Trainers Discuss Weekend Stakes Runners; “Keeneland Look Ahead” Handicapping Program Debuts Tonight
LEXINGTON, Ky.—Louisiana-bred Cilla ventured into the deep waters of graded stakes company at Keeneland twice in 2021, finishing sixth in the Beaumont (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select in April and third in the Lexus Raven Run (G2) in October.
Bred by owner P. Dale Ladner and trainer Brett Brinkman, Cilla is back in town for Saturday’s $500,000 Madison (G1). Unlike last year, Cilla arrived at Keeneland early enough to work a half-mile in :48.40 last Saturday, the 12th fastest of 72 at the distance.
“In hindsight, I see where a work over the surface, especially in April, can be beneficial,” Brinkman said.
Winner of the Prioress (G2) last summer at Saratoga, the 4-year-old daughter of California Chrome has won her only two starts on less than a fast track by a combined 111⁄2 lengths.
“She has shown she can handle off going, but so does Kimari,” Brinkman said, referring to the defending Madison champion.
Cilla will break from post one under Brian Hernandez Jr.
A daylight winner of two 5-furlong sprints at Delta Downs this year, Cilla will be making a big jump Saturday in the Madison.
“As breeder and owner, we have (most of the) family,” Brinkman said. “So, shooting for a Grade 1, if we can be lucky enough to be successful, would make that family more valuable and we need to see if we belong.”
That family includes Cilla’s older Grade 2-placed half-sister, Club Car, who is entered in the Madison for owners Mike and K.K. Ball and trainer Ben Colebrook. Ladner and Brinkman also bred the 6-year-old Club Car, a Kentucky-bred daughter of Malibu Moon.
Out of multiple stakes winner Sittin At the Bar, by Into Mischief, Club Car and Cilla both are Keeneland sales graduates. Mike Ball purchased Club Car for $120,000 at the 2017 September Yearling Sale, where she was consigned by Denali Stud, agent.
Cilla was offered at the 2019 Horses of All Ages Sale by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.
Trainers Discuss Weekend Stakes Runners
Keeneland Racing Analyst Tom Leach interviewed several trainers with horses competing during opening weekend of the Spring Meet:
Rusty Arnold on Gear Jockey in Saturday’s Shakertown (G2). Bret Calhoun on Tejano Twist in Friday’s Lafayette.
Graham Motion on Sy Dog in Friday’s Kentucky Utilities Transylvania (G3) and Ouraika (FR) and Spendarella in Saturday’s Appalachian (G2) Presented by Japan Racing Association.
Mark Casse on Credibility and Coinage in the Kentucky Utilities Transylvania; Golden Glider and Volcanic in Saturday’s Toyota Blue Grass (G1) and Filo Di Arianna (BRZ) in the Shakertown.
“Keeneland Look Ahead” Handicapping Program Debuts Tonight
For a handicapping preview of Friday’s card on opening day of the Keeneland Spring Meet, tune into the first edition of “Keeneland Look Ahead” tonight at 8:30 p.m. on Keeneland’s Twitter feed (@keenelandracing) and YouTube channel.
“Keeneland Look Ahead” is a nightly handicapping preview of the next day’s racing action, produced by Horse Player NOW and hosted by Jeremy Plonk. Now in his 28th meet as a Keeneland.com contributor, Plonk will provide strategy into how the next card can be approached, while spotlighting key plays and potentially profitable wagers like the Keeneland Turf Pick 3 – using many of the free assets available to all horseplayers at Keeneland.com.
“Keeneland Look Ahead” will broadcast live at 8:30 p.m. on the evening prior to all race cards – and be available on-demand thereafter – on Keeneland and Horse Player NOW’s social media channels.
Galloping Out
Dream Shake, whose lone Kentucky racing appearance came last year on Derby Day at Churchill Downs, where he came up a head short of eventual champion Jackie’s Warrior in the Pat Day Mile (G2) Presented by LG&E and KU, returns to the races Sunday afternoon in a 6-furlong allowance sprint.
“This will be his first race back,” trainer Peter Eurton said of Dream Shake, who has not started since mid-August at Del Mar. “From here, go on over to Churchill and we know he likes Churchill Downs.”
Eurton, who has 10 stalls here, said he plans to be at Keeneland all meet except for a couple of trips back to his home base at Santa Anita.
Prospective Fields For April 15-16 Stakes
According to Keeneland Stakes Coordinator Baley Hare, here are the prospective fields for the April 15 and 16 stakes:
April 15 race. Entries taken Sunday.
$600,000 MAKER’S MARK MILE (G1) – Atone (trainer Mike Maker), Beyond Brilliant (John Shirreffs), In Love (BRZ) (Paulo Lobo), Ivar (BRZ) (Lobo), Set Piece (GB) (Brad Cox), Somelikeithotbrown (Maker).
April 16 races. Entries taken Wednesday.
$500,000 JENNY WILEY (G1) – Abscond (Eddie Kenneally), Navratilova (Rusty Arnold). Possible: Alms (Mike Stidham).
Keeneland Press Release
Photo: Cilla won the LA Bred Premier Matron Stakes handily under Thomas Pompell at Delta Downs Feb. 5, 2022. (Coady Photography)
