Keeneland

As is tradition with turf races, the GIII Giant's Causeway Stakes at Keeneland came down to a thriller on the wire as the Maryland-bred Future Is Now (Great Notion) got the best of the photo to win her 2025 seasonal now. Racing almost on a monthly basis last year, she wrapped her 2024 campaign on a win streak with a three-quarter length victory Oct. 13 in Keeneland's GII Franklin Stakes. That lifetime best 99 Beyer there came on the back of her half-length win in Saratoga's Listed Smart N Fancy...

Trainer Jose D'Angelo reports that 'TDN Rising Star' Shisospicy (Mitole) has emerged from her victory in the Listed Limestone Stakes in good form and could have a date with the GIII Coronation Cup in July at Saratoga. After her half-length victory Saturday in the turf sprint at Keeneland, D'Angelo has provided a positive prognosis for his latest turf star, and says while his filly does have victories on the main track, the lawn is her future. With that, her campaign could include a trip to Saratoga as the conditioner has...

English invader Choisya (GB) ( Night Of Thunder {Ire}) survived an objection to claim her first elite victory in Saturday's GI Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keeneland, and according to her trainers, will now point to the GI Just A Game Stakes June 6 during the Belmont Stakes Festival at Saratoga. The Simon and Ed Crisford-trained mare registered a 100 Beyer in that victory, and with the race offering a fees-waived berth into the Just A Game, Ed Crisford reports that they will be taking advantage of their winnings. Until then,...

1st-Keeneland, $81,360, Msw, 4-13, 2yo, 4 1/2f, :51.96, ft, 3 lengths. OHOOPEE (f, 2, Bee Jersey--Lady Ekati, by Tale of Ekati), who debuted as part of an uncoupled entry alongside favorite Diblasi (Win Win Win) for trainer Wesley Ward, did not let a field of colts intimidate her one iota. The 9-5 second choice came running out of the blocks and set the pace heading out of the chute. Continuing to carve out the fractions around the far turn, the filly sailed home a winner by three lengths over her...

Excellent Truth (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}), purchased by John Stewart's Resolute Racing for €1.6 million out of last year's Arqana December Sale, was made the lukewarm 3-1 favorite to give trainer Chad Brown a fourth consecutive victory and seventh in the last eight years in Saturday's GI Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keeneland. But Rabbah Blooodstock's homebred Choisya (GB) (Night of Thunder {Ire})--already accustomed to playing the role of spoiler this season--had her own designs and won a sprint to the wire, surviving an objection from the favorite's jockey Flavien Prat...

Making the move from France to the States for new connections, Al Jafara (GB) (Pinatubo {Ire}) rewarded their patience with a 'TDN Rising Star' effort against allowance foes at Keeneland. Fourth against allowance company on unveiling at Chantilly for owner Mansour Aguel and trainer Hedi Ghabri, she returned nine days later at the venue to take on maidens going 1 1/8-miles. She relished the extra real estate and graduated from that condition by 1 1/4 lengths Sept. 16. Entered into Arqana's Arc sale set for last October, she changed hands...

With paddock buzz in his corner and looks to match, Big Truzz (Justify) did not disappoint his backers as he strolled home to confidently break his maiden at Keeneland and earn 'TDN Rising Star' honors in the process. Coming into this unveiling, the striking son of Triple Crown winner Justify had a bullet work at Palm Meadows Mar. 28 [four furlongs in :47 flat, fastest of 52] and a work locally Apr. 9 to his credit. That most recent breeze was another four panel work clocked in :49.80 (67/121), and...

7th-KEE, $130K, OC80K/N2X, 4yo/up, 6 1/2f, 4:12 p.m. ET. Off the bench for Team Juddmonte, IMPEL (Quality Road) garnered 'TDN Rising Star' honors when she debuted a winner by 3 1/4 lengths at Fair Grounds Jan. 1 of last year. The filly cleared an optional claimer at Oaklawn in early March, which set her up to take a shot in the GI Central Bank Ashland Stakes at Keeneland in April. The homebred finished third and then was the runner-up in the GII Eight Belles Stakes at Churchill Downs on the...

He's not only back, he might be even better than he was last year. 'TDN Rising Star' Carl Spackler (Ire) (h, 5, Lope de Vega {Ire})--Zindaya, by More Than Ready), a back-to-back Grade I winner in 2024 before an uncharacteristic off-the-board finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile, unleashed a scintillating turn of foot in his 5-year-old debut at Keeneland Friday, capturing the $650,000 GI Maker's Mark Mile Stakes by 4 1/4 widening lengths. There was no catching the 4-5 favorite as 3-1 second choice Integration (Quality Road), most recently...

The road to the 151st GI Kentucky Derby concludes with Saturday's GIII Stonestreet Lexington S. at Keeneland. Qualifying points are awarded to the first five finishers on a 20-10-6-4-2 scale, but won't be enough to have an impact on the first Saturday in May. With a field of nine entered and at least a pair of scratches anticipated, favoritism should come down to either 'TDN Rising Star' Bullard (Gun Runner) or Praetor (Into Mischief). Scratched out of the GII Rebel S. due to a fever, the impressive last-to-first GIII Bob...

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Ortley Avenue at Gulfstream Park in his career bow. Bungle Inthejungle Colt Takes The High Road One start, one win for Bungle Inthejungle (GB) colt Ortley Avenue (Ire). He steamed home a 2 1/4-length winner at Gulfstream for trainer George Weaver and owner Bona Venture Stables on April 6 (video). Bred by Newlands House Stud, the bay made €100,000 at the Goffs Orby...

If you're a jumps devotee, Saturday will be all about the Scottish Grand National meeting and wondering whether Willie Mullins can continue his ominous late charge in the British National Hunt trainers' championship to reel in long-time leader Dan Skelton. There is seemingly nothing the master of Closutton can't do. I wouldn't bet against him returning with a favourable deal for Ireland if he was sent as special envoy to Washington to negotiate with President Trump on tariffs. But let's not spoil our weekend by worrying about the ever-changing diktats...