Category: Keeneland

2019 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Preview

The final set of Breeders’ Cup preps has drawn to a close, but there is still plenty of classy racing going on between now and the Breeders’ Cup at the end of the month.  Picks and Ponderings keeps it green this weekend, previewing a pair of nine-furlong turf stakes.  This preview will focus on the... Read more »
By Nicolle Neulist,
October 11, 2019 at 2:34 pm
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Fall Stars Saturday Picks and Ponderings

Here in Chicago, it’s almost time for racing to resume; Hawthorne’s meet gets underway on October 10, with entries drawing October 7.  But, it’s as lively in Lexington as it is calm in Chicago, with Keeneland’s fall meet getting underway this weekend. Saturday’s card at Keeneland is a suitably excellent one: eleven races total, including... Read more »
By Nicolle Neulist,
October 4, 2019 at 3:33 pm
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2019 Lexington Stakes Preview

Keeneland, who already hosted the 100-point Blue Grass Stakes last week, gets back in the Derby prep picture this weekend with the last chance saloon: the Lexington Stakes (G3).  The race offers a $200,000 purse as well as 20-8-4-3 points to the top four finishers.  It’s not enough to get a horse with no points into... Read more »
By Nicolle Neulist,
April 12, 2019 at 8:52 pm
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A Quick Look at the Wood, Blue Grass, and Santa Anita Derby

We’re a month out from the Kentucky Derby, and three tracks are having their final prep races on Saturday.  Aqueduct hosts the Wood Memorial (G2), Keeneland hosts the Blue Grass Stakes (G2), and Santa Anita hosts the Santa Anita Derby (G1).  All three races offer 100-40-20-10 Road to the Kentucky Derby points to their top... Read more »
By Nicolle Neulist,
April 5, 2019 at 1:40 pm
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2018 Raven Run Stakes Preview

This Saturday’s featured race at Keeneland is the Grade 2 Raven Run Stakes. The race has been run since 1999, and has always been a seven-furlong sprint for three-year-old fillies over the Keeneland main track. It earned Grade 3 status in 2002, and gained its current Grade 2 designation in 2006. As with so many... Read more »
By Nicolle Neulist,
October 18, 2018 at 8:14 pm
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2018 Shadwell Turf Mile Preview and Keeneland Weekend Stakes Selections

Opening weekend at Keeneland, with its stakes-laden Fall Stars cards, takes place this weekend. It offers a host of final Breeders’ Cup tune-ups — nine of the ten races are  Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In preps. Both of Friday’s stakes races have Breeders’ Cup berths on the line; the Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes (G2)... Read more »
By Nicolle Neulist,
October 3, 2018 at 3:02 pm
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2018 Lexington Stakes Preview

The last few Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks points are up for grabs this weekend.  The only 100-point preps are at Oaklawn: Friday’s Fantasy Stakes (G3) for Oaks-bound fillies, and Saturday’s Arkansas Derby (G1) for the Derby set.  Keeneland already had its 100-point prep last week, the Blue Grass (G2), but it also offers one... Read more »
By Nicolle Neulist,
April 12, 2018 at 8:32 pm
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2018 Beaumont Stakes Preview

Though the three-year-old trails visit Aqueduct, Keeneland, and Santa Anita on Saturday, make sure to save some energy for Sunday’s action, as well.  The Grade 3 Beaumont Stakes is the second of two Oaks preps to be run opening weekend at Keeneland.  Unlike Saturday’s Ashland, and other recent preps, it does not offer enough points... Read more »
By Nicolle Neulist,
April 6, 2018 at 10:14 am
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2018 Blue Grass Stakes and Ashland Stakes Preview

The three-year-old trails are reaching do-or-die time. This weekend features the second to last Saturday of Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks points preps, and they will run from coast to coast.  This piece focuses on the pair of points preps at Keeneland: the Ashland (G1) for the fillies, and a loaded renewal of the Blue Grass... Read more »
By Nicolle Neulist,
April 3, 2018 at 5:01 pm
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2017 Raven Run Stakes Preview

This Saturday’s featured race at Keeneland is the Grade 2 Raven Run Stakes. The race has been run since 1999, and has always been a seven-furlong sprint for three-year-old fillies over the Keeneland main track. It earned Grade 3 status in 2002, and gained its current Grade 2 designation in 2006. The race takes its... Read more »
By Nicolle Neulist,
October 19, 2017 at 6:05 pm
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