The 17-day Keeneland Fall Meet begins Friday with “FallStars Weekend,”
three days of racing that includes eight stakes races — seven graded — worth a
total of $2.9 million. All seven graded races during the opening weekend are
designed as stepping stones to the Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred
Championships, which will take place three weeks later at Belmont Park.
On opening day, the $400,000 Alcibiades S. (G2) for two-year-old fillies at 8
1/2 furlongs will be featured along with the $150,000 Sycamore Breeders’ Cup S.
(G3) for three-year-olds and up going 12 furlongs on the turf.
The $600,000 Shadwell Turf Mile (G2), the richest race of the meeting, for
three-year-olds and up at one mile on the turf and the $500,000 Breeders’
Futurity (G1) for two-year-olds at 8 1/2 furlongs are the marquee races on the
first Saturday. The program also includes the 153rd running of the $250,000
Phoenix Breeders’ Cup S. (G3) for three-year-olds and up. The six-furlong test
is named after the old Phoenix Hotel in Lexington, Kentucky, and dates back, in
one form or another, to 1831.
On Sunday, the $500,000 Spinster S. (G1) for fillies and mares at nine
furlongs over the main track and the $400,000 Galaxy S. (G2) for fillies and
mares at one mile on the turf will be decided. In addition, the card includes
the $100,000 Woodford County S. for three-year-olds and up at 5 1/5 furlongs on
the turf.
After the opening weekend, there will be 11 more stakes races — six of which
are graded — during the remaining 14 days of the meet.
Trainer Tim Ritchey said AFLEET ALEX (Northern Afleet), who has not started
since his seven-length romp in the June 11 Belmont S. (G1), is still considered
a definite maybe for the $200,000 Perryville S. (G3) on October 14.
“I have five or six options, but the distance of the Perryville (about seven
furlongs) is perfect and the timing is right on (for the Breeders’ Cup Classic
[G1]), Ritchey said. “We’ll see how he works after the break on Friday (at
Belmont Park) and then
decide.”
The $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. (G1), which typically
attracts some of the best three-year-old grass fillies in the world, will be run
on October 15.
The picturesque track, which was designated a National Historic Landmark in
1986, will offer a plethora of special events and promotional giveaways. Some
highlights include:
On Friday, the first 3,000 paid admissions will receive a voucher for a
Darley Alcibiades Fleece Vest.
The ever-popular College Day will be held October 14. Full-time students can
enter a random drawing for one of 10 $1,000 college scholarships. One
scholarship will be earmarked especially for students who have an affiliation
with the horse industry.
On October 26-29, Keeneland will host “Dream Week”, inspired by the film
“Dreamer,” which was filmed at Keeneland. It is the story of a young
girl and her family who bring an injured racehorse back from a catastrophic
injury to win a major race. The film, starring Dakota Fanning, Kurt Russell and
Elizabeth Shue, opens nationwide on October 21.
“Horse racing is filled with people who dream big,” Keeneland President Nick
Nicholson said. “We thought it would be fun to give something back to our fans
by giving them an opportunity to win a dream prize.”
Patrons can register to win one of six prizes:
— A pair of season tickets for the 2005-2006 University of Kentucky
basketball season
— 5 percent ownership of a two-year-old filly for its entire racing
career; courtesy of West Point Thoroughbreds
— Trip for two to a 2006 DreamWorks premiere, including travel; courtesy
of Blue Grass Airport and The Embassy Suites
— VIP package to Keeneland’s 2006 Blue Grass S. (G1) festivities, including
four tickets to the post position draw; brunch, press dinner, dinning room
reservations and $100 betting voucher.
— VIP package to the 2006 Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs, which includes
two tickets to the races, post position draw, press party, “after the races”
party and accommodations at the Galt House in Louisville, and
— A 26″ flat-screen LCD TV; courtesy of Barney Millers.
The drawing for the prizes will take place on closing day after Keeneland’s
final live race. Contestants need not be present to win.
Post time is 1:15 p.m. (ET), except for closing day, October 29, when
Keeneland will run an abbreviated racing program of five live races, starting at
noon, in order to accommodate the simulcast of the Breeders’ Cup.