Rhetorical rallies in the stretch to win Turf Mile at Keeneland

After biding his time in fourth place through the first half of the race, Rhetorical pounced in the final furlong on his way to victory Saturday in the Grade 1, $1.25 million Turf Mile for 11 horses racing at Keeneland.

A 9-1 long shot trained by Will Walden, Rhetorical won for the fourth time in a row and earned a Breeders’ Cup Mile invitation which he may redeem Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

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A 4-year-old Not This Time gelding, Rhetorical made his graded-stakes debut and got a patient ride from Irad Ortiz Jr. Ahead of him Quatrocento (15-1) established rapid, pace-setting fractions of 22.40, 46.07 and 1:10.08.

In the homestretch Rhetorical got the first run on the fading leaders and took command. Program Trading (4-1), making only his second start off a nearly 14-month break for trainer Chad Brown, made a late run only to come up three-quarters of a length short.

Rhetorical’s winning time was 1:33.61 on the firm turf, and he paid $21.18, $9.62 and $7.10. Program Trading placed second and returned $6.58 and $4.02. Brilliant Berti (10-1) came in third and paid $6.32 to show. Jonquil (11-1) finished fourth.

Owned by Gary Barber, Cheyenne Stable and Wachtel Stable, Rhetorical was a $320,000 purchase three years ago. He ran his record to 6: 5-0-1 by building on a victory last out in the West Point Stakes against New York-bred competition Aug. 24 at Saratoga.