Kelly Wheeler | Horse Racing Free Tips

An overnight trailer crash on the Bluegrass Parkway in Nelson County, Kentucky hospitalized the driver and killed three horses from the barn of trainer Eddie Kenneally who were being transported from Oaklawn Park to Keeneland. According to a Facebook post from the Bardstown Fire Department, the accident occured shortly before 5 a.m. Monday.

“When units arrived on scene they found a tractor trailer on an embankment,” the post read. “The trailer, carrying Thoroughbreds, became dislodged from the king pin and ripped the cab of the truck from the frame. Crews extricated the driver from the vehicle in about 30 minutes. The driver was flown to University of Louisville Hospital. Anderson County large animal rescue was dispatched to assist with the removal of the Thoroughbreds from the trailer. Removal of the Thoroughbreds took approximately four hours.”

TDN could not confirm the names of all of the Thoroughbreds who were aboard the van in time for deadline for this story.

Reached via phone at 5:30 p.m. Eastern, Kenneally expressed gratitude for everyone who has offered condolences and help so far.

“We're just saddened for the loss of the horses, and saddened for the clients and how they are feeling right now. It's just a horrible accident. A lot of tough calls to make today.”

Kenneally said he does not yet have a clear understanding of what caused the accident.

“We don't know. We really have gotten very little information. It would be just guessing. Evidently, the tractor-trailer got out of control and went across the median. Thankfully, we didn't have any grooms on there. We don't know the condition of the driver, and we're hoping that he'll be fine. It's just a tough time.”

One of the horses known to be on the van who is alive but injured was the 3-year-old Vitement (Mizzen Mast), a 2-for-5 colt who most recently finished third in the Feb. 10 Ozark S. at Oaklawn. Matthew Wiley, a part-owner, confirmed this news in a social media post on X/Twitter.

“It's been a horrible day. We don't know if Vitement will survive. He is in terrible condition…” Wiley wrote. “I feel so badly for Eddie Kenneally and the family at the barn, Richie and all my partners. These were all Eddie's [trainees]. It's as bad as it gets. V is like a family member.”

One of the horses who perished was the 3-year-old Darkroom (Enticed), a 2-for-4 gelding who won a Fair Grounds allowance race Mar. 15. The confirmation was posted on the X/Twitter social media account for part-owner Double O Racing.

“So unfortunately sad to of lost this talented guy today in a horrific accident. Prayers and thoughts going out to all the other horses, owners, staff, driver etc.,” the Double O posting stated.

The post Kentucky Trailer Accident Kills Three Thoroughbreds appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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In a field full of early foot, the late turn of Castleton Lyon's Brooke Marie proved best in Saturday's $75,000 Pan Zareta Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans, La.

Speedster Elle Z set the pace from the inside post and was joined by far outside drawn Short Summer Dress and a surprisingly keen Elle's Town through opening fractions of :21.92 and :45.97 over a turf course rated as firm. Her speed on full display, Elle Z led every step of the way except the last inch, the one that counts, as she was seized by the marvelous Brooke Marie and jockey Adam Beschizza, who stopped the timer in 1:04.61 for the 5 ½ furlong distance. Kela's Turn (34-1) edged Elle's Town (36-1 for third). The 2.00-1 favorite Love and Money, exiting a first-level allowance win at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky., settled into the pocket early but failed to seriously threaten thereafter, settling for fifth.

Training forwardly by all accounts at Keeneland and at Fair Grounds coming in, this Lemon Drop Kid mare has shown tremendous growth and maturity since joining Eddie Kenneally's barn last April.

“We freshened her up this summer and being a big mare expected her to need a race,” assistant trainer on the grounds Kelly Wheeler said. “She really impressed us at Keeneland and came out of the race well. We thought this was a good spot for her even though it was a bit of a step up and she proved that she belongs with this kind.”

Given a sensational ride by perennial meet title contender Beschizza, Brooke Marie broke sharp and settled five lengths back in seventh at the first call. Patiently going two-wide when there was no room in the tightly bunched mix, Beschizza took his live mount four-wide gaining position to fifth behind the slow starting Yes It's Ginger, who had rushed up into a stalking spot. That rival came back to her at the top of the stretch, pushing Brooke Marie out one lane five wide into the fresh paths of the Fair Grounds lawn. Fully extended, Brooke Marie surged to perfection for the head victory.

“She has done phenomenal since Eddie got a hold of her,” winning rider Adam Beschizza said. “She is like a fine wine; she seems to be improving with age. She's not one-dimensional–she's universal, she can close, she can stalk, be on the lead. She is a delight to ride as a jockey and I'm sure she is to train.”

With a field full of live horses looking to assert their presence at Fair Grounds, the last out wire-to-wire winner showed a new trick up her sleeve with her late-kick tactical advantage. With only 6 ¾ lengths separating first to last in the field off 11, others showed grit and growth sure to be on display for the Nelson J. Menard Memorial Stakes, the next fillies and mare turf sprint stakes on January 1st.

After going all out with a clear indication of returned form, Elle Z's connections were left wondering what else they could have done.

“She ran hard but just didn't quite hold on,” jockey Mitchell Murrill said. “Not enough. Elle Z's a great horse herself, but I guess today wasn't her day. She may have got a little tired on me towards the end, but she gave 110%. All I can ask for.”

The win was Brooke Marie's fifth overall, but first in a stakes (13-5-3-1). With the victory, the 5-year-old daughter of Lemon Drop Kid boosted her career bankroll to $281,230.

The post Brooke Marie Best In Pan Zareta At Fair Grounds appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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