Alwajeeha targets final start in the Matriarch

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Shadwell Stable is considering one more race for Alwajeeha, the 3-year-old filly who carried the familiar blue-and-white silks of Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al-Maktoum to an 11-1 upset Saturday in the final Grade 1 race of the Keeneland fall meet, the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup.

Shadwell manager Rick Nichols said after the race that Alwajeeha probably would be retired because it is normal procedure for Shadwell fillies to be sent to the breeding shed at the end of their 3-year-old season, particularly if they have managed to win a Grade 1 race. But assistant Neal McLaughlin, representing his brother, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, said Monday that the Grade 1 Matriarch, a one-mile turf race at Hollywood Park on Nov. 30, has come under serious consideration.

"We're still trying to figure out whether the filly will stay here in Kentucky, go back to Kiaran, or even go to Florida," McLaughlin said. "She's going to have to be 110 percent to run in the Matriarch. But if she keeps training well, we'll probably give it a shot."

Alwajeeha led a sweep of the top three spots in the 25th QE II by New York fillies. Backseat Rhythm was up in the final strides to get second from My Princess Jess. All three had made their prior starts at Belmont Park in the Grade 1 Garden City, in which Backseat Rhythm was first, My Princess Jess fourth, and Alwajeeha sixth.

Raven Run tops weekend stakes

Four stakes are on tap for the coming weekend at Keeneland, led by the Grade 2, $300,000 Raven Run on Saturday.

The Raven Run, for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs on Polytrack, drew 35 nominations, with Golden Doc A and Set Play among those likely to be entered when the field is drawn Wednesday. Golden Doc A ran for the first time for locally based trainer Greg Fox when finishing sixth in her last race, the Grade 2 Indiana Oaks. She made her first 15 starts for trainer Barry Abrams.

Other probables for the Raven Run include High Resolve, Rated Feisty, Secret Gypsy, and Stealin' Kisses.

Besides the Raven Run, three other turf stakes are right ahead: the Grade 3, $150,000 Pin Oak Valley View on Friday, the Grade 3, $150,000 Sycamore on Saturday, and the $150,000 Rood and Riddle Dowager on Sunday.

Super High Five pays $11K

The Super High Five finally was solved on the last race Sunday, after failing to be hit during the first seven days of racing. The 3-1 favorite, Sweetness 'n Light, was the winner, followed by Spring Elusion, the 4-1 third choice in a field of nine. A carryover of $77,636 after longshots dominated the last race Saturday was chased by an additional $140,181 on Sunday, yielding winning $1 tickets of $11,240.20.

This is the first meet that Keeneland has offered the wager.

Meanwhile, a steady diet of winning longshots over the last few racing days has led to a building pick-six jackpot. The carryover into the Wednesday card is $39,955.

Albarado leading jockey standings

As the 17-day meet hits its midpoint Wednesday, Robby Albarado has the lead in the jockey standings with 13 winners, five more than Julien Leparoux. The trainers' race is much closer, with Ken McPeek having sent out five winners for a one-win lead over McLaughlin, Bill Mott, and Mike Maker.

* For those looking ahead to Breeders' Cup weekend at Keeneland, the track will card nine live races on Oct. 24 and seven on Oct. 25, coordinating their programs to accommodate fans who want to stay focused on the BC simulcasts from Santa Anita.

* Keeneland and Daily Racing Form co-sponsor a $2,500 handicapping contest every Wednesday on races 3 through 9, with the first 200 entrants getting a free Form. The entry fee is $10.