Keeneland Barn Notes: Nyquist Jogs on Training Track, Work Scheduled Friday

NYQUIST JOGS ON TRAINING TRACK; WORK SCHEDULED FRIDAY

Reddam Racing’s Nyquist jogged three times around Keeneland’s 5/8-mile all-weather training track Tuesday morning with regular exercise rider Jonny Garcia aboard.

“That is our standard routine at home to gallop a day and then jog,” said Jack Sisterson, assistant to trainer Doug O’Neill. “He trained on the training track several times here last fall before the Breeders’ Cup.”

Sisterson said Nyquist, undefeated in seven starts and the favorite for the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) on May 7 at Churchill Downs, is scheduled to work an easy half-mile Friday.

“He will probably be on a Friday schedule and that will give him three works before the Derby,” Sisterson said. “Same as for Land Over Sea (winner of the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks in her most recent start).”

O’Neill is scheduled to arrive at Keeneland Thursday from his Southern California base.

TOM LEACH INTERVIEWS TRAINERS WITH HORSES IN UPCOMING STAKES AND ONE CELEBRATING ANNIVERSARY

Keeneland racing analyst Tom Leach interviewed three trainers with horses in Friday’s $300,000 Maker’s 46 Mile (G1) and one trainer celebrating a notable anniversary:

Brian Lynch on Heart to Heart in the Maker’s 46 Mile and Baciami Piccola (GB) in Thursday’s Appalachian (G3) Presented by Japan Racing Association.

Shug McGaughey on Reload in the Maker’s 46 Mile.

Bill Mott on Tourist in the Maker’s 46 Mile.

Nick Zito on winning the 1991 Blue Grass (then a Grade 2 race worth $400,800) with Strike the Gold. Wednesday is the 25^th anniversary of that race. Strike the Gold next won the Kentucky Derby (G1). Zito won the Blue Grass again with Halory Hunter (1998) and The Cliff’s Edge (2004).

CATCH A GLIMPSE BACK ON THE SCENE OF BIGGEST WIN

David Carroll, now an assistant to trainer Mark Casse, remembers the first time he saw Catch a Glimpse.

“I was on the outside rail at the Breeders’ Cup here,” Carroll said, referring to the City Zip filly’s victory in the Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1).

Fast forward to April 2016, and Carroll is working up close and personal with Catch a Glimpse, who last week was named Canadian Horse of the Year for 2015 among her three Sovereign Awards.

“Obviously she is very talented and like a good filly, she has her quirks,” Carroll said. “Basically, I just stay out of her way.”

Owned by Gary Barber, Michael Ambler and Windways Farm, Catch a Glimpse figures to be an overwhelming favorite in Thursday’s 28^th running of the $125,000 Appalachian (G3) Presented by Japan Racing Association.

“She has done very well here and she obviously likes this turf course,” Carroll said of Catch a Glimpse, who won the Herecomesthebride (G3) at Gulfstream in her 2016 debut on Feb. 27. “She was a talented 2-year-old last year and has proved to be a talented 3-year-old this year.”

Florent Geroux, who has been aboard in her past three starts, will ride Thursday.

DOTHRAKI QUEEN RETURNS TO THE TURF FOR 2016 DEBUT

Magdalena Racing’s Dothraki Queen, runner-up in the Darley Alcibiades (G1) and third-place finisher in the 14 Hands Winery Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) here last fall on the main track, will make her 2016 debut in Thursday’s 28^th running of the $125,000 Appalachian (G3) Presented by Japan Racing Association at a mile on the turf.

“She is 1-for-1 on the grass,” trainer Kenny McPeek said. “She is pre-nominated to the (Group 1 Qipco) 1000 Guineas (on May 1) and the English Oaks (Group 1 Investic Oaks on June 4). If she runs well (in Thursday’s race), she will ship to Newmarket but she has to punch her ticket.”

Dothraki Queen has not run since being elevated to third in the Golden Rod (G2) last Nov. 28 at Churchill Downs. Previously, she won the Pocahontas (G2) at the Louisville track.

“I just think she is better on grass than dirt,” McPeek said. “Plus we have no aspirations to run against Songbird (in the Kentucky Oaks-G1).”

Another McPeek filly unlikely to face Songbird in Louisville is Wonderment.

Owned by Magdalena Racing and Chris Sterbenz, Wonderment won the Bourbonette Oaks (G3) at Turfway Park on April 2 and picked up 50 points on the road to the Kentucky Oaks, a total good enough to earn a spot in the starting gate May 6.

“She is going to work this weekend and point to a New York-bred stakes,” McPeek said.

PROBABLE ENTRANTS FOR UPCOMING STAKES

$350,000 COOLMORE JENNY WILEY (G1) (entries taken Wednesday; race Saturday) – Akatea (IRE), Dacita (CHI), Illuminant, Recepta, Tepin, Tiger Ride, Wekeela (FR).

$200,000 BEN ALI (G3) (entries taken Wednesday; race Saturday) – Ami’s Holiday, Breaking Lucky, Doyouknowsomething, Eagle, General a Rod, Neck ‘n Neck.

$150,000 LEXINGTON (G3) (entries taken Wednesday; race Saturday) – Big Squeeze, Collected, Direct Message, Lomcevak, One More Round, Pinson, Riker, Swipe, Synchrony, Yo Carm.

$100,000 GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (entries taken Wednesday; race Saturday) – Eden Prairie, Exaggerated, Jewel of a Cat, Lindisfarne, Maggiesfreuddnslip, Miss Ella, Miss Matzoball, Rapid Rhythm, Sweet Success.

$150,000 ADENA SPRINGS BEAUMONT (G3) (entries taken Thursday; race Sunday) – Cosmic Girl, Kinsley Kisses, Lightstream, Nickname, Northwest Tale, R Girls a Charmer.

$100,000 HILLIARD LYONS DOUBLEDOGDARE (G3) (entries taken Tuesday, April 19; race Friday, April 22) – Ahh Chocolate, Angela Renee, I’m a Chatterbox, La Madrina, White Clover.

$250,000 DIXIANA ELKHORN (G2) (entries taken Wednesday, April 20; race Saturday, April 23) – A Red Tie Day, Idolo Porteno (ARG), Kaigun, Twilight Eclipse, Up With the Birds.

GALLOPING OUT

On Sunday, trainer Jack Frost scored his first Keeneland victory when he sent out La Crema Rouge to win the seventh race. Jesus Castanon rode the 4-year-old Dunkirk filly to a 1¾-length victory in the six-furlong claiming race. Frost owns La Crema Rouge, who won in 1:12.27.

LEXTRAN TO OFFER SATURDAY SHUTTLE BETWEEN KEENELAND AND UK SPRING FOOTBALL GAME

On Saturday, Lextran will provide shuttle service between Keeneland and Commonwealth Stadium at the University of Kentucky to enable fans to attend UK’s spring football game, which kicks off at noon ET, and the races, which begin at 12:35 p.m. Fans are encouraged to park at Keeneland at the designated tailgate location known as The Hill, ride the shuttle to Commonwealth Stadium and return to Keeneland to finish their day. Post time for Keeneland’s 11^th and final race is 6:05 p.m.

Beginning at 10:30 a.m., Lextran service will travel between the Keene Barn & Entertainment Center and Commonwealth Stadium every 15 minutes. Fans who wish to park and ride from Keeneland should enter via Gate 1 (Man o’ War Blvd.) and take the first right to The Hill. Patrons may board the bus at the Keeneland Entertainment Center for trips to Commonwealth Stadium, and at the corner of University and Cooper Drive for trips to Keeneland. Pick-up and drop-off locations are identical.

Trips are $1 each way. The final bus will leave Keeneland at 6:15 p.m. with an anticipated 6:45 p.m. arrival near Commonwealth Stadium.

For the full schedule of service between Keeneland and Commonwealth Stadium as well as Lextran’s bus and trolley service to Keeneland during the 2016 Spring Meet, visit lextran.com.

FOLLOW KEENELAND ON PERISCOPE

Fans seeking a behind-the-scenes view of Keeneland’s Spring Meet are invited to follow @keenelandracing on Periscope for all their insider videos, including graded stakes coverage, interviews with trainers and jockeys, and handicapping tips from our experts. Visit Keeneland.com for an upcoming schedule of Periscope broadcasts and video replays.

Source: Keeneland