Pletcher Works Trio of Breeders' Cup Hopefuls
Among trainer Todd Pletcher’s Friday workers at Keeneland after the renovation break were three horses turning in their first timed moves over the track in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships here on Oct. 30-31.
Working in company, Michael B. Tabor’s Thrilled and Alto Racing’s Azar breezed a half-mile in :47.80. Clockers caught the pair of 2-year-olds in fractions of :24, :47.80 and out in 1:0.60.
Thrilled, a filly by Uncle Mo, is pointed to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1). She was second in both the Sept. 3 P. G. Johnson at Saratoga and the Sept. 27 Miss Grillo (G3) at Belmont. The winner of the P. G. Johnson was Harmonize, who took Wednesday’s JPMorgan Chase Jessamine (G3) here and also is expected in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.
Azar is to make his next start in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1). The Scat Daddy colt won the Sept. 2 With Anticipation (G2) at Saratoga and is coming off a second in the Sept. 26 Pilgrim (G3) at Belmont. Pilgrim winner Isotherm also is expected in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.
Also breezing was Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners’ Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) candidate Curalina, winner of the Acorn (G1) at Belmont and Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) at Saratoga. Working in company with Grade 2 winner Race Day, the 3-year-old Curlin filly covered a half-mile in :47.20. Clockers caught the pair in fractions of :24, :47.20 and out in 1:00 and 1:14.20.
“They all went extremely well,” Pletcher said. “The track was fairly lively after the break. They seemed to skip over it really well. I’m happy with all three.”
Race Day is to race in the Hagyard Fayette (G2), one of the undercard stakes on the first day of the Breeders’ Cup. So too is the third team of Pletcher’s Friday workers, Grade 2 winner Protonico and Grade 3 winner Commissioner. They breezed five furlongs in :59.40.
CHANGE OF PLANS PUTS VALDIVIA IN RIGHT PLACE AT RIGHT TIME
The first time jockey Jose Valdivia Jr. rode at Keeneland, the road to racing glory wasn’t that well marked.
“I think I drove past the front of the track four times and I was saying to myself, ‘Where is this place?’ ” Valdivia said.
That was back in the mid-1990s. Now Valdivia not only knows the way in the front gates but also the path to the Winner’s Circle, a spot he has visited twice in the past two days.
“What better place to be in the fall than here at Keeneland, especially with the Breeders’ Cup here,” said Valdivia, who has spent much of his career on the Southern California circuit.
The 40-year-old native of Peru moved his tack to Chicago this summer and was the leading rider at the just concluded Arlington Park meet with 80 victories.
“I did well at Arlington and I was going to take some time off and regroup in Florida. It was never in the plan (to stay here),” Valdivia said. “I was coming here to ride in the (JPMorgan Chase) Jessamine for (trainer) Larry (Rivelli) and all of a sudden I am getting calls from Wesley (Ward) to work and ride some of his horses.”
Riding for Ward, Valdivia posted his first Keeneland victory since 1996 when he rode Banree to victory in Wednesday’s sixth race. He scored again Thursday for Rivelli with Richie the Bull in the third race.
“I can’t remember the last time I rode a full meet here,” Valdivia said. “I would in come in to ride an occasional stakes, but that was it.”
Valdivia, who won the 2011 Belmont (G1) on Ruler On Ice, is making the most of this trip with the possibility of picking up a Breeders’ Cup mount.
“I don’t have one, but that’s why I’m here,” said Valdivia, who won the 2001 Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Belmont Park with Val Royal (FR). “I’m going to be the house jockey for Keeneland. If somebody needs a rider, I’m here.”
Valdivia is named on five mounts Friday, including Pablo Del Monte in the seventh for Ward. The race will be the first run at the mile distance on the main track at Keeneland and serves as a dry run for the Las Vegas Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) to be run Oct. 30.
“Some of the riders have been talking about it,” Valdivia said about Dirt Mile, which will have a short run to the first turn. “It will definitely be interesting with a 12-horse field.”
BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY HAS UNIQUE BRAND OF PHILANTHROPY
Historic Buffalo Trace Distillery of Frankfort, Ky., sponsor of today’s $100,000 Buffalo Trace Franklin County Stakes, produces popular bourbon while investing time and resources in the region.
“We very much value our relationship with Keeneland,” Buffalo Trace Bourbon Marketing Director Kris Comstock said. “Buffalo Trace and Keeneland have very similar values: integrity, trust, valuing your customer, giving back to the community. These are all attributes that we have that we think align with Keeneland and are why we have chosen to partner with Keeneland.”
Buffalo Trace has a long history of philanthropy. Its “Contribution to the Community” event, which celebrated its 15th year in 2015, has enabled the company to donate nearly $1 million in funding to approximately 20 local nonprofit organizations, including United Way of Franklin County, American Red Cross of Franklin County, Hospice of the Bluegrass, Franklin County Council on Aging and Preservation Kentucky.
Every July 4, Buffalo Trace stages “The Great Buffalo Trace 5K” run/walk event, with proceeds going to the local VFW Post 4075. The VFW, which received more than $12,000 last summer, uses Buffalo Trace’s donation to put on a fireworks show for the city of Frankfort.
Buffalo Trace also hosts frequent free events for the community, including an annual Easter Egg Hunt and Lighting of the Trace, a traditional Christmas lights display similar to the popular Southern Lights holiday festival at the Kentucky Horse Park. Additionally, Buffalo Trace donates gift baskets to area organizations for fundraisers and stages bourbon-tasting events throughout the country that benefit various nonprofit organizations.
One of the company’s signature charitable activities is The Eagle Rare Life Award, an online contest that since its 2011 inception has raised $240,000. Sponsored by Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, one of Buffalo Trace’s featured brands, the program recognizes people across the country who lead “rare lives.”
Online voting for the 2016 award concludes Jan. 5, 2016. For more information, visit eaglerarelife.com.
SEATING IN GRANDSTAND LOGE BOXES, CLUB LAWN CHALET
AVAILABLE DURING FALL MEET
Keeneland fans have the opportunity to experience several venues constructed especially for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships here on Oct. 30-31. Fans may purchase tickets in the Grandstand Loge Boxes each day during the meet and in the Club Lawn Chalet on Fridays and Saturdays.
The Grandstand Loge Boxes accommodate six guests and offer commanding views of the Keeneland main track. The boxes sit just below the permanent boxes and are situated from section A-P between the 16th pole and just past the Finish Line. Patrons have easy access to the ground floor and track apron, and are close to mutuels, concessions and restrooms.
Available every race day during the Fall Meet, the Grandstand Loge Boxes prices include general admission: $200 per box on Saturday, $150 per box on Friday, $100 per box on Wednesday/Thursday/Sunday. Click here for more information about and to purchase Grandstand Loge Boxes.
The Club Lawn Chalet, located next to the Keeneland Clubhouse, provides premium views of the track. Available Fridays and Saturdays during the Fall Meet, tickets are $80 per person and include general admission, lunch buffet and race-day program. Seating sold by tables of six only. Click here for more information about and to purchase Club Lawn Chalet seats.
SPOTLIGHT ON KEENELAND SALES GRADUATES
WHO BECAME BREEDERS’ CUP WINNERS: ARAZI
On Oct. 30-31, Keeneland for the first time will host the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, which consists of 13 Grade 1 races worth $26 million in purses and awards. Through its world-famous sales, Keeneland has had a long connection to the Breeders’ Cup. A total of 82 Keeneland sales graduates have won 88 Breeders’ Cup races.
In the days leading up to this year’s Breeders’ Cup, prominent winners who sold at Keeneland will be profiled.
Arazi (1991 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile): Ninth after a half-mile while racing about 12 lengths off the lead, Arazi electrified the racing world during the 1991 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Churchill Downs when he rocketed around the final turn and won by five widening lengths. Some consider the race the most impressive single performance in Breeders’ Cup history.
Bred in Kentucky by Ralph Wilson, the weanling Arazi was consigned by Bruce Hundley, agent for Wilson and Oxford Stable, to Keeneland’s 1989 November Breeding Stock Sale and sold for $350,000 to Allen Paulson. Based in France with trainer Francois Boutin, the son of Blushing Groom (FR)-Danseur Fabuleux, by Northern Dancer, won 9 races in 14 starts and earned $1,212,351. He won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in his North American debut for owners Paulson and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The performance earned him the Eclipse Award as North America’s champion 2-year-old colt, and he was Europe’s Horse of the Year.
Sire of Grade 1 winner and sire Congaree, Arazi spent time at stud in England, Kentucky, Japan, Switzerland and Australia.
WORK TAB
R3 Racing’s Bailoutbobby, prepping for the $200,000 Marathon (G2) to be run here Oct. 30, worked a half-mile in :49 for trainer Doug O’Neill.
GALLOPING OUT
Trainer Michael P. Porter recorded his first Keeneland victory when he sent out Adrian Darnell Miles’ Blutadda to winThursday’s first race. Jon Court rode the 4-year-old daughter of Blutadda, who won the six-furlong claiming race by three-quarters of a length in 1:12.22.
Here is the list of probable starters for the following week’s stakes as compiled by Racing Secretary Ben Huffman and Stakes Coordinator Allison DeLuca:
THURSDAY, Oct. 15 (Entries taken Sunday)
$100,000 SYCAMORE (G3) Probable: Charming Kitten, Divine Oath, Holiday Star, Market Outlook, Patrioticandproud, Thatcher Street, Tricky Hat (CHI), Xtra Luck. Possible: Power Ped.
SATURDAY, Oct. 17 (Entries taken Wednesday, Oct. 14)
$250,000 LEXUS RAVEN RUN (G2) Probable: Ahh Chocolate, Bar of Gold, Eloquent Tribute, Hot City Girl, Kathballu, Miss Ella, Paid Up Subscriber, Sarah Sis, Super Majesty.
SUNDAY, Oct. 18 (Entries taken Thursday, Oct. 15)
$125,000 ROOD & RIDDLE DOWAGER (G3) Probable: Ceisteach (IRE), Honey Lake, Kitten’s Point, Lady of Gold, Llanarmon, Naples Gold. Possible: Uchenna (IRE).
Source: Keeneland Association