Keeneland, Races 3 and 10 – Friday, October 27, 2023
By 2YO EdgeMan
KEE3:102723 – One and 1/16th miles on the turf. As seems to be the case with most all of ‘our races’ here at Keeneland this fall, we’ve got the maximum of sixteen fillies entered – but only twelve will load into the gate. These gals break down evenly in the experience department – there are three that are firsters, three that have been out once, three that have raced twice and three that have three afternoon spins under their belt. Fewer horses than normal interest me in this one, but that’s OK – let’s pull this apart…
#8 – Celtic Charm (9/2) – One of the trio of First-Time starters, this filly is by Justify and was thrown by a Frankel mare who won nearly a $1/4 million with a record of 3 for 8. She’s foaled one other of racing age – a full sis to this gal that is an unraced three-year-old. Today’s competitor hammered for $250K as a yearling and Mike Ryan signed the ticket and retained ownership (35/78). Brendan Walsh has had the duty to prep her for her debut and he’s been doing that at Turfway Park, starting back in mid-July. She’s been out thirteen times there (54 total furlongs) on the All-Weather surface and her best was probably her most recent when she went a half mile in 47.8 seconds (3/48). Tyler will be in the saddle.
#9 – Sedately (6/1) – The Two-Year-Old Wizard – Wesley Ward – will tighten the girth on this FTS Kitten’s Joy filly. Her mom is by Pulpit and she was 2 for 23 with $215K in purse money on the track. She’s tossed 15 others of racing age, two of them surpassed the $100K earnings mark and one of those was a second out winner when he was two. This gal has never been through a public auction. This filly was late to the training game, not putting her first work in until 9/1/23. In total, she’s breezed seven times – all here at KEE – but her times have been underwhelming.
#10 – Tonalite (15/1) – Is a Tonalist homebred who has been out one time previously and she’s trained by Victoria Oliver. Her dam is by Into Mischief, but she was winless in three tries and this is her first foal of racing age. In her debut at Ellis Park back on 8/18/23, she languished near the back of the pack for much of the mile and 1/16th turf event, but came a runnin down the lane to finish only two lengths back in fourth place. Soon after her race, Victoria shipped this filly here to Keeneland where she’s pumped five half mile works into her – her last was a bullet – 47.8 seconds (1/29).
#11 – Moonlight Gambler (3/1) – The Morning Line fav is by Malibu Moon and trained by Ben Colebrook who is 1 for 7 (14.3%) over the previous five years (2018 thru 2022) with Non-FTSers here at the Keeneland Fall meet. Her mom was a fine race mare having won 5 of 13 and bringing home $288K in prize money. She’s thrown four others of racing age, but none of note. Today’s runner sold for $155K as a yearling last fall. She’s one of the three that has been out three times previously, all on the lawn. Her pattern appears to be to lay back and then make a run and she’s never finished more than four lengths behind. Two back, at KD, she finished runner up to Pharoah’s Wine who went on to run second in the G2 Jessamine Stakes. Luis Saez will ride her for the first time today.
Pick – #8 – Celtic Charm – Three things stand out to me. Her breeding just screams grass & talent. And mom was a good runner with all three of her scores coming on the lawn. I also like the fact that Mike Ryan scooped her up – he’s got a tremendous eye. Lastly, I’m always encouraged when I see a gifted juvenile will get the services of Tyler. Best of luck to the owner of this filly in Game of Silks – Patrician Racing.
KEE10:102723 – One and 1/16th miles on the turf. You guessed it – sixteen fillies have been entered, with four being on the Also Eligible List. Only two of the twelve in the main field are firsters, half (6) have raced once, three have battled twice and one has been out five times (yes five runs). Again, not terribly enthralled with too many in here, but let’s move forward with breaking them down…
#3 – Floribunda (3/1) – The Morning Line fav has been out once previously, is by Mendelssohn and is trained by Pletcher. Her Street Cry dam was unraced and she’s only had one other of racing age – a 3YO that has only been out once and did not win. The winning bid for this gal was a big one and it came from Lawana and Robert Low for $310K last year when she was a yearling (4/105). Her debut at odds were 5/1, but her performance was not eye catching. It was at KD on 9/13/23 and after running wide on the turn, she ended fifth, seven lengths shy of the winner. TAP has worked her three times since her run, twice at CD and then once here at KEE. J. Velasquez will get the chance to pilot her for the first time.
#5 – Lady de Berry (9/2) – This filly is by Practical Joke and is from a 24 year old Thunder Gulch mare that was 1 for 3, but only banked $6,000 (but that was a different era in racing). She’s got one foal who won first out as a two-year-old at SA in December and posted a terrific 93 EBSF – she went on to be a perfect 3 for 3 in total and win $188K. Today’s contestant was sold as a yearling for $185K (2/72) and then again earlier this year as a 2YO for $270K (2/37). She’s raced one time previously – back on 8/26/23 she tried six furlongs on the dirt oval at Saratoga, but ran a relatively flat race finishing sixth, seven lengths back at odds of 14/1. She’ll try the lawn for the first time today. Trainer Chad Brown has had time to inject seven half mile works into her since her race – the first four while still up in upstate NY and then three more here at Keeneland. Flavien gets the return call.
#6 – Its Satisfactual (12/1) – Cherie DeVaux preps this filly for her first afternoon try. She’s owned Lael Stable and is by Hard Spun. Mom tried racing 24 times, but only found the Winner’s Circle once and ended with $55,000 in purse money. She’s had one other foal of racing age and that one is imitating mom’s race record (unfortunately) – 1 for 17 ($27,000). In the auction ring, today’s runner brought a bid of $220K earlier this year as a 2YO (3/20). She’s had a total of six half mile workouts – the first three at Ellis Park, starting back in late August – and then three more here at Keeneland. She’s never stopped the stopwatch in less than 48.4 seconds.
#9 – Lauriston (8/1) – Another firster, this filly was bred in Ireland and is from Irish bred parents. Her sire is Siyouni and her dam is Reprint, who was unraced. She sold last year overseas as a yearling for the equivalent of $82,681 (56/63) and then did not meet her reserve of the equivalent of $195,286 when she went back through the ring as a two-year-old earlier this year. Brendan Walsh trains her and she hasn’t missed a beat since beginning her work out regime back in early July. In total, she’s been out for 16 morning spins (68 total furlongs), all at Turfway Park. Her best was her last when she went under the 12 second per furlong barometer – 47.8 seconds for a half mile (3/48). Tyler will get the leg up.
Pick – #9 Lauriston – I’m just going to go ahead and make it Walsh/Gaffalione in both 2YO MSWs today. Her sire is classy and both parents are obviously 100% grass horses. I like that her last work was her best and that she’s got 8 ½ miles of work in her. Honestly, I’m not terribly excited about her, but none of the others fire me up either, so let’s try this Irish lass.
Keeneland has two more of our baby races carded for tomorrow to close out the meet – Race numbers 2 and 10. They are the same distance and same surface as today, but the boys will take center stage. So, don’t miss closing day with your friends here at the 2YO Edge and PastTheWire.com. You all are the best part of what we do and we are mighty thankful for your support and engagement. Be safe out there, my Mighty Edgies!
