Keeneland Barn Notes: Deterministic Returns in Maker’s Mark Mile

(Deterministic / Photos Courtesy of NYRA)

From the Keeneland Media Team / Amy Owens:

• DETERMINISTIC FINDS LOGICAL SPOT TO RETURN IN FRIDAY’S MAKER’S MARK MILE
• TIZ THE LAW CONNECTION RESURFACES AT KEENELAND FOR MAKER’S MARK MILE
• APPLEBY ARRIVES FOR MAKER’S MARK MILE
• PROSPECTIVE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES
• SECOND WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS
• SPRING MEET LEADERS

*************************

DETERMINISTIC FINDS LOGICAL SPOT TO RETURN
IN FRIDAY’S MAKER’S MARK MILE

St. Elias Stable, Ken Langone, Steven Duncker and Vicarage Stable’s Deterministic rocketed to the top of U.S. grass milers last summer with a victory in the FanDuel Fourstardave (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 2.

With the win came a fees-paid berth into the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) Presented by PDJF but it was not to be.

“It was a blow that we were not going to be able to dance every dance,” said trainer Miguel Clement, who gave Deterministic time off following the Fourstardave.

Wintering at Payson Park Training Center in Florida, Deterministic returned to the work tab Feb. 7 with Friday’s $650,000 Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) the first goal for 2026.

“We targeted this race by design,” Clement said by phone. “This is the first big dance of the year and the logical place to start.”

Deterministic will exit post 10 on Friday under Kendrick Carmouche, who has been aboard for victories in the Fort Marcy (G2), the Resorts World Casino Manhattan (G1) and the Fourstardave.

“Kendrick has ridden him brilliantly,” Clement said. “They make a formidable pair and are a winning combination.”

TIZ THE LAW CONNECTION RESURFACES AT KEENELAND
FOR MAKER’S MARK MILE

The team who raced 2003 champion, Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness (G1) winner Funny Cide and 2020 Belmont (G1) winner Tiz the Law is back in the Commonwealth.

Jack Knowlton, operating manager of owner Sackatoga Stable, was at Barn 22 chatting up trainer Barclay Tagg as they watched their Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) hopeful, Tiz Dashing, graze outside the barn.

“It’s been awhile,” Tagg said of the most recent time he started a runner at Keeneland.

Ironically, that starter was Tiz Dashing’s sire, Tiz the Law, who competed in the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) for Sackatoga.

A two-time Grade 3 winner, Tiz Dashing comes into Friday’s Maker’s Mark Mile off a 3¾-length victory in the Canadian Turf (G3) at Gulfstream Park Feb. 28.

“His last race showed us he belongs, so we’ll give it a shot,” Knowlton said. “He is doing well, so we will see what we have and that will tell us where to go with him.”

Javier Castellano retains the mount from post 11.

APPLEBY ARRIVES FOR MAKER’S MARK MILE

Trainer Charlie Appleby was trackside Thursday morning to watch his two Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) horses, champion Notable Speech (GB) and Aomori City(FR), go through their paces.

The Kentucky trip is a brief one for Appleby, who is based in Newmarket, England.

“Leaving right after the race and getting back to London at 10 in the morning,” Appleby said. “Then on to Yarmouth for racing at 2.”

Appleby said there are no plans to bring any Godolphin runners back to the U.S. for stales races at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby (G1) weekend. He said Notable Speech, the defending FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) Presented by PDJF winner, “would probably go the usual route through Woodbine (for the G1 Rogers Mile in September) and then the Breeders’ Cup (which will be at Keeneland Oct. 30-31).” …

Javier Castellano, who has ridden sparingly at Keeneland in recent years, will be in Kentucky through the Kentucky Derby except for a couple of days riding in New York.

Tied for fourth all time at Keeneland with 54 stakes victories, Castellano notched his first Kentucky Derby (G1) victory three years ago on Mage. Riding for some of the same ownership and trainer Gustavo Delgado, Castellano is in position for a possible Derby repeat with The Puma.

“I hope we can do it again,” Castellano said of The Puma, who is scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs on April 19 from Gulfstream Park.

“He broke his maiden in the (ESMARK) Tampa Bay Derby (G3),” Castellano said, noting the victory over recent Toyota Blue Grass (G1) winner Further Ado. “Then he was a good second in the (Curlin) Florida Derby (G1 Presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa) to Commandment, who is a very good horse.

“We were disappointed in the result, but not disappointed at all in his effort.”

PROSPECTIVE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES

Entries taken Friday. Race is Friday, April 17.

$400,000 BAIRD DOUBLEDOGDARE (G2) – Alpine Princess (trainer Brad Cox), Aye Candy (Todd Fincher), Gin Gin (Brendan Walsh), Peignoir (Rodolphe Brisset).

Entries taken Saturday. Races are Saturday, April 18

$400,000 VISITLEX ELKHORN (G2) – Burnham Square (Ian Wilkes), Freedom’s Way (Eddie Kenneally), Layabout (Patrick Biancone), Tawny Port (Miguel Clement), Utah Beach (Walsh). Possible: Anegada (Mike Maker), Zverev (Maker).

$350,000 BEN ALI (G3) – Batten Down (Bill Mott), San Siro (Walsh), Stars and Stripes (Mott), Tennessee Lamb (Rusty Arnold). Possible: Tappan Street (Cox).

Entries taken Sunday. Race is Sunday, April 19.

$300,000 PALISADES (L) – Bronze Bullet (Jose D’Angelo), Intricate Spirit (Clement), Monster (D’Angelo), Shipmate (Nolan Ramsey), Throckmorton (D’Angelo), Twilight Delight (Daniel Leitch), Walter the Mason (Greg Green). Possible: I C Light (Mark Casse), Reb Five (Casse).

SECOND WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS

Year-round

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

Keeneland Library is presenting the free exhibit Raices: The Making of Latino Legacies in Racing, a which highlights 100 trailblazing Latino men and women whose contributions have shaped Thoroughbred racing and breeding from the late 1800s to today.

The Library is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Enter Keeneland at Gate 1 on Keeneland Blvd. and take the first right on Entertainment Ct. The Library is to the left of the Keene Barn and Entertainment Center.

Spring Meet

The Keeneland Shop is open from 9 a.m. to 30 minutes following the final race and on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On race days, Milliners Corner, Wagering Central and Finish Line locations will be open.

Milliners Corner near The Keeneland Shop will feature Hats Off by Helen (April 11).

Friday, Saturday and Sunday

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). 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.

Friday

College Scholarship Day Presented by Lane’s End. Keeneland invites college students to enjoy a day of racing, prizes, scholarship giveaways, behind-the-scenes tours, reserved seating and more. Students must be on site to be eligible to win all prizes and scholarships. Activities will take place at the North Terrace from.  11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

$400 Spring Challenge. Available only at Keeneland, this handicapping contest offers one berth to the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC) on Oct. 30-31 at Keeneland and as many as four spots to the 2027 National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) in Las Vegas.

Saturday

Sunrise Trackside. This free Saturday morning program from 8-10 a.m. is geared toward families and offers a unique view of Thoroughbreds during training hours. The John Deere Tractor Break will take place during the renovation period on the main track from 8:30-9 a.m. and include a drawing for a kids John Deere electric-powered truck with trailer from John Deere/Meade Tractor. Meanwhile, a meet and greet with a horse will be held in the Saddling Paddock from 8:30-9 a.m.

Keeneland Library Exhibit Companian Book Signing. On the North Terrace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., meet some of the people featured in Keeneland Library’s current exhibit, Raices: The Making of Latino Legacies in Racing. Books are $10 each with all proceeds benefiting the Keeneland Library Foundation. (Cash only. Patrons are required to have a race meet ticket to attend the book signing.)

Grade 1 Gamble. Keeneland hosts this signature handicapping contest of the Spring Meet with the cooperation of XpressBet, NYRABets, 4NJ Bets, HPI and TVG on the day of the Jenny Wiley (G1) and the Stonestreet Lexington (G3). The contest will be held in the Dogwood Room in Keeneland’s new Paddock Building.

Sunday

Heroes Day. This event honors members of the military (active duty and veterans), first responders and community heroes with programming tied to Lexington Navy Week.

SPRING MEET LEADERS

Through April 8 (3 days of 15-day season)

###