Keeneland | Horse Racing Free Tips

Ward Seeks Record Fourth BC Turf Sprint Win

To say that trainer Wesley Ward knows his way around turf sprinters is an understatement. To underscore the point, Ward has annexed the last three editions of the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint and will try to add a record fourth consecutive win in the race with Golden Pal (Uncle Mo), Arrest Me Red (Pioneerof the Nile) and Campanelle (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}).

Adding even great importance to this year's renewal, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Westerberg Ltd.'s 4-year-old–already a two-time Breeders' Cup winner following victories in the 2020 GII Juvenile Turf Sprint and last year's GI Turf Sprint-will be retiring to Ashford Stud following this weekend's race. A total of 22 horses have won a pair of Breeders' Cup races, however, only two–Hall of Fame members, Goldikova and Beholder–have three victories.

As for Ward, he stands in a tie with several other trainers who have won on three occasions in the same race, a victory in the Turf Sprint would make him the first trainer in the 39-year history of the event to win the same race four years in a row.

“I think that says a lot for how I've been professing this horse to be so great from the onset,” said Ward. “The only thing that he hasn't done that I wish he could do would be to go back to Royal Ascot and win [G1] The King's Stand and he won't get a chance to do that. But, if he can win three Breeders' Cups, that really puts him in an elite company. That's for sure.”

Golden Pal kicked off 2022 with a win in the GII Shakertown S. on his home track at Keeneland before missing the break at Royal Ascot in June. In the Aug. 5 GIII Troy S. at Saratoga, Golden Pal got away to a slow start, but showed rallied to win by a head.

“Our plan going in was to take him back. So that kind of helped us a little bit,” recalled Ward. “We want to kind of use that as a prep to if something happened, if in here in the Breeders' Cup if the pace was hot that we could teach him something how to rate sit back off the pace. So it all worked out. He kind of didn't come out as quickly as he has and after the first 10 jumps Irad [Ortiz Jr] got him to relax. When he turned for home, off he went and won. It all worked out according to what I wanted to teach him.”

In his latest start, the bay led from gate to wire in the Oct. 8 GII Woodford S. to stay perfect in four races at Keeneland.

For his career finale, Golden Pal drew Post eight and is the 2-1 favorite on the morning line.

In contrast to Golden Pal's Breeders' Cup experience, Lael Stable' Arrest Me Red will debut in the Breeders' Cup. In his most recent start, he was third the GII Turf Sprint S. Sept. 10 at Kentucky Downs. He won the GII Turf Sprint S. at Churchill Downs in May and was runner-up in the GI Jaipur S. June 11.

“If I didn't have Golden Pal, I'd be singing his praises,” Ward said. “As you can see by his form, he's never runs a bad race. He's a hard-trier, and we're spacing him out. He's a big, heavy colt. Once we switched him back to the grass, he just took to it like a fish to water.”

He added, “This is one that we're going to be pointing for Ascot next year, as he'll sort of move up to the top. We'll be looking at The King's Stand with him next year. So, we're going to keep him here in Kentucky. In years past, we've taken him to Florida. He's really training very, very well. I'd be looking for him to run a big, big race.”

Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez returns to the saddle. The two, leaving from post 7, are 15-1 on the morning line.

Rounding out Ward's trio is Stonestreet Stables' Campanelle hit the board in all three starts this term, including wins in the Giant's Causeway S. and GIII Ladies' Sprint S. The winner of the G1 Prix Morny and G2 Queen Mary S. last year, she also finished third in the G1 Platinum Jubilee S. earlier in June.

Jockey Frankie Dettori, who rode her to her wins in Europe, will be aboard in the Turf Sprint. They will leave from post four and are 8-1 on the morning line.

“She is coming into the race phenomenal,” said Ward. “I am expecting a lot from her as well. The thing about her is that she is going to come from just slightly off the pace to where if it's a hot pace up front she's going to come running.”

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Channel Maker Back for More at the Breeders’ Cup

Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber, R. A. Hill Stable and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing's Channel Maker (English Channel) will be looking to regain his best form while making a record-setting sixth Breeders' Cup appearance in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Saturday at Keeneland.

“The owners are very excited to give him an opportunity to run and I think he would be the first to run six times, a record, at the Breeders' Cup,” said trainer Bill Mott. “How's he doing? Well, he's doing fine…he's doing great…but is he at his best from two years ago? Or has he lost a step at 8-years-old? Perhaps, but we'll see how the race shapes up.”

The 8-year-old gelding was seventh in the 2016 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf S. and was 11th in the 2018 Turf and 12th in 2019. He had his best finish of championship weekend when third after setting the pace in the 2020 Turf at Keeneland, a result which helped the Ontario-bred earn the Eclipse statue as the country's leading turf horse. A year ago, he was fifth in the Turf.

Channel Maker opened 2022 with a win in the GII Elkhorn S. and he also won the Grand Couturier S. in July, but he was off the board in the GI Manhattan S., GI Sword Dancer S. and is coming off a fourth-place effort in the Oct. 14 GIII Sycamore S.

“He still ran a good race in his last race and he does love Keeneland,” Mott said. “He was third and was beaten just a half-length in the Breeders' Cup here and he won the Elkhorn here earlier this year. According to the handicapper, there's not a tremendous amount of speed in the race and he likes to be up close to the pace. If the pace and situation are right, maybe he can get a piece of it.”

Mott will also be represented in Saturday's Turf by the ultra-consistent War Like Goddess (English Channel), a perfect two-for-two over the Keeneland lawn and coming off a win over the boys in the Oct. 8 GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic S. The George Krikorian colorbearer has nine wins and has finished off the board just once in 12 career starts.

“She's training well,” Mott said of the 5-year-old mare. “It would be great to win with her.”

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Who Looks Good: Trackside Impressions From the Breeders’ Cup

LEXINGTON, KY–Over the past few days that I've been in Lexington, I've been asked the same question quite a few times by friends and family who are not in attendance. “Who looks good?”

So, I decided I'd share my opinions on who has stood out this week with our TDN readers as well. Quick disclaimer: I have not seen every single Breeders' Cup horse, but I have seen many of them.

It is the World Championships, so, of course, every horse here looks fantastic. This list is just a few of the horses who have really caught my eye in the mornings based on physical condition, mental composure and/or movement over the racetrack. It is purely based on trackside impressions, not on past performances.

FLIGHTLINE (Tapit) – Classic

As expected, the unbeaten sensation Flightline looks as good as he runs. I had the privilege of watching the GI Breeders' Cup Classic favorite grow up from the time he was a young foal until he sold at Fasig-Tipton's Saratoga Sale thanks to his wonderful breeder Jane Lyon. This was the first time I had seen him since and he certainly did not disappoint. Everything about the striking bay just screams athlete. He gobbles up ground in an effortless manner and the only indication of the amount of pure force and power being exerted is his rider Juan Leyva's tight hold and defensive stature in the saddle as he tries to rein in what trainer John Sadler referred to as a hurricane. Flightline is all business both on the track and when touring the barn or paddock. He has the cat-like walk all bloodstock agents and paddock analysts look for and never turned a hair despite the throng of media following his every move all week. In short, Flightline is exactly as advertised.

MALATHAAT (Curlin) – Distaff

To sum it up in one word, Malathaat is a queen. She oozes class in everything she does. Between her big white blaze, beautiful physical and eager gallop, the Shadwell colorbearer immediately grabs the attention of anyone in her presence. Trainer Todd Pletcher has been sending her out with the pony this week as rider Amelia Green said the filly knows the race is near and has been ready to roll in the mornings. The bay has been quite pleased with her sidekick and bounds off readily as soon as she is turned free from him. Her perfect record at Keeneland already indicates her love for this surface and she skipped over it with ease each morning.

NEST (Curlin) – Distaff

I have had a hard time trying to decide whether I prefer the aforementioned champion Malathaat or her year-younger stablemate Nest, who has been nothing short of phenomenal this year. Unfortunately, seeing them both in the flesh did not help me choose as Nest is also quite eye-catching on the racetrack. If Malathaat is the queen, then Nest is certainly the princess. She bounces out alongside the pony and stands at attention as she waits to be let loose. Once given the signal, the bay leaps into action and coasts long on cruise control. Like her barnmate, Nest could not look any better in flesh, coat or movement.

CAVE ROCK (Arrogate) – Juvenile

Cave Rock is another whose physical certainly matches up with his strong performances. Despite his plain brown wrapper, the Bob Baffert runner immediately attracts the eye when he enters the track. He is very good-minded, especially for a 2-year-old who has never raced outside of California. He remained focused as he jogged backwards alongside assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes and kept that focus during his gallops and even during his paddock tour Wednesday. The paddock was full with media awaiting Flightline and Cave Rock strolled along beside his groom like a dog out for a walk, never turning a hair. His calm and cool attitude is reminiscent of his late, great sire. Back to his gallops, the dark bay is very light on his feet and travels over the Keeneland surface quite nicely.

CARAVEL (Mizzen Mast) – Turf Sprint

While she is a longshot on paper, Caravel could not look better in the mornings. The petite gray travels like a freight train, charging around the Keeneland oval like a mare on a mission with her neck bowed and back nice and round. When I saw her in the paddock later on, Caravel walked along with her head low and relaxed, quite the contrast from her on-track persona.

MODERN GAMES (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}) – Mile

Modern Games just looks like the happiest horse on the planet. He always has his ears pricked and a very pleasant expression on his face, no matter what he is doing. The chestnut, who seeks his second World Championships win, thunders over the track powerfully, ensuring he is not missed by any onlookers. The European invader's chestnut coat gleams like a new penny and he is fit as a fiddle.

REGAL GLORY (Animal Kingdom) – Mile

Regal Glory is just an extremely cool horse in every sense of the word. The flashy chestnut has the presence to match her accomplishments when she enters the track. Training late when the track is quieter, Regal Glory jogs onto the track with enthusiasm every morning, head held high and ears at full attention as she takes in her adoring fans. She sails over the dirt with ease and will only look better on the turf course. The Peter Brant colorbearer is another who could not look better as far as coat and muscle condition.

EPICENTER (Not This Time) – Classic

If his morning appearance is any indication, Epicenter looks ready to rumble. The bay is a big ball of muscle with a gleaming coat to match. The sophomore has been under a snug hold by his rider and/or attached to a pony at his trainer's side each morning, which is an indication of his readiness. Epicenter travels over the track with big, powerful strides and is quite at home over the Lexington oval.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music) (Sprint), Arrest Me Red (Pioneerof the Nile) (Turf Sprint), Laurel River (Into Mischief) (Dirt Mile), Taiba (Gun Runner) (Classic), Atomically (Girvin) (Juvenile Fillies), Forte (Violence) (Juvenile), Order of Australia (Ire) (Australia {GB}) (Mile), Life Is Good (Into Mischief) (Classic), Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow) (Classic), Oxymore (Astern {Aus}) (Juvenile Turf Sprint), and Andthewinneris (Oscar Performance) (Juvenile Turf).

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Breeders’ Cup Weekend Ready for Take-Off!

LEXINGTON, KY – Led by unbeaten sensation Flightline (Tapit), the 39th Breeders' Cup World Championships–consisting of 14 races with purses and awards totaling more than $31 million– return to Keeneland for a third time with a two-day run beginning Friday.

Sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-70s–does it get any better than that?–are expected for the 'Future Stars Friday' program. Cave Rock (Arrogate) will put his unbeaten mark on the line for Bob Baffert in the Juvenile while Chocolate Gelato (Practical Joke) headlines a wide-open renewal of the Juvenile Fillies. There will also be a trio of Breeders' Cup grass races for 2-year-olds with Godolphin's European invader Silver Knott (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) leading the way in the featured Juvenile Turf.

Some of the top storylines for Saturday's absolutely stacked program–there's currently a 40% chance of afternoon showers in the forecast–include: Flightline's quest for glory in the $6-million Classic; a showdown between Todd Pletcher-trained stablemates Malathaat (Curlin) and Nest (Curlin) in the Distaff; War Like Goddess (English Channel) taking on the boys in the Turf; the unexpected return of the talented Domestic Spending (GB) (Kingman {GB}) off a 14-month layoff in the Mile; and Golden Pal (Uncle Mo) shooting for a third win at the Championships in the Turf Sprint.

The Breeders' Cup will be televised live domestically on NBC, Peacock, USA Network, and FanDuel TV.

For wall-to-wall coverage of all 14 Championship races, click here for Friday's preview edition and click here for Saturday's preview edition.

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