Keeneland Barn Notes: Bless the Broken Preps for KY Oaks

(Bless the Broken wins at Turfway Park / Photos by Coady Media)

From the Keeneland Media Team / Amy Owens:

• BLESS THE BROKEN PUTS IN FINAL MAJOR WORK FOR KENTUCKY OAKS
• FUTURE IS NOW’S FUTURE HAS SARATOGA FEEL
• DUKE OF LOVE MAKES STAKES RETURN IN SATURDAY’S BEN ALI
• GALLOPING OUT
• PROSPECTIVE FIELD FOR CLOSING-DAY BEWITCH PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SALES
• SPRING MEET LEADERS
• THIRD WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS

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BLESS THE BROKEN PUTS IN FINAL MAJOR WORK FOR KENTUCKY OAKS

With jockey John Velazquez aboard, Cypress Creek Equine and Madaket Stables’ Bless the Broken breezed 5 furlongs in company in 1:00.80 over a fast track Wednesday morning.

Working with the unraced 3-year-old colt Mackave after the first track maintenance session at 7:30, Bless the Broken pulled away from her workmate in the stretch. Mackave was clocked in 1:01.80.

“This is the first time I have worked her, and she worked nice,” said Velazquez, who will have the mount on Bless the Broken in the $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) on May 2.

Trainer Will Walden said Bless the Broken is scheduled to work a half-mile here April 23, walk the following day and then jog on the morning of April 25 before vanning to Churchill Downs that afternoon.

“I thought it went well this morning,” Walden said about the work. “This is the one we wanted to get the most out of, and I think we did.”

Bless the Broken secured her spot in the Kentucky Oaks starting gate with a 2¾-length victory in the Bourbonette Oaks (L) at Turfway Park on March 22 with Velazquez aboard for the first time.

“She’s a filly that likes a routine, and we shipped her up to Turfway right after the (Feb. 15) Rachel Alexandra (G2) (at Fair Grounds) for the Bourbonette,” Walden said. “She has done very well in Kentucky.”

FUTURE IS NOW’S FUTURE HAS SARATOGA FEEL

Future Is Now, winner of Sunday’s Giant’s Causeway (G3), is scheduled to return to trainer Mike Trombetta’s main base at the Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland next week, according to assistant Chris Aro.

“She’s a filly who likes a target,” Aro said. “Last year in The Very One (at Pimlico) when Paco (Lopez) rode her for the first time, she was behind horses and then just exploded in the stretch. Sunday, Paco didn’t want to be on the lead, but nobody wanted to go to the front.”

Future Is Now dueled the length of the stretch with Pandora’s Gift (IRE) and put her nose in front just at the finish.

Aro said the plan going forward is to aim for a repeat in the $200,000 Intercontinental (G2) at Saratoga on June 5 going 5½ furlongs. Stablemate Arzak, a two-time Keeneland stakes winner and recent seventh in the Valvoline Global Shakertown (G2), is pointed toward the $500,000 Jaipur (G1) on June 7.

DUKE OF LOVE MAKES STAKES RETURN IN SATURDAY’S BEN ALI

In the summer of 2023 MyRacehorse’s Duke of Love had found a home on the dirt with a victory in the West Virginia Governor’s Stakes (G3) and a respectable fifth-place finish in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) behind a trio of horses who next ran in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).

It took 18 months before he raced again after the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

“He had a terrible infection, and he was in a clinic for three weeks before the abscess broke,” trainer Josie Carroll said. “It took him a long time to come back.”

Duke of Love made his return on March 1 when he tackled a salty allowance field going 7 furlongs at Gulfstream Park. He finished fifth that day, beaten 3 lengths by the stakes-placed Caramel Chip.

“That was a good comeback race with a solid group of horses and a genuinely tough race,” Carroll said. “He’s an honest horse who shows up every time, and that race showed he was back at a good level.”

Off that effort, Carroll has entered Duke of Love in Saturday’s 94th running of the $350,000 Ben Ali (G3) going 1 3/16 miles. John Velazquez, who was aboard for the comeback race, has the mount.

“I was looking at an allowance race for him here, but those races usually have bigger fields and are just as strong as the stakes,” said Carroll, who opted for the Ben Ali.

Duke of Love had his final work for the Ben Ali with a half-mile breeze in :48.20 Tuesday morning.

GALLOPING OUT

Trainer Philip Antonacci secured his first Keeneland victory Sunday afternoon when Lindy Farms’ Thirteen Colonies ($8.92) won the sixth race, a 1 1/16-mile maiden event on the turf by 4¼ lengths in 1:43.02.

Irad Ortiz Jr. rode Thirteen Colonies, a Keeneland sales graduate who is a son of Hit It a Bomb, winner of the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) at Keeneland.

PROSPECTIVE FIELD FOR THE CLOSING-DAY BEWITCH
PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SALES

Entries taken Friday; race Friday, April 25

Eternal Silence (trainer Christophe Clement), Forever After All (Brendan Walsh), Immensitude (FR) (Bill Mott), Just Basking (Ian Wilkes), Sabalenka (Joe Sharp), Strikingly Spun (Sharp). Possible: Dazzlin’ Dictator (Rodolphe Brisset)

SPRING MEET LEADERS

Through April 13 (8 days of 15-day season)

THIRD WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS

Keeneland has been investing in the horse industry and the Central Kentucky community since it began racing in October 1936. Throughout the 2025 Spring Meet, special events at the track will benefit worthwhile organizations, while other activities are designed to educate and entertain racing fans.

Year-round

Official Keeneland Tours. Click here for availability and to purchase.

Through Aug.15

Keeneland Library. Located on Keeneland’s campus, Keeneland Library is presenting the free exhibit Of Turf and Stone: Keeneland Through the Ages to commemorate the 90^th anniversary of the founding of the Keeneland Association. Enjoy photographs and memorabilia in the exhibit, which coincides with 250LEX celebrations of Lexington’s 250^th anniversary this year. The Library is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To reach the Library, enter Keeneland at Gate 1 on Keeneland Blvd. and take the first right on Entertainment Court. The Library is to the left of the Keene Barn and Entertainment Center.

Wednesday, April 16

WINS-Day Challenge Presented by Malone’s. Enter for $10 at Wagering Central on the first floor of the Grandstand and place a mythical $2 win and place wager – no actual money is required – on Keeneland’s final six races of the day. This is an inexpensive way for beginner handicappers to give contests a try.

Friday and Saturday, April 18-19

The Hill. No ticket or reservation is required for tailgating on The Hill, located adjacent to the Keene Barn & Entertainment Center and accessible via Gate 1 (at Man o’ War Blvd.) or Gate 4 (off Van Meter Road on the east side of Keeneland). Fans can watch the racing action via a jumbo TV and place their bets in a wagering tent while they enjoy live music presented by The Burl, food trucks and handicapping assistance from BETologists. Complimentary shuttles to the track are offered.

The Hill is open from 8 a.m. to 60 minutes after the final race. Amenities are available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For fans who want to elevate their experience, Keeneland again is partnering with RevelXP to offer tailgate packages for groups of any size. RevelXP will organize tailgates by furnishing a designated tent, catering, amenities and more.

New this meet is the Race Day Social at The Hill located in the RevelXP Village. This exclusive space offers guests a perfect blend of comfort and excitement to enjoy the race day in style. Relax under a covered tent with plush lounge seating, enjoy classic yard games and watch live race coverage while having a catered lunch featuring local cuisine. A full bar with signature cocktails and other alcoholic beverages is available for purchase. BETologists will be on hand to provide wagering insights throughout the day. Exclusive amenities include access to private restroom trailers, comfortable seating and a premium atmosphere. The space has a capacity of 250 guests per day. Visit Keeneland.com/tailgating for full details.

Saturday, April 19

Easter edition of Sunrise Trackside featuring the appearance of the Easter bunny: This free Saturday morning program from 8-10 a.m. is geared toward families and offers a unique view of Thoroughbreds during training hours. Fans can enjoy coffee and breakfast items at a concession stand while watching horses train. Children’s activities on the first floor of the Grandstand will include a visit with Keeneland mascot Buckles, face painting and games. Mini tours will be available at the Welcome Stand near the Paddock.

The John Deere Tractor Break will take place during the renovation period on the main track from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and include a drawing for a kids item from John Deere/Meade Tractor. Meanwhile, a meet and greet with a horse will be offered in the Walking Ring from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Jockey Autograph Signing. Fans will meet active and retired Keeneland riders and Hall of Famers in an event that benefits the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF). Hats, posters, goggles and autograph books that can be signed will be available for purchase; personal items may be signed with a donation to PDJF. Event will take place in the North Terrace from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

PDJF Telethon. Racing Hall of Fame riders, leading active jockeys and racing personalities will take part in the seventh annual fundraiser, which is presented by Lane’s End. Keeneland will hold a call center in the Limestone Café in the Sales Pavilion. The event will be broadcast on both FanDuel TV and America’s Day at the Races on the Fox Sports family of networks and be streamed on tvg.com. Fans can participate by calling 1 844 884-7353 between 12:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. or by donating directly at https://pdjf.org/donate/.

Sunday, April 20 – EASTER – KEENELAND IS CLOSED FOR RACING