Frankel seeks Keeneland stakes; Alumni Hall set for
Meadowlands Cup
Grade 1 queen INTERCONTINENTAL (GB) (Danehill) is one of several top
prospects from trainer Bobby Frankel’s shedrow being pointed toward stakes races
on the opening weekend at Keeneland. A commanding 1 1/4-length winner of Del
Mar’s Palomar H. (G2) in her last start, the five-year-old mare will be a strong
presence in Sunday’s $400,000 WinStar Galaxy S. (G2) over eight grassy furlongs.
Intercontinental is perfect from two previous starts over the Haggin Course,
winning the last two runnings of April’s Jenny Wiley S. (G3).
Other Galaxy probables include multiple Grade 1 heroine TICKER TAPE (GB)
(Royal Applause [GB]), winner of the 2004 Queen Elizabeth 2nd Invitational
Challenge Cup (G1) at Keeneland, and three-time Grade 2 victress KATDOGAWN (GB)
(Bahhare).
Frankel is expected to saddle a formidable pair for Friday’s $600,000
Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) in ALINGHI (Aus) (Encosta de Lago) and THREE VALLEYS
(Diesis [GB]). The former, a four-year-old filly, has been one of Australia’s
top performers over the past two seasons, winning more than $2 million and
defeating males repeatedly in Group 1 events. Alinghi exits a sharp 1 1/4-length
triumph in her U.S. bow, the August 29 Ballston Spa Breeders’ Cup H. (G3) at
Saratoga.
Three Valleys was England’s co-highweighted colt at two and recorded his
first U.S. graded victory in the Del Mar Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) last out. Patrick
Valenzuela will ride the four-year-old.
The Shadwell Mile has also attracted Mrs. John Magnier’s AD VALOREM (Danzig),
winner of last year’s Middle Park S. (Eng-G1). Multiple Group 1-placed this
season, the Aidan O’Brien-trained sophomore will make his first stateside on
Keeneland’s opening day program.
Grade 3 winner ALUMNI HALL (A.P. Indy) has been confirmed for Friday night’s
$500,000 Meadowlands Breeders’ Cup (G2) by trainer Neil Howard. The six-year-old
exits a 7 1/4-length romp over optional/claiming rivals at Saratoga. Other
likely participants for the 1 1/8-mile main track test include PURGE (Pulpit),
ICE WYNND FIRE (Northern Afleet), REQUEST FOR PAROLE (Judge T C), TAP DAY
(Pleasant Tap) and UNFORGETTABLE MAX (Northern Afleet).