Keeneland will provide a jaw-dropping $3.95 million purse during its opening weekend, where 9 of the scheduled racing events are graded along with “Win and You’re In” events towards the prestigious Breeders’ Cup.
With this horse racing event on the horizon, we decided to provide you with an early look into some of the most popular fields.
Alcibiades Stakes – $400,000 (Grade 1)
Perfect Alibi, the multiple graded stakes winner, leads the probable field for the Alcibiades Stakes.
After claiming three victories from her four career starts, she managed to capture two graded stakes competitions at Saratoga during the summer, winning both the Grade 1 Spinaway and the Grade 2 Adirondack.
The event will take place at a distance of 8 ½ furlongs and is regarded as a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” racing event for the Juvenile Fillies division.
Micheline, the Sorority Stakes winner at Monmouth Park, and stakes-placed fillies Western Taffy and Spitefulness will look for an upset against Perfect Alibi who has been trained by Mark Casse.
Phoenix Stakes – $250,000 (Grade 2)
The Phoenix Stakes is another Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” racing event that represents the Sprint division at a distance of 6 furlongs.
The 2019 edition of the event will feature winners from the previous two Phoenix renewals, as the 2018 winner Promises Fulfilled and the 2017 winner Whitmore head the probable’s along with Hog Creek Hustle who is a 3-year-old Grade 1 Stakes winner.
Recruiting Ready, Lexitonian, and Engage will also attempt to get their ticket stamped to Santa Anita Park for the prestigious Breeders’ Cup.
In fact, Recruiting Ready managed to make a comeback after a defeat to claim victory at Churchill Downs recently, so keep an eye on her too.
Shadwell Turf Mile – $1 Million (Grade 1)
The Shadwell Turf Mile, similar to the Phoenix Stakes, could feature the winners from the previous two editions in this year’s racing event. Next Shares will be looking for another victory in 2019, while Suedois as the 2017 winner is back in the United States to potentially cause an upset.
The Shadwell Turf Mile is considered a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” racing event for the Mile division.
March to the Arch managed to win the Grade 2 Wise Dan event at Churchill Downs, a racing event named after the two-time winner of the Shadwell Turf Mile.
He will go up against Divisidero, who managed to break an 8-race losing streak when he took the Red Bank Stakes Grade 3 at Monmouth Park, and potentially Valid Point who is currently an undefeated 3-year-old who claimed victory in his third career start during the Grade 1 Secretariat event at Arlington Park.
Breeders’ Futurity – $500,000 (Grade 1)
By Your Side, the graded stakes winner, will be searching for a comeback after suffering a defeat when he took on Gouverneur Morris, who claimed a phenomenal debut victory at Saratoga, in this racing event for 2-year-olds.
By Your Side, who managed to win the Grade 3 Sanford, could potentially also go up against two stakes winners, including Big City Bob and Flap Jack.
This is a Breeders’ Cuyp “Win and You’re In” racing event for the Juvenile division and comes equipped with a prospective field that is filled with maiden special weight winners.
Thoroughbred Club of America – $250,000 (Grade 2)
With a prospective field that features several graded winners, such as Spiced for Perfection, Danuska’s My Girl, along with Talk Veuve to Me and America’s Tale, this glorious Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” racing event is sure to be an exciting one that cannot be missed.
It’s a horse racing event for the Filly and Mare Sprint division and the favorite is Spiced Perfection who managed to win the Grade 1 Madison event earlier this year at Keeneland.
