Friday, 10/3 G1 Darley Alcibiades (Juvenile Fillies) G3 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (Sprint)
Saturday, 10/4 G3 Woodford (Turf Sprint) G2 Thoroughbred Club of America (F&M Sprint) G1 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (Juvenile) G1 First Lady (F&M Turf) G1 Shadwell Turf Mile (Mile)
Sunday 10/5 G3 Dixiana Bourbon (Juvenile Turf) G1 Juddmonte Spinster (Distaff)
Saturday on-air: NBCSN, 4:30 – 6 pm ET
Sunday on-air: NBC, 5-6 pm ET
Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
$1 million Shadwell Turf Mile (Grade 1) Saturday, October 4, 2014 Keeneland Racecourse – Lexington, KY NBC Sports Network, 4:30-6 pm ET live!
Richest race in Keeneland history and first to reach $1 million.
Wise Dan and Silver Max both have a chance to join Gio Ponti (2010, 2011) and Dumaani (1995, 1996) as the only two-time winners of the Shadwell Turf Mile.
The Shadwell Turf Mile has produced 3 of the last 10 Breeders' Cup Mile winners: Wise Dan (2012, 2013) & Miesque's Approval (2006).
The favorite has won 4 of the last 10 editions. The average win payoff when the favorite has lost has been a healthy $19.70.
Only two horses have wired the Shadwell Turf Mile in the last 10 years: Silver Max (on Polytrack, 2013) & Thorn Song (2008).
Three horses have won from 6 or more lengths off the pace at the half-mile pole in the last 10 years, and similar closers have landed underneath in the trifecta six times at average odds of 25/1.
Saratoga and Arlington have provided the most winners' preps in the last decade, each producing 3 next-out Shadwell Mile winners.
Longshots find their way into the trifecta almost every year. The average odds of the longest shot in the tri in the last decade? 27/1.
Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
Course Record: 1:33.54 (Perfect Soul, 2004)
Shadwell Turf Mile Record: 1:33.72 (Altibr, 2000)
Most jockey wins: (4) Robby Albarado
Most trainer wins: (3) Kiaran McLaughlin
Highest Win Mutuel: $52.00 (Kirkwall, 1999)
Lowest Win Mutuel: $2.60 (Steinlen, 1989)
Largest Winning Margin: 4 ½ lengths (Nothing to Lose, 2004)
Smallest Winning Margin: Nose (Court Vision, 2009)
The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Players’ Guides are researched, written and designed by Jeremy Plonk along with Brian W. Spencer and the Horse Player NOW team. Photographs by Eclipse Sportswire.
Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
#1 SAYAAD Record: 13 starts – 5 wins, 2 seconds ($339,537)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: th Lexington native Kiaran McLaughlin goes for 4 Shadwell Mile win, sending out a contender from the race’s very sponsor.
PAST PERFORMANCES: th Weakened late in 2 Saratoga summer showcases, 5 in the G2 Fourstardave and then 4th in the G2 Bernard Baruch. Returned after nearly 9 months to win Forbidden Apple at Belmont to run his win streak to 3 straight, but spanning more than a year.
PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Son of 2006 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and ’07 Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense, who has sired G1 winners Sweet Reason & Aubby K. rd Half-brother to Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf 3 -place finisher Coronet of a Baron.
SHADWELL TURF MILE POINTS: McLaughlin won this in ’95-’96 (Dumaani) and ’00 (Altibr) and looks to pad his record in Shadwell Mile – all for owner Shadwell Stable. nd Can become 2 straight winner of this race to exit Baruch (Silver Max).
THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Julien Leparoux: 31-year-old native of Senlis, France. A two- time Eclipse Award winner and 10-time meet leading rider at Kee. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin: 53-year-old Lexington, KY native won ’06 Belmont and BC Classic with Jazil and Invasor, respectively. Owner Shadwell Stable: Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum named Crown Prince of Dubai in ’08. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
#2 OPTIMIZER Record: 31 starts – 5 wins, 5 seconds, 3 thirds ($967,622)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: nd Nearly pulled 29/1 upset over Wise Dan last time when 2 by a nose.
PAST PERFORMANCES: 10 straight losses dating back to Feb. ’13 G3 Fair Grounds Handicap. nd Corrected a breathing issue this summer & returned 2 at Saratoga in Bernard Baruch, a comeback lost in the hubbub of Wise Dan’s return. th th th Ran 11 -6 -10 while competing in all legs of the 2012 Triple Crown.
PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Breeders’ Cup championship pedigree, he’s sired by 2007 Turf winner English Channel & maternal grandson of 1992 Classic champ AP Indy. English Channel enjoying big ’14 with his Travers-winning son VE Day.
SHADWELL TURF MILE POINTS: th Fernandez-Calumet finished 6 in last year’s edition with Skyring. Calumet Farm is located on property adjacent to Keeneland.
THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Alan Garcia: Lima, Peru native turned 29 on Thursday (10/2). Piloted Da’Tara to ’08 Belmont Stakes upset. Trainer Jose Fernandez: Long-time on-farm trainer at Calumet getting chances on raceday. Double knee-replacement surgery this summer. Owner Calumet Farm: Brad Kelley a Tennessean who made his wealth in discount tobacco industry. Bought Calumet in ’12 for $36M.
Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
#3 GRAND ARCH Record: 16 starts – 4 wins, 5 seconds, 6 thirds ($458,130)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: He’s the international cast all in one, including Canadian owners, an Irish jockey and Australian trainer.
PAST PERFORMANCES: th Was 15-for-15 in the money lifetime until a misfire when 5 in the G1 Woodbine Mile last time out. Winner of G2 King Edward going 1 mile on turf at Woodbine in June. Runner-up in Keeneland allowance meet during 2014 Spring Meet.
PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Son of Arch, best known at stud for Blame, who upended Zenyatta in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Also turfers like Arravale, Hymn Book. Maternal grandson of the great Irish Derby hero El Gran Senor.
SHADWELL TURF MILE POINTS: Last Canadian-based trainer to win this race was Roger Attfield in ‘03. Would be first major Keeneland stakes win for all connections.
THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey David Moran: 31-year-old native of County Tipperary, Ire. Came to Woodbine to ride full-time in 2011. Seeks 1st G1 in North Am. Trainer Brian Lynch: 50-year-old Brisbane, AUS native. Best known for G1 Just A Game winner Coffee Clique & top sprinter Clearly Now. Owner Susan & Jim Hill: Operate Margaux Farm in Midway, KY and bought a bed and breakfast nearby Keeneland in recently.
Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
#4 SILVER MAX Record: 25 starts – 12 wins, 5 seconds, 1 third ($1,923,598)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: Wire-to-wire upset winner of 2013 Shadwell Mile at 7/1 on Polytrack.
PAST PERFORMANCES: Only 2 starts this year, including G2 Firecracker win at Churchill and tired 6th as the favorite in the G2 Fourstardave at Saratoga. 4-time stakes winner in 2013 on at CD, Mth, Sar and Kee.
PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Easily the highest-earning son of sire Badge of Silver, who won Risen Star at 3, New Orleans Handicap at 5 & San Gabriel (on turf) at age 6.
SHADWELL TURF MILE POINTS: Robby Albarado owns the record for wins in this race (4) – Silver Max ’13, Court Vision ’09, Thorn Song ’08 and Nothing to Lose ’04. Romans can tie Kiaran McLaughlin’s record of 3 wins in this race. Previous scores came with Thorn Song ’08 and Silver Max ‘13. rd Can become 3 back-to-back winner in this race – Gio Ponti, Dumaani. th 9 in the 2012 Shadwell Turf Mile behind Wise Dan before turnaround.
THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Robby Albarado: 40-year-old native of Lafayette, LA; regular pilot for Curlin & Mineshaft, who combined for 3 Horse of Year titles. Trainer Dale Romans: 47-year-old Louisville, Ky native. Earned ’12 Eclipse Award as top US trainer; won ’11 Preakness (Shackleford). Owner Mark Bacon & Dana Wells: Met betting simulcasts at Louisville’s Sports Spectrum. Bacon, brand manager for Southern Comfort and Wells, an outdoor ad exec. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
#5 KAIGUN Record: 15 starts – 4 wins, 4 seconds, 1 third ($764,220)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: Second-best to Wise Dan in the spring’s big turf mile at Keeneland.
PAST PERFORMANCES: 3-time Grade 1 runner-up in 2014 in the Maker’s 46 Mile, Manhattan and Woodbine Mile – by a combined margin of 2-1/2 lengths. Scored Grade 2 victory in Woodbine’s Play the King Stakes Aug. 10. 5: 0-3-0 mark in Grade 1 stakes in his career.
PEDIGREE: ONTARIO-BRED Sire Northern Afleet best known for his son Afleet Alex, winner of the ’05 Preakness and Belmont, as well as turf star Teaks North and Grade 1-winning filly Evening Jewel. Half-brother to Canadian stakes winner Cruising Executive.
SHADWELL TURF MILE POINTS: Last Woodbine Mile prepper to win Shadwell Mile – Wise Dan ‘12. Would be the first Maker’s Mark Mile runner-up to come back in the fall and win Keeneland’s Shadwell Mile in the same season.
THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Patrick Husbands: 41-year-old from Bridgetown, Barbados. 7-time Sovereign Award-winner as Canada’s top jockey. Trainer Mark Casse: 53-year-old Indianapolis native scored Canada’s prestigious Queen’s Plate with Lexie Lou this summer. Owners Gary Barber, Quintessential Fla Racing & Hors’n Around Stable: Quintessential is Tina/Mark Casse, Hors’n Around is Harvey Schwartz. Barber founded Spyglass Entertainment, CEO of MGM. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
#6 WISE DAN Record: 30 starts – 22 wins, 2 seconds ($6,952,920)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: th 2-time reigning Horse of the Year can become the 9 American-based horse ever to top the $7 million mark in career earnings today.
PAST PERFORMANCES: nd Only loss in last 14 tries was 2 in last year’s Shadwell Mile on Poly. Kee wins: Phoenix, Fayette, Ben Ali, Shadwell Mile, Maker’s Mile (2x). He, Curlin & Cigar only back-to-back Horses of Year since Affirmed. st nd th 18 straight 1 /2 place finishes since running 4 in ‘11 Shadwell Mile.
PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Son of WV Derby champ Wiseman’s Ferry. Dam, Lisa Danielle, 2012 Broodmare of Year from Kentucky TBOA (foaled Successful Dan et al).
SHADWELL TURF MILE POINTS: th st nd He’s 1-for-3 in this race – 4 in ’11, 1 in ’12 and 2 in ‘13. th Lopresti would become the 7 trainer to win Shadwell Mile 2+ times. Would be oldest Shadwell Mile winner at age 7 (Steinlen, Gio Ponti, 6).
THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey John Velazquez: 42-year-old native of Carolina, PR; 2011 Hall of Fame inductee, only US jockey to top $300M mount earnings. Trainer Charlie Lopresti: Turned 57 on 9/21, native of Brooklyn. One- time Calumet Farm farm trainer earned 1st win in ’93, 1st G1 in ’10. Owner Morton Fink: 84-year-old Chicagoan and movie theater owner. Named eventual broodmare of a life Lisa Danielle after granddaughter.
Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
#7 TWO NOTCH ROAD Record: 18 starts – 4 wins, 2 thirds ($292,175)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: Turf sprint winner/speedster figures to have a say in the early pace.
PAST PERFORMANCES: Beat fellow VA-breds last time out in Laurel’s Two Punch dashing 5-1/2 furlongs, his first win since a June 6, 2010 allowance at Monmouth. Missed 2-1/2 years of action before returning to 0-for-4 season in ‘13. Paid $216 to win when breaking his maiden in a Mth stakes at age 2.
PEDIGREE: VIRGINIA-BRED Maternal grandson of 1986 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Capote. Sire Partner’s Hero was a 6F track-record setting sprinter who won Keeneland’s Phoenix among 5 sprint stakes wins. Sire Partner’s Hero has had success with his offspring on this course, including $1.3M earning Shakertown turf sprint winner Heros Reward.
SHADWELL TURF MILE POINTS: Would be oldest Shadwell Mile winner at age 7 (Steinlen, Gio Ponti, 6). Last Shadwell Mile winner to exit sprint prep was Favorite Trick in ‘98.
THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Paco Lopez: 28yo native of Veracruz, Mexico; 2-time leading Mth rider; Won 1st G1 in ’14 Woodward; ’08 Eclipse top apprentice. Trainer Glenn Thompson: Aiken, SC native; veteran trainer of 30+ years, a whistleblower to Congress on medication use in racing. Owner James Hackman and Glenn Thompson: Breeder Hackman sold him for $2,500 at sale to Thompson, who traded a share in another horse back to Hackman to stay in the partnership. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
#8 SEEK AGAIN Record: 11 starts – 5 wins, 3 seconds, 1 third ($725,256)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: nd He took Wise Dan to a head decision when 2 on Ky Derby Day.
PAST PERFORMANCES: Sharp 4: 2-1-1 mark since coming to the US last fall, including wins in the G1 Hollywood Derby at 3 and G2 Fourstardave last time out 8/9. Came off a 5-month layoff to run a monster second in the G1 Turf Classic in the race before the Kentucky Derby vs. Wise Dan. Minor winner on turf at York in England while going 3-for-7 overseas.
PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Dam, Light Jig, was a fellow Euro import who came to California to win the G1 Yellow Ribbon at SA. Son of Breeders’ Cup Sprint hero Speightstown, whose highlights at stud include G1 winners Haynesfield, Golden Ticket & Dance to Bristol.
SHADWELL TURF MILE POINTS: Mott’s scores in the Shadwell Mile include Hap ’01 & Favorite Trick ’98. Juddmonte Farms won this race in ‘99 with Kirkwall. rd Rosario was 3 in the ’11 Shadwell Turf Mile aboard Sidney’s Candy.
THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Joel Rosario: 29-year-old native of Santo Domingo, D.R. 1 of only 2 jockeys to win Dubai World Cup/Ky Derby in same year (‘13). Trainer Bill Mott: 61-year-old native of Mobridge, SD. ’09 Hall of Famer a 3-time Eclipse Award winner; major Kee wins date to ’84. Owner Juddmonte Farms: Prince Khalid Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, 10 Eclipse Awards since 1977 launch of historic operation. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
YOU’RE
INTHE MONEY SIGN UP TODAY. PLAY FOR WEEKLY PRIZES, A VIP TRIP TO THE BREEDERS’ CUP AND $1 MILLION! ENTER AT MILLIONDOLLARFINISH.COM
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. The Promotion registration period begins on or about May 28, 2014 at 12:01 a.m. ET and ends on November 1, 2014 at 8:40 p.m. ET. Promotion is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States & D.C., who are 18 years of age or older. See Official Rules at www.MillonDollarFinish.com for exact registration times for each race, additional eligibility restrictions, prize descriptions/restrictions/ARVs and complete details. Void where prohibited. PROMOTION IS DEVISED AS A NON-GAMBLING PROMOTION AND IS INTENDED SOLELY FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES. Promotion is sponsored by Breeders’ Cup Limited. Breeders’ Cup Limited is the sole sponsor of the Promotion. NBC Sports and NBCUniversal Media, LLC are not sponsors of the Promotion and are not associated with the administration of the Promotion in any way. Entrants are providing information to sponsors and not to NBC Sports and NBCUniversal Media, LLC.
$500,000 million Juddmonte Spinster (Grade 1) Sunday, October 5, 2014 Keeneland Racecourse – Lexington, KY NBC Sports, 5-6 pm ET live!
Three-year-olds have won 23 of the 58 runnings of the Spinster, including the last two (Emollient, In Lingerie)
After losing six straight between 2005 and 2010, favorites have won the last three Spinsters.
The last time the Spinster produced a Breeders' Cup winner was in 2005 when Pleasant Home won the Distaff after finishing second in the Spinster.
Only two of the last 10 Spinster winners won their previous race: Pampered Princess (2005) and Mushka (2009). Those coming off wins have accounted for eight of the last 30 runners to hit the Spinster trifecta.
Six of the last 10 winners exited races at Saratoga, but only Mushka was exiting a win.
Daughters of Empire Maker have won four of the last five editions of the Spinster.
Seven of the last nine Spinster winners captured their first Grade 1 win in the race. The only exceptions were Emollient (2013) and Panty Raid (2007).
Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
Track Record: 1:46.63 (Wise Dan, 2012)
Spinster Record: 1:46.77 (Carriage Trail, 2008)
Most jockey wins: (5) Pat Day, Laffit Pincay
Most trainer wins: (4) Ron McAnally, Shug McGaughey
Highest Win Mutuel: $51.80 (Hail a Cab, 1988)
Lowest Win Mutuel: $2.60 (four times)
Largest Winning Margin: 12 lengths (Banshee Breeze, 1998)
Smallest Winning Margin: Head (three times)
The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Players’ Guides are researched, written and designed by Jeremy Plonk along with Brian W. Spencer and the Horse Player NOW team. Photographs by Eclipse Sportswire.
Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
#1 RIA ANTONIA Record: 12 starts – 2 wins, 2 seconds ($1,305,496)
WHY SHE’S IMPORTANT: She’s the reigning Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner looking to get back on the winning beam.
PAST PERFORMANCES: 0-7 since winning Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies via disqualification last November as a 32-1 longshot. th 10 in this year’s Preakness vs. the boys, but rebounded this summer for minor checks in the Iowa Oaks, Monmouth Oaks & Locust Grove.
PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Daughter of late sire Rockport Harbor, who was euthanized in 2013. Winner of the Remsen at 2, Rebel at 3 and Essex Handicap at 4. Maternal granddaughter of Mr. Greeley, who won Keeneland’s Lafayette Stakes sprinting on the main track as a 3-year-old.
JUDDMONTE SPINSTER POINTS: rd Could become 3 straight 3YO to win Spinster – Emollient, In Lingerie. Damsire Mr Greeley sired 2011 Spinster winner Aruna.
THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Paco Lopez: x). Trainer Tom Amoss: 52-year-old native of New Orleans and an LSU alumnus. ’98 inductee into Fair Grounds Hall of Fame in hometown. Owner Looch Racing & Christopher Dunn: Ron Paolucci (Stow, OH & Vegas). Dunn (Castleton, NY) found business success in the surgical robot market.
Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
#2 CLOSE HATCHES Record: 12 starts – 9 wins, 2 seconds ($2,682,300)
WHY SHE’S IMPORTANT: Top-ranked Distaff contender in the east can make a statement before heading to Beholder’s home track at Santa Anita.
PAST PERFORMANCES: Unbeaten in 4 starts this year, including 3 successive Grade 1 scores. Exits a 5-length win in Saratoga’s G1 Personal Ensign on sloppy track. Won superstar showdown in G1 Phipps on Belmont Stakes undercard. Runner-up in 2013 Breeders’ Cup Distaff to Beholder to end 3YO year.
PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED From first crop of sire First Defence, clearly his most established US runner to date. On the track, First Defence won G1 Forego sprinting. Her historic female family includes Rags to Riches, Blush With Pride.
JUDDMONTE SPINSTER POINTS: 7 of last 8 Spinster winners prepped in New York most recently. 2-time winner Mott won this last year w/ Juddmonte’s Emollient. Last to win back-to-back with different horses – Shug McGaughey ’94-’95.
THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Joel Rosario: 29-year-old native of Santo Domingo, D.R. 1 of only 2 jockeys to win Dubai World Cup/Ky Derby in same year (‘13). Trainer Bill Mott: 61-year-old native of Mobridge, SD. ’09 Hall of Famer a 3-time Eclipse Award winner; major Kee wins date to ’84. Owner Juddmonte Farms: Prince Khalid Abdullah of Saudi Arabia; 10 Eclipse Awards since 1977 launch of historic operation.
Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
#3 GOT LUCKY Record: 8 starts – 2 wins, 4 seconds ($302,876)
WHY SHE’S IMPORTANT: rd Todd Pletcher aims for a 3 Spinster win – all with 3-year-olds – with a filly who also was cross-entered in a Kee allowance Saturday.
PAST PERFORMANCES: 3-time graded stakes runner-up in the Demoiselle, Rachel Alexandra and Gazelle, but still seeking her first stakes victory. Off the board in the Kentucky Oaks and Alabama in her G1 bids.
PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED From the final crop of 1992 Belmont Stakes/Breeders’ Cup Classic winner and Horse of the Year AP Indy. His offspring have included Mineshaft, Bernardini and the Belmont-winning filly Rags to Riches. Immaculate female family includes likes of Super Saver, Girolamo.
JUDDMONTE SPINSTER POINTS: rd Could become 3 straight 3YO to win Spinster – Emollient, In Lingerie. Pletcher’s Spinster winners – In Lingerie (’12) and Panty Raid (’07). st Napravnik can become 1 female jockey in history to win Spinster.
THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Rosie Napravnik: 26, Mendham, NJ native has 2 Kee graded wins (Valley View, Doubledogdare). 1st female jockey to win Ky Oaks. Trainer Todd Pletcher: 47-year-old native of Dallas, TX. #1 all-time in trainer earnings in N. America ($276M). 6-time Eclipse Award winner. Owner Hill n’ Dale Equine Holdings: John Sikura, Ontario, Canada native & resident of Lexington, KY. Farm is where Seatlle Slew buried.
Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
#4 SHURUQ Record: 14 starts – 5 wins, 2 seconds, 2 thirds ($648,692)
WHY SHE’S IMPORTANT: Godolphin, which raided Keeneland to win the G1 First Lady (Better Lucky) in ‘13, returns looking for G1 success in successive Fall Meets.
PAST PERFORMANCES: World traveler has raced in England, Dubai and most recently Turkey. 4-time Group stakes winner internationally, including UAE Oaks in ’13. Adds Lasix for the US debut and will make her first career start on dirt.
PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Daughter of top US miler Elusive Quality, best known as sire of Smarty Jones and BC Classic winner Raven’s Pass. Dam Miss Lucifer was a Group 2 winner in England; her first foal.
JUDDMONTE SPINSTER POINTS: Julien Leparoux rode ’06 Spinster winner Asi Siempre. Would be back-to-back Spinster winners owned by Middle Eastern connections – Saudi Arabia’s Juddmonte won last year (Emollient). Recent winners to begin careers overseas include Aruna, Asi Siempre.
THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Julien Leparoux: 31-year-old native of Senlis, France. A two- time Eclipse Award winner and 10-time meet leading rider at Kee. Trainer Saeed bin Suroor: 45-year-old native of Dubai, UAE. Last Kee win ’08 Fall’s G3 Perryville (Hatta Fort). 3-time BC race winner. Owner Godolphin Stable: UAE ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at Maktoum founded Big Blue in ’92; 100-plus worldwide G1 wins.
Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
#5 DON’T TELL SOPHIA Record: 21 starts – 10 wins, 4 seconds, 3 thirds ($679,295)
WHY SHE’S IMPORTANT: Came up short in spring showdown with Close Hatches and gets a chance to turn the tables coming off eye-opening win at Churchill.
PAST PERFORMANCES: Winner of Pippin, Bayakoa and Locust Grove this season, rolling through the listed stakes ranks. Hung late in G1 Apple Blossom, 1 ¾ lengths behind Close Hatches. 12 straight in-the-money finishes dating back to ’12 Kee fall meet.
PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Daughter of 2001 Kentucky Derby & Preakness third Congaree. He went on to 2 Cigar Mile wins and a Hollywood Gold Cup score. Jeranimo & Mythical Power are only Congaree offspring to earn more. rd Dam Lost Expectations was 3 in G2 Schuylverville at age 2 sprinting.
JUDDMONTE SPINSTER POINTS: 5 previous 6-year-olds have won Spinster, including all-time greats like Azeri, Paseana, Bayakoa, Track Robbery and Susan’s Girl. st Would be 1 Spinster win for all connections.
THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Joe Rocco Jr.: 32-year-old native of Hollywood, Fla and a third-generation jockey. Tied for 2nd at ‘13 Kee Fall Meet with 11 wins. Trainer Phil Sims: Turned 53 on 9/26, from Flemingsburg, KY. Trained Hot Cha Cha, winner of Kee’s G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup. Owner Jerry Namy & Phil Sims: Namy, a 76-year-old Texas petroleum executive, survived an ’09 plane crash. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
#6 MOLLY MORGAN Record: 24 starts – 6 wins, 4 seconds, 5 thirds ($472,163)
WHY SHE’S IMPORTANT: She’s won Kentucky’s 2 most important Distaff division races held so far this year – Churchill’s G2 Fleur de Lis & Ellis Park’s G3 Gardenia.
PAST PERFORMANCES: Sharp 6: 3-2-0 mark in her last half-dozen starts inside Kentucky. Second-best behind Don’t Tell Sophia in Locust Grove at Churchill. Dismissed at 10/1 when an easy 4-length winner of G2 Fleur de Lis.
PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Daughter of 2004 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner and Horse of the Year Ghostzapper. His offspring include ’14 G1 winner Moreno and last year’s BC Filly & Mare Sprint runner-up Judy the Beauty. Strong female family produced Parade Ground, Tricky Creek et al.
JUDDMONTE SPINSTER POINTS: No filly or mare has won the Fleur de Lis & Spinster in same season. Would also be first Gardenia champ to add the Spinster in same year.
THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Corey Lanerie: 33-year-old Lafayette, LA native honored with ’14 George Woolf Memorial Ward for on-track/off-track success. Trainer Dale Romans: 47-year-old Louisville, Ky native. Earned ’12 Eclipse Award as top US trainer; won ’11 Preakness (Shackleford). Owner Bill Cubbedge: Best known for Preakness winner Shackleford, whom he owned in partnership, along w/ Belvedere Farm in Paris, KY.
Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!