Keeneland Case Study

Michael Iavarone builds his stable with one primary objective: to compete on racing's biggest days. With Bentornato (Valiant Minister), that mission has already been accomplished and there are still bigger goals on the horizon. In the seven months since he bought a 25% share in the talented sprinter for $1 million at the Keeneland Championship Sale, Iavarone has gone to the winner's circle for the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint and traveled to Dubai to watch his horse put in a tenacious runner-up performance in the G1 Golden Shaheen. This weekend,...

For Leah and Aidan O'Meara, the path to producing the first Kentucky Oaks starter bred by Stonehaven Steadings has been a six-year masterclass in persistence and prowess in the face of high-stakes decisions. By trusting their instincts and taking one leap of faith after the next, the O'Mearas have seen a long-term vision come to life in Meaning (Gun Runner), a filly with such undeniable class that she was a Book 1 standout for her buyers Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Bridlewood Farm. Now, that same professionalism has carried her from...

Bill and Donna Shively's connection with Lush Lips (GB) has come full circle at Keeneland. Six months after falling for the daughter of Ten Sovereigns (Ire) during last year's Fall Meet, the owners of Dixiana Farms are hoping the star filly can help deliver their first Grade I victory as owners in Saturday's GI Jenny Wiley Stakes. Dixiana Farm is a long-time sponsor of Keeneland's GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes. In the paddock ahead of last year's race, the Shivelys singled out Lush Lips as the physical standout...