Kentucky Downs is transferring $500,000 apiece to the purse accounts at Ellis Park, Churchill Downs, and Keeneland in an agreement with the Kentucky HBPA, which represents owners and trainers at the commonwealth's five Thoroughbred tracks.
Trainer Wesley Ward gave the thumbs-up signal to indicate his approval of today's works at Keeneland by his horses - led by European champion Lady Aurelia - after they worked on the turf in preparation for Royal Ascot.
Scat Daddy filly worked four furlongs in :48 4/5 at Keeneland May 15 as she prepares to defend her title in the June 19 King's Stand Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot.
Keeneland closed its 2018 spring meet April 27 with an all-sources handle total of more than $157 million.
The added distance of the 1 1/2-mile Bewitch Stakes (G3T) proved a good fit for Mom's On Strike, who took command in midstretch on her way to a 3 1/4-length victory April 27 at Keeneland, closing day of the spring meet.
The Bluegrass Breakfast will be open 6-10:30 a.m. from Saturday, April 28, through Thursday, May 3, in the Stable Suites located near the gap by the clockers' stand.
Daddys Lil Darling is set to have her talents stretched again at Keeneland April 27 when she headlines a field of seven entered in the 1 1/2-mile $150,000 Bewitch Stakes (G3T).
While One Go All Go snapped a 12-race losing skid in the Dixiana Elkhorn Stakes (G2T), the race was marred when grade 1 winner Bullards Alley suffered a fatal injury on the first turn of the 12-furlong contest.
With trainer Chad Brown watching from the Keeneland boxes, Good Magic gave the two-time Eclipse Award winner reason to stay loose and happy as the chestnut colt cruised through a four-furlong work in :48 flat April 21.
Valadorna followed a career-low finish by posting an all-time best result April 20, when she inched clear in the final stages of the $100,000 Hilliard Lyons Doubledogdare Stakes (G3) at Keeneland to earn her first graded stakes win.
Having started his 6-year-old campaign with three consecutive graded stakes wins, Itsinthepost will look to keep his momentum going April 21 when he faces 12 others in the $250,000 Dixiana Elkhorn Stakes (G2T) over 1 1/2 miles at Keeneland.
After scoring victories in four of her first five races, Jenda's Agenda will make her graded stakes debut April 20 in the $100,000 Hilliard Lyons Doubledogdare Stakes (G3) at Keeneland.
Oaklawn’s 2019 calendar could be a game-changer.
Baldo Hernandez, assistant to Keeneland spring meet leading trainer Chad Brown, reported the stable's three horses who were first across the finish in the $350,000 Coolmore Jenny Wiley (G1) were fine the morning after the April 14 test.
Needing a top-two finish to ensure enough qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), My Boy Jack delivered in the $200,000 Stonestreet Lexington Stakes (G3) at Keeneland April 14.
Her last start was a runner-up finish in the July 8 Belmont Oaks Invitational (G1T) at Belmont Park, but Peter Brant's Sistercharlie was primed for a big effort April 14 in the $350,000 Coolmore Jenny Wiley Stakes (G1T) at Keeneland.
The 5-year-old daughter of Hat Trick dug deep to run down European champion Lady Aurelia in the final sixteenth of the $100,000 Giant's Causeway Stakes at Keeneland.
Radar Racing's Rated R Superstar, a 5-year-old gelding, roared past favored Chip Leader to win the April 13 Ben Ali Stakes (G3) at Keeneland. The son of Kodiak Kowboy covered the nine furlongs in 1:49.31.
Terry Hamilton's Heart to Heart had his own little celebration the morning of April 14, after he won Maker's 46 Mile (G1T) less than 24 hours earlier.
Terry Hamilton's Heart to Heart led at every point of call and cruised to a 1 3/4-length score in the $300,000 Maker's 46 Mile Stakes (G1T) April 13 at Keeneland.
April 14 is the last call for those looking to earn a trip to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).
Currently occupying the 20th spot on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard, My Boy Jack will aim to prove he belongs, literally and figuratively, when he starts in the Stonestreet Lexington Stakes (G3).
Stonestreet Stables and Peter Leidel's European champion Lady Aurelia will face nine rivals April 14 when she kicks off her 2018 campaign in the 22nd running of the $100,000 Giant's Causeway Stakes at Keeneland.
With the first grade 1 test for turf females of 2018 slated to take place this weekend, it is fitting the two trainers who have wielded the division's strongest hands in recent years have entrants none would be shocked to see prevail.
Adena Springs Kentucky's grade 1 winner and freshman sire Capo Bastone got his first winner April 11 at Keeneland, where his son Hargus won in his first start by 2 1/2 lengths.
