Pearl Turn Tries Tougher in Doubledogdare

Pearl Turn represents a number of firsts for her 30-year-old trainer, Will VanMeter. On March 14 at Oaklawn, the 4-year-old Bernardini filly became his first winner when she captured an allowance race by five lengths. On Friday, she will be VanMeter’s first starter in a stakes and first starter at Keeneland when she breaks from post three in the $100,000 Hilliard Lyons Doubledogdare (G3) with Rosie Napravnik.

Asked why he decided to run Pearl Turn against the likes of Emollient in the Hilliard Lyons Doubledogdare, VanMeter said the filly “made the decision. She was doing so well and acting like she wanted to step up. She’s been acting very, very confident coming off her last race.”

VanMeter, who has four horses at Keeneland, is the son of successful horseman Tom VanMeter, who owns Pearl Turn with Brad Grady. The elder VanMeter, a former practicing equine veterinarian who is a prominent sales consignor, bought Pearl Turn for $200,000 at the 2014 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale.

After graduating from Lexington’s Sayre School, VanMeter spent two years in the Army. He then attended the University of Louisville and earned a degree in equine business. Soon after, he went to work for Racing Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas at Oaklawn, an experience he likened to “going to college and receiving a doctorate.”

VanMeter expects a large turnout of family and friends to watch Pearl Turn.

“It’s an honor to start a horse at Keeneland,” he said. “It feels extra special to bring such a nice horse here. She’s 50-1 (in the morning line), but she doesn’t know she’s 50-1. I think she’s sitting on a big race.”