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.

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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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Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey said Limited Liability worked well with the addition of blinkers which he will wear for the first time in the afternoon on Sunday.

“He wasn't keen with them. I'm just hoping he'll engage a little earlier depending on the pace,” McGaughey said.

The 2-year-old Kitten's Joy gray has made a pair of starts at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., graduating on debut in July traveling 1 1/16-miles on the Mellon turf ahead of a third in the Grade 3 With Anticipation over the inner turf on September 1.

McGaughey said Magic Cap Stables' Frosty Brew is training well ahead of Saturday's Grade 1 Frizette. She worked a half-mile in :49 flat Saturday on the Fair Hill dirt.

The dark bay daughter of Frosted bested eight other juvenile fillies in an impressive 1 3/4-length score in her September 9 debut sprinting six furlongs at Laurel Park in Laurel, Md.

W.S. Farish homebred Code of Honor will breeze Monday on the Belmont main track in preparation for a start in Saturday's Grade 1 Woodward.

Code of Honor enjoyed a memorable sophomore season being elevated to second in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby before posting wins in the Grade 3 Dwyer at Belmont, Grade 1 Runhappy Travers at Saratoga, and a score by disqualification in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup on Big Sandy.

Last year, Code of Honor boasted a record of 1-2-1 in five starts, including a score in the Grade 3 Westchester. He made his seasonal debut with a fifth in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational in January at Gulfstream and returned to winning form last out with a 2 1/2-length score under Paco Lopez in the 1 1/16-mile Grade 3 Philip H. Iselin at Monmouth that registered a 105 Beyer.

McGaughey said Code of Honor, racing off a seven-month layoff, touted his Iselin effort with impressive breezes on the Oklahoma dirt training track in Saratoga.

“He trained into it good and ran good,” McGaughey said. “He's trained good since then whether we were at Saratoga on the Oklahoma or here at Belmont. He's in good shape now [mentally]. I think the layoff helped. He got a lot stronger.”

McGaughey said Lopez will retain the mount for the Woodward.

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Given the nod at 7-5 on the morning line is Stuart Janney's homebred Limited Liability (Kitten's Joy). Racing with just one horse beaten early debuting over this course July 31, the gray unleashed a powerful stretch rally to score going away by 2 3/4 lengths. He shows a trio of local breezes in the interim, capped by a sharp half-mile move in :48 1/5 (3/45) on the Oklahoma turf Aug. 27.

Klaravich Stables' Portfolio Company (Kitten's Joy) showed more early foot than his main rival when tugging at his rider early in his unveiling on opening weekend, but settled eventually and took command in the stretch before holding sway for a three-quarter length success as the 6-5 chalk. Bought for $125,000 as a Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearling, the bay has also worked forwardly since his graduation, most notably notching a bullet half-mile on the Oklahoma dirt in :48 flat (1/10) Aug. 20.

Maiden Gooch Go Bragh (Distorted Humor) looks most likely should the favorites falter. Out of a daughter of MGSW turfer Surya (Unbridled), the $130,000 Keeneland September buy finished strongly from last to be runner-up behind promising Dripping Gold (Lemon Drop Kid) on debut here Aug. 7.

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The 17th running of the With Anticipation for 2-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles over the Mellon turf course serves as the headliner on a 10-race program that kicks off the final week of the Spa summer meet. First post time is 1:05 p.m. Eastern.

By turf champion and prolific grass sire Kitten's Joy, Limited Liability, trained by Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey, had been preparing for his debut at the Fair Hill Training Center in Elkton, Maryland prior to his July 31 unveiling.

“We did like him. He was at Fair Hill for a good while and he was up here long enough,” McGaughey said. “I had worked him on the Tapeta down there, and he really liked it.”

Limited Liability broke near the outside of eight horses in his career opener, a maiden special weight contested over a turf course rated good. He had one horse beat before rallying five wide through the stretch and sweeping past to win by 2 3/4 lengths at odds of nearly 7-1.

“I was very impressed with his race. I've been very impressed since he ran, too,” McGaughey said. “He's training awfully well. I'm looking forward to it. I think he deserves to be in there.”

Jose Ortiz, up for his debut, gets the return call from post 1 in a field of seven at co-topweight of 122 pounds.

While McGaughey will be seeking his first victory in the With Anticipation, newly inducted Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher has captured a record six editions with Opry [2018], Made You Look [2016], Azar [2015], Bashart [2013], Interactif [2009] and Bittel Road [2008]. The only other trainers with more than one win are Patrick Biancone and Chad Brown [with two apiece].

This year, Pletcher will be represented by Donegal Racing's Gooch Go Bragh, a chestnut son of Distorted Humor that fetched $130,000 as a yearling last fall. The colt also debuted at Saratoga, running second behind Dripping Gold in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight August 7 on the inner turf course. Meet leader Luis Saez will ride from post 3 at 118 pounds.

Another son of Kitten's Joy with a debut win at the distance, albeit over Saratoga's inner turf, is Klaravich Stables' Portfolio Company. Sent off as the favorite over eight rivals July 17, he was rank early before settling down and taking a 2 ½-length lead into the stretch, holding on to win by three-quarters of a length. The victory was one of 30 the meet-leading Brown had trained through the first 31 days, including eight over a two-day span August 25 and 26.

“You've got to earn every win at Saratoga. I know we have [the] eight wins and it's starting to look easy, but it's anything but that,” Brown said. “You're going to have to work hard, you're going to need focus and get good rides from these jockeys, and we're going to have to do our part to bring over horses that are really healthy and ready to roll.”

Brown's previous With Anticipation wins came in 2014 with Startup Nation and in 2012 with Balance the Books, both owned or co-owned by Klaravich's Seth Klarman.

“It's cyclical, like any professional sport. When you're doing it long enough, you're going to realize that you can't get too high or too low. Right now, we're in a really good groove, in all different divisions – dirt, turf, long, short, young, old – and the horses are really ready. It's a testament to my staff and the patience of the owners to see it through week-to-week. And these jockeys. There's a handful of different jockeys who have participated in this streak,” Brown said. “It just goes to show you how hard everyone is trying in all areas of the game to get wins at Saratoga.”

Irad Ortiz, Jr. has been named on Portfolio Company from post 4 at 122 pounds.

D.J. Stable and Chester and Mary Broman's Coinage is entered to make his turf debut for Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse after breaking his maiden sprinting 5 ½ furlongs June 17 at Belmont Park and running third in the six-furlong Rick Violette July 21 at Saratoga, both against fellow New York-breds. He is by Tapit out of Grade 1-winning mare Bar of Gold, also bred and owned by the Bromans. Junior Alvarado gets the assignment from post 6 at 120 pounds.

Silipo will be stepping up, stretching out and switching surfaces following his 3 ½-length victory in a 5 ½-furlong maiden claimer August 15 over Saratoga's main track. Trainer Bruce Brown claimed the Candy Ride gelding for $40,000 on behalf of Buffalo-based White Owl Stable.

“He's a real good-looking horse. For a 2-year-old he's just a big, beautiful horse. We were just kind of taking a shot,” Brown said. “You almost kind of wish he wouldn't have won. It's a double-edged sword. You liked that he ran well enough to win but then that takes down your options. If he hadn't have won, we could have run him back in a maiden. But, it's good for him.”

Based on what he has seen since the claim, Brown believes Silipo should handle the transition to grass. Ricardo Santana Jr. will be aboard from post 2 at 120 pounds.

“For 2-year-olds when they break their maiden, there's not a lot of options for them. This [race] was something that, right when we claimed him and he won, we thought about,” Brown said. “He's got a good turf foot and he's kind of a big, scopey horse. He looks like he could turf so we figured it might be a good opportunity to try it. He should like the distance and should appreciate the grass, hopefully.”

Completing the field are a pair of entrants from trainer and co-owner James Chapman in Kavod [blinkers off from post 5, Manny Franco] and Ready to March [post 7, Luis Rodriguez Castro]. Kavod has raced four times, all on dirt, breaking his maiden April 23 and running second in the June 4 Tremont at Belmont prior to a fifth in the Grade 3 Sanford July 17, his most recent outing. Ready to March graduated in his lone start sprinting five furlongs August 23 over Finger Lakes' main track.

The With Anticipation is slated as Race 9. Saratoga Live will present daily television coverage of the 40-day summer meet on FOX Sports. For the complete Saratoga Live broadcast schedule, and additional programming information, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule.

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