The 2024 Keeneland fall meet on Saturday is forecasted to end much like it started: under glorious sunshine and with plenty of stakes for fans to chew on.
The most lucrative of the features is the $600,000 Bryan Station (G3), a one-mile grass test for three-year-olds over one mile. After running a respectable fourth against older rivals in the City of Hope Mile (G2) at Santa Anita last month, Trikari is back among his peers for trainer Graham Motion. The 2-1 morning-line favorite has been one of the more accomplished horses in the division, winning the American Turf (G2), Belmont Derby (G1), and Secretariat (G2), the latter by 2 1/4 lengths over returning rival Brilliant Berti.
The Secretariat has been the only loss for Brilliant Berti in the colt’s last five starts. He rebounded from that setback at Colonial Downs with a one-length tally in the Gun Runner S. at Kentucky Downs, defeating Herchee and Neat. The latter is a four-time stakes winner this season, including the Transylvania (G3) at Keeneland in April.
Also in the mix are Mansa Musa and Evade, third and fourth, respectively, in a swift renewal of the Franklin-Simpson (G1) at Kentucky Downs. My Boy Prince, twice Grade 1-placed on turf and runner-up in the King’s Plate two back, takes a notable drop in class after finishing unplaced in the Woodbine Mile (G1).
The $350,000 Fayette (G2) for older horses going nine furlongs on the main track features recent Lukas Classic (G2) winner Hit Show, who will again face the likes of Heroic Move and Rattle N Roll. Tumbarumba, meanwhile, will look to end a case of seconditis covering four stakes dating back to early March.
The stakes action kicks off with the $200,000 Bowman Mill S., a six-furlong dash for two-year-olds that has attracted a competitive field of seven.
