FallStars Saturday card saves best for last

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Easily the richest program of the 17-day meet will be held Saturday at Keeneland when the fall showcase, the $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile, and four other graded stakes are part of a sensational 10-race card.

Miss Temple City once again will take on male rivals when part of a capacity field of 14 in the Shadwell, one of three Grade 1 events on a program that starts at 1:05 p.m. Eastern. Miss Temple City made track history in 2016 by sweeping the Maker’s 46 Mile and Shadwell.

Here is a rundown of the FallStars Weekend events for Saturday:

Grade 2, $200,000 Woodford (race 5, 3:25): Hogy, the 8-year-old warhorse who was claimed for $80,000 at Saratoga and quickly paid for himself and more by winning a rich Kentucky Downs stakes, heads a field of nine in this 5 1/2-furlong turf race. Other notables include Mongolian Saturday, Commend, and Conquest Panthera.

Grade 2, $250,000 Thoroughbred Club of America (race 6, 4:00): Finley’sluckycharm will be a solid favorite for trainer Bret Calhoun when breaking from post 4 in a field of eight fillies and mares in this six-furlong race. Bendable, Vertical Oak, and Ivy Bell are the chief threats.

Grade 1, $400,000 First Lady (race 7, 4:35): This one-mile turf race is a good one, despite having drawn a field of just seven fillies and mares. Dickinson, winner of the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley here in the spring, will square off against Dona Bruja, Hawksmoor, and Roca Rojo.

Grade 1, $500,000 Breeders’ Futurity (race 8, 5:10): Free Drop Billy, runner-up in the Grade 1 Hopeful at Saratoga, will be trying to give trainer Dale Romans his fourth victory in this 1 1/16-mile fixture when facing 12 other 2-year-olds, seven of whom are entered off sharp last-out maiden victories.

Grade 1, $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile (race 9, 5:45): In this case, the best is truly saved for last. Besides Miss Temple City, the field for the 32nd Shadwell includes such bonafide standouts as Heart to Heart, American Patriot, Suedois, Mondialiste, and Divisidero.

The Breeders’ Futurity and Shadwell will be linked with two stakes from Belmont Park, the Champagne and Jockey Club Gold Cup, in a pick four wager. Keeneland also is offering pool guarantees of $350,000 for its own pick four (races 6-9) and $250,000 for the pick five (races 5-9).

The Breeders’ Futurity and Shadwell will be part of a one-hour telecast on NBC Sports (5-6 p.m. Eastern).

All FallStars Weekend events except the Woodford are Win and You’re In events toward the Nov. 3-4 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar.

Saturday brings a “Bluegrass Doubleheader” to Lexington, with many fans also planning to attend the Missouri-Kentucky football game after the races.