Mi Song swept to the lead at the head of the stretch and then prevailed by a neck over Hoist the Gold after a protracted stretch duel in the Commonwealth.

Trained by Billy Stinson and ridden by Alex Achard, Here Mi Song covered the 7 furlongs on the fast main track in 1:23.42. It was Stinson’s first stakes victory.

Run Classic, Long Range Toddy and Pro Oxidant battled for the lead through fractions of 22.89 and 46.50 seconds while Achard had Here Mi Song racing in the clear in midpack.

Here Mi Song is a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred gelded son of Cross Traffic out of the Dehere mare Mi Viera. In winning his graded stakes debut, Here Mi Song added $174,375 to his bankroll that swelled to $563,193 with a record of 19: 5-7-1.

Here Mi Song returned $25.60, $11.54 and $6.92. Hoist the Gold, ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr., returned $9.16 and $5.30 and finished 2¼ lengths in front of Get Her Number, who paid $4.48 to show under Joel Rosario.

Nakatomi finished another nose back in fourth and was followed in order by Run Classic, Pro Oxidant, Heart Rhythm, Spankster, Long Range Toddy and Legionnaire.