Injuries Mar Keeneland's Saturday
Off Duty, Wicked Style, Purim Pump Up Race Fans After Tragedies
Four-year-old Off Duty, five-year-old Purim, and two-year-old Wicked Style offered what thoroughbred race fans show up to see and saved the day from sad events.
Marred by race and pre-race injuries, Keeneland Race Course's card went forward, and race fans were treated to a wire-to-wire blast from a two-year-old reaching for stardom, a breath taking turf stretch duel, and an old hand showing the young ones how-to.
A half-brother to Barbaro, Dynaformer horse Purim nearly wired the field in the $648,000 Shadwell Turf Mile. The five-year-old bolted to the front under jockey Jamie Theriot in the stretch after trailing Cosmonaut by 2-1/2 lengths. The two battled each other with pinned ears, and Purim gained the final stride victory in the one mile event in time of 1:35.56. Shakis (IRE.) placed third in the field of nine.
Purim pinned down his ninth win from 21 starts and has earned $923,003. A Kentucky-bred, he is out of Kirsteena, by Lord At War (ARG.) He earned a berth in the Breeders' Cup Mile Oct. 27th at Monmouth Park, New Jersey.
A four-year-old Yes It's True colt, Off Duty had a smashing run in the day's first and oldest established thoroughbred race, the Phoenix Stakes. The $203,000 six furlong sprint was a dash to the wire between Off Duty and Indian Chant, who led in the stretch. Off Duty collared his stretch rival after leaving the gate like a bullet. His time was 1:10.17.
Jockey Larry Melancon said he was surprised by the early fire his colt showed, as he believed Saint Anddan would set the early pace. Saint Anddan got up for third, while Indian Chant faded to fourth after Off Duty's show of strength. Rebellion closed from five wide to gain second.
Off Duty is trained by Lynn Whiting. He is out of an unraced mare, Ms North Carolina, by Honour and Glory. His eighth win in 15 career starts pushed his earnings to $328,419.
Teuflesberg, ridden by Julien Leparoux, broke down at the quarter pole. He was transported to the Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington and later given a 75 percent chance of recovery from an ankle fracture. Prior to the Phoenix run, Dream of Angels was euthanized after a rearing incident in the saddling paddock.
In the $560,000 Lane's End Breeders' Futurity, two-year-old Wicked Style extended his race win card to three straight. The Macho Uno colt wired the field, jolting to the lead with jockey Robby Albarado, who had said he would like to take Wicked Style to the front early from the twelve hole. The pair covered the 1-1/16 miles in 1:45.21 on the Polytrack surface.
Wicked Style's only challenge came from Slew's Tiznow in the stretch. It didn't last long. Wicked Style answered the call with style, clearing away for a 3-1/4 length win. Old Man Buck went third. Bred by Adena Springs, Wiched Style is out of the Tempolino mare Deviletta. He is trained by Rusty Arnold.
Gold Train, with Mark Guidry aboard, misstepped near the backstretch and was subsequently euthanized.
