Caravel returns to scene of greatest triumph in Shakertown

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Caravel, one of three 2022 Breeders’ Cup winners returning to host track Keeneland this week, is looking for her third consecutive victory on this turf course as she headlines the field for the Grade 2, $350,000 Shakertown Stakes. However, the presence of the reigning Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner has scared no one away. There is a full field of 12, plus one also-eligible, for the 5 1/2-furlong tilt, and Caravel is the only female in the field.

Millionaire Caravel has won 10 stakes, two of them last fall on this course and at this distance. The popular gray mare won the Grade 3 Franklin County on Oct. 16 at Keeneland, then headed to the Turf Sprint on Nov. 5. Caravel took the initiative when favored Golden Pal didn’t break well, and tenaciously lasted on that lead to hold off the globe-trotting Emaraaty Ana by half-length. She earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 107.

The owner partnership of Qatar Racing, Marc Detampel, and Madaket Stables had Caravel entered in the Keeneland November breeding stock sale, but elected to withdraw her for a 6-year-old season of racing. Caravel enjoyed a winter vacation at Hunter Valley Farm in Kentucky before returning to the racetrack.

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“[The Shakertown] has been the plan for the comeback all along,” trainer Brad Cox said. “I love the way she is training.”

Caravel returned to the work tab in February at Turfway Park, and had a steady series of six works on the Tapeta. A final breeze at Keeneland was planned in advance of her comeback, but with poor weather in the area, the barn called an audible, sending Caravel out to breeze a bullet half-mile in 48.20 seconds on Keeneland’s Polytrack training track last Saturday.

“You can’t do it any better than that,” said assistant trainer Tessa Walden, who supervised the work.

Tyler Gaffalione, who rode Caravel in both her Keeneland wins last fall, will be in the irons Saturday, and the duo drew post 8 in the large field. Getting away from the gate well and finding forward position, in her preferred spot, will be key for Caravel.

The only other graded stakes winner in the field is Arrest Me Red, who drew the outside post in the main body of the field under Joel Rosario. He also prefers to be on the engine, but has delivered strong finishes while stalking the pace, and that could be the trip he finds himself with Saturday due to the draw.

Arrest Me Red, trained by Wesley Ward, had a 2022 campaign highlighted by a victory in the Grade 2 Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs and a close runner-up effort in the Grade 1 Jaipur Stakes at Belmont. He was last seen finishing eighth behind Caravel at the Breeders’ Cup.

Artemus Citylimits and Oceanic are also making their 2023 debuts after finishing fifth and 13th, respectively, in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, and both had fine efforts at Keeneland earlier that fall. Oceanic, winner of the Da Hoss Stakes at Colonial Downs for trainer Jordan Blair, chased Golden Pal home in the Grade 2 Woodford Stakes last October on this course and at the distance. Artemus Citylimits, second by a neck in the Grade 2 Turf Sprint at Kentucky Downs for Mike Maker, was third in the Woodford.

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