Keeneland Barn Notes: Tarifa Returns on Friday

(Tarifa returns to Keeneland on Friday / Photo by Holly M. Smith)

From the Keeneland Media Team / Amy Owens:

• SATURDAY FLIRT CAPS PERFECT DAY FOR WARD
• TARIFA RETURNS TO KEENELAND FOR FRIDAY’S BAIRD DOUBLEDOGDARE
• BALNIKHOV (IRE) CARRIES D’AMATO BANNER IN SATURDAY’S VISITLEX ELKHORN
• GALLOPING OUT
• PROSPECTIVE FIELD FOR CLOSING-DAY BEWITCH PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SALES
• SPRING MEET LEADERS
• THIRD WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS

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SATURDAY FLIRT CAPS PERFECT DAY FOR WARD

Wednesday was as good a day as a trainer could have for Wesley Ward, who was 3-for-3 on the afternoon.

Capping the day in the feature race, a 5½-furlong turf sprint, was the narrow victory by Mrs. Fitriani Hay’s Saturday Flirt. The race was the filly’s first start since the Norfolk (G2) at Royal Ascot in England in June.

“She had a bunch of little things going on with her (after the Norfolk), and the owners were very patient,” Ward said. “We got her back to her home track, and yesterday she was very impressive. That was a tough race, especially for a 3-year-old.”

Saturday Flirt edged 3-year-old group-placed Tales of The Heart (IRE) by a neck with 4-year-old stakes-placed Big Trouble another neck back in third.

Ward, who also bred Saturday Flirt, has the $175,000 Soaring Softly (G3) for 3-year-old fillies going 5½ furlongs at Saratoga on June 8 as the next target for the daughter of Mendelssohn.

His other winners Wednesday afternoon were Satisfied Mind ($3.84) in the first race and Bundchen ($10.16) in the fifth race. Bundchen ran in the Queen Mary (G2) at Royal Ascot in 2023.

Ward has won five races the past two race days. His training triple was the second of the Spring Meet following Brad Cox on April 8.

Cox owns an 8-7 advantage over Ward in the race for leading trainer after nine days of the 15-day Spring Meet that concludes Friday, April 25. Ward has won seven consecutive Spring training titles, sharing the top spot in 2018 with Cox.

TARIFA RETURNS TO KEENELAND
FOR FRIDAY’S BAIRD DOUBLEDOGDARE

Nearly 18 months ago, Godolphin unveiled a homebred filly named Tarifa at Keeneland. That afternoon, she cruised to a 6-length victory over the Beard Course of 7 furlongs, 184 feet.

On Friday, Tarifa will make her first Keeneland start since the debut in the 30th running of the $350,000 Baird Doubledogdare (G3) for fillies and mares.

In the interim, a lot has happened for Tarifa, who is closing in on millionaire status with three Grade 2 victories on her resume.

“She just shipped up here Monday from Payson Park (training center in South Florida) where she wintered very well,” said Blake Cox, son of and assistant to trainer Brad Cox. “She has put on weight and is doing well.”

Tarifa closed her 2024 campaign with a runner-up finish in the Falls City (G3) at Churchill Downs and then faced Grade 1 competition in the B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile Presented by FanDuel at Santa Anita on March 8.

“It was a Grade 1,” Cox said in explaining the decision to ship cross country for Tarifa’s 2025 debut in which she finished third. “She already was Grade 1-placed (from a third in the Cotillion), and now she is Grade 1-placed twice.”

Even though the Baird Doubledogdare is a Grade 3 event, the stakes is not short on Grade 1 talent with the likes of 2023 Eclipse Award winner Just F Y I and 2023 Darley Alcibiades (G1) winner Candied in the field for the 1 1/16-mile test.

“It is a tough race, but we felt it was better suited for her than waiting for the ($1 million) La Troienne (G1) and having to face Kenny’s filly,” Cox said.

Kenny’s filly? That would be trainer Kenny McPeek’s reigning Horse of the Year, Thorpedo Anna, who defeated Tarifa in their two meetings last year: the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and the Cotillion.

BALNIKHOV (IRE) CARRIES D’AMATO BANNER
IN SATURDAY’S VISITLEX ELKHORN

Trainer Phil D’Amato was all set to ship a number of his grass runners to Keeneland for the Spring Meet, but in the end only one luminary of note made the trip: Balnikhov (IRE).

“He looked at the forecast for early in the meet with all the rain, and he didn’t put most of them on the plane,” said assistant Glenn Brookfield, who is overseeing D’Amato’s string here. “But Balnikhov, he loves soft ground.”

Early in the week, less than firm turf looked to be a possibility for Saturday’s 40th running of the $400,000 VisitLEX Elkhorn (G2) for 4-year-olds and up going 1½ miles on the grass. That possibility has begun to evaporate as the week has gone on.

Firm or soft, Balnikhov looks to be a formidable player Saturday.

In two visits to Kentucky, Balnikhov finished second in the 2022 American Turf (G2) Presented by BMW at Churchill Downs and that fall won the Bryan Station (G3) to give D’Amato the third of his four Keeneland stakes victories.

“I was a little concerned about the 12 post, but he’ll just drop over to the rail at the back of the pack and watch them all,” Brookfield said of Balnikhov, who will be making his 20th consecutive graded stakes start.

A millionaire with three Grade 3 victories and eight graded stakes placings on his resume, Balnikhov has done most of his running going a mile.

“I think he can get a mile and a half,” Brookfield said. “The time he did, he just got a beat a half-length (in last fall’s Hollywood Turf Cup-G2).”

Should the rain make an appearance, Balnikhov would be good with that.

“The last time he ran on soft ground, he won,” Brookfield said of the Dinner Party (G3) at Pimlico on Preakness Day last year. “If we get rain and the race comes off the grass, he’ll scratch like he did for the allowance race (at Keeneland on April 6).”

GALLOPING OUT

Brittany Russell, who annually ranks as a leading trainer in Maryland, notched her first Keeneland victory Wednesday afternoon when George Sharp’s Augusta Melody ($6.34) won the sixth race by 1½ lengths. Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., Augusta Melody completed the 6-furlong allowance test in 1:11.17.

Also posting his first Keeneland win Wednesday afternoon was trainer Sergio Donjuan, who sent out Masters Stable’s Panthor ($16.92) to win the fourth race, a 7-furlong claiming event, by 3½ lengths. Albin Jimenez rode Panthor, who completed the distance in 1:25.47.

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), Sand and Sea (Riley Mott).

SPRING MEET LEADERS

Through April 16 (10 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.

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