(Victor Espinoza / Photos by Coady Media)

From the Keeneland Media Team / Amy Owens:

  • TRIPLE CROWN WINNER VICTOR ESPINOZA RIDING AFTERNOONS AND MORNINGS FOR WARD
  • KENTUCKY DOWNS NEAR MISS PROPELS ROSE ROOM INTO FRIDAY’S JESSAMINE PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SALES
  • CHOISYA (GB) GOES FOR SLICE OF KEENELAND HISTORY IN SATURDAY’S FIRST LADY
  • PROSPECTIVE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES
  • OPENING WEEKEND SPECIAL EVENTS

TRIPLE CROWN WINNER VICTOR ESPINOZA RIDING
AFTERNOONS AND MORNINGS FOR WARD

Racing Hall of Famer Victor Espinoza, best known for piloting American Pharoah to victory in the 2015 Triple Crown and here in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), will be a member of the Keeneland jockey colony throughout the Fall Meet, which opens its 17-day run Friday. Espinoza made the change from his longtime Southern California base this past summer after trainer Wesley Ward convinced him to turn his Saratoga Race Course visit into a working vacation. Espinoza agreed and stayed fit exercising horses in the morning and riding a few races.

Ward, the 1984 Eclipse Award winner as outstanding apprentice jockey, has 10 Keeneland training  titles. He said using jockeys on horses during training is a huge benefit.

“The advantage is they might find a little ‘this or that’ about the horse,” Ward said. “If they have worked them in the mornings, they have a feel for them. They can have a little plan before the race (in the post parade).”

This strategy is used for Mountain Bear (IRE), third in last year’s Coolmore Turf Mile (G1) in his second start in North America for his European connections. In his two most recent races, Mountain Bear was ridden by Espinoza after they became acquainted during training hours.

“We wanted him to get a little feel of the horse,” Ward said. “He has worked Mountain Bear multiple times and knows him very well. (Mountain Bear) has a few antics but he has been gelded, which has made a huge difference.”

Mountain Bear is scheduled to make his next start in Wednesday’s eighth race.

Espinoza laughs off Mountain Bear’s pre-race shenanigans.

“He always steals the show,” Espinoza said. “He just likes to show off in front of the crowd. He is a fun horse to ride. He is a little silly in the warmup but that is it.”

Espinoza has ridden sparingly at Keeneland, where he has won six races — four of which are stakes. He hasn’t ridden here since 2022.

The rider now is settling in to a daily routine at his new home.

“I wanted to try something different,” Espinoza said. “I have never really moved out of California. Everybody here is really nice and really into the sport. Lexington is unique. Everyone seems to know each other and they are looking forward to the Keeneland meet. Everybody is talking about the races, and that makes it fun. But the backside is the same. Every track you go to, people are the same. It is nice to see many horses training on the track. I am not used to that.”

 

KENTUCKY DOWNS NEAR MISS PROPELS ROSE ROOM
INTO FRIDAY’S JESSAMINE PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SALES

An intriguing entrant in Friday’s $400,000 Jessamine (G2) Presented by Keeneland Sales is Godolphin homebred Rose Room, who arrived at Keeneland Thursday morning from trainer Mike Stidham’s base at Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland.

This is her second trip to Kentucky with the first being a near miss by a neck in finishing fourth in the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies (L) going a mile on Aug. 31.

“Going down the backside, she was switching leads and trying to find her footing,” Stidham said. “Florent (Geroux) let her settle, but he didn’t know if he had any horse. He straightened her out for home, and here she comes. One more jump, and she wins it.”

Rose Room debuted at Delaware Park on Aug. 7, winning a 7½-furlong grass test by 2 lengths.

“We didn’t know early on what we had. She was not precocious,” Stidham said. “In her first race, she kicked in when she needed to, and we decided to take a shot at Kentucky Downs.

“She is a half to Pixelate, who won the (WinStar) Mint Millions (G3) in 2021, so we figured like brother, like sister. We were almost right.”

The 1 1/16-mile Jessamine Presented by Keeneland Sales is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge race that awards the winner a fees-paid berth into the $1 million John Deere Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) going a mile on Oct. 31 at Del Mar.

CHOISYA (GB) GOES FOR SLICE OF KEENELAND HISTORY
IN SATURDAY’S FIRST LADY

Rabbah Bloodstock’s Choisya (GB) has a chance Saturday to join some exclusive company when she goes postward in the 28th running of the $800,000 First Lady (G1) for fillies and mares going a mile on the turf.

Choisya made her U.S. debut here in April, winning the Jenny Wiley (G1). A victory Saturday in the First Lady would put her with Never Retreat (2011) and Intercontinental (GB) (2005) as the only horses to win both races in the same year.

“She’s in good form and training well,” said John Clarke, who was aboard Choisya for an open gallop on Keeneland’s training track Thursday morning.

Following her Jenny Wiley victory, Choisya returned to Europe but came back to Saratoga in June for the Just a Game (G1) Presented by Resolute Racing in which she finished seventh.

“There was a lot of rain that week and it was very wet and yielding,” said Clarke, assistant to trainer Simon Crisford. “If we had been back home, she wouldn’t have run.”

Choisya remained at Saratoga for the Dunkin’ Diana (G1) in which she finished fourth going 1⅛ miles over a turf course rated as good.

“She got a short break back home after that,” Clarke said. “A race at Leopardstown (in Ireland) was a possibility, but we were worried about catching soft turf.”

Soft is a condition Choisya will not find Saturday with no rain in the forecast and temperatures in the 80s.

“Fast ground with the tight turns, that’s how she likes it,” said Clarke, who made his first trip to Keeneland this spring when he accompanied Choisya for the Jenny Wiley.

Frankie Dettori has the mount Saturday and will exit post 1.

PROSPECTIVE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES

$400,000 SYCAMORE (G2) (Entries taken Friday; race Friday, Oct. 10) – Anglophile (trainer Brian Lynch), Grand Sonata (Todd Pletcher), Il Siciliano (Antonio Sano), Ohana Honor (Shug McGaughey), Utah Beach (Ignacio Correas IV).

$400,000 FRANKLIN (G2) (Entries taken Sunday; race Sunday, Oct. 12) – Future Is Now (Mike Trombetta), In OurTime (Saffie Joseph Jr.), Luna Louska (Gustavo Delgado), Pipsy (IRE) (Will Walden).

OPENING WEEKEND SPECIAL EVENTS

Throughout the Fall Meet, special events and activities will continue Keeneland’s historic mission to support the Central Kentucky community and the Thoroughbred industry. They include:

Year-round

Official Keeneland Tours: Click here for description, availability and to purchase tickets.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (weather permitting)

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 Keeneland 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 for those with track admission tickets.

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 tailgate packages for groups of any size. RevelXP will organize tailgates by furnishing a designated tent, catering, amenities and more. Click here for more details.

Saturday

Sunrise Trackside. No ticket is required to attend this free Saturday morning program from 8-10 a.m., which is geared toward families and offers a unique view of Thoroughbreds during training hours. Fans can enjoy a light breakfast for purchase at the Starting Gate concession stand while watching racehorses train. Children’s activities on the first floor Grandstand will include a visit with Keeneland mascot Buckles, face painting and games. Mini tours will be available at the Tours podium near the Paddock. From 8:30 to 9 a.m., fans can pet a horse in the Stakes Winner’s Circle (formerly the Walking Ring), and the John Deere Tractor Break will take place during the renovation period on the main track with a drawing for prizes from John Deere/Meade Tractor.

On Oct. 25, a special Halloween edition of Sunrise Trackside will include an appearance by the Headless Horseman in the Paddock.

Check out these additional events

Milliners Corner near The Keeneland Shop (by Grandstand South entrance) will feature Christine A. Moore Millinery all weekend.