Leparoux Becomes Fifth Rider to Reach 400-Win Plateau at Keeneland

Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s Johns Kitten emerged in front of a three-horse stretch duel by a neck to win the $62,000 Cobra Purse for 4-year-olds and up before a near-record Sunday afternoon crowd of 19,876.

Trained by Mike Maker and ridden by Julien Leparoux, Johns Kitten covered the 1½ miles on a firm turf course in 2:33.92.

Johns Kitten is a 4-year-old Virginia-bred gelded son of Kitten’s Joy out of the Lido Palace (CHI) mare Lido Lady. It was the third victory in 10 starts for Johns Kitten, who hiked his bankroll to $77,520 with Sunday’s $30,900 check.

Johns Kitten returned $13, $6 and $4.40. Tiz Town, ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr., returned 11.80 and $7 with Circus Performer finishing another 1 ¼ lengths back in third and returning $4 to show under Florent Geroux.

Leparoux also won the day’s final race on Gio’s Calling for his 400th career victory at Keeneland.

A 32-year-old native of Senlis, France, Leparoux became the fifth rider to reach the 400-win plateau at Keeneland. His first victory here came in the 2005 Fall Meet.

Riders ahead of Leparoux are Pat Day (918), Don Brumfield (716), Robby Albarado (478) and Shane Sellers (412).

The final three days of Keeneland’s 16-day Spring Meet commence Wednesday with an eight-race program that begins at 1:05 p.m. ET.

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On Sunday, Keeneland recognized the men and women who serve our country during Military Day at the Races Presented by Marathon. All active-duty, reserve and veteran military members and their families received free general admission and access to reserved Grandstand seating. In honor of Month of the Military Child, Keeneland offered games, crafts and face painting for children. Trackside activities included music from the Kentucky National Guard 202nd Quartet, special recognitions throughout the day and a 40’ x 60’ foot flag rollout on the track by Lexington’s Henry Clay High School Junior ROTC.