Keeneland

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of La Mehana in the GIII Waya Stakes in New York. Al Wukair Mare Takes Waya LSU Stables' La Mehana (Fr) (Al Wukair {Ire}) broke her American duck in the GIII Waya Stakes during the Belmont at the Big A meeting last week (video). Trained by Christophe Clement, the bay was third in both the GIII Orchid Stakes and GIII Sheepshead Bay Stakes earlier this...

7th-KEE, 100K, Msw, 2yo, f, 6f, 4:12 p.m. A pair of fillies by Into Mischief break side by side Saturday on debut led by the $1.2m KEESEP purchase PRINCESS ALIYAH for BC Stables, LLC, Morplay Racing LLC and Joey Platts. Sire power aside, the filly is a half to both GISW Eskimo Kisses (To Honor and Serve) and GISP Silver Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}), all out of Silver Colors who is a daughter GI Kentucky Derby winner and champion 3-year-old filly Winning Colors. D. Wayne Lukas, who notably trained Winning...

Quite fittingly, a pair of group-winning Europeans have made the trip over the Atlantic for Saturday's GI Queen Elizabeth Challenge Cup Stakes, headed by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing's Soprano (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}). Trained by George Boughey, the 3-year-old filly was last seen finishing 1 1/2-lengths in third behind winner Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio) and Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) in the one-mile G1 Matron Stakes at Leopardstown Sept. 14. That form alone would justify another look at this Irish-bred filly given that Porta Fortuna is a multiple Group 1...

At the 17th annual Make-A-Wish Day at Keeneland, Big Ass Fans, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Leslie and Kelly Dorman, and other special guests announced the creation of the Cody Dorman Legacy Wish Fund, a presser revealed Friday. In addition to the inaugural donations, a first ever Cody Dorman Legacy Wish was granted during the ceremony. For the past 17 years, Make-A-Wish Day at Keeneland and its sponsors have granted 10 wishes annually but with a new mission to raise an additional $100,000 annually thanks to the added sponsorship, the goal is...

9th-Keeneland, $120,000, Alw (NW2X)/Opt. Clm ($125,000), 10-10, 3yo, 6f, 1:10.30, ft, neck. WORLD RECORD (c, 3, Gun Runner--Marwa {GB}, by Exceed And Excel {Aus}) broke his maiden at second asking at Churchill Downs May 27, which earned him a 'TDN Rising Star' badge. The bay finished third over the same surface in the Maxfield Stakes June 30, but rebounded with a signature score in the GII Amsterdam Stakes at the Spa July 26. Well-beaten in the GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes upstate a month later, the colt was well-backed...

It was hard to see Minaret Station (Instilled Regard) winning the GII Castle and Key Bourbon Stakes last week at Keeneland. He was 38-1 and coming off a narrow win in a maiden at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Yet, he beat his rivals that day, punching his ticket to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. But that was only one part of this story, one that is about being on the bottom, digging your way out of trouble and then thriving. For trainer Will Walden, this will be his first Breeders' Cup...

David O'Farrell, General Manager of Ocala Stud, has been appointed to Keeneland's Advisory Board of Directors, according to a release Thursday. "David brings a wealth of expertise and a deep-rooted commitment to the Thoroughbred industry," Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. "His leadership at Ocala Stud, coupled with his involvement in numerous industry organizations, makes him a valuable addition to the board and to Keeneland's continued success. We are grateful for David's service in advancing the sport we all love." O'Farrell, who serves as General Manager of his family's...

It was another banner weekend for Godolphin as the stable swept the two Grade I races for 2-year-olds at Keeneland. The filly Immersive (Nyquist) won Friday's GI Darley Alcibiades Stakes and finished things off with a very impressive win by the colt East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro) in the GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity. Both will appear next in the Breeders' Cup where they could garner favoritism in their respective races. Leading the cheering section for Godolphin was its Director of Bloodstock, Michael Banahan, whose duties include overseeing the U.S.-based Godolphin runners....

A newly released economic impact study conducted by the University of Louisville's Departments of Equine Administration and Economics reveals that Keeneland's racing operations, annual Thoroughbred auctions, supporting business lines and investment in new construction generates an estimated $1.6 billion for Fayette and its surrounding counties, the track said in a press release issued on Wednesday. The study also noted that around 64% of racing patrons come from outside Kentucky, while around 67% of those attending and participating in the annual horse auctions come from outside the state. Of those attending...

Jairo Rendon was enjoying one of the best years of his career. He finished the Monmouth meet with 66 winners, just 10 winners behind perennial Monmouth riding champion Paco Lopez. He stuck around a few more days to ride some at the all-turf meet at the Meadowlands, but after riding there Sept. 21, he was ready to go home. After the short Meadowlands meet ended, Rendon would have no problem heading to Aqueduct or maybe Gulfstream Park, two places where he could make a lot of money and ride a...

Minaret Station, a 38-1 longshot, came flying late to upset the GII Castle & Key Bourbon Stakes and earn his paid spot in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sunday at Keeneland. A homebred for Larry Best's OXO Equine, the bay colt is the first stakes winner for his freshman sire Instilled Regard (Arch), who won the 2020 GI Manhattan Stakes in Best's colors. Devoid of early speed, Minaret Station settled near the back of the field as Clock Tower took the field through fractions of :22.29 and :47.02. Minaret...

Idiomatic (Curlin), the defending Eclipse champion older mare, capped a big day for Juddmonte Farms with a wire-to-wire victory in the GI Juddmonte Spinster Stakes at Keeneland Sunday. Hours after Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}) gave the operation its record seventh victory in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Idiomatic was sent off the 1-5 favorite in the Spinster, a Win and You're In event for the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff. The bay mare broke alertly and was soon at the head of affairs while pressed by Candied (Candy Ride...