Big stakes on tap at Keeneland for Fall Stars Weekend

With so many implications toward the Breeders’ Cup, there is an incredible amount of energy building toward the opening Fall Stars Weekend at Keeneland, where the 17-day meet begins Friday.

“Everybody’s pumped – the horsemen, fans, our staff,” said racing secretary Ben Huffman.

Nine graded stakes, including seven Win and You’re In events, will be run on the first three days, highlighted by the $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile on Saturday. Wise Dan, the reigning two-time Horse of the Year, is expected in a field of about eight older horses for the Shadwell, which has undergone a purse increase from last year and will be the richest race in track history.

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Entries for the Friday opener were to be drawn Tuesday. The Grade 1 Alcibiades and Grade 3 Phoenix will anchor the opener. Five stakes are set for Saturday and two for Sunday.

As for Saturday, don’t be surprised to see many fans in the huge crowd attired in black, as the University of Kentucky has called for a “blackout” for its night football game against South Carolina.

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◗ Jockey Miguel Mena is sidelined until at least the first Wednesday of the Keeneland meet, Oct. 8, after being advised by his physician not to ride until then. Mena incurred a knee injury in a starting-gate mishap on the Sept. 24 closing-day card at Kentucky Downs and rode one race Friday at Churchill before taking off the rest of his mounts on the weekend. The injury requires rest but not surgery, said Mena.