T.D. Vance shared the spotlight with the recently retired Day, Keeneland's all-time leading jockey who was celebrated in a winner's circle ceremony after the sixth race.Day, who turned 52 Thursday, retired in August as Thoroughbred racing's leading money-winning jockey. His mounts earned $298 million. He is fourth in all-time races won with 8,804 victories, including 918 at Keeneland.Keeneland presented Day with a leather-bound scrapbook containing clippings, photographs, and letters from prominent horsemen and industry leaders, a framed art print of himself, along with $5,000 checks to the Racetrack Chaplaincy and Mom's Closet.
"First of all, I would like to thank Jesus for saving me in 1984," Day said. "I'd like to thank Keeneland for this beautiful facility and all the success afforded to me here. I'd like to thank the racing industry for my wonderful career."
Trainer Karl Pew, who gave Day his start more than 30 years ago at Prescott Downs in Arizona, traveled from Utah to join Day in the ceremony hosted by Keeneland President Nick Nicholson.
"He (Pew) gave me an opportunity when others wouldn't have, and in the final race on July 29, 1973, we got up (to win) in the final strides on a muddy racetrack, on a horse named Forblunged. It was Karl's support and faith that jump-started me to a great career."
Day, who was known for taking time to interact with the racing public, signed autographs and posed for pictures with admirers for more than four hours during the afternoon.
T.D. Vance ran the mile in 1:34.65 and earned $93,000 for owner Donald A. Adam's Courtland Farm. He finished a length in front of Rey de Café with Therecomesatiger another three-quarters of a length back in third.
The winner, who is trained by H. Graham Motion, paid $6.80, $3.60, and $2.80 as the favorite in the field of eight 3-year-olds. Rey de Café returned $4.80 and $3.60 and Therecomesatiger paid $4.60.
(Chart, Equibase)
