First Lady Winner Simply In Front Heads West

Simply In Front. (Jenny Doyle/Past The Wire)

Destino d’Oro Returns To Keeneland For QE II Challenge Cup 

Sarawak Rim (ARG) Works From Gate In Breeders’ Cup Prep 

Keeneland Release

Colebrook Farms’ Simply in Front exited her neck victory in Saturday’s $800,000 First Lady (G1) in good order, and the logical question for trainer Eddie Kenneally is what’s next.

“We are looking at Del Mar. It might be the Goldikova (G3) or the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1),” Kenneally said Wednesday morning. “The Goldikova would be the most logical spot.”

The $2 million FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile would involve facing the boys. The $300,000 Goldikova is for fillies and mares. Both races are Nov. 1.

A winner of six races — including three graded stakes — in 16 starts, the 4-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Summer Front increased her earnings to more than $2.8 million with the victory Saturday.

“She likes Kentucky Downs,” said Kenneally of Simply in Front, who has banked more than half of her earnings with a win and a second in two lucrative stakes there. “And evidently she likes it here, too.”

Kenneally said Simply in Front would get a winter break in Ocala with plans to come back and race next year at age 5.

Destino d’Oro Returns To Keeneland For Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) Presented By Dixiana

Blake Cox, assistant to and son of trainer Brad Cox, has no trouble recalling the one time Steve Landers Racing’s Destino d’Oro ran at Keeneland.

The race was the Jessamine (G2) Presented by Keeneland Sales last October, and three noses hit the wire together.

“I was halfway across the track to the Winner’s Circle on the turf course and looked at the tote board and saw we were third,” Cox said. “I thought she won it.”

Destino d’Oro rallied from far back only to be nosed out by winner May Day Ready and Totally Justified. The Jessamine Presented by Keeneland Sales marked her final start of 2024.

“We gave her the winter off and wanted her to have a good spring and summer, but she was delayed getting back to the races,” Cox said.

Destino d’Oro returned in June with an allowance win at Churchill Downs and then a victory in the Pucker Up (G3) at Ellis Park in August before running sixth behind stablemate Fionn in the Blackwood Dueling Ground Oaks Invitational (G3) at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 10.

“Her first two races were impressive,” Cox said. “At Kentucky Downs, she had kind of a claustrophobic trip … not a bad trip, just claustrophobic.”

On Friday, Destino d’Oro and Fionn will return to Keeneland for Saturday’s 42nd running of the $800,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) Presented by Dixiana going 1⅛ miles on the turf.

Irad Ortiz Jr. will partner Destino d’Oro for the first time. Flavien Prat retains the mount on Fionn, who is owned by George Messina and Michael Lee.

Sarawak Rim (ARG) Works From Gate In Breeders’ Cup Prep For Correas

JCB Stables’ Sarawak Rim (ARG) figures to be the final horse trainer Ignacio Correas IV saddles before retiring and heading to his native Argentina in mid-November.

The finale is slated for Del Mar on Nov. 1 in the $2 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), a race Correas won in 2019 with BluePrize (ARG) at Santa Anita.

Winner of the Gran Premio Criadores (G1) at Hipodromo Argentino De Palermo on May 1 in her most recent race, Sarawak Rim has been with Correas at Keeneland since July. 

On Wednesday morning, she had her ninth work with a :48.60 half-mile breeze out of the gate that merited a thumbs-up from Correas after the drill over a track rated as good. Fractions on the work were :13.20, :24.40 and :37.20.

“She’s got talent and she has surprised me every time she has worked,” Correas said. “She’s going to be really good next year, but it will be for somebody else.”

Correas has two more works scheduled here for Sarawak Rim before heading to Del Mar on Oct. 23 and having her final work there.

GALLOPING OUT … … …. ….. 

Two horses who ran in this year’s Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve are training at Keeneland.

Terry L. Stephens’ Chunk of Gold, who finished ninth in the race, was second in the Bourbon Flight Stakes at Churchill Downs on Sept. 20 in his most recent start.

Norman Stables’ Coal Battle, who was 11^th in the Derby, most recently was second in the Indiana Derby (G3) on July 5. He breezed 4 furlongs in 47.60 here on Saturday. Trainer Lonnie Briley’s long-range plan for the colt is the Zia Park Derby on Nov. 25. …

Sibelius, winner of the 2023 Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) Sponsored by Nakheel and a starter in several Keeneland stakes, is participating in The Thoroughbred Makeover at the Kentucky Horse Park. The event on Oct. 8-11 is the world’s largest Thoroughbred retraining competition for recently retired racehorses. Sibelius will compete in dressage, a series of slow precision movements with a rider. The 7-year-old gelding, who earned his first career victory at Keeneland in April 2021, bankrolled more than $1.8 million with nine wins in 27 starts.

Prospective Fields For Upcoming Stakes

$350,000 LEXUS RAVEN RUN (G2) (Entries taken Saturday; race Saturday, Oct. 18) —Eskenforaraise (trainer Travis Murphy), Maida (Brittany Russell), Quietside (John Ortiz), Ragtime (Bill Mott), Usha (Bob Baffert), Vixen (Mark Casse).

$350,000 PERRYVILLE (G3) (Entries taken Saturday; race Saturday, Oct. 18) — Barnes (Baffert), Captain Cook (Todd Pletcher), Owen Almighty (Brian Lynch), Rolando (Fausto Gutierrez), Taylor’s Version (Dale Romans).

$350,000 ROOD & RIDDLE DOWAGER (G3) (Entries taken Sunday; race Sunday, Oct. 19) — Bless My Stars (SAF) (Brendan Walsh), Boss Lady Bailey (Mike Maker), Duvet Day (IRE) (Michael McCarthy), Miwa (GB) (Joe Sharp), Ruth (Pletcher), Spanish Eyes (GER) (Walsh), Venencia (FR) (Walsh).

Keeneland’s 17-day Fall Meet runs through Saturday, Oct. 25. 
First race is at 1 p.m. ET. No racing Mondays and Tuesdays.

Click here for the Fall Meet stakes schedule, which includes links to the lists of nominees 
for each stakes and their past performances.

Second Week Special Events

Throughout the Fall Meet, special events and activities will continue Keeneland’s historic mission to support the Central Kentucky community and the Thoroughbred industry. They include:

Year-round

Official Keeneland Tours: Click here for description, availability and to purchase tickets.

Wednesday, Oct. 8

WINS-Day Challenge Presented by Malone’s. This is an inexpensive way for beginner handicappers to give contests a try. Enter for $10 at Wagering Central on the first floor Grandstand and place a mythical $2 win and place wager – no actual money required – on the final six Keeneland races of the day. First 200 participants will receive a free Daily Racing Form and an appetizer card from Malone’s.

Thursday, Oct. 9

Make-A-Wish Day. This is the 18^th year Keeneland has hosted the event, the culmination of a rewarding experience for a special group of 11 children. Local Thoroughbred farms and organizations team up with Keeneland to grant wishes for these children, who with their families are treated to a VIP experience, complete with presenting a trophy after each race, meeting jockeys and experiencing the excitement of a day at the races. Fans may donate to Make-A-Wish® Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (weather permitting)

The Hill. No ticket or reservation is required for tailgating on The Hill, located adjacent to the Keene Barn & Entertainment Center and accessible via Gate 1 (at Man o’ War Blvd.) or Gate 4 (off Van Meter Road on the east side of Keeneland). Fans can watch the racing action via a jumbo TV and place their bets in a wagering tent while they enjoy live music presented by The Burl, food trucks and handicapping assistance from BETologists. Complimentary shuttles to the track are offered for those with track admission tickets.

The Hill is open from 8 a.m. to 60 minutes after the final race. Amenities are available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For fans who want to elevate their experience, Keeneland again is partnering with RevelXP to tailgate packages for groups of any size. RevelXP will organize tailgates by furnishing a designated tent, catering, amenities and more. Clickhere for more details.

Friday, Oct. 10

College Scholarship Day Presented by Lane’s End. Current full-time enrolled college students will enjoy a day of racing, prizes, scholarship giveaways, behind-the-scenes racing experiences, reserved seating and more. By pre-registering, students will receive free general admission and must be at the track for the opportunity to win one of 10 $2,000 scholarships provided by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and Keeneland. Students who attend the race day and have their tickets scanned day-of also will be eligible to win two additional $10,000 scholarships provided by Lane’s End Farm, as well as prize packages from local Kentucky businesses. Activities with Amplify Horse Racing, Bad Ass Coffee and LexLive will take place at the North Terrace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pre-register at www.Keeneland.com/csd.

Fall $400 Challenge. Registration is open for Keeneland’s live bankroll handicapping tournament, which has a $400 buy-in. Players will wager a live bankroll of $250 on any or all races at Keeneland with no minimums per race. One Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC) berth and as many as four National Horseplayers Championship spots are up for grabs. Click here for more information. The Challenge is only available for players at Keeneland. Participants may register the day of the contest. 

Saturday, Oct. 11

Sunrise Trackside. No ticket is required to attend this free Saturday morning program from 8-10 a.m., which is geared toward families and offers a unique view of Thoroughbreds during training hours. Fans can enjoy a light breakfast for purchase at the Starting Gate concession stand while watching racehorses train. Children’s activities on the first floor Grandstand will include a visit with Keeneland mascot Buckles, face painting and games. Mini tours will be available at the Tours podium near the Paddock. From 8:30 to 9 a.m., fans can pet a horse in the Stakes Winner’s Circle (formerly the Walking Ring), and the John Deere Tractor Break will take place during the renovation period on the main track with a drawing for prizes from John Deere/Meade Tractor. 

On Oct. 25, a special Halloween edition of Sunrise Trackside will include an appearance by the Headless Horseman in the Paddock.

Jockey Autograph Signing. Fans will meet active and retired Keeneland riders and Hall of Famers in an event that benefits the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF). Autograph books, caps, jockey goggles and posters to be signed will be available for purchase; personal items may be signed with a donation to PDJF. Event will take place in the North Terrace from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

$3,500 Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge/NHC Fall Handicapping Challenge. Registration is open for in-person and remote participation in this live-money contest that Keeneland is holding in cooperation with TwinSpires, XpressBet, NYRA Bets, 4NJ Bets, HPI and TVG. Click here for details and to register. The entry fee is $3,500, with $2,500 going to the live bankroll and $1,000 to the prize fund. Players must wager a minimum of $400 in at least five Keeneland races and wager a minimum total of $2,500. Prizes include cash and as many as six BCBC berths, 10 NHC spots and three Kentucky Derby Challenge spots (based on number of entries).

Sunday, Oct. 12

Keeneland Kids Club Family Day Presented by Kentucky Children’s Hospital. The Keeneland Kids Club is the Official Kids Club for Keeneland fans 12 and younger. Kids Club members and their families are invited to a special day at the races and will receive free general admission and access to reserved Grandstand seating when they present their membership cards at admission entrances. Children’s activities in the North Terrace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. will include face painting, a sweet treat and activities with local community partners such as Amplify Horse Racing, Kentucky Children’s Hospital, LexArts and Eckert’s Orchard. Sign up for the Kids Club at Keeneland.com/kidsclub.

Check out these additional events

Milliners Corner near The Keeneland Shop (by South entrance) will feature Darren K. Moore Jewelry (Oct. 9-12).

Fall Meet Leaders

Through Oct. 5 (3 days of 17-day season)