Edited from a releaseMorning line maker Mike Battaglia has installed Team Solaris Stable's Lucifer's Stone as the 9-5 favorite for the $100,000-added Appalachian Stakes to be run Wednesday at Keeneland. The daughter of South African champion
Horse Chestnut will face a field of nine other sophomore fillies at one mile on the rain-dampened Keeneland turf course.
Lucifer's Stone, undefeated in two starts in 2004, most recently captured the Herecomesthebride Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Gulfstream Park in February. Trainer Linda Rice will give a leg-up to Jose Santos.
Trainer Kenny McPeek prepped William A. Carl's Galloping Gal for the Appalachian in the Via Borghese Stakes at Gulfstream, her initial start of the season. Uncharacteristically on the lead that day, the daughter of
Victory Gallop will get a patient ride from Brice Blanc, who was aboard for her come-from-behind Jessamine County Stakes score last fall at Keeneland.
Glencrest Farm's Honey Rider ran third behind Lucifer's Stone in the Herecomesthebride in her latest trip to the post. The daughter of Lasting Approval has won on a yielding turf course and might post an upset. Trainer Todd Pletcher has had a marvelous meeting here and has named his go-to rider John Velasquez to ride.
The Appalachian Stakes field from the rail out:
Horse, Jockey (weight), Trainer
1--Lucifer's Stone, Jose Santos (120), Linda Rice
2--Really American, Frank Lovato Jr. (116), George Weaver
3--Oblivious, Larry Melancon (116), Josie Carroll
4--My Vintage Port, Shane Sellers (118), Ken Parsley
5--Pink Champagne, Pat Day (120), John Kimmel
6--Last Waltz, Robby Albarado) (116), Dale Romans
7--Western Ransom, Rafael Bejarano (116), Michael Dickinson
8--Galloping Gal, Brice Blanc (120), Ken McPeek
9--Mocha Queen, Craig Perret (116), Michael Lauer
10--Honey Rider, John Velasquez (116), Todd Pletcher
