Entries for Keeneland’s opening weekend stakes
LEXINGTON, Ky—Joseph P. Morey Jr. Revocable Trust’s Hush of a Storm, a winner of three consecutive races, could make his next start Saturday in the 97th running of Keeneland’s $800,000 Toyota Blue Grass (G2). The race is worth 170 qualifying points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1).
“We hope to run in the Blue Grass,” trainer Bill Morey said Sunday morning at Keeneland. “When we scratched (out of yesterday’s Jeff Ruby Steaks-G3 at Turfway Park), we brought him here yesterday afternoon.”
Hush of a Storm was the 4-1 second choice on the morning line for the Jeff Ruby off a victory in the Feb. 26 John Battaglia Memorial. In that race, he defeated eventual Ruby winner Like the King.
Morey said Hush of a Storm is scheduled to work Monday morning. Santiago Gonzalez, who has been aboard for all three of Hush of a Storm’s victories, would have the mount in the Toyota Blue Grass.
HORSES FOR KEENELAND’S OPENING WEEKEND STAKES
The first two days of the Spring Meet will feature nine stakes worth a total of $2.5 million.
According to Stakes Coordinator Tiffany Bourque, here are the prospective field for the races:
April 2 races. Entries taken Monday.
$150,000 BEAUMONT (G3) PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SELECT – Amalfi Princess (trainer Mike Maker), Cilla (Brett Brinkman), Farsighted (Rusty Arnold), Joyful Cadence (John Ortiz), Lady Traveler (Dale Romans), Slumber Party (Kelly Breen). Possible: My Girl Red (Keith Desormeaux).
$150,000 KENTUCKY UTILITIES TRANSYLVANIA (G3) – Breadman (John Terranova), Earls Rock (IRE) (Phil D’Amato), Fire At Will (Mike Maker), Scarlett Sky (Shug McGaughey).
$100,000 PALISADES TURF SPRINT – Bodenheimer (Valorie Lund), Chasing Artie (Wesley Ward), J C’s Champ (Aaron West), Lock Up (D. Wayne Lukas), Unitedandresolute (Tom Amoss). Possible: Chicks Dig Scars (Travis Murphy), Field Day (Brad Cox), Smokin’ Jay (Kelsey Danner).
April 3 races. Entries taken Tuesday.
Keeneland will livestream the post position draws for the Toyota Blue Grass (G2) and Central Bank Ashland (G1) at Keeneland.com beginning at 11 a.m. ET.
$800,000 TOYOTA BLUE GRASS (G2) – Essential Quality (trainer Brad Cox), Hidden Stash (Vicki Oliver), Highly Motivated (Chad Brown), Rombauer (Michael McCarthy), Sittin On Go (Dale Romans). Possible: Hush of a Storm (William Morey), Keepmeinmind (Robertino Diodoro).
$400,000 CENTRAL BANK ASHLAND (G1) – Alwayz Late (Bill Mott), Army Wife (Mike Maker), Javanica (Eoin Harty), Malathaat (Todd Pletcher), Moon Swag (Brendan Walsh), Pass the Champagne (George Weaver), Simply Ravishing (Kenny McPeek), Will’s Secret (Dallas Stewart). Possible: Honorifique (Eddie Kenneally), Mia Martina (Graham Motion), My Girl Red (Keith Desormeaux).
$300,000 MADISON (G1) – Bell’s the One (Neil Pessin), Estilo Talentoso (Juan Arriagada), Fair Maiden (Eoin Harty), Kimari (Wesley Ward), Sanenus (CHI) (Michael McCarthy), Sconsin (Greg Foley). Possible: Unique Factor (Peter Miller).
$200,000 SHAKERTOWN (G2) – American Butterfly (D. Wayne Lukas), Bad Beat Brian (Mike Maker), Bound for Nowhere (Wesley Ward), High Crime (Darrin Miller), Hollis (John Ortiz), Imprimis (Joe Orseno), Johnny Unleashed (Eric Foster), Just Might (Michelle Lovell), Smart Remark (Vicki Oliver), The Critical Way (Jose Delgado).
$200,000 APPALACHIAN (G2) PRESENTED BY JAPAN RACING ASSOCIATION – Gift List (GB) (Brian Lynch), Jouster (Todd Pletcher), Oyster Box (Graham Motion), Plum Ali (Christophe Clement). Possible: Navratilova (Rusty Arnold), Saranya (Brad Cox).
$200,000 COMMONWEALTH (G3) – Attachment Rate (Dale Romans), Hidden Scroll (Brad Cox), Mucho (John Ortiz), Special Reserve (Mike Maker).
Keeneland is closed for racing Easter Sunday, April 4.
Keeneland Press Release
Photo: Hush of a Storm (Coady Photography)
