Hatches’ Ready to Take Another Spin

“TDN Rising Star” Close Hatches (First Defence) will be an overwhelming favorite to get the money in a race sponsored by her owner in today’s GI “Win and You’re In” Juddmonte Spinster S. at Keeneland. A two-time Grade I winner at three, the GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff runner-up has come back even stronger for her 4-year-old season. The imposing dark bay has run the table thus far, including the GI Apple Blossom H. Apr. 11, GI Ogden Phipps S. June 7 and GI Personal Ensign S. Aug. 22. Close Hatches has been training up a storm since her five-length score in the Saratoga mud, including a best-of-49 four-furlong bullet in :47 2/5 Sept. 28. 

Godolphin’s Shuruq (Elusive Quality) makes her first attempt on these shores. Last term’s G3 UAE Oaks heroine was last seen capturing the G3 International Istanbul Trophy Sept. 6. She gets Lasix in her conventional dirt debut here. 

Don’t Tell Sophia (Congaree) and Molly Morgan (Ghostzapper) re-engage after running one-two in Churchill’s Locust Grove S. Sept. 6. The former has won three of four starts this season, with her one loss coming when a close third behind Close Hatches in the GII Azeri S. at Oaklawn Mar. 15. 

Molly Morgan sandwiched a fifth-place finish in the GI Delaware H. July 12 with wins in the GII Fleur de Lis H. June 14 and GIII Gardenia S. Aug. 9.