Keeneland Barn Notes: Zany Feeling Good

(Trainer Todd Pletcher / Photo by Holly M. Smith)

From the Keeneland Media Team / Amy Owens:

• ZANY GIVING OFF MALATHAAT VIBES FOR PLETCHER BEFORE TODAY’S CENTRAL BANK ASHLAND
• FURTHER ADO CAMP “CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC” HEADING INTO SATURDAY’S TOYOTA BLUE GRASS
• NOTES ABOUT THE TOYOTA BLUE GRASS
• JOSEPH DOUBLES UP FOR SATURDAY’S RESOLUTE RACING MADISON
• CHAMPION, BREEDERS’ CUP WINNER NOTABLE SPEECH (GB) TOPS FIELD FOR MAKER’S MARK MILE
• BREEDERS’ CUP WINNER CY FAIR HEADLINES FANDUEL LIMESTONE
• PROSPECTIVE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES
• OPENING WEEKEND SPECIAL EVENTS

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ZANY GIVING OFF MALATHAAT VIBES FOR PLETCHER
BEFORE TODAY’S CENTRAL BANK ASHLAND

Repole Stable’s Zany, the morning-line favorite for this afternoon’s Central Bank Ashland (G1), got in an early morning gallop under Nora McCormack before off and on showers hit Keeneland Friday morning.

This afternoon, she will attempt to give trainer Todd Pletcher a fourth victory in the race and follow in the hoofprints of Pletcher’s first Central Bank Ashland winner Malathaat.

Both fillies came to Keeneland undefeated in their first three starts, and Malathaat prevailed in the 2021 Central Bank Ashland as a springboard to a Kentucky Oaks (G1) victory four weeks later.

“With Malathaat, before she had a couple of breezes she had indicated she was super talented and the pedigree was there,” Pletcher said. “Zany is definitely talented and to go from a 6½ (furlong) maiden race to the mile and an eighth Demoiselle (G2) and win like she did (by 8½ lengths) was impressive.”

Zany comes to Keeneland off a victory in the Suncoast (L) at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 7.

“That was a good race, and the horse she beat (Life of Joy) came back and won the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2),” Pletcher said.

Before the 2021 Oaks, Pletcher said of Malathaat, “She is a star.”

He was spot on in his assessment as Malathaat earned two Eclipse Awards, won six Grade 1 races and earned more than $3.7 million.

Star status may await Zany.

“She has always trained well and has a lot of natural talent and stamina,” Pletcher said. “The raw ability is there, and we are excited about her and have high hopes.”

Pletcher confirmed that WinStar Farm, First Go Racing and CHC Inc.’s Class President would not run in Saturday’s Toyota Blue Grass (G1).

“I was not happy with the way he trained the last couple of days,” Pletcher said. “He is going to go to a clinic the first of next week for some tests. It’s a bump in the road, and we’re not giving up on the Derby Trail but the timing is not ideal.”

A two-time Kentucky Derby (G1) winner, Pletcher will be represented in this year’s running with Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Renegade.

“He is back at Palm Beach Downs (training center in Florida) and he will have one or two works there with his final work at Churchill Downs,” Pletcher said. “Grittiness (17th on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard) and Nearly (22nd) will train up to a race at Churchill Downs on May 2.”

FURTHER ADO CAMP “CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC”
HEADING INTO TOYOTA BLUE GRASS

Last Oct. 10 on a sunny Friday afternoon, Spendthrift Farm’s Further Ado blazed onto the Kentucky Derby (G1) scene with a jaw-dropping 20-length maiden score going 1 1/16 miles.

Ned Toffey, Chief Operating Officer and General Manager of Spendthrift, was watching as Further Ado turned a 10-length advantage into 20 lengths even though the race ended at the sixteenth pole.

As he watched the Further Ado show, could Toffey envision a similar scenario on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs?

“No, no, no,” Toffey said with a laugh after watching Further Ado under Jonathan Santiago gallop here Friday morning. “His first two races (in sprints at Saratoga) were not what we were expecting, but it was obvious he liked the two turns.”

Further Ado’s victory that day was part of a storybook week for Spendthrift, which won six consecutive races including the Darley Alcibiades (G1) with Tommy Jo and the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) with future champion Ted Noffey.

Further Ado followed his Keeneland victory with a win in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill to close 2025.

“He was doing very well after the Kentucky Jockey Club and (trainer) Brad (Cox) and I decided to take the Tampa route and then the Blue Grass, which is a very legitimate target,” Toffey said.

The ESMARK Tampa Bay Derby (G3) on March 7 produced a narrow runner-up finish. From there, Further Ado returned to his winter base at Payson Park Training Center in Florida.

“He has moved forward since the Tampa Bay Derby and he has looked good galloping the past three mornings,” Toffey said of Further Ado, who arrived at Keeneland on Tuesday. “We are cautiously optimistic (for the Toyota Blue Grass). He obviously loves the track and he doesn’t get tired.”

NOTES ABOUT THE TOYOTA BLUE GRASS

Spendthrift Farm’s Further Ado is the 8-5 morning-line favorite in a field of nine 3-year-olds entered in Saturday’s 102^nd  running of the $1,250,000 Toyota Blue Grass (G1). The 1 1/8-mile race is the day’s 11^th and final race. Post time is 6:22 p.m.

Trainer Todd Pletcher has reported that his Toyota Blue Grass entrant, Class President, will not run in the race. Trainer Whit Beckman has sent his entrant, Ocelli, to New York to contest Saturday’s Wood Memorial (G2) Presented by Resorts World Casino at Aqueduct.

Here is additional information about the Toyota Blue Grass to aid in your coverage:

TV and Online Coverage: Thanks to the Keeneland Livestream, fans can watch all Spring Meet races live and at no charge on Keeneland.com, Keeneland Race Day App, Keeneland Select and Keeneland’s YouTube channel.

FanDuel TV begins live coverage of every Keeneland race day at noon and will present live coverage of the Toyota Blue Grass.

NBCSN and Peacock will have live coverage of the Toyota Blue Grass from 6-8 p.m. Telecast will include live coverage of the Santa Anita Derby (G1).

Purse: This is the second year the Toyota Blue Grass has been worth $1,250,000, which equals the amount for the Coolmore Turf Mile (G1) in the Fall Meet. They are Keeneland’s richest races.

Kentucky Derby Points: The winner of the Toyota Blue Grass earns 100 points as part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby, a points-based system with a series of key races offering escalating points to determine which horses will compete in the 152^nd running of the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve on May 2.

The second-place finisher in the Toyota Blue Grass earns 50 points, followed by 25 points to the third-place finisher, 15 points to fourth-place finisher and 10 points to the fifth-place finisher.

History: The Blue Grass was named for the famous Bluegrass region of Central Kentucky and held in 1911-1914 and 1919-1926 at the old Kentucky Association track near downtown Lexington. Second-place finishers Meridian (1911), Donerail (1913) and Behave Yourself (1921) went on to win the Kentucky Derby. The 1926 winner, Bubbling Over, became the first horse to win the Blue Grass and the Kentucky Derby.

While the Kentucky Association track was falling on hard times in the early 1930s, a group of prominent area Thoroughbred horseman had begun working on establishing a new facility in Lexington. In 1935, they founded the Keeneland Association, purchased land from horseman J.O. “Jack” Keene and set out to open a model race track. Keeneland opened on Oct. 15, 1936, for nine days of racing. In April 1937, Keeneland held its inaugural Spring Meet of 11 days and ran the Blue Grass for the first time.

The winner of the first Blue Grass at Keeneland was Maxwell Howard’s Fencing, who won by three-quarters of a length over Col. E.R. Bradley’s favored duo ofBillionaire and Brooklyn, who finished noses apart for second. Nine days later at Churchill Downs, Fencing and Billionaire raced back in the Kentucky Derby, inaugurating a pattern that future Derby hopefuls would follow.

Blue Grass-Kentucky Derby Connection: Ten winners of the Blue Grass at Keeneland have won the Kentucky Derby. Nineteen horses who ran in the race at Keeneland returned to win the Derby.

Post Positions: Here are the post positions and the number of Toyota Blue Grass winners each post position has produced since 1937 (the race was run in two divisions in 1951):

Post     No. of Winners

1          14
2          12
3          12 (Burnham Square, 2025)
4          16
5          11
6          7

7          3

8          6
9          2
10        4

11        2
12        0
13        1 (Goyamo, 1954)
14        0

Wagering Records on Toyota Blue Grass Day:
All-sources: $29,261,346 on the 11-race 2024 Toyota Blue Grass card. (All-time Keeneland record.)

On-track: $2,968,451 from the 2012 Toyota Blue Grass card. (Keeneland record for the Spring Meet.)

Odds
Shortest-priced favorite to win: Spectacular Bid (1979), who went off at .05-1 (1-20). He paid $2.10 to win.

Longest shot to win: Stately Victor (2010), who went off at 40.10-1. He paid $82.20 to win.

Most recent post-time favorite to win: Sierra Leone in 2024 at 1.66-1. He paid $5.32 to win.

Largest Margin of Victory:
The largest margin of victory was turned in by Arts and Letters, who won the 1969 race by 15 lengths. He was followed by Alydar (13-length winner in 1978) and Sinister Minister (12¾-length winner in 2006).

Maiden Winners: With a victory, Moonstrocity would join Irap (2017).

Track Record for 1 1/8 Miles:
1:47.75 set by 5-year-old Noble Bird when he won the Hagyard Fayette (G2) on Oct. 29, 2016.

Keeneland Sales Graduates: Four entrants are alumni of Keeneland sales.

Further Ado — Purchased for $275,000 (post sale) from Book 1 of the 2024 September Yearling Sale. Consignor: Gainesway, agent. Buyer: George Mellon.

Moonstrocity — Sold as a yearling for $20,000 at the 2024 January Horses of All Ages Sale. Consignor: Four Star Sales, agent. Buyer: Stripes Stable. Sold for $40,000 at the 2024 September Sale. Consignor: Upson Downs Farm. Buyer: Blue Rose Farm.

Reagan’s Honor — Sold for $140,000 at the 2024 September Sale. Consignor: Paramount Sales, agent. Buyer: West Point Thoroughbreds/Reagan Ingordo.

Talkin — Sold for $600,000 at the 2024 September Sale. Consignor: Indian Creek, agent. Buyer: Jones/Everett/Reeves, Vekoma, Belmar, Pine, Legendary.

Geldings to Win: Great White could become eighth gelding to win following Fencing (1937), Ruhe (second division in 1951), Rockhill Native (1980), Bachelor Beau (1986), Prairie Bayou (1993), Dominican (2007) and Burnham Square (2025).

Pedigree Connections:
Ottinho is a half-brother to Racing Hall of Famer and leading sire Gun Runner.

Reagan’s Honor is from the family of 2005 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Giacomo.

Talkin is by 2018 Toyota Blue Grass winner Good Magic.

Owners/Breeders:
Gabriel Duignan, who races Reagan’s Honor with West Point Thoroughbreds and David Ingordo, co-bred 2016 winner Brody’s Cause.

1. A. Hill Stable, one of the owners of Talkin, raced 2019 winner Vekoma with Gatsas Stables.

Trainers:
Chad Brown (Ottinho) has three wins: Good Magic (2018), Zandon (2022) and Sierra Leone (2024).

Brad Cox (Further Ado) has one win: Essential Quality (2021).

Trainers with their first entrants in the race are Jena Antonucci (Moonstrocity), Joe Sharp (Creole Chrome) and Cherie DeVaux (Reagan’s Honor).

Jockeys:
Tyler Gaffalione (Creole Chrome) has one win: Sierra Leone (2024).

Jose Ortiz (Reagan’s Honor) has one win: Good Magic (2018).

Flavien Prat (Ottinho) has one win: Zandon (2022).

Joel Rosario (Talkin) has one win: Brilliant Speed (2011).

Riding in the race for the first time are Alex Achard (Great White) and Jose Morelos (Moonstrosity).

JOSEPH DOUBLES UP FOR SATURDAY’S RESOLUTE RACING MADISON

In 2024, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. struck Breeders’ Cup gold with the victory by Soul of an Angel in the Filly and Mare Sprint (G1).

On Saturday, Joseph will send out R Disaster and millionaire Mystic Lake in the $650,000 Resolute Racing Madison (G1) going 7 furlongs on the main track and hopefully start a path back to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, which will be held here Oct. 30-31.

Averill Racing, Two Eight Racing and ATM Racing’s R Disaster never has been worse than second in 14 career starts. She comes into Saturday’s race off a 5½-length victory in the Hurricane Bertie (G3) at Gulfstream Park on March 7.

The Resolute Racing Madison will mark her Grade 1 debut.

“She is in top form and continues to improve,” Joseph said via text. “She has shown Grade 1 form and if she is able to run a similar race, she will be Grade 1 level.”

Listed as the 3-1 second choice on the morning line, R Disaster will be ridden by Tyler Gaffalione from post 6.

Mystic Lake, owned by the partnership of Miller Racing, BAG Racing Stables and Stefania Farms, has won six of her past seven starts and is a two-time graded stakes winner.

Fourth in the Resolute Racing Madison last year, Mystic Lake is 20-1 on the morning line and will be ridden by Luis Saez from post 8.

 “Beyer (Speed Figure)-wise you would say she is not as fast as last year,” Joseph said. “But she has kept winning and doing it visually well. We feel like she is (just as good as last year).”

CHAMPION, BREEDERS’ CUP WINNER NOTABLE SPEECH (GB)
TOPS FIELD FOR MAKER’S MARK MILE

Godolphin’s Notable Speech (GB), winner of last fall’s FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) Presented by PDJF and the year’s champion turf male, headlines a field of 12 plus one also-eligible entered Friday for the 38th running of the $650,000 Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) for 4-year-olds and up.

The Maker’s Mark Mile will go as the ninth race Friday, April 10 with a 5:16 p.m. post time. First post is 1 p.m.

Trained by Charlie Appleby, Notable Speech will be making his first start since his Breeders’ Cup triumph at Del Mar. A four-time Grade or Group 1 winner, Notable Speech will be ridden by William Buick from post 4.

Appleby will have a second starter for Godolphin in the race in Aomori City (FR). A Group 2 winner in England, Aomori City will be ridden by Richard Mullen from post 5.

Also making his 2026 debut is Coolmore Turf Mile (G1) winner Rhetorical for trainer Will Walden.

Owned by the partnership of Gary Barber, Cheyenne Stable and Wachtel Stable, Rhetorical finished fourth as the second choice behind Notable Speech in the Breeders’ Cup. Irad Ortiz Jr. has the mount from post 1.

Rhetorical worked a half-mile on a fast main track Friday morning in :48.40.

Three other Grade 1 winners are in the field: Donamire Farm’s Troubleshooting (Ainsworth Franklin-Simpson); Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, William Strauss and Michael Caruso’s Zulu Kingdom (IRE) (American Turf Presented by Ford); and St. Elias Stable, Ken Langone, Steven Duncker and Vicarage Stable’sDeterministic (FanDuel Fourstardave and Resorts World Casino Manhattan).

Field for the $650,000 Maker’s Mark Mile (G1)
4-year-olds and up, 1 mile (turf), Race 9, 5:16 p.m.

BREEDERS’ CUP WINNER CY FAIR HEADLINES FANDUEL LIMESTONE

Cy Fair, a two-time winner over males including a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1), headlines a field of 12 3-year-old fillies plus two also-eligibles entered Friday for the seventh running of the $350,000 FanDuel Limestone (G3) going 5½ furlongs on the grass.

The FanDuel Limestone will go as the seventh race next Friday with a 4:12 p.m. post time. First post is 1 p.m.

Trained by George Weaver for the partnership of Medallion Racing, Swinbank Stables, Joey Platts and Mark Stanton, Cy Fair has won three of four starts. Irad Ortiz Jr. has the mount from post 9.

Field for the $350,000 FanDuel Limestone (G3)
3-year-old fillies, 5½ furlongs (turf), Race 7, 4:12 p.m.

PROSPECTIVE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES

Entries taken Saturday. Races are Saturday, April 11.

$650,000 JENNY WILEY (G1) – Aussie Girl (IRE) (Walden), Dynamic Pricing (IRE) (Chad Brown), Expensive Queen (Brendan Walsh), Fast Market (John Terranova), Lush Lips (GB) (Walsh), Medoro (Peter Eurton), Segesta (Brown). Possible: Destino d’Oro (Brad Cox).

$400,000 STONESTREET LEXINGTON (G3) – Confessional (Cox), Decisive Win (O’Neill), Enforced Agenda (George Weaver), Jackson Hole (Todd Pletcher), The Hell We Did (Todd Fincher), Trendsetter (Ben Colebrook).

Entries taken Tuesday. Race is Sunday, April 12.

$400,000 GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (G2) PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SELECT – Bourbon Memory (Walsh), Gratefully (Robert Falcone Jr.), Me Governor (Carlos David), Pondering (Walsh), Saratoga Special (IRE) (Richard Baltas), Shining Star (CHI) (Cox), Twirling Queen (Jose D’Angelo). Possible: In Our Time (Saffie Joseph Jr.), Italian Soiree (Graham Motion), Love Cervere (Miguel Clement), Movin’ On Up (Joseph), Pandora’s Gift (IRE) (Clement).

OPENING WEEKEND SPECIAL EVENTS

Keeneland has been investing in the horse industry and the Central Kentucky community since it began racing in October 1936. Throughout the 2026 Spring Meet, special events at the track will benefit worthwhile organizations, while other activities will educate and entertain racing fans.

Year-round

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

Keeneland Library exhibit. 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. Raices is Spanish for roots.

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.

Friday and Saturday

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.

On opening weekend, Milliners Corner will feature Christine A. Moore (April 3-4). The East Plaza will host Stephanie Hilen (April 3) and Darren K. Moore (April 3-4).

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.

Saturday

Sunrise Trackside — Easter edition. 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.

On April 4, the Easter Bunny will appear at the special Easter edition of Sunrise Trackside.

KEENELAND IS CLOSED FOR RACING
ON SUNDAY, APRIL 5 FOR EASTER