Thursday, July 29 2010

Keeneland Catalogs 4,857 Horses For Newly Formatted September Yearling Sale

LEXINGTON, KY (July 29, 2010) – Keeneland has cataloged 4,857 horses for its 2010 September Yearling Sale, to be held Sunday, September 12 through Sunday, September 26. This year’s auction will feature a new format – kicked off by a two-evening select portion of the sale – designed to better serve Keeneland’s customers in today’s dynamic marketplace.

Recognized globally as the “gold standard” for Thoroughbred yearling auctions, the September Sale is represented by nearly 200 stakes winners to date in 2010, highlighted by 21 Grade/Group 1 victors including classic winners Lookin At Lucky and Drosselmeyer; champions Zenyatta and Gio Ponti; and Quality Road, Devil May Care, Life At Ten, Eskendereya, General Quarters, Ice Box, Stately Victor, Crisp, Evening Jewel, Kinsale King and Karelian, among others.

Wednesday, July 21 2010

Statement of Nick Nicholson

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 20, 2010) – Keeneland President and CEO Nick Nicholson issued the following statement today regarding a decision by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission regarding pari-mutuel wagering on historic races:

“Keeneland supports today’s move by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission regarding pari-mutuel wagering on historic races. We appreciate the commission’s commitment to Kentucky’s signature industry and Gov. Beshear’s continued leadership on these issues. The reason is simple: this new pari-mutuel wager would be another tool that we could use to help generate additional revenue to boost purses and assist our industry during an extremely challenging period.

Thursday, June 03 2010

Favored Ice Box Highlights Keeneland Sale Alumni Entered in Belmont

Favored Ice Box Highlights Keeneland Sale Alumni Entered in Belmont

LEXINGTON, KY (June 3, 2010) – Morning-line favorite Ice Box headlines eight Keeneland sale alumni entered for the $1 million Belmont Stakes (G1). A field of 12 will go postward on Saturday.

Keeneland shares a rich connection with the Belmont, as 15 of its sales alumni have won racing’s “Test of Champions,” most recently Da’Tara in 2008. In 2007, champion Rags to Riches became only the third filly in racing history to win the Belmont, and the eighth Belmont winner to be sold at Keeneland’s September Yearling Sale, joining her half-brother Jazil (2006), Temperence Hill (1980), Bet Twice (1987), Hansel (1991), Editor’s Note (1996), Victory Gallop (1998) and Lemon Drop Kid (1999).

Thursday, May 13 2010

Keeneland September Sale Alumni Comprise Half of the Preakness Field

LEXINGTON, KY (May 13, 2010) – Six of the 12 horses entered for Saturday’s Preakness Stakes (G1) are alumni of Keeneland’s 2008 September Yearling Sale.

Among the 17 Keeneland sales graduates to win the Preakness are champions Big Brown (2008), Curlin (2007), War Emblem (2002), Real Quiet (1998), Hansel (1991), Sunday Silence (1989), Alysheba (1987) and Spectacular Bid (1979).

Tuesday, May 11 2010

Kentucky Commission Gives Approval For Arabian Race at Keeneland in October

LEXINGTON, KY (May 11, 2010) – The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission today approved a proposal for a race this October at Keeneland Racetrack with Arabian horses sponsored by the Emirates Equestrian Federation.

The proposal, offered by Keeneland Association officials, is designed to attract further international attention to Kentucky and the horse industry during the World Equestrian Games (WEG). WEG is expected to draw competitors this fall from some 60 countries.

Thursday, April 29 2010

Keeneland Sales Yield 12 Kentucky Derby Entrants

LEXINGTON, KY (April 28, 2010) – Twelve of the 20 horses entered today for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) are Keeneland sales graduates.

2010 Kentucky Derby (G1) Entries Keeneland Sales Graduates

AWESOME ACT: $240,000, 2008 Sept. Yearling, Consignor- Lane’s End, agent; Buyer- Jane Allison

Tuesday, April 27 2010

Keeneland September Sale Alumni Comprise 10 of 14 Kentucky Oaks Entrants

LEXINGTON, KY (April 27, 2010) – The 2008 Keeneland September Yearling Sale has yielded 10 of the 14 fillies entered today for Friday’s Kentucky Oaks (G1).

2010 Kentucky Oaks (G1) Entries
Keeneland Sales Graduates

AGE OF HUMOR: $180,000, 2008 Sept. Yearling, Consignor- Four Star Sales, agent for Nuckols Farm, Buyer- Mike Ryan, agent; $350,000, 2010 Jan. Horses of All Ages, Consignor- Indian Creek (Dave C. Parrish Jr), agent, Buyer- Twin Creeks Farm

Saturday, April 24 2010

Keeneland Spring Meet Marked By Attendance Records, Compelling Racing, New Fan Outreach

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 23, 2010) – Keeneland’s 2010 Spring meet was among the best in the venerable racetrack’s history as some of the country’s most compelling racing helped spark two record crowds and overall attendance ranking among the Top 5 ever for the Association.

“After what seemed to be such a long and unusually cold winter, I think Central Kentucky believed it was time for Keeneland and time for some fun,” said Keeneland President and CEO Nick Nicholson. “Indeed, the combination of great racing, great weather and terrific special events made Keeneland the place to be in Central Kentucky this spring. Moreover, I think the success and fan interest here also underscore how compelling horse racing can be -- and still is -- even in the face of a challenging state and national economy.”

Musketier (GER) Takes Closing-Day Fifth Third Elkhorn

LEXINGTON, KY (April 23, 2010) – Making his first start since October, Musketier (GER) pulled away in the stretch to win the 25th running of the $200,000 Fifth Third Elkhorn (G2) for 4-year-olds and up before a crowd of 14,310 on Friday, closing day of the 15-day spring meet.

Giving trainer Roger Attfield his second straight win – and third victory overall – in the Fifth Third Elkhorn, Musketier was second in the race last year behind stablemate Spice Route (GB). Today’s victory gave Attfield and jockey John Velazquez their second consecutive Keeneland stakes victory, following their Thursday win in the $150,000 Grey Goose Bewitch (G3) with Lady Shakespeare.

Camouflage Saddle Towel From Ben Ali Stakes Sells for $1,325 on eBay; Proceeds to Benefit USA Cares

Lexington, KY (April 23, 2010)—The winning saddle towel from Sunday’s $150,000 Ben Ali Stakes (G3)—autographed by members of Keeneland’s jockey colony—fetched $1,325 on eBay. The proceeds from the online auction, which closed Friday afternoon, will benefit USA Cares, a non-profit organization that provides financial and advocate assistance to military families.

Specially made camouflage saddle towels were used for the featured stakes race on April 18 in celebration of Keeneland’s Military Appreciation Day, presented by Windstream. The saddle towels were sponsored by Woodford Racing.

Keeneland Barn Notes: Attfield Seeking Second Graded Turf Stakes Win in Consecutive Days

ATTFIELD SEEKING SECOND GRADED TURF STAKES WIN IN CONSECUTIVE DAYS

Trainer Roger Attfield could have a big finish at the Keeneland spring meet, which concludes today, when he sends out Johanna L. Glen-Teven’s Musketier (GER) in the 25th running of the $200,000 Fifth Third Elkhorn (G2). Yesterday, Attfield scored his third win of the season when he saddled Charles Fipke’s homebred Lady Shakespeare to win the Grey Goose Bewitch (G3).

The performance in the 1½-mile turf stakes gave Lady Shakespeare, a 4-year-old daughter of Theatrical (IRE), her first graded stakes victory. Attfield said the filly’s next race probably will be the Dance Smartly Stakes (Can-G2) on July 18 at Woodbine. The Dance Smartly is at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

Friday, April 23 2010

Lady Shakespeare wins Grey Goose Bewitch

LEXINGTON, KY (April 22, 2010) – Lady Shakespeare overtook pacesetter Changing Skies (IRE) inside the eighth pole en route to a 2 1/2-length victory in the 49th running of the $150,000 Grey Goose Bewitch (G3) for fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up, before a crowd of 10,152 on Thursday afternoon.

Lady Shakespeare, ridden by John Velazquez, was the 9-5 favorite in the field of seven. As Kent Desormeaux on Changing Skies controlled the pace with slow fractions of :27.10, :53.14, 1:18.24, 1:43.40 and 2:07.52, Lady Shakespeare remained in striking position before she made her winning move.