Keeneland will offer a pair of dynamite turf stakes Saturday in the $600,000
Shadwell
Turf Mile (G1) and $400,000
First
Lady (G1). Both one-mile events appear likely to have a major impact upon
the Breeders’ Cup, with JUSTENUFFHUMOR (Distorted Humor) looking to cement his
status as America’s top turf miler in the Shadwell and FOREVER TOGETHER (Belong
to Me) tuning up for her Filly & Mare Turf (G1) title defense in the First Lady,
and the races highlight a strong Saturday card at Keeneland that features five
graded stakes.
Justenuffhumor is unbeaten since being switched to the turf six starts back
by Kiaran McLaughlin, reeling off wins in the Bernard Baruch H. (G2) and
Fourstardave H. (G2) in his last two outings. A half-brother to champion filly
Dreaming of Anna (Rahy) and multiple Grade 2 hero Lewis Michael (Rahy), the
four-year-old colt is out of multiple stakes winner Justenuffheart (Broad Brush),
who is a half-sister to 2004 champion turf horse Kitten’s Joy (El Prado [Ire]).
The regally-bred colt will keep Alan Garcia in the saddle.
BATTLE OF HASTINGS (GB) (Royal Applause [GB]) established himself as
America’s top turf sophomore with outstanding wins in the Virginia Derby (G2)
and Colonial Turf Cup (G2), and the Jeff Mullins-trained gelding will attempt to
make amends for a nose second in the Del Mar Derby (G2) most recently. He raced
over firm grass last time in California, but he’s proven himself over “off” turf
before and figures to get some cut in the ground with heavy rain expected in
Lexington, Kentucky. Battle of Hastings is two for three at the mile distance
and will retain the services of Tyler Baze.
Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) winner MR. SIDNEY (Storm Cat) will try to add the
Keeneland’s fall counterpart to his trophy collection, and the five-year-old
figures to relish wet conditions, with victories in both the Maker’s Mark and
Firecracker H. (G2) this season over yielding turf. Kent Desormeaux will stick
with the Bill Mott trainee. Grade 1 victor COURT VISION (Gulch) will return from
a freshening in the Shadwell under the direction of new trainer Richard Dutrow,
and STERWINS (Runaway Groom) merits respect off a fast-finishing third in the
Woodbine Mile (Can-G1) last time out.
Reigning champion turf mare Forever Together should be a solid favorite as she pursues a second straight
victory in the First Lady. Winner of the Jenny Wiley S. (G2) over the course in
April, the Jonathan Sheppard-trained mare also owns a victory in the Diana S.
(G1) this season. She missed by only a nose when second in the Canadian S.
(Can-G2) at Woodbine last time, and jockey Julien Leparoux will take his normal
place aboard the five-year-old gray.
DIAMONDRELLA (GB) (Rock of Gibraltar [Ire]), who reeled off six straight wins
before trying a synthetic track last time, is the top threat. The Angel Penna
Jr. runner knocked off Forever Together two starts back in the Just a Game S.
(G1), winning by 1 3/4 lengths on the Belmont S. (G1) undercard, but she will be
looking for her first win around two turns on Saturday. Regular rider Rajiv
Maragh will return aboard the classy five-year-old mare.
Other runners include Grade 2 queen MY PRINCESS JESS (Stormy Atlantic), who
exits a fast-closing third in the Ballston Spa H. (G2) at Saratoga, and Grade 2
victress ACOMA (Empire Maker), winner of the grassy Valley View S. (G3) over the
course 12 months ago.