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Long Weekend, Keeneland’s Haggin Turf Course Hosts A Trio Of Graded Races

Keeneland's lawn debuted during the 1985 Fall meet in an era when American turf courses were just coming into vogue.

According to a back issue of the track's media guide, through 2016 they had two names for their grass course. The Keeneland Course referred to the one with rail up, while the normal configuration with it down was called the Haggin Course.

Named for Louis Lee Haggin II, who was not only Keeneland's President from 1940-1956, but the decade before had purchased the 550-acre Sycamore Farm in Woodford County. Serving as board chairman of the Keeneland Association beginning in 1970, he was a decedent of the gold rusher and California stud farm innovator James Ben Ali Haggin.

As for the Keeneland turf course records, they recognized various distances and rail settings, but for the 2016 Fall meet, the inside rail was replaced on the Haggin Course with a portable fence that can be placed a variety of distances to protect the inside portion of the course. So, beginning with the 2017 Spring meet, Keeneland amalgamated records into one set based on distance.

Now that we mowed through a bit of turf history, the Haggin will take center stage starting on Friday, as the Association cards a trio of graded grass races which will headline another weekend of racing action.

On Friday at Keeneland, a key distance test will be renewed when turf specialists contest the GIII Sycamore S. going 12 furlongs. Grizzled veterans like GISW Red Knight (Pure Prize) and MGISW Channel Maker (English Channel) are present, but so are up and comers like MGSP Limited Liability (Kitten's Joy) and GSP Red Run (Gun Runner). Add in Godolphin homebred Bold Act (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), who is group stakes placed in England and France for trainer Charlie Appleby, and this should set up as quite a late scramble.

Lindy | Coady Photography

Heading to Saturday in the Bluegrass, it is the annual invitation-only GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. for 3-year-old fillies. The nine-furlong run over the Haggin includes several invaders with European form. Elusive Princess (Fr) (Martinborough {Jpn}) made her U.S. debut a good one when she captured the GIII Saratoga Oaks Invitational Aug. 4 after running second in the G1 Prix Saint-Alary S. at ParisLongchamp May 14 and when she was fifth behind G1 Prix de l'Opera Longines heroine Blue Rose Cen (Churchill {Ire}) in the G1 Prix de Diane S. June 18 at Chantilly.

Shifting from Jean-Philippe Dubois to Arnaud Delacour, the bay filly will face another who recently changed yards in Lindy (Fr) (Le Harve {Ire}). She made the switch from Christophe Ferland to Brendan Walsh over the summer after finishing second in the G1 French 1000 Guineas S. to Blue Rose Cen and then a well-beaten eighth in the Prix de Diane. Under Walsh, she successfully shipped into Kentucky Downs and won an optional claimer at a short price going a mile.

Other imports into this field include Sounds of Heaven (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who was third at the Royal Meeting in the G1 Coronation S. for Jessica Harrington, French stakes winner for Jean-Claude Roget Elounda Queen (Ire) (Australia {GB}) and finally, Mawj (Ire), who was last seen winning the G1 1000 Guineas S. at Newmarket May 7 for Godolphin and trainer Saeed bin Suroor. Incidently, this will be bin Suroor's first trip to Keeneland since 2014.

“You have to send the right horse to run here,” bin Suroor said. “This is the right place for her. This was the plan to come here and then go to the Breeders' Cup. Either the [GI Breeders' Cup] Mile or the [GI Breeders' Cup] Filly & Mare Turf. I want to see how she runs here and then on to L.A. Mawj had a little chest infection before Ascot [in the summer] and she had a break,” bin Suroor said of the five months between starts.

As for the American contingent, Chad Brown will be well-represented with pair of entries in GSW Liguria (War Front) and GISP Prerequisite (Upstart). Brown has won four of the last five editions of this race.

Finally, on Sunday it will be time to go sprinting at Keeneland when the GII Franklin S. goes off at five and a half furlongs for older females. MGISW Caravel (Mizzen Mast) returns to her favorite course, the site of her upset win last fall in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, as she attempts to repeat in the Franklin S. for trainer Brad Cox. The accomplished 6-year-old, who will be offered at the Keeneland November Sale, will once again face GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint victoress Twilight Gleaming (Ire) (National Defense {GB}). The 4-year-old bay filly is looking to get back on track for Wesley Ward after an unsuccessful trip to Del Mar July 28 in the Daiseycutter S. Also of note is the presence of GII Ladies Turf Sprint winner Bay Storm (Kantharos), who had her own way at Kentucky Downs, and the untested Godolphin homebred from England for Charlie Appleby, Star Guest (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).

Eternal Hope | Chelsea Durand

The stakes docket is not restricted to just Central Kentucky as both Aqueduct and Woodbine host their own graded races on Saturday.

With rain in the forecast later in the day and Sunday's GIII Knickerbocker S. moved to next week as a consequence, we will get to see the GII Sands Point S. early on the Belmont at the Big A card. Out of 10 entrants and three also-eligibles, Neecie Marie (Cross Traffic) will get another crack at Godolphin's Eternal Hope (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), who bested her by only a neck in the Sept. 16 GIII Jockey Club Oaks Invitational.

Joining the fray are a pair of alums who ran second and third in last month's Virginia Oaks at Colonial Downs. Jeff Drown's Root Cause (Into Mischief) and Don Alberto homebred Alpha Bella (Justify) have proved they can handle nine furlongs as they look to win their first graded race.

Ranging up the Canada, Woodbine has a pair of Grade IIIs scheduled over their Tapeta on Saturday when SW Mouffy (Uncle Mo) takes on MGSW Souper Hoity Toity (Uncle Mo) in the Ontario Matron S. and GSW Loyalty (Hard Spun) battles MGSW Our Flash Drive (Ghostzapper) in the Ontario Fashion S.

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Graded Preview: Turf Battle Set For Lake George

If you are searching for some Saratoga race name history, then head about 30 miles west from the horse hubbub in the complete opposite direction of Lake George. On Route 29 just outside Johnstown, New York, you'll find Johnson Hall, an impressive Georgian structure that became a historic house museum.

In 1763, a century before Saratoga Race Course was founded, the manor was literally carved out of the wilderness as a symbol of refinement by power couple Sir William Johnson and his common-law wife, Molly Brant.

On their turf they held massive front yard meetings with the Five Nations of the Iroquois, were bestowed land and titles by the British government, and Brant, who hailed from an important family herself, was a Mohawk Indian that birthed eight children by the Irish-born Johnson.

Always controversial, Sir William is the culprit who named Lake George in honor of The King. Back in the future, the mere is not only a key pleasure spot, but it's also a Grade III turf race for 3-year-old fillies which takes place this Friday afternoon at Saratoga. Here's a preview.

Over the past eight years, only trainers Brendan Walsh and George Weaver can claim wins over Chad Brown in the Lake George. Walsh will try to duplicate his feat from 2017 with Secret Money (Good Samaritan), who broke her maiden at second asking while sprinting on the grass at Keeneland in April before clearing allowance company a month later at Churchill Downs. Despite her fifth-place finish in the Alywow S. at Woodbine June 25, she was more than competitive.

A pair of other entrants who are of interest include Queen Picasso (GB) (Kingman {GB}), trained by Christophe Clement and Lil Miss Moonlight (City of Light) from Tim Hamm's shedrow. The former is looking to collect her third career victory in a row after she won last time out by two lengths in the GIII Soaring Softly S. at Belmont Park, while the latter has never finished out of the money.

Brown's entries comprise half of the 10-horse field and most handicappers will be looking closely at the strong stakes grass experience held by Liguria (War Front) and Revalita (Fr) (Recoletos {Fr}). Liguria won the Wild Applause S. at Belmont Park June 24 with a sweeping seven-wide move to get up in time.

Also part of the Lake George are a trio of Brown trainees owned by Klaravich Stables. Tax Implications (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}), who ran second to Liguria in the Wild Applause, and Utilization Rate (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) will be joined by Surge Capacity (Flintshire {GB}), who will have to answer the class hike question with only a debut score to her credit June 10 at Monmouth by 1 1/2 lengths. Her dam, Strong Incentive (Warrior's Reward) produced another Klaravich-owned trainee in GSW Highly Motivated (Into Mischief).

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Second Chances: Pricey Curlin 2yo “Acts Like a Filly to be Excited About”

In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar.

Subsequently flattered by Liguria (War Front)'s impressive performance in last weekend's GIII Jimmy Durante S. at Del Mar, Erna (f, 2, Curlin–Jumby Bay, by City Zip) will look to go one better at second asking in the nightcap at Gulfstream Park Sunday.

Off at 11-1 going 1 1/16 miles over the grass on debut at the Belmont at Aqueduct meeting Oct. 22, Erna jumped well from post five and cleared the field of 10 heading into the clubhouse turn. Under a snug hold and in control through fractions of :23.33 and :48.01, the $600,000 OBS April breezer hit the quarter pole as the one to catch and led by a commanding 1 1/2 lengths in the stretch.

The aforementioned Liguria, making her second career start, however, was just getting going down the center. Erna dug down deep and braced for the challenge inside the final sixteenth, but, after swapping to her left lead close to home, just couldn't hold that one off and came up a neck short. Erna received a 70 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort.

After failing to draw into a pair of spots during Keeneland's fall meeting, Erna made a last-minute trip from trainer Cherie DeVaux's Lexington base to the Big A for her debut.

“I was really impressed with how she ran given the circumstances,” DeVaux said.

“She did not get into either of the races that had overfilled at Keeneland and she had been training there the entire time since she came in after the sale. She had to ship after entries came out on Wednesday to Belmont Park. She arrived Thursday, trained at Belmont on Friday and had to ship over to Aqueduct [to run] on Saturday. So, it was less than ideal circumstances and she ran huge considering all that was thrown at her.”

Erna, the first foal out of the multiple stakes-placed Jumby Bay, brought $600,000 from owner James D. Spry after cruising through a :20 4/5 bullet in Ocala this spring. The daughter of two-time Horse of the Year and perennial leading sire Curlin was previously a $135,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by Lehigh Bloodstock.

Jumby Bay, from the family of grassy GI Garden City Breeders' Cup S. heroine Magnificent Song (Unbridled's Song), brought $510,000 from breeder Don Alberto carrying Erna at the 2019 Keeneland November sale.

“At the sale, we were really impressed with her breeze and how she moved,” DeVaux said of Erna. “She looked like she was more turf inclined.”

Erna drew post nine going a two-turn mile for her second career try over the Gulfstream lawn Sunday. Luis Saez has the mount aboard the 5-2 morning-line favorite.

“I think if she either runs the race that she ran last time or improves, she's gonna be hard to beat,” DeVaux said. “She acts like she's a filly to be excited about.”

The 'Second Chances' honor roll is headed by two-time Breeders' Cup winner and new Ashford Stud stallion Golden Pal (Uncle Mo), GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby winner and Lane's End stallion Honor A. P. (Honor Code), recent GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Cody's Wish (Curlin) and MGISW and 'TDN Rising Star' Paradise Woods (Union Rags).

This year's GI Carter H. winner and new Darley stallion Speaker's Corner (Street Sense), GI Preakness S. third-place finisher Creative Minister (Creative Cause), Curlin S. winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Artorius (Arrogate) and Cinema S. winner and GII Del Mar Derby third War At Sea (War Front) have also been featured in the series.

Other standouts include: GSW Moonlight d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro), GSW & MGISP Spielberg (Union Rags), GSW Backyard Heaven (Tizway), MSW and 'TDN Rising Star' Gidu (Ire) (Frankel {GB}); and GISP A Mo Reay (Uncle Mo).

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War Front’s Liguria Takes The Jimmy Durante

Whether it was the memory of her Grade I-winning full-sister just five years ago in California or the ability she showed in breaking her maiden in October before shipping across the country for the GIII Jimmy Durante S., Liguria (War Front–Lerici, by Woodman) was tabbed as the favorite and was spot on as she trumped a full field in the Del Mar stakes for 2-year-old fillies on the grass. The Alpha Delta Stables runner was one of five in the Jimmy Durante coming into the race fresh off a maiden victory and one of four previously ridden by Flavien Prat, three in their most recent starts. Decorated My Life (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), who recently shipped over from Ireland, and Sell the Dream (Munnings), second behind Comanche Country (Ire) (Highland Reel {Ire}) in the GIII Surfer Girl S. Oct 9, filled out the trifecta.

Sent from the 11th stall, Liguria settled outside and midpack. She was clear but four wide into the first turn and failed to save any ground as fractions ticked by in :22.52 and :47.33 while Ami Please (Goldencents) showed the way. Still clear, but five or six paths wide on the final turn, Liguria switched leads, pinned her ears, and reeled in Ami Please with ease. The bay kicked clear by 2 1/4 lengths as Decorated My Life closed from the back to chase her home and finish a nose in front of Sell the Dream in a tight photo.

“We always liked this filly,” said Chad Brown's assistant Jose Hernandez. “She came to Del Mar in good shape; training really well. She just did her thing today. I told [Prat] my boss said just warm her up really good and put her in a good position and go from there.”

Brown was winning his second Jimmy Durante after Fluffy Socks (Slumber {GB}) took the race for him in 2020.

Prat was winning his first Jimmy Durante. “She was traveling well and I was confident,” said Prat. “When I rode her in New York, she showed me a good turn of foot. I thought I'd get it again today and it worked out that way.”

A $275,000 Keeneland September buy for Steven W. Young–who also purchased her GISW full-sister Avenge for $650,000 as a Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling–Liguria kicked off her career with a runner-up finish in a Sept. 11 maiden going a mile on the turf at Monmouth. She was back Oct. 22 in another maiden special weight at the Belmont at Aqueduct meet, stretching out another sixteenth and winning by a neck as the 3-1 choice with Prat aboard for the first time.

Pedigree Notes:

Liguria is the fourth of Lerici's foals by War Front to start and the third black-type winner, following Avenge, twice winner of the GI Rodeo Drive S., and 'TDN Rising Star' Pistoletto, who is GSP in England. Lerici also has SW & GSP Lira (Giant's Causeway) and produced a filly by Tiz the Law this spring. Black-type runs rampant in this family and includes European champion Mark of Esteem (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}), as well as GSW & GISP Chimichurri (Elusive Quality)–a $2.1-million purchase at Keeneland November in 2005–and her descendants, which include Canadian champion Wonder Gadot (Medaglia d'Oro) and GISWs Hard Not to Love (Hard Spun) and Secret Spice (Discreet Cat). Lerici was covered by Uncle Mo for next term.

Claiborne's stellar War Front gets his 60th graded winner with Liguria's win, as well as his 109th black-type winner worldwide. His 13 stakes winners in 2022 include Keeneland's GI Coolmore Turf Mile S. winner Annapolis, GIII John Henry Turf Championship S. winner Masteroffoxhounds, GIII Seagram Cup S. winner War Bomber (Ire), and GIII Eatontown S. winner Stolen Holiday. Lerici's graded pair of Avenge and Liguria are Woodman's only two stakes winners as a broodmare sire by War Front, despite an eye-popping total of 235 black-type winners out of his daughters.

Saturday, Del Mar
JIMMY DURANTE S.-GIII, $103,500, Del Mar, 12-3, 2yo, f, 1mT, 1:36.16, fm.
1–LIGURIA, 120, f, 2, by War Front
                1st Dam: Lerici, by Woodman
                2nd Dam: Balinese, by Nijinsky II
                3rd Dam: Homespun, by Round Table
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($275,000
Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Alpha Delta Stables, LLC; B-Tada Nobutaka
(KY); T-Chad C. Brown; J-Flavien Prat. $60,000. Lifetime
Record: 3-2-1-0, $123,250. *Full to Pistoletto, GSP-Eng, SP-Ire,
$143,538; 1/2 to Lira (Giant's Causeway), MSW & GSP,
$163,669; Full to Avenge, MGISW, $868,341. Werk Nick
Rating: C. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Decorated My Life (Ire), 120, f, 2, Mehmas (Ire)–Doris Marie
(Ire), by Creachadoir (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED
BLACK TYPE. (£82,000 Ylg '21 GOFFUK). O-CYBT & Michael
Nentwig; B-Tally Ho Stud (IRE); T-Simon Callaghan. $20,000.
3–Sell the Dream, 120, f, 2, Munnings–Enayat Alsalam, by
Run Away and Hide. O-Edward Rusty J. Brown, Alan P. Klein &
Philip Lebherz; B-PT Syndicate #1 LLC (CA); T-Brian J. Koriner.
$12,000.
Margins: 2 1/4, NO, NK. Odds: 1.40, 20.20, 6.40.
Also Ran: Ami Please, Ragtime Rose, Thebestisyettobe (Ire), Pallotta Sisters, Showgirl Lynne B, Quickly Park It, Bizzy Gal, Jordan, Lollipop Gumdrop.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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