Keeneland Barn Notes: Breeders’ Cup Bound Shisospicy Works

(Shisospicy / Photos by Coady Media)

From the Keeneland Media Team / Amy Owens:

• STREAKING OM N JOY INVADES FOR SATURDAY’S LEXUS RAVEN RUN
• BREEDERS’ CUP CANDIDATE SHISOSPICY ON WORK TAB
• GALLOPING OUT
• PROSPECTIVE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES
• THIRD WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS
• FALL MEET LEADERS

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STREAKING OM N JOY INVADES FOR SATURDAY’S LEXUS RAVEN RUN (G2)

There was talk, albeit briefly, of a possible Breeders’ Cup run for Om N Joy after she won the Torrey Pines (G3) at Del Mar on Aug. 30.

Instead of staying in California, Om N Joy will have her version of the Breeders’ Cup here Saturday in the $400,000 Lexus Raven Run (G2) for 3-year-old fillies going 7 furlongs.

“We are going to enjoy the trip, and it will be a celebration of the year,” trainer Aggie Ordonez said Wednesday of Om N Joy, who will be racing outside of California for the first time in her career. “She has earned the right to give it a try.”

Owned by Connie Baker, Jerry Baker, Michael Golovko and Terrance Scanlon, Om N Joy arrived at Keeneland on Tuesday. She walked the shedrow this morning with an initial trip to the main track slated for Thursday morning.

“She beat me here,” said Ordonez, who is making her first visit to Keeneland. “She had a direct flight, and I had to go through Dallas.”

Om N Joy has won her past five races beginning with a maiden victory at Santa Anita in March. Three consecutive stakes victories over California-breds followed. She took the Torrey Pines over open company.

Kent Desormeaux has been aboard for the past four victories and will have the mount Saturday.

“Kent has been a big part of it,” Ordonez said of the filly’s win streak. “It’s like having my own personal Hall of Famer.”

Ordonez’s father is Pete Anderson, a leading East Coast jockey in the 1940s through the 1970s and a former trainer.

BREEDERS’ CUP CANDIDATE SHISOSPICY ON WORK TAB

Morplay Racing and Qatar Racing’s Shisospicy continued her preparations for the $1 million Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) at Del Mar on Nov. 1 by working a half-mile in :47.40 on the fast main track at Keeneland Wednesday morning.

Working on her own at 7:30 a.m. with jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. up, Shisospicy produced splits of :11.80, :24, :36.20 and :47.40. She galloped out five-eighths in :59, 80, the three-quarters in 1:12.40 and seven-eighths in 1:26.40.

Jose D’Angelo trains the 3-year-old daughter of Mitole, who was a 3-length winner of the AGS Music City (G2) at Kentucky Downs in her most recent start. A Keeneland sales graduate, Shisospicy is expected to have one more work here before heading to Del Mar on Oct. 27.

GALLOPING OUT

Newstead Stables’ Laurelin (IRE), who sustained her first loss in six starts when she finished second in Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) Presented by Dixiana, was scheduled to leave Keeneland Wednesday to return to trainer Graham Motion’s main base at Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland.

“I was proud of her effort,” Motion said of Laurelin, who was 1¼ lengths behind Lush Lips (GB) at the finish of the 1⅛-mile race over a turf course rated as good. “I think longer races might suit her next year. I am undecided if she will run again this year.”

PROSPECTIVE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES

$400,000 BANK OF AMERICA VALLEY VIEW (G2) (Entries taken Friday; race Friday, Oct. 24) – Admit (trainer Tom Drury), Classic Q (Mark Casse), Decadent (Kenny McPeek), May Day Ready (Joe Lee), Play With Fire (Chad Brown), Ramsey Pond (Saffie Joseph Jr.), Totally Justified (Rusty Arnold).

$350,000 HAGYARD FAYETTE (G3) (Entries taken Saturday; race Saturday, Oct. 25) – Dilger (IRE) (Joseph Jr.),Dragoon Guard (Brad Cox), Hit Show (Cox), Lambeth (Joe Sharp), Moonlight (Chris Block), Rattle N Roll (McPeek), Trademark (Vicki Oliver).

THIRD WEEK 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.

Wednesday, Oct. 15

WINS-Day Challenge Presented by Malone’s. This is an inexpensive way for beginner handicappers to give contests a try. Enter for $10 at Wagering Central on the first floor Grandstand and place a mythical $2 win and place wager – no actual money required – on the final six Keeneland races of the day. First 200 participants will receive a free Daily Racing Form and an appetizer card from Malone’s.

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 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 for those who have 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.

Friday, Oct. 17

Big Blue Day. In celebration of Homecoming Weekend at the University of Kentucky, Keeneland will become the center of Big Blue Nation. Fans will enjoy a pep rally and appearances by the UK Alumni Band, cheerleaders and Dance Team along with appearances by UK legends and special Winner’s Circle events. Keeneland Bugler Steve Buttleman is known to lead fans in the UK fight song, “On! On! U of K.” Fan engagement activities will take place in the North Terrace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. UK hosts top-ranked Texas in football the following day.

Saturday, Oct. 18

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 Paddock/Stakes Winner’s Circle, 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.

Milliners Corner near The Keeneland Shop (by the South entrance) will host Keeneland Library Foundation’s book signing for The Racetracks of America: From the Pre-Civil War Days to the 21^st Century from noon to 5 p.m. and welcome Hats Off by Helen.

The first comprehensive chronicle of its kind, The Racetracks of America: From the Pre-Civil War Days to the 21st Century is an image-packed compendium of past and present U.S. race tracks with contributions by the sport’s top writers. The book, a priceless companion to fans of the sport, showcases the special places at the heart of the American racing experience.

The book is dedicated to the late historian and author Edward L. Bowen, who wrote the chapter about Keeneland. Bowen died in January and in August was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in the category Pillars of the Turf.

A limited supply of the book released by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in partnership with Keeneland Library is available at The Keeneland Shop and Keeneland Library. All proceeds from books sales at Keeneland will benefit the Keeneland Library Foundation.

Sunday, Oct. 19

Heroes Day. Keeneland will honor members of the military (active duty and veterans), first responders, health care workers and their families. Heroes and their families will receive free general admission, reserved Grandstand seating, a complimentary meal at the North Terrace provided by City Barbeque (for the first 2,000 people) and a 30% discount at The Keeneland Shop. Special programming will include a flag rollout on the track and honoree recognitions in the Winner’s Circle.

A POW-MIA Chair of Honor will be displayed on the Paddock Apron to bring awareness to past and current POW-MIA military members through a partnership with The Rolling Thunder Kentucky Chapter 5.

Monday, Oct. 20

Keeneland Library will host a free open house from 6-8 p.m. with a welcome and comments from authors who contributed to The Racetracks of America: From the Pre-Civil War Days to the 21^st Century.

A limited supply of the book released by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in partnership with Keeneland Library is available at The Keeneland Shop and Keeneland Library. All proceeds from books sales at Keeneland will benefit the Keeneland Library Foundation.

FALL MEET LEADERS

Through Oct. 12 (8 days of 17-day season)

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