Spendthrift Farm’s Tommy Jo enhanced her record to 3-for-3 by triumphing in the $650,000 Darley Alcibiades Stakes on the inaugural day of the autumn meet on Oct. 3 at Keeneland Race Course, but only following a five-minute stewards’ investigation and the adjustment of the order after Percy’s Bar initially crossed the finish line first.
The six-horse competition for 2-year-old fillies essentially transformed into a two-horse battle from beginning to end between Percy’s Bar, who had previously finished second to Tommy Jo in the Aug. 30 Spinaway Stakes, and Tommy Jo, the anticipated favorite at 0.44-1 odds. Percy’s Bar, starting from the inner rail, altered her strategy from her preceding three sprint races and swiftly took the lead under jockey Luan Machado, with Tommy Jo closely following.
The two maintained their positions throughout the race, with Tommy Jo increasing the pressure on Percy’s Bar, only to see the latter gradually extend her lead once more. As they approached the final furlong of the 1 1/16-mile race, Percy’s Bar veered outward in response to left-handed encouragement from Machado, impeding Tommy Jo and Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, who were trailing by approximately a length. Tommy Jo then switched back to her left lead and faltered, eventually finishing 2 ¾ lengths behind Percy’s Bar.
During the inquiry, Velazquez communicated to the stewards via telephone that Percy’s Bar “struck my horse laterally,” creating “a length and a half” advantage, and necessitating his request for his filly to regain momentum. He further indicated to the stewards that he had informed an outrider of his intention to claim a foul on several occasions while galloping out, although the claim of foul was not officially announced until after his discussion with the stewards.
Machado conveyed his disappointment with the adjustment, believing he was aboard the superior horse. “I don’t consider it to be just, but it is what it is, I suppose,” he commented.
Percy’s Bar – representing Hat Creek Racing, an ownership consortium managed by Keeneland’s vice president of racing, Gatewood Bell – was relegated to second place. She established fraction times of :23.13, :46.90, 1:11.52, and 1:37.47 en route to a final time of 1:44.69.
Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher admitted that Tommy Jo’s performance on Friday did not quite reach the standard of her prior two races at Saratoga, where she had decisively won her maiden race over 6 furlongs by 3 ¾ lengths and triumphed by 6 ½ lengths in the seven-furlong Spinaway. He retains confidence in Tommy Jo’s potential as a router based on several elements, including her training regime.
“She demonstrated strong performances in her two Saratoga races. She arrived at Keeneland to compete against horses that are based and train here, and it marked (Tommy Jo’s) initial experience around two turns,” Pletcher explained. “So, I am optimistic that this will prepare her for the subsequent race.”
The “subsequent race” is scheduled for Oct. 31, the $1 million NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar, a competition for which Tommy Jo has earned a paid, automatic entry. Both the Spinaway and Alcibiades are components of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: “Win and You’re In,” which guarantees entry into the Juvenile Fillies.
Imaginationthelady Shines in Jessamine Stakes
Trainer Brendan Walsh stated that Imaginationthelady’s victory in the $400,000 Jessamine Stakes Presented by Keeneland Sales earlier on the Oct. 3 program at Keeneland encompassed a dual advantage – a “Win and You’re In” opportunity for the John Deere Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, coupled with an absence of pressure from the owner to accept the invitation.
However, he communicated that he perceives no reason why the Not This Time filly will not participate in the significant event at Del Mar on Oct. 31.
Imaginationthelady was making only her second career start in the Jessamine, following a front-running, 1 ½-length victory in a notable maiden race at Kentucky Downs. Walsh mentioned that, being a young horse still developing, the filly benefitted from a skillful ride by jockey Frankie Dettori.
Tracking the early pace, “there were several fillies advancing on the outside of him,” Walsh recounted. “It’s instinctual to follow them, but Frankie exercised patience, and it proved beneficial.”
Progressing fluidly through the final portion, Imaginationthelady concluded one length ahead of the runner-up, Infinite Sky, a Godolphin homebred also sired by Not This Time, who also achieved her maiden win at Kentucky Downs in her previous start.
Time to Dream completed the trifecta for the stallion Not This Time. As the sole participant who did not have her previous start at Kentucky Downs, she entered the Jessamine undefeated, having achieved impressive victories in two starts at Saratoga.
“Brendan displayed considerable confidence leading up to the race,” Dettori commented. “She possesses a substantial frame with a lengthy stride, and I managed to induce her to relax. She demonstrates versatility. She has improved, and our expectations were met.”
Walsh stated that owner Mark Dobbin is “based in New York but maintains a significant number of horses in Ireland. He has been exceptional to work with. There was no pressure preceding the Kentucky Downs race, nor was there any pressure to enter her here following her victory in that race.”
Currently?
“There persists an absence of pressure regarding the Breeders’ Cup. However, assuming all aspects remain positive, I foresee no impediment to our participation. She has evolved into a highly accomplished 2-year-old, and she is poised to develop into a highly successful 3-year-old,” he concluded.– Bob Kieckhefer
Third Instance Yields Success for Nakatomi in Phoenix Stakes
With a newly established stakes winner’s circle at Keeneland to welcome him, a third attempt at the $390,125 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes proved to be the defining moment for Nakatomi.
Following Durante, a longshot contender, establishing a significant lead in midstretch during the six-furlong contest for 3-year-olds and older, Nakatomi discovered his optimal stride late in the race, executing a rally from the rear of the field to ultimately overtake that rival by a neck at the finish. The 6-year-old gelding secured the third stakes triumph of his career, his seventh overall, and elevated his total earnings to exceed $1.97 million.
The successful performance followed runner-up placements by Nakatomi in the 2024 and 2023 editions of the Phoenix.
“I must confess, this is a race that I have been earnestly desiring for a considerable duration,” expressed trainer Wesley Ward, who maintains his base at Keeneland. “It is a sprint race, which has predominantly been the central point of my career. We have been endeavoring to achieve this accomplishment, and to finally realize it, it’s immensely rewarding.”
Ward delivered his remarks from the new stakes winner’s circle at Keeneland, situated adjacent to the paddock, which had previously served as the “rider’s up” area. Nakatomi became the inaugural horse to utilize the revamped winner’s circle.
The Phoenix is recognized as a Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: “Win and You’re In” competition, presenting a fees-paid entry into the $2 million Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint scheduled for Nov. 1 at Del Mar, also contested over six furlongs.
“Venturing to Del Mar with that relatively short stretch they have, it will necessitate a rapid early pace up front, and he will need to exhibit a strong late surge. Consequently, all factors must align favorably for us,” Ward commented. “However, the horse exhibits positive vitality and is progressing favorably. With an older, seasoned, and sound horse such as him, we remain optimistic for a favorable outcome.”–Frank Angst
