Keeneland Barn Notes: Time to Dazzle Headlines Field for Sunday’s Giant’s Causeway Stakes

(Time to Dazzle / Photos by Coady Media)

From the Keeneland Media Team / Amy Owens:

• TIME TO DAZZLE HEADLINES DEEP FIELD FOR SUNDAY’S GIANT’S CAUSEWAY PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SELECT
• CHAMPION NOTABLE SPEECH (GB) HAS TEST RUN OVER KEENELAND TURF
• RHETORICAL READY FOR 2026 DEBUT IN MAKER’S MARK MILE
• KEENELAND STAKES WINNER THE PLAYER (“ANGUS”) A NEW ATTRACTION AT KENTUCKY HORSE PARK
• SECOND WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS
• SPRING MEET LEADERS

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TIME TO DAZZLE HEADLINES DEEP FIELD FOR SUNDAY’S
GIANT’S CAUSEWAY PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SELECT

Tracy Farmer’s Time to Dazzle, daylight winner of last fall’s Franklin (G2) here, headlines a field of 12 fillies and mares plus four also-eligibles entered Tuesday for Sunday’s 29th running of the $400,000 Giant’s Causeway (G2) Presented by Keeneland Select going 5½ furlongs on the grass.

The Giant’s Causeway will go as the seventh race on Sunday’s nine-race program with a 4:12 p.m. ET post time. First post is 1 p.m.

Trained by Mark Casse, Time to Dazzle opened her 2026 campaign by taking on the boys in Saudi Arabia with a fourth-place finish of 13 in the 1351 Turf Sprint (G2) Presented by Qiddiya City. John Velazquez has the mount from post 11.

The 2-3 finishers from the Franklin return to take another shot at Time to Dazzle.

Resolute Racing and Miller Racing’s In Our Time, the Franklin runner-up, returns to sprinting for the first time since the Franklin. Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., In Our Time will be ridden by Flavien Prat from post 7.

Godolphin’s Pondering returns to the grass for the first time since her third-place Franklin finish. Trained by Brendan Walsh, Pondering will be ridden by Tyler Gaffalione from post 6.

Field for the $400,000 Giant’s Causeway (G2) Presented by Keeneland Select
3-year-olds and up, fillies and mares, 5½ furlongs (turf)
Race 7, 4:12 p.m.

CHAMPION NOTABLE SPEECH (GB) HAS TEST RUN OVER KEENELAND TURF

Godolphin’s champion Notable Speech (GB) had a chance to stretch his legs by galloping over the Keeneland turf course Tuesday morning in preparation for his 2026 debut in Friday’s Maker’s Mark Mile (G1).

The champion turf male of 2025 following victories in the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) Presented by PDJF and the Rogers Woodbine Mile (G1), Notable Speech will be following a path blazed by previous runners trained by Charlie Appleby.

“It is a program he likes to take with his top horses,” said Chris Connett, who is overseeing preparations for the 5-year-old Notable Speech. “They have shown they can handle North American racing well and maybe get a little bit of a home-field advantage (for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships).”

This year’s Breeders’ Cup will be held at Keeneland Oct. 30-31.

Notable Speech gave Appleby his third Breeders’ Cup Mile winner in the past four years. The two previous winners both started the following season in the Maker’s Mark Mile.

“(Champion) Modern Games (IRE) ran second in the (2023) Maker’s Mark after winning the Breeders’ Cup here and then went back home (to Great Britain) to win the (Al Shaqab) Lockinge (G1),” Connett said. “Unless something out of the ordinary happens, he (Notable Speech) will be back on a plane Sunday.”

After winning the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita, Master of The Seas (IRE) closed his career with a victory in the 2024 Maker’s Mark Mile.

Connett was with Notable Speech this winter in the United Kingdom.

“He’s a lovely horse and he is maturing,” Connett said. “He is stronger physically and mentally. He used to be a more nervous horse.”

Notable Speech, who will be ridden by William Buick from post 4, will be joined in the starting gate Friday by stablemate Aomori City (FR). He also galloped over the Keeneland course this morning.

“He spent the winter in Dubai and had a couple of runs there,” Connett said of the 4-year-old. “He was a high-class 2-year-old, a Group 2 winner and third in the Breeders’ Cup (Juvenile Turf-G1). He will probably go forward and put some pace in the race.”

Richard Mullen has the mount Friday from post 5.

“Charlie has done well with Group 2 and Group 3 horses and stepping them up,” Connett said.

RHETORICAL READY FOR 2026 DEBUT IN MAKER’S MARK MILE

Gary Barber, Cheyenne Stable and Wachtel Stable’s Rhetorical announced his presence as an up- and-coming turf star here last fall when he won the Coolmore Turf Mile (G1) in his graded stakes debut.

Trained by Will Walden, Rhetorical is back at Keeneland for Friday’s 38th running of the $650,000 Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) and a rematch with Godolphin champion Notable Speech (GB).

“Bring it on,” Walden said of taking on Notable Speech, who overhauled Rhetorical in deep stretch to win the Nov. 1 FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) Presented by PDJF at Del Mar. Rhetorical finished fourth, beaten 2 lengths.

“We planned specifically for this race (after the Breeders’ Cup),” Walden said. “He was never out of training and when he started back on the work tab (in early February at Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida), we built in an extra week to spare in case of weather but he never needed it.”

Irad Ortiz Jr., who has been aboard for four of Rhetorical’s five victories, has the mount Friday from post 1 in the field that features a total of five other Grade or Group 1 winners.

“It’s a tough race with a stacked field,” Walden said. “He’s ready.”

KEENELAND STAKES WINNER THE PLAYER (“ANGUS”)
A NEW ATTRACTION AT KENTUCKY HORSE PARK

In April 2016, a 3-year-old son of Street Boss named The Player was at Keeneland in the early stage of a productive career that would include a victory in the track’s Hagyard Fayette (G2) in 2017. Now the 13-year-old gelding is one of the newest attractions at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington — a role that is a perfect fit for the personable Thoroughbred who is a natural attention seeker.

“The Horse Park has done a great job with him,” said his former trainer, William “Buff” Bradley, who is now Keeneland’s Associate of Sales Development. “They introduced him to another horse, and they get along great. It is a good opportunity for visitors to learn more about Thoroughbreds.”

The Player won five races in 14 starts and earned $452,485 for Bradley and co-owner Carl Hurst. The two, along with Bradley’s late father, Fred Bradley, a Kentucky Senator for nearly 20 years, bred the horse.

Raised on the Bradley family’s Indian Ridge Farm in Frankfort, Kentucky, The Player was known in his early days as “Angus.” The farm traditionally attaches a theme to each foal crop; that year’s theme was rock bands — Angus is a nod to AC/DC co-founder and guitarist Angus Young.

The Player earned his official name due to his good-natured antics that included sitting on his hind end like a dog. He remained a barn favorite at the track and developed a social media following. His Facebook page includes a video of Bradley feeding him a treat while the horse is lying down.

At Keeneland a decade ago, The Player was runner-up in his second career start then gained his first victory the following month at Churchill Downs. He went on to win the 2018 Mineshaft (G3) at Fair Grounds and place in two other graded stakes.

The Player was retired to stud at Crestwood Farm in Lexington, where Bradley was a regular visitor and supplied plenty of the horse’s favorite peppermint treats. Sire of 27 registered foals, The Player had limited success. His first foal, the aptly named First Player, is a 6-year-old gelding who has banked nearly $200,000 thus far.

Rather than retain The Player for breeding, Bradley and Hurst decided he would have a more enjoyable life surrounded by admirers. Earlier this year, he was gelded and channeled to the Kentucky Horse Park, where he resides in the Breeds Barn as a representative of the Thoroughbred — a breed that traces to the 17^th century.

“I have always loved the Horse Park, and my dad was a big proponent of developing it when he was in the Legislature,” Bradley said of the 1,300-acre facility, which opened in 1978 as the world’s only park dedicated to showcasing the relationship between humans and horses through education, exhibition, engagement and competition. The Commonwealth of Kentucky owns the Horse Park, one of many agencies within the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet.

Barn workers at the Horse Park keep Bradley updated with pictures and reports of The Player entertaining visitors of all ages.

“He thinks he is the star of the show, and he loves what he is doing there,” he said. “He has quite the life. Carl Hurst and I had always talked that we wanted him to have a good life. We decided last year to geld him and figure out what would be best for him. We wanted him to be able to live in a pasture with other horses. We always thought he would be happy romping and playing with other horses.”

SECOND WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS

Year-round

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

Keeneland Library. Located on Keeneland’s campus, Keeneland Library is presenting the free exhibit Raices: The Making of Latino Legacies in Racing, a landmark bilingual showcase and education initiative that 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.

Wednesday

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

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). 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.

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 offer tailgate packages for groups of any size. RevelXP will organize tailgates by furnishing a designated tent, catering, amenities and more.

The Keeneland Shop. Located near the Grandstand South entrance, 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

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. By pre-registering, students will receive a free general admission ticket good for April 10 and 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 one of two additional $10,000 scholarships provided by Lane’s End Farm, as well as prize packages from local Kentucky businesses. 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. Pre-register at www.Keeneland.com/csd.

$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. Players will wager a live bankroll of $250 on Keeneland races. Click here to register and for more information.

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. Fans can enjoy coffee and breakfast items at a concession stand while watching horses train. Children’s activities on the first floor of the Grandstand include a visit with Keeneland mascot Buckles, face painting and games. Mini tours are available at the Welcome Stand near the Saddling Paddock.

Every Saturday, 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, a landmark bilingual showcase and education initiative. The Raices exhibit companion book shares stories and never-before-published photographs. 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 and the Stonestreet Lexington. Entry fee is $3,500 with $2,500 going to a live bankroll and $1,000 to the prize fund. Contestants may play at Keeneland or on one of the aforementioned ADW platforms. Prizes include an estimated $70,000 for first place (based on 300 entries), as many as six berths in the BCBC and 10 spots in the NHC. Click here to register and read more information about the contest, which 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. Heroes and their families will receive free general admission, reserved Grandstand seating, access to the Family Zone on the North Terrace and a complimentary meal from Jimmy John’s. A flag rollout will take place on the track, and heroes will be recognized in the Winner’s Circle.

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

Each hero is eligible to receive up to four complimentary tickets. Click here to reserve.

SPRING MEET LEADERS

Through April 4 (2 days of 15-day season)

Brian Hernandez Jr., Jose Ortiz, Flavien Prat, Joel Rosario,
Luis Saez and John Velazquez have two wins each.

Rusty Arnold, Brian Lynch, Wesley Ward
and Ian Wilkes have two wins each.

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