Keeneland Barn Notes: Simmering May Be Boiling In QE II

• SIMMERING (GB) OPTS FOR QUEEN ELIZABETH II CHALLENGE CUP PRESENTED BY DIXIANA OVER FIRST LADY
• QUIETSIDE TARGETS LEXUS RAVEN RUN FOR RETURN TO RACES
• GALLOPING OUT
• PROSPECTIVE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES
• SECOND WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS
• FALL MEET LEADERS

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SIMMERING (GB) OPTS FOR QUEEN ELIZABETH II CHALLENGE CUP PRESENTED BY DIXIANA OVER FIRST LADY

Al Shaqab Racing’s Simmering (GB) came to Keeneland from Europe two weeks ago for an intended run in the $800,000 First Lady (G1) against older fillies and mares only to be scratched the morning of the Oct. 4 race.

Instead of running in the First Lady, Simmering worked that morning on the grass (5 furlongs in 1:01.20 in company) and now will go postward in Saturday’s $800,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) Presented by Dixiana.

“She had the option of running in one or both races,” said Sophie Trevena, who is overseeing the filly’s preparation here for trainer Ollie Sangster. “She would have been the only 3-year-old in the race last week, and that likely was a factor in the decision to wait a week.”

A two-time group winner last year at 2, Simmering is winless in five starts this year with her best performance being her third in the BetFred One Thousand Guineas (G1) at Newmarket in England in May.

“I think she is in a much better place now,” Trevena said. “I have been on her all year, and she is a different horse now.”

With heavy rain in Lexington two days ago, the Keeneland turf course figures to have a bit of give to it Saturday. That could be a plus for Simmering, who will be ridden by Luis Saez.

“She likes a little bit of cut in the ground,” Trevena said. “She has been on soft before and she is good as long as it is not soft-soft.”

As part of her preparation for Saturday, Simmering on Thursday morning had a schooling session at the starting gate under Ben Curtis before galloping on the main track.

A victory Saturday would give Sangster his initial triumph in a Grade/Group 1 race.

QUIETSIDE TARGETS LEXUS RAVEN RUN FOR RETURN TO RACES

Shortleaf Stable’s Quietside, unraced since finishing sixth as the second choice in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) on May 2, is poised to make her return to the races in the 27th running of the $400,000 Lexus Raven Run (G2) on Oct. 18.

“We gave her a break after the Oaks,” trainer John Ortiz said of the winner of the Honeybee (G3) and Fantasy (G2) this year at Oaklawn Park. “She had had a strong campaign from Saratoga last summer through Oaklawn, and she deserved a break.”

Last year, Quietside placed in two Grade 1 races, including a third here in the Darley Alcibiades, She was reacquainted with the Keeneland oval last Saturday with a :47.40 half-mile work, which was third-fastest of 122 at the distance.

“She is ready to run,” said Ortiz, who plans to work Quietside again on Saturday. “We are not looking past this race.”

GALLOPING OUT

Legion Racing’s Drexel Hill, runner-up in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), continued working her way back to the races with a half-mile work in :49.40 Thursday morning over Keeneland’s fast main track.

Trained by Whit Beckman, Drexel Hill had a chip removed from a knee after the Oaks and returned to the work tab in August at Saratoga. Beckman has Drexel Hill’s year-older half-sister, Regaled, in his barn at Churchill Downs. Winner of the Sept. 28 Delaware Handicap (G3), Regaled is a candidate for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) at Del Mar on Nov. 1. …

KatieRich Stables’ May Day Ready, winner of last fall’s Jessamine (G2) Presented by Keeneland Sales and runner-up in the John Deere Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1), arrived at Keeneland Tuesday night from Belmont Park for an expected start in the 35th running of the $400,000 Bank of America Valley View (G2) on Oct. 24.

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), Maida (Brittany Russell), Om N Joy (Aggie Ordonez), Quietside (John Ortiz), Ragtime (Bill Mott), Usha (Bob Baffert), Vixen (Mark Casse).

$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.

Thursday, Oct. 9

Make-A-Wish Day. This is the 18^th year Keeneland has hosted the event, the culmination of a rewarding experience for a special group of 11 children. Local Thoroughbred farms and organizations team up with Keeneland to grant wishes for these children, who with their families are treated to a VIP experience, complete with presenting a trophy after each race, meeting jockeys and experiencing the excitement of a day at the races. Fans may donate to Make-A-Wish® Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana.

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. By pre-registering, students will receive free general admission and must be at the track for the opportunity to win one of 10 $2,000 scholarships provided by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and Keeneland. Students who attend the race day and have their tickets scanned day-of also will be eligible to win two additional $10,000 scholarships provided by Lane’s End Farm, as well as prize packages from local Kentucky businesses. Activities with Amplify Horse Racing, Bad Ass Coffee and LexLive will take place at the North Terrace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pre-register at www.Keeneland.com/csd.

Fall $400 Challenge. Registration is open for Keeneland’s live bankroll handicapping tournament, which has a $400 buy-in. Players will wager a live bankroll of $250 on any or all races at Keeneland with no minimums per race. One Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC) berth and as many as four National Horseplayers Championship spots are up for grabs. Click herefor 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 (Oct. 9-12).

FALL MEET LEADERS

Through Oct. 8 (4 days of 17-day season)

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