Joe's Son Joey Tops Skeet in Woodford County

Still fifth with three-sixteenths of a mile remaining, Joe's Son Joey stormed down the middle of the course to win Friday's featured $84,525 Woodford County Stakes at Keeneland.

Jockey Robby Albarado guided the 5-year-old son of Fast Play from the rail to the middle of the course for his winning move. He ran 5 ½ furlongs on the firm course in 1:03.49.

Joe's Son Joey finished three-quarters of a length in front of Skeet, the 2-1 favorite. It was a half-length back to third-place Abderian. Wudantunoit finished fourth, another neck back, followed, in order, by Testify, Red Lightning, Maybry's Boy, Trick Storm, Grangeville and Amazon River.

Joe's Son Joey improved his record to 24-8-5-3 and earned $52,406 for owner Joseph R. Lunetta. He paid $7.60, $3.80 and $2.80. Skeet, ridden by Rene Douglas, returned $4 and $2.80 and Abderian with Eddie Martin, Jr. aboard paid $3.60.

Timothy Hills trained the winner for his first stakes victory at Keeneland.

When trainer George R. (Rusty) Arnold II sent out Perfect Cut to win Keeneland's eighth race, it marked the 51st different meeting – including the last 10 – that the native of Kentucky had saddled at least one winner.

Arnold, whose large public stable is based in New York, was credited with his first winner during the 1977 fall meeting.

Keeneland's attendance Friday was 12,415.