Keeneland Barn Notes: Owen Almighty Returns on Saturday in G3 Perryville Stakes

(Owen Almighty / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

From the Keeneland Media Team / Amy Owens:

• OWEN ALMIGHTY LOOKS TO GET BACK ON TRACK IN SATURDAY’S PERRYVILLE
• CAPTAIN COOK ARRIVES FOR PERRYVILLE RUN
• GALLOPING OUT
• PROSPECTIVE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES
• KEENELAND-CONNECTED HORSES AMONG OLD FRIENDS RETIREES
• THIRD WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS
• FALL MEET LEADERS

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OWEN ALMIGHTY LOOKS TO GET BACK ON TRACK
IN SATURDAY’S PERRYVILLE

One of the leading players early this year on the road to the Kentucky Derby, Flying Dutchmen’s Owen Almighty returns to Keeneland for Saturday’s 17th running of the $350,000 Perryville (G3) for 3-year-olds going 7 furlongs on the main track.

“He will come over Friday (from Churchill Downs) and then school in the Paddock,” trainer Brian Lynch said of Owen Almighty, whose lone Keeneland start was a sixth-place finish in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) in April.

Following the Toyota Blue Grass, Owen Almighty outran his 40-1 odds in the Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve by leading the 19-horse field into the stretch before finishing fifth behind Sovereignty.

Given time off after the Derby, Owen Almighty resurfaced at Charles Town on Aug. 22 for the 7-furlong Robert Hilton Memorial (L). He finished last of eight after being eased as the favorite.

“I don’t know what happened,” Lynch said. “It is a modern mystery. They ought to put it on ‘Dateline’.”

Owen Almighty has had five works at Churchill Downs since the Charles Town race “and he has been training well and doing well,” Lynch said. “This race was the plan.”

The Perryville drew some top-flight talent, including graded stakes winners Barnes and Gaming for trainer Bob Baffert and Captain Cook, who just missed by a nose in his most recent start in the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1) at Saratoga for trainer Todd Pletcher.

CAPTAIN COOK ARRIVES FOR PERRYVILLE RUN

St. Elias Stable’s Captain Cook, the morning line favorite for Saturday’s 17th running of the $350,000 Perryville (G3), arrived at Keeneland Wednesday from Saratoga and galloped once around early on the main track Thursday morning.

“We got him in the barn a month before he ran (in the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial-G1),” said Sophie Green, who is overseeing trainer Todd Pletcher’s Keeneland string and was at Saratoga when Captain Cook joined the stable.

“I really like him. He’s one of my favorites,” Green said. “He is very chill and relaxed.”

Captain Cook was caught at the wire by Patch Adams losing by a nose in the Jerkens but finishing 1½ lengths ahead of Perryville rival Barnes.

“We didn’t know if the (7-furlong) distance would suit him,” Green said of Captain Cook, who was making only his second sprint start of 2025.

Pletcher, who leads all trainers with 75 stakes victories at Keeneland, will be going for his second win in the Perryville and fourth stakes victory of the Fall Meet. Irad Ortiz Jr. has the mount Saturday.

At last year’s Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age Sale, Captain Cook sold for $410,000 to record the second-highest amount paid. Bred by Marylou Whitney Stables, the son of Practical Joke was consigned by Gainesway, agent for the Estate of John Hendrickson.

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).

$600,000 BRYAN STATION (G3) (Entries taken Saturday; race Saturday, Oct. 25) – Antisocial (Jorge Duarte Jr.),Calvin’s Ride (Kevin Rice), Candytown (Todd Pletcher), Chunk of Gold (Ethan West), Dream On (Mark Casse), Game Warrior (Peter Miller), Giocoso (Keith Desormeaux), Golden Afternoon (Nick Vaccarezza), Layabout (Patrick Biancone),Mesero (Dale Romans), Montador (Mike Stidham), Plensa (Rusty Arnold), Tenacious Leader (Pletcher), Troubleshooting (Greg Foley).

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

KEENELAND-CONNECTED HORSES AMONG OLD FRIENDS RETIREES

Old Friends Equine Retirement in nearby Georgetown, Kentucky, recently welcomed the father-son duo of Big Blue Kitten, 17, and Cellist, 7, to its roster of famous and not-so famous Thoroughbreds. Both horses are among the latest retirees at Old Friends that raced at Keeneland.

Click here for more about Old Friends, a popular attraction that offers up-close-and-personal visits with racing superstars and fan favorites while providing a permanent home for the equine athletes.

Big Blue Kitten, the 2015 champion grass horse, banked nearly $3 million in a 33-race career with a 14-8-5 record. At Keeneland, he was second in the 2012 Ben Ali (G3) and third in the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1). After concluding his stallion career, Blue Kitten relocated to Old Friends in April.

Cellist settled into the routine of greeting guests in May after closing his 22-race career a year earlier. A two-time Grade 3 winner, Cellist was trained by Keeneland-based Rusty Arnold. He made four starts here, including his second-place finish in the 2023 Sycamore (G3).

Another notable retiree with Keeneland connections is Channel Maker, who made eight of his 56 lifetime starts here. An earner of nearly $4 million, Channel Maker was a Canadian champion at 3 in 2017 and a North American champion in 2020. At Keeneland, he won the 2022 Elkhorn (G2) and was third in the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1). His final race was the 2023 Sycamore at age 9.

Other notable Keeneland starters at Old Friends include:

• McCraken — third in the 2017 Toyota Blue Grass (G2) and the 2017 Hagyard Fayette (G2)
• Next Shares — won the 2018 Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) (now the Coolmore Turf Mile)
• Rated R Superstar — won the 2018 Ben Ali (G3)
• Silver Max — won the 2013 Shadwell Turf Mile (G1)
• Spooky Channel — won the 2021 Sycamore (G3)
• The Pizza Man — second in the 2015 Shadwell Turf Mile (G1)

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.

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. 15 (9 days of 17-day season)