Kaplan's stakes-winning juveniles eye Keeneland

Naval Command and My Point Exactly could advance to graded stakes competition following stakes wins at Louisiana Downs last Saturday. Bill Kaplan trains both 2-year-olds and said this week that he was just starting to look into options for the horses, who invaded from Gulfstream Park.

Naval Command got the third win of her career in the $75,000 Happy Ticket, a one-mile turf race on the Super Derby undercard. She is now a candidate for either the Grade 1, $400,000 Alcibiades on dirt Oct. 3 or the Grade 3, $150,000 Jessamine on turf Oct. 8. The 1 1/16-mile stakes are at Keeneland.

“We’re considering both of them,” Kaplan said. “I’m not sure exactly which way we’re going, dirt or turf.”

Naval Command, a daughter of Midshipman, won her maiden and a first-level allowance on dirt at Gulfstream before moving to turf for the Happy Ticket. She won by neck for the partnership of Pinnacle Racing, Jack Hendricks, and Roger Justice.

“She ran an outstanding race considering it was first time two turns and first time on the grass,” Kaplan said. “She really is progressing very well in the relaxing department. She’s a very headstrong, fast, and talented filly, and our whole objective over the last three races has been to get her to settle down a little bit, run within herself the first part of the race, and finish, and she’s progressing very well.”

Kaplan said a Keeneland start was probable for Naval Command but not definite. Both races under consideration are Win and You’re In events for the Breeders’ Cup.

My Point Exactly captured the $75,000 Sunday Silence in his two-turn debut. He was up for a neck win for the partnership of Pinnacle Racing, Hendricks, Justice, and Norman.

“He’s also back at Gulfstream,” Kaplan said. “He’s being considered for a couple of races [at Keeneland], and there’s also a stakes at Gulfstream.”

Kaplan said the Grade 1, $500,000 Breeders’ Futurity at 1 1/16 miles on Oct. 4 and the Grade 3, $250,000 Bourbon at 1 1/16 miles on grass Oct. 5 are options at Keeneland. Gulfstream, meanwhile, has the $75,000 Armed Forces at a mile on turf Oct. 4.

My Point Exactly won his maiden in his third career start on Gulfstream’s main track Aug. 8, romping by more than 10 lengths in a one-turn, one-mile race. He came back and rallied in the Sunday Silence.

“He had all kinds of trouble,” Kaplan said. “He was bounced around early, knocked sideways on the middle of the turn, and checked twice. He overcame a lot of trouble.”

My Point Exactly is a Florida-bred by Concord Point.

Kaplan had a total of three starters Saturday at Louisiana Downs, his first time racing at the track. His final runner on the program, East Hall, finished sixth in the Super Derby, one start after capturing the $300,000 Ohio Derby. Kaplan said the horse encountered his fair share of trouble in the Super Derby.

“He’s a very fast closer in the stretch,” he said. “He had trouble throughout the race, and when he finally got clear for a moment, he got sandwiched and knocked behind horses. He had to stop and start, and at that point, it was too late to recover.”

Kaplan said East Hall also “grabbed a little bit of a quarter” in the race Saturday.

The Grade 2, $500,000 Indiana Derby at Indiana Grand on Oct. 4 has long been a consideration for the horse, but a decision on a next start hasn’t been made, Kaplan said. East Hall races for the partnership of Hendricks and Justice.

Palmy Bay eyes Champions Day

Palmy Bay, one of the most impressive sprint winners of the meet at Louisiana Downs, has a long-range goal of Louisiana Champions Day at Fair Grounds, said trainer Pat Mouton. The horse is being pointed for the $100,000 Sprint, a six-furlong race for Louisiana-breds on Dec. 14.

Palmy Bay put up his best career Beyer Speed Figure, a 100, last month at Louisiana Downs when he won the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Sprint. He is a 4-year-old by Lydgate who races for Steve and Patricia Roe.

◗ Trainer Sam David Jr. will have his first starters since May 2011 at Louisiana Downs on Thursday.

◗ Remington Park will offer 50-cent-minimum trifectas on Thursdays for the remainder of the meet, according to track spokesman Dale Day.