Keeneland Barn Notes: Laurelin’s Perfect Record At Stake in QE II

(Trainer Graham Motion / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

From the Keeneland Media Team / Amy Owens:

• LAURELIN (IRE) PUTS PERFECT MARK ON LINE IN QUEEN ELIZABETH II CHALLENGE CUP PRESENTED BY DIXIANA
• DOUBLE “LOVE IT” FROM BRISSET FOR BREEDERS’ CUP HOPEFULS
• WORK TAB
• PROSPECTIVE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES
• SECOND WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS
• FALL MEET LEADERS

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LAURELIN (IRE) PUTS PERFECT MARK ON LINE IN QUEEN ELIZABETH II CHALLENGE CUP PRESENTED BY DIXIANA

Undefeated.

That word captures one’s attention and applies to Newstead Stables’ Laurelin (IRE), the morning line favorite in a field of nine 3-year-old fillies for Saturday’s 42nd running of the $800,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) Presented by Dixiana.

“I don’t think I have had a horse start a career 5-for-5,” trainer Graham Motion said. “I had Confessional, but she started out with Bill Mott.”

A graded stakes winner, Confessional won her final five races — with two Keeneland stakes wins for Motion — and nine of her final 10 starts in 2000 and 2001.

Laurelin comes into Saturday’s race off a victory in the Saratoga Oaks Invitational (G2) on Aug. 9. She will be partnered again by Kendrick Carmouche.

“It definitely adds pressure being undefeated other than what you put on yourself,” Motion said. “We have always really liked her, and it is not a surprise she has done well.”

Laurelin won both of her races in 2024 before getting five months away from competition before returning in April to win the Memories of Silver (L) at Aqueduct.

“We gave her the winter off and didn’t go to Florida with her,” Motion said. “The owners have been very patient.”

Motion, who won this race with Film Maker in 2003, indicated Saturday’s race most likely would be the final start of the year for Laurelin with plans to return to the races next year at 4.

DOUBLE “LOVE IT” FROM BRISSET FOR BREEDERS’ CUP HOPEFULS

Friday morning was work day for trainer Rodolphe Brisset, who sent out WinStar Farm’s Mullikin and Breffni Farm’s Royal Spa for 5-furlong works.

First at 7:30 a.m. was Mullikin, who worked the distance in company with Keeneland allowance winner Green Light in 1:00.20 over a fast track.

“Loved it,” Brisset said of Mullikin’s third work since finishing unplaced in the Forego (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 23. “He’ll have two more works here before going to Del Mar.”

Mullikin will have a return trip to Del Mar for the 6-furlong Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), a race in which he finished third last year as the favorite.

Next at 9 a.m. was Royal Spa, who covered the distance in 1:00.80 in company with Queen Azteca.

“Loved it,” Brisset said of Royal Spa’s work, her second since winning the Locust Grove (G2) at Churchill Downs on Sept. 13. Royal Spa could race in the Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).

Queen Azteca, now owned by Team Valor International, joined Brisset’s barn after finishing fifth in her U.S. debut in the Alabama (G1) Presented by Keeneland Sales at Saratoga on Aug. 16.

“We are planning on the Mother Goose (G2) or the Jockey Club Oaks (G3),” Brisset said of the UAE Oaks (G3) Presented by DP World winner in February. “One is on dirt and the other on grass. We’d like to run her one time before a break.”

The Mother Goose and the Jockey Club Oaks are both at Aqueduct. The 1⅛-mile, $300,000 Mother Goose is on the main track on Nov. 8, and the $350,000 Jockey Club Oaks at 1 3/8 miles is Nov. 15.

WORK TAB

Also working Saturday toward a possible Breeders’ Cup engagement was Lael Stables’ five-time Grade 1 winner She Feels Pretty, who breezed a half-mile in :47.60 for trainer Cherie DeVaux. She Feels Pretty is a candidate for the $2 million Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) on Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

PROSPECTIVE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES

$350,000 LEXUS RAVEN RUN (G2) (Entries taken Saturday; race Saturday, Oct. 18) —Eskenforaraise (trainer Travis Murphy), Ivory and Ebony (Mark Glatt), Kappa Kappa (Butch Reid), Maida (Brittany Russell), Om N Joy (Aggie Ordonez), Quietside (John Ortiz), Ragtime (Bill Mott), Strong State (Al Stall Jr.), Taliesin (Jacinto Solis), Usha (Bob Baffert), Vixen (Mark Casse), Volleyballprincess (Louis Linder).

$350,000 PERRYVILLE (G3) (Entries taken Saturday; race Saturday, Oct. 18) — Barnes (Baffert), Captain Cook (Todd Pletcher), Gaming (Baffert), Owen Almighty (Brian Lynch), Rolando (Fausto Gutierrez), Taylor’s Version (Dale Romans).

$350,000 ROOD & RIDDLE DOWAGER (G3) (Entries taken Sunday; race Sunday, Oct. 19) — Adrasteia (Fergus Bogle), Bless My Stars (SAF) (Brendan Walsh), Boss Lady Bailey (Mike Maker), Duvet Day (IRE) (Michael McCarthy), Miwa (GB) (Joe Sharp), Ruth (Pletcher), Spanish Eyes (GER) (Walsh), Venencia (FR) (Walsh), Vive Veuve (Sharp).

SECOND 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 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.

Friday, Oct. 10

College Scholarship Day Presented by Lane’s End. Current full-time enrolled college students will enjoy a day of racing, prizes, scholarship giveaways, behind-the-scenes racing experiences, reserved seating and more.

Fall $400 Challenge. Keeneland’s live bankroll handicapping tournament offers one Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC) berth and as many as four National Horseplayers Championship spots. Click here for more information. The Challenge is only available for players at Keeneland. Participants may register the day of the contest.

Saturday, Oct. 11

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.

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). Autograph books, caps, jockey goggles and posters to 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.

$3,500 Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge/NHC Fall Handicapping Challenge. Registration is open for in-person and remote participation in this live-money contest that Keeneland is holding in cooperation with TwinSpires, XpressBet, NYRA Bets, 4NJ Bets, HPI and TVG. Click here for details and to register. The entry fee is $3,500, with $2,500 going to the live bankroll and $1,000 to the prize fund. Players must wager a minimum of $400 in at least five Keeneland races and wager a minimum total of $2,500. Prizes include cash and as many as six BCBC berths, 10 NHC spots and three Kentucky Derby Challenge spots (based on number of entries).

Sunday, Oct. 12

Keeneland Kids Club Family Day Presented by Kentucky Children’s Hospital. The Keeneland Kids Club is the Official Kids Club for Keeneland fans 12 and younger. Kids Club members and their families are invited to a special day at the races and will receive free general admission and access to reserved Grandstand seating when they present their membership cards at admission entrances. Children’s activities in the North Terrace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. will include face painting, a sweet treat and activities with local community partners such as Amplify Horse Racing, Kentucky Children’s Hospital, LexArts and Eckert’s Orchard. Sign up for the Kids Club at Keeneland.com/kidsclub.

Check out these additional events

Milliners Corner near The Keeneland Shop (by South entrance) will feature Darren K. Moore Jewelry (through Oct. 12).

FALL MEET LEADERS

Through Oct. 9 (5 days of 17-day season)