LEXINGTON, Ky.—Trainer Wesley Ward, jockey Tyler Gaffalione and owner Godolphin held narrow leads atop the standings of the leaders of Keeneland’s 15-day Spring Meet.
With nine wins – including the Shakertown (G2) with Golden Pal, Giant’s Causeway (L) with Campanelle (IRE) and TVG Limestone (L) with Ruthin (GB) – Ward is bidding for his sixth Spring Meet title and eighth overall. Ward won a race on Wednesday with Chardy Party (IRE) and Thursday with No Nay Hudson (IRE) giving him 11 wins in 44 starts. He also has horses entered in three races Friday.
Second with eight victories is Brad Cox, who won the Madison (G1) with Just One Time, Stonestreet Lexington (G3) with Tawny Port and Beaumont (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select with Matareya. Cox had a win on Thursday with Patna and is still second with 10 wins with three more chances on Friday.
The seven wins by Chad Brown in third place include the $1 million Toyota Blue Grass (G1) with Zandon and Jenny Wiley (G1) with Regal Glory. Brown won two races on Wednesday with Federalist Papers and Saffron Moon to close out his meet. He now has nine wins, one behind Cox.
Todd Pletcher and Mike Maker are tied with six wins apiece. Pletcher, who won the Central Bank Ashland (G1) with Nest and Baird Doubledogdare (G3) with Malathaat, had one entrant remaining on Thursday, either a scratch or results not in as of yet.
Maker has three starters Friday.
Bidding for his first Spring Meet title and fifth overall, Tyler Gaffalione leads jockeys with 16 wins, including the Appalachian (G2) Presented by Japan Racing Association on Spendarella and Commonwealth (G3) on Prevalence. He has mounts in eight races Friday.
Irad Ortiz Jr. is second with 13 wins, including the Kentucky Utilities Transylvania (G3) on Sy Dog along with the aforementioned Central Bank Ashland, Shakertown and Giant’s Causeway. Ortiz has mounts in six races Friday.
Two jockeys each have 12 wins: Flavien Prat and Luis Saez. Winner of the aforementioned Toyota Blue Grass, Madison and Beaumont Presented by Keeneland Select, Prat has mounts in five races Friday.
Saez has six mounts Friday. He won the Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) on Shirl’s Speight and the Elkhorn (G2) on Channel Maker.
Godolphin is the season’s leading owner with four wins, including the Commonwealth and Beaumont Presented by Keeneland Select. Godolphin had one more horse entered this season – on Thursday.
Stonestreet Stables has three wins, including the Giant’s Causeway and TVG Limestone. Stonestreet has one entrant Friday.
Six owners are tied with two wins apiece.
Saturday’s Grade 1 Gamble Handicapping Contest Draws Record 279 Entries
Christian Hellmers of Rancho Santa Fe, California, topped a record field of 279 players in Saturday’s Grade One Gamble, the signature handicapping contest of Keeneland’s Spring Meet. Players competed on track and through XpressBet, TVG, NYRABets, 4NJ Bets and HPi in Canada.
Hellmers took home a record $67,500 for first place. Brian Chenvert of Minnetonka, Minnesota, finished second to earn $34,000, and Mike Mulvihill of Palatine, Illinois, was third and received $18,000. Prize money was awarded to the top 20 finishers.
The top six finishers each received an entry to the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge, and the 10 leading finishers all earned an entry to the National Horseplayers Championship.
Spring Meet Closing Week Special Events
All year
Official Keeneland Tours. Visit keeneland.com/tours for availability and to purchase.
Wednesday
WINS-Day Challenge Sponsored by Malone’s. This is aninexpensive way for beginner handicappers to give contests a try. Enter for $10 at Wagering Central on the first floor of the Grandstand and place a mythical $2 win and place wager – no actual money required – on Keeneland races 3-8.
Friday – Closing day – First post is 12:30 p.m.
The Hill. No ticket or reservation is required for Keeneland’s popular free tailgating area on The Hill, which is open Fridays and Saturdays and offers a unique way to experience the Spring Meet. Fans on The Hill can participate in the racing action via a jumbo TV and wagering, while food trucks and live music presented by The Burl create a festive atmosphere. Those who wish to elevate their tailgating experience can book a premium package that includes tent, tables, amenities, reserved area for the day and more with the Tailgate Guys “A REVELxp Company.” Visit Keeneland.com/tailgating for details.
Keeneland April Horses of Racing Age Sale. The April Salewill begin at approximately 6:30 p.m. ET. Click here for more information.
Spring Meet Leaders
Through April 24 (12 days of 15-day season)
| Jockey | Starts | Wins | 2nd | 3rd | Purses |
| Tyler Gaffalione | 75 | 16 | 6 | 12 | $1,445,490 |
| Irad Ortiz Jr. | 71 | 13 | 19 | 13 | $2,104,613 |
| Flavien Prat | 55 | 12 | 7 | 10 | $2,046,259 |
| Luis Saez | 71 | 12 | 10 | 9 | $1,597,973 |
| Gerardo Corrales | 36 | 6 | 2 | 5 | $528,069 |
| Trainer | Starts | Wins | 2nd | 3rd | Purses |
| Wesley Ward | 38 | 9 | 5 | 6 | $859,544 |
| Brad Cox | 32 | 8 | 4 | 6 | $1,227,707 |
| Chad Brown | 33 | 7 | 10 | 2 | $1,677,274 |
| Todd Pletcher | 26 | 6 | 5 | 3 | $1,198,836 |
| Mike Maker | 37 | 6 | 4 | 6 | $412,156 |
| Owner | Wins |
| Godolphin (Mohammed Al Maktoum et al) | 4 |
| Stonestreet Stables (Barbara Banke) | 3 |
| Calumet Farm (Brad Kelley) | 2 |
| Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners (Aron Wellman) | 2 |
| Jeff A. Hiles | 2 |
| Paradise Farms Corp. (Peter Proscia) and David Staudacher | 2 |
| Summerplace Farm (Louise Lally) | 2 |
| Gary and Mary West | 2 |
Keeneland Press Release (Edited)
