Intercontinental, one of many highly consistent turf runners from the Bobby Frankel barn, should be the solid choice when a field of nine goes a mile on the turf Sunday at Keeneland in the WinStar Galaxy Stakes (gr. IIT).
The daughter of Danehill is a grade I winner on the turf, having taken the Matriarch last fall at Hollywood. She has won over the Keeneland turf, taking the last two renewals of the Jenny Wiley (gr. IIIT). She enters the Keeneland race off a win in the Palomar Handicap (gr. IIT) at Del Mar.
A Juddmonte Farms homebred, Intercontinental will carrying co-highweight of 123 pounds and be ridden by Jerry Bailey.
Ticker Tape, who was third in the Palomar, and whose last win came on the grass at Keeneland, is another who should get attention. By Royal Applause, Ticker Tape's last victory was in the grade I Queen Elizabeth Ii Challenge Cup last October at Keeneland.
Owned by Forging Oaks Farm, and like Intercontinental bred in England, Ticker Tape is trained by James Cassidy. Kent Desormeaux has the mount.
Looking to get back to the winners' circle is Wend, who after five straight victories last ran sixth in the Beverly D (gr. IT) at Arlington Park. The daughter of
Pulpit, a Claiborne Farm homebred, is trained by Bill Mott. John Velazquez has the mount on the co-highweight.
The field, in post order, with weights and jockey assignments:
1 Pretty Jane 119 Eddie Castro
2 Shaconage 121 David Romero Flores
3 Ticker Tape 121 Kent Desormeaux
4 Intercontinental 123 Jerry Bailey
5 Katdogawn 121 Robby Albarado
6 Very Very 119 Ramon Dominguez
7 River Belle 119 Brice Blanc
8 Wend 123 John Velazquez
9 La Reina 119 Mike Smith
