Nitrogen Arrives For Juddmonte Spinster Test

Nitrogen working Friday at Keeneland. (Courtney Snow/Past The Wire)

Utah Beach Headlines Field Of 11 For $400,000 Sycamore

• Prospective Fields For Upcoming Stakes
• Saturday Work Tab
• Opening Day Events

Keeneland Release

LEXINGTON, Ky.—D.J. Stable’s Nitrogen, one of the leading contenders for divisional honors among 3-year-old fillies, arrived at Keeneland Thursday afternoon and was on the track Friday morning as she continued her preparation for Sunday’s $650,000 Juddmonte Spinster (G1).

The Juddmonte Spinster is a “Win and You’re In” Challenge race for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) at Del Mar on Nov. 1. That is where Nitrogen, a multiple graded stakes winner on dirt and grass, is headed.

“I am not putting her back on the grass at this point,” trainer Mark Casse said Friday morning of Nitrogen, who comes into her first test against older fillies and mares off a victory in the Alabama (G1) Presented by Keeneland Sales. “She’s going to run another year.”

Before Nitrogen goes for her Grade 1 victory on Sunday, Casse will send out D.J. Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and Kenneth Freirich’s undefeated Ewing in Saturday’s $650,000 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track.

“He is doing well and like everybody else, we will see how he fits going two turns,” Casse said. “It’s a small field (seven entrants), but there is a lot of quality.”

Utah Beach Headlines Field Of 11 For $400,000 Sycamore

Jeffrey Amling and Merriebelle Stable’s Utah Beach, winner of this spring’s Elkhorn (G2) here, headlines a field of 11 entered Friday for the 31st running of the $400,000 Sycamore (G2) for 3-year-olds and up going 1½ miles on the turf.

Trained by Ignacio Correas IV, Utah Beach will attempt to become the first horse to sweep the Elkhorn and Sycamore in the same year.

The field for the Sycamore, with trainers, riders and weights from the rail out, is:

Saturday Work Tab

Three horses with Breeders’ Cup aspirations turned in works over a fast main track Friday morning headed by Lael Stables’ She Feels Pretty.

Trained by Cherie DeVaux, the five-time Grade 1 winner worked a half-mile in :46.60, the fastest of 83 works at the distance. She is being pointed to the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) on Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

Also working a half-mile was WinStar Farm’s Mullikin, who covered the distance in :47. Trained by Rodolphe Brisset, Mullikin is a candidate for the Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) on Nov. 1.

Morplay Racing and Qatar Racing’s Shisospicy, a candidate for the Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) Nov. 1, drilled 3 furlongs in :34.80 for trainer Jose D’Angelo. The move was the fastest of 10 at the distance.

Prospective Fields For Upcoming Stakes

$400,000 FRANKLIN (G2) (Entries taken Sunday; race Sunday, Oct. 12) – Future Is Now (Mike Trombetta), InOur Time (Saffie Joseph Jr.), Luna Louska (Gustavo Delgado), Pipsy (IRE) (Will Walden), Saturday Flirt (Wesley Ward), Shoot It True (Ward).

Keeneland’s 17-day Fall Meet begins today and 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 opening weekend stakes and their past performances.

Opening Weekend 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.

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 Keeneland 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. Click here for more details. 

Saturday

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.

Sunday

Celebrating 250Lex. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the new East Plaza will host these activities to celebrate Lexington’s 250^thbirthday: Enjoy live music from Ben Sollee and his band; observe live painting by local artist Wylie Caudill; enter to win “The Perfect Day in Lexington” and play trivia for Lexington-themed prizes. Exclusive cocktails will be available from the Castle & Key trailer near the Paddock or at any full-service bar in the Grandstand. Keeneland’s 10-race card includes the Juddmonte Spinster (G1), the Castle & Key Bourbon (G2) and the Indian Summer (L) Presented by Keeneland Select.

Check out this additional event

Milliners Corner near The Keeneland Shop (by the South Entrance) will feature Christine A. Moore Millinery all weekend.