Fayette

Track-record holder MIDWAY ROAD (Jade Hunter) makes his return to the
Bluegrass when six horses line up for the Fayette S. (G3) at Keeneland. The 1
1/8-mile dirt contest has also attracted recent Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) hero
TOTAL IMPACT (Chi) (Stuka) but we’ll try to beat him with the aforementioned
Midway Road, who relishes the Keeneland dirt.

A winner three times from as many tries at the Lexington, Kentucky, track,
Midway Road recorded an unbelievable 121 BRIS Speed rating when setting the
nine-furlong track record of 1:46 3/5 in the Ben Ali S. (G3) in April. The bay
loves this distance as well with an overall record of 5-2-0-1, and looks tough
to beat under Calvin Borel with the connections of 2003 Horse of the Year
Mineshaft, trainer Neil Howard and owner William Farish.

The Laura de Seroux-conditioned Total Impact has not missed the board since
March, including the Gold Cup win as well as a close second last out in the
Goodwood Breeders’ Cup H. (G2). The six-year-old drops in class here and looks
tough to beat.

ALUMNI HALL (A. P. Indy) broke his maiden over this track at first asking
before reeling off three wins from his next four starts, all at nine-furlongs.
Since stepping up to the graded level, the chestnut has not been as successful
for the same contacts as Midway Road but may get up for part here. 

SONIC WEST (West by West) has competed at this level recently but has not
made it to the winner’s circle. We’ll use the gelding in the bottom of the
gimmicks.

Five-year-old QUEST (Seeking the Gold) enters for conditioner Nick Zito and
looks to need one more start after a fourth-place finish last out following a
10-month layoff. GREY BEARD (Unbridled’s Song) switches back to the dirt and is
hard to recommend.