Wise Dan to Be Paraded at Keeneland Saturday

Morton Fink’s Wise Dan, who was retired from racing in September after sustaining a tendon injury, is to be paraded at Keeneland on Saturday afternoon. That day’s 10-race program features five stakes, headlined by the $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile (G1), which Wise Dan won twice, including last year in what turned out to be his final race.

Based at Keeneland with trainer Charlie LoPresti throughout his career, Wise Dan will be paraded in the Paddock and Walking Ring during the third race (post time 2:15 p.m. ET). Following the Winner’s Circle photo for the third race, Wise Dan will be led from the Walking Ring through the tunnel onto the main track.

The gelding will be paraded in front of the Grandstand, exiting through the main gap to return to LoPresti’s barn. Meanwhile, LoPresti and his wife, Amy, will be in the Winner’s Circle for a special presentation.  

LOPRESTI NAMES HIS FAVORITE WISE DAN PERFORMANCES

Morton Fink’s Wise Dan was on track to make his fifth appearance in the Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) but sustained a tendon injury and was retired from racing in September.

“I am disappointed that he won’t be able to run here,” trainer Charlie LoPresti said of the 8-year-old gelding by Wiseman’s Ferry who was attempting a comeback from an ankle injury last fall. “He was training better than he ever has.”

So with the book closed on a career that featured a record of 23 wins and two seconds in 31 races with earnings of $7,552,920, LoPresti was asked what would be atop a “Wise Dan Greatest Wins” video.

“Oh gosh, there are so many,” LoPresti said. “Probably both Breeders’ Cup Miles (at Santa Anita in 2012 and 2013) and both Woodbines (the Ricoh Woodbine Mile in 2012 and 2013).

“But probably the most emotional would be the Bernard Baruch last year after he came back from having colic surgery. He has overcome a lot. There are a lot more, like the Firecracker (in 2013) in the rain at Churchill when they almost put him through the hedge.”

A two-time Horse of the Year, Wise Dan won 11 Grade 1 races, six Grade 2 races and two Grade 3 races in a career that began in 2010. He won 15 of 16 starts on grass, including his last 14, and set course records at Santa Anita and Woodbine, breaking marks that had stood for 15 and nine years, respectively. His seven stakes victories at Keeneland are a record.

“I’m not bragging on my horse, because his record speaks for itself,” LoPresti said. “But the really good horses, they find a way to win no matter what happens in a race.”

SALAMA CONTINUES WORKING TO LONGINES BREEDERS’ CUP DISTAFF

“This should be interesting,” trainer Charlie LoPresti said as Salama stepped onto a sealed track at Keeneland Thursdaymorning. “I don’t know if she’s ever been on an off track.”

The 3-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Desert Party showed there was nothing to worry about as she covered a half-mile in :48.80 with jockey Julien Leparoux aboard. Fractions for the work were :12.60, :25.20 with a five-furlong gallop out in 1:02.40 and six furlongs in 1:16.20.

By virtue of a victory June 21 in the Clasico Cesar del Rio (G3) at Peru’s Hipodromo de Monterrico, Salama earned a fees-paid berth to the $2 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) to be held here Oct. 30.

Owned by Stud Santa Maria, Salama was sent to LoPresti on July 27.

“They were looking for a trainer who is based at Keeneland most of the year so she would not have to ship around before the Breeders’ Cup,” said Fernando Macchiavello, a Peruvian native who lives in Lexington and represents Stud Santa Maria and assists other horsemen from Peru who are involved in the Thoroughbred industry.

Salama, a $13,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale graduate, was an instant hit with LoPresti.

“She has been push button since Day One,” LoPresti said. “She is a big, tall filly and has done everything right. It is like she has been here all along. She is a class act.”

LoPresti said that when it was determined Salama would come to the U.S., her connections in Peru began training her American-style. In South America, horses generally are ridden with saddles only for fast workouts and races. The rest of the time, they are ridden without a saddle.

When Salama arrived at Keeneland after clearing quarantine, LoPresti said, “She was knocked out for a couple of days from the trip, but after four or five days she was bucking and squealing.

“Since the first of August she was pretty much on the same seven-day schedule as Wise Dan.”

Source: Keeneland Association