By Alan Carasso
Saturday is one of those 'burn the candle at both ends' kind of days for horseplayers, as no fewer than 17 graded stakes take place within a six-hour window. Eight of those events serve as 'Win and You're In' qualifying events for various Breeders' Cup races, and even those races that don't offer a free pass are liable to toss up a runner or two or three at Del Mar in four weeks' time.
Keeneland Race Course brands its opening three days of racing as 'Fall Stars Weekend' and who's to argue really, given the depth of quality across the track's five graded stakes on Saturday. The richest of the afternoon's three elite-level tests is the $1.25-million Coolmore Turf Mile, offering a fees-paid berth into the field for the GI Breeders' Cup Mile.
'TDN Rising Star' Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) has been made the 2-1 morning-line favorite, but will have to work out a trip from the widest alley in a field of nine. The eFive Racing runner is three-from-four this term, having defeated Talk of the Nation (Quality Road) in the May 2 Opening Verse Stakes and in the GIII Kelso Stakes July 13 before earning his first Grade I success with a comprehensive 3 1/2-length romp over More Than Looks (More Than Ready) in the Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga Aug. 11.
More Than Looks was a two-time stakes winner at three and made up a stack of ground in last year's Breeders' Cup Mile, coming from last to finish two lengths' sixth. He was first-up in the Fourstardave, raced a touch fresh and did well to round out the exacta.
“The Breeders' Cup has always been the goal even with his abbreviated campaign,” trainer Cherie DeVaux told the Keeneland notes team earlier this week. “He's doing really well and got a lot out of the Fourstardave.”
Juddmonte's Kikkuli (GB) (Kingman {GB}) carries wild-card status into the Coolmore Turf Mile, beyond his spectacular pedigree. A 3-year-old half-brother to the great Frankel (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), the homebred won his maiden on seasonal debut at Newmarket in April and missed by a nose when sent off at 14-1 for the seven-furlong G3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot June 22. Only sixth as the favorite in the one-mile G1 Prix Jean Prat at Deauville 15 days hence, he exits a close fourth in the G2 Hungerford Stakes back over seven at Newbury Aug. 17 and tries two turns for the first time with Frankie Dettori at the controls.
The female counterpart is the GI First Lady Stakes and has lured its defending champion Gina Romantica (Into Mischief). Subsequently an excellent fourth, beaten just a length against the boys in the BC Mile, the $1.025-million KEESEP yearling has yet to get her picture taken in 2024, but she has certainly run well in defeat. A sound third to stablemate Whitebeam (GB) (Carvaggio) in the GI Diana Stakes going nine panels in July, she missed by a neck when pace-disadvantaged in the GII Ballston Spa Stakes last time. She seems to save her best for Keeneland, as she also won the GI QE II Challenge Cup here in 2022.
Dermot Weld does not send one into the Bluegrass for the scenery, and as such, His Highness the Aga Khan's Tarawa (Ire) (Shamardal) merits a long look. The homebred, fourth to her commonly owned stablemate Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) in last year's G1 Irish 1000 Guineas, has more starts (7) against the boys than versus her own sex (6), including a victory in the Listed Glencairn Stakes at Leopardstown June 6. A distant second in the G3 Meld Stakes July 18, Tarawa defeated Hanalia (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the sex-restricted G3 Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes Aug. 31 and the latter returned to upset the G2 Blandford Stakes two weeks later to flatter the form.
Did someone say 'Flatter'? The late Claiborne sire's son Ferocious, named a 'TDN Rising Star' for a jaw-dropping debut at Saratoga Aug. 3, figures to jump as the favorite for Saturday's GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity, a 'Win and You're In' challenge race for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile on Nov. 1.
Drawn inside for the debut–same as he is Saturday–the $1.3-million OBS March purchase recovered nicely and did his best running through the final furlong to score by nearly eight lengths. Favored at 65 cents on the dollar for the GI Hopeful Stakes Sept. 2, he was beaten to the punch by fellow 'Rising Star' Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie) at midstretch, but re-engaged to finish a close second. While the latter stays back in New York for Saturday's GI Champagne Stakes, Ferocious gains two-turn experience here.
Godolphin won the 2019 Breeders' Futurity with Maxfield (Street Sense) and the following year with champion Essential Quality (Tapit), and they have a fair chance at adding to the total with East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro). A grandson of GISW and GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint third Dance Card (Tapit), the homebred opened his account brilliantly at first asking, graduating by a towering eight-length margin sprinting at Ellis Park Aug. 24, good for an 86 Beyer to become a 'Rising Star'.
Horses trained by Ken McPeek are always dangerous in a race like this, and Handsome Pants (Daredevil) is no exception. While he clearly needs to improve by a few lengths if he is to factor, that is not out of the question, and he has the benefit of a route race, having broken his maiden professionally by 1 1/2 lengths on Churchill debut Sept. 14.
The GII Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes earns the winner a spot in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. When last she visited Lexington, Brightwork (Outwork) was exiting a victory in the GI Spinaway Stakes and was one of the favorites for the GI Darley Alcibiades Stakes, but faltered to finish fifth. A midpack sixth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies spelled the end to her routing days and, after missing the GI Test Stakes after being scratched in the paddock, she outgamed 'TDN Rising Star' Two Sharp (Twirling Candy) in the GIII Prioress Stakes Aug. 31.
Zeitlos (Curlin), late-running winner of the Sept. 14 Open Mind Stakes at Churchill, GSW Clearly Unhinged (Into Mischief) and Red Carpet Ready (Oscar Performance) look the chief opposition.
Nobals (Noble Mission {GB}), who upset last year's GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita, tops an overflow field for the GII Woodford Stakes. Fourth in his two outings this year, including the GII Turf Sprint at Kentucky Downs Sept. 7, the 5-year-old squares off with Arzak (Not This Time) and Our Shot (Kantharos), last year's 1-2 finishers, while Souper Quest (Munnings) lands here after scratching from the GIII Turf Monster Stakes two weeks ago.
Chancer McPatrick Bubbling Over for Champagne
'TDN Rising Star' Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie) is the one to beat in Saturday's 'Win and You're In' GI Champagne Stakes at Aqueduct and in the estimation of many, the one they'll all have to take down in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile on Nov. 1.
And while Shanghai Bobby (Harlan's Holiday) is the last to complete the Champagne/Juvenile double back in 2012–two years after Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie) accomplished the same feat–no horse has done so since, but Good Magic (Curlin, second in 2017) and Fierceness (City of Light, seventh in 2023) used the race as a steppingstone to victory on championship weekend.
Chancer McPatrick overcame a fair bit of adversity to graduate impressively at first asking at Saratoga July 27, but was still the distant second choice in the Hopeful behind Ferocious. He managed to reproduce the same long rally that carried him to victory on debut and will be a handful here for Chad Brown, who has sent out four of the last eight winners of the Champagne, including Good Magic.
Brown believes his charge has gotten a lot out of his two runs.
“Oh, he learned plenty,” Brown said. “Both of his starts, he's had to persevere through some trouble, tangled breaks and some dirt in his face. He's ran like an older horse. I'm pretty impressed with him. He certainly gives us the feeling that he's going to appreciate some more distance, and his pedigree would suggest it, too.”
Chancer McPatrick | Sarah Andrew
If there is improvement in him, the others may be running for minor awards, but from a figure standpoint, at least, 'TDN Rising Star' Tip Top Thomas (Volatile) is certainly a major player here. Always prominent in the oft-productive Travers Day maiden at the Spa Aug. 24, the $160,000 Fasig-Tipton October yearling poked his head in front entering the final furlong and held off a trio of determined rivals for a narrow victory. It is noteworthy that Irad Ortiz, Jr. sticks around for the Champagne.
Joel Rosario takes over for Ortiz, Jr. aboard Uncaged (Curlin) and they could also give the favorite a race. Debuting about 30 minutes prior to Ferocious in the Saratoga mud Aug. 3, the $450,000 Keeneland September purchase chased the leading trio, came out in upper stretch to deliver his challenge and was home first over a pair of well-meant runners in Sea Vista (Street Sense) and Classicist (Curlin).
Don Alberto Stable's 'TDN Rising Star' Senza Parole (Gun Runner) would have been prohibitively favored in Saturday's GI Frizette Stakes, but Daily Racing Form reported Thursday that she is out of the race and will miss the rest of the season.
The scratch certainly renders the one-mile test a more wide-open affair, and The Queens M G (Thousand Words) could prove a major beneficiary. She returned 44-1 when taking out the July 11 Schuylerville Stakes at Saratoga and followed up with a nine-length thrashing of her rivals in the Aug. 4 GIII Adirondack Stakes. It was perhaps the muddy Saratoga strip that was her undoing when a well-beaten fifth in the GI Spinaway Stakes Aug. 31, and she's a candidate to handle this sort of trip, given the presence of Unbridled on both sides of her pedigree. She scratched from Friday's GI Darley Alcibiades Stakes in favor of this.
It is also entirely possible that Godolphin's Pondering (Hard Spun) did not take to the underfoot conditions in the Spinaway, where she finished a distant seventh of 11. But prior to that, the bay was very impressive in taking her July 22 debut going 5 1/2 furlongs at Ellis Park, sitting an on-pace trip before pouncing late en route to a facile success. Flavien Prat is a notable upgrade in the saddle.
Don Alberto bred and retains an ownership interest in the rail-drawn Snowyte (Good Magic) who looks to improve with the addition of blinkers off a debut second after making the running going 6 1/2 furlongs at Saratoga Sept. 1.
Social Fortress (Social Inclusion) won her off-turf debut at Delaware Park by 11 lengths and doubled her tally with a seven-length victory in the Aug. 24 Sorority Stakes at Monmouth Park going this distance. She figures to be ridden forward, as does Another Cleeshay (Volatile), who wired an auction-restricted maiden by 9 1/2 lengths upstate Aug. 30.
A pair of Grade IIIs precede the Grade Is at the Big A. In the Jockey Club Derby Invitational Stakes, Godolphin's Legend of Time (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) will try to avenge his loss to Carson's Run (Cupid) in the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes, while the latter's stablemate 'TDN Rising Star' Determininstic (Liam's Map) looks to add this 11-furlong feature to his recent victory in the GIII Virginia Derby. Nothing Better (Munnings) could go favored in the GIII Belmont Turf Sprint Stakes over a field that includes the progressive Mischievous Angel (Into Mischief) and multiple turf sprint stakes winner Alogon (California Chrome).
A Sunny Day For Racing In Arcadia
The parade of Breeders' Cup 'Win and You're In' races continues and this time Arcadia's 'Great Race Place' takes the stage.
The featured GI American Pharoah Stakes sends the victor directly to the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile and trainer Bob Baffert has a trio of suitors ready for action.
Getaway Car (Curlin) was a 'TDN Rising Star' after a sparkling debut at Del Mar in July and continued to shine when he won by 5 1/2 lengths the GIII Best Pal Stakes over the same surface. The dark bay took a step back when he failed to the hit the board behind stablemate Gaming (Game Winner) in the GI Del Mar Futurity, but the colt has the resume to bounce back here.
Getaway Car | Benoit
Not to be overlooked, Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) won his unveiling at Del Mar in mid-August and finished third in the Futurity, while Emerald Bay (Nyquist) graduated by three lengths at second asking at the seaside oval Aug. 24.
Opposing this threesome is McKinzie Street (McKinzie), who bested Emerald Bay when he debuted a winner at Del Mar July 28. Trained by Tim Yakteen, the 2-year-old was the runner-up in the Futurity.
The fillies have their opportunity to showcase their talent in the GII Oak Leaf Stakes, which offers a ticket to the GI NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.
Once again, Baffert's hand is particularly strong as he enters four. Nooni (Win Win Win) was a named a 'TDN Rising Star' after she won at first asking by 9 1/2 lengths at Santa Anita in mid-June. The bay took home the GIII Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar Aug. 10, but finished fifth in the GI Del Mar Debutante Stakes Sept. 7. The winner of that race was Nooni's stablemate Tenma (Nyquist), who draws alongside her here. A victress on debut at Del Mar Aug. 18, the juvenile will be fitted with blinkers by her Hall of Fame trainer.
Also from the same shedrow is Non Compliant (Tiz the Law), who broke her maiden at first asking, and second-out winner Showers (Ghostzapper).
Heading to the turf course are seven fillies and mares who will be contesting the mile and a quarter GII Rodeo Drive Stakes.
With entry into the GI Maker's Mark Filly & Mare Turf on the table, the deserving morning-line favorite is the undefeated Iscreamuscream (Twirling Candy). The 3-year-old comes off wins in the GII San Clemente Stakes and GI Del Mar Oaks at the seaside oval this summer. However, this spot will be tougher with more experienced types like GISW Aspen Grove (Ire) (Justify) and GSP Lucky Girl (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}).
There are others in here who appear formidable too, including the heroine from the GII John C. Mabee Stakes, Hang the Moon (Uncle Mo) and Sunset Glory (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}), who comes off a win in the CTT and TOC Stakes at Del Mar in mid-August.
Meanwhile, Beach Bomb (SAf) (Lancaster Bomber) ships in from trainer Graham Motion's base at Fair Hill and the 4-year-old is not without a chance since her past performances include a pair of Grade 1 wins in South Africa. The filly made her U.S. debut with a runner-up finish in the Violet Stakes at Monmouth Aug. 31.
Finally to round out the graded racing in Arcadia, the GIII Chillingworth Stakes has six opposing morning-line favorite Sweet Azteca (Sharp Azteca). With early knockout power, the 4-year-old filly has won five of six, including the GI Beholder Mile at Santa Anita in March. The Michael McCarthy trainee was last seen scoring by seven lengths in the GIII Rancho Bernardo Stakes at Del Mar Aug. 25. —J. N. Campbell
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