Sunday Insights: ‘TDN Rising Star’ Returns On Keeneland Sunday Card

4th-KEE, $110K, OC, 3yo, f, 1 1/16m, 2:36 p.m.

Unraced since her 'TDN Rising Star' debut at Churchill Downs last September, TWIRLING GOOD TIME (Twirling Candy) returns to the races Sunday for Rigney Racing and trainer Phillip Bauer. Stretching out from 5 1/2 furlongs to 1 1/16 miles, the $250,000 KEESEP grad will look to carry the speed that saw her go nearly gate-to-wire in her four-length win while posting an 86 Beyer Speed Figure. Out of Celebrategoodtimes, a Harlan's Holiday mare who has produced five foals and as many winners, Twirling Good Time counts both GISW and sire Street Boss (Street Cry {Ire}) and MGISW and sire Jack Christopher (Munnings) as extended family members. TJCIS PPS

 

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Keeneland Features Ashland Showdown As Spring Meet Opens Friday

Kentucky Senator Henry Clay might be considered one of the premier American politicians pre-Lincoln, but what is not up for debate was his fervent commitment to breeding equine athletes and attending the races.

You cannot actually visit his home–Ashland–because the structure that stands on the Clay Estate just south of downtown Lexington is not original to “The Great Compromiser” and his time. However, interpretations of Clay-related objects enliven the tour.

Ashland in name was imported as a stakes race when Keeneland opened in 1936. Some familiar female runners who graced the winner's circle at the old Keene Farm include Myrtlewood, Bewitch and Doubledogdare, and more recent fillies like Inside Information, Take Charge Lady and a personal favorite of mine, Bushfire.

As Keeneland kicks off racing on Friday, the GI Central Bank Ashland S. boasts a showdown with 3-year-old fillies looking to deposit 100 points into their Kentucky Oaks account.

For starters, the top three finishers from the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies are present, including winner Just F Y I (Justify). The champion 2-year-old filly almost made the races this spring to kick start her 2024, but trainer Bill Mott was forced to wait until Keeneland.

Also Ashland bound is Jody's Pride (American Pharoah), who was second to Just F Y I at Santa Anita, and last month won the Busher S. at Aqueduct. She will be joined by the third-place finisher from the Juvenile Fillies, Candied (Candy Ride {Arg}), who also has not made a start this year for trainer Todd Pletcher. The filly returns to the site of her win in the GI Alcibiades S. last fall.

Impel | Coady Photography

In an effort to put her own stamp on an Oaks run, 'TDN Rising Star' Impel (Quality Road) will look to keep her record unblemished. Under Brad Cox's tutelage, the Juddmonte homebred  broke her maiden at Fair Grounds Jan. 1 and then posted an 8 1/2-length score and a 91-Beyer against optional claimers at Oaklawn Mar. 3.

Finally, Candied's stablemate Leslie's Rose (Into Mischief) justifiably earned her 'TDN Rising Star' when she broke her maiden by 9 1/4 lengths at Aqueduct last fall before returning to finish third in the GII Davona Dale S. at Gulfstream Park Mar. 2. Halina's Forte (Mitole) will seek to raise her game for Rigney Racing, as she attempts to capitalize on her first black-type win in the Ruthless S. at the 'Big A' Feb. 17.

Keeneland's Friday slate includes the GIII Transylvania S., which draws 12, plus a pair of also-eligibles. The field for the 3-year-old turf route includes Musical Act (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), the first of several overseas arrivals in Kentucky for Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby.

With a packed stakes schedule, plus everything from the baby races to lower daily double takeout, these are just some of the storylines on tap at Keeneland. As for past April meet leaders, Jockey Tyler Gaffalione recorded 21 victories to secure his second consecutive spring meet riding title in 2023, while last year conditioner Wesley Ward earned his sixth consecutive training honor and ninth total.

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Second Chances: $600k Arrogate Filly Tipsy Tammy ‘As Advertised’

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

Tipsy Tammy (f, 3, Arrogate–Peggy May, by Lemon Drop Kid) ran a winning race on debut. She just didn't win.

Those were the words of trainer Phil Bauer, who saddled the highly regarded $600,000 Keeneland September Yearling purchase to a strong second-place finish behind 'TDN Rising Star' Impel (Quality Road) on debut at Fair Grounds Jan. 1.

Sporting a pair of bullet breezes on her worktab, the Rigney Racing colorbearer wasn't much of a secret and was off as the 4-5 favorite in the six-furlong affair.

Tipsy Tammy jumped well from post three and battled for command from an outside second with Impel in hot pursuit in third through an opening quarter in a sharp :21.89. Tipsy Tammy poked her head in front as Impel began to wind up with a flashy sweep on the far turn.

Tipsy Tammy fought on gamely along the rail as they straightened for home, but couldn't match strides with the Brad Cox-trained Juddmonte homebred down the lane. Impel crossed the wire 3 1/4 lengths to the good and it was another 10 3/4 lengths back to the distant third-place finisher.

Tipsy Tammy earned a 77 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort.

“Really thought she ran really well,” Bauer said. “Progression and maturity, she should move forward, hopefully.”

He continued, “It was as advertised. Obviously, when you spend that kind of money, you hope they turn out to be something special. She indicated that to us in the mornings and everybody was on to her as well. I think that was the reason for the short price.

Brad (Cox)'s horse shipped in from Kentucky, so maybe a little bit of camouflage there. No shame in running second to something like that. Visually, I thought they both ran winning efforts. They just got the better of us.”

Tipsy Tammy will look to go one better in her second career start in a six-furlong, $57,000 maiden special weight at Fair Grounds next Thursday. With a five-furlong bullet in 1:00 4/5 (1/12) under her belt in the interim, the 8-5 morning-line favorite has drawn widest of all in post seven. Mitchell Murrill will be at the controls once again.

Phil Bauer & Richard Rigney | Keeneland

“Who knows? Sometimes it's beneficial to get two starts in the maiden ranks and try and get some more seasoning before you take on winners,” Bauer said.

“She's put together really well and a very efficient mover. Obviously, you always hope that they'll stretch out a little bit in distance, which I think she will based on her training. We thought coming back in a three-quarter event would be the right move to try and get the maiden broke, then probably point towards something at Keeneland.”

Bred in Kentucky by Sierra Farm, Tipsy Tammy hails from the third and final crop of the much-missed Arrogate, who is already responsible for five Grade I winners, led by the recently crowned champion 3-year-old Arcangelo. She was the highest-priced yearling filly by Arrogate to sell in 2022 and the third most expensive overall of 61 yearlings by the late Hall of Famer to change hands that year.

The half-sister to MSW Doc Boy (Into Mischief) was produced by Peggy May, an unraced daughter of champion grass mare Perfect Sting (Red Ransom). The Adena Springs-bred Peggy May brought $170,000 from breeder Sierra Farm while in foal to Awesome Again at the 2014 Keeneland November sale.

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Keeneland Wraps 2023 Fall Meet With Near-Record Handle

Keeneland closed its 2023 Fall Meet on a high note Saturday. The meet produced total all-sources wagering of $201.7 million, the second-highest Fall Meet handle and fourth-highest handle in Keeneland history.

“The Fall Meet was terrific from start to finish, and we are thankful for the strong support of our participants, fans and community,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “It was rewarding to see crowds line the rail through the very last race every day, savoring all the excitement this season had to offer. And with the recent announcement of our new Paddock Building and Saddling Paddock enhancements, we look forward to offering even more unique experiences for our guests in the future.”

All-sources wagering (not including whole-card simulcasting at Keeneland) for the 17-day Fall Meet, held Oct. 6-28, totaled $201,739,442, down 3.43% from last year's record Fall Meet of $208,907,655.

On-track wagering of $16,266,007 marked an increase of 5.96% from last year's $15,351,232. Average daily purses of $1,135,604 during the Fall Meet attracted fields that averaged 9.1 starters per race.

Jockeys Tyler Gaffalione and Luis Saez, who finished 1-2 in the rider standings during this year's Spring Meet, also battled for top honors this Fall with Gaffalione securing the lead on closing day for his fourth Fall Meet title and seventh overall.

Trainer Brad Cox earned his fourth consecutive Fall Meet training title and fifth overall while Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Godolphin and Richard Rigney's Rigney Racing tied for leading owner with four wins each.

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