At Keeneland, it's the calm before the storm as opening day approaches

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Rain has been in very short supply in Kentucky for more than a month, just as racing fans in the Bluegrass region have been lacking live action since late April. Hard to say what will be more welcome this week: the start of the Keeneland fall meet on Friday, or a forecasted end to the drought with Sunday rain.

Either way, there was anticipation in the unseasonably warm, dry air that enveloped this picturesque track early Monday. Without much prompting, Charlie LoPresti was reminiscing about Wise Dan. Ignacio Correas was mulling the immediate future of Blue Prize. Racing staff led by Ben Huffman was getting ready for a barrage of entries, while starter Scott Jordan and vice president of racing Bob Elliston were greeting horsemen who happened past on the sloped apron.

It was a true calm before the storm. Tens of thousands of fans will jam this joint for an opening weekend highlighted by 10 FallStars Weekend stakes, which will have major implications on the Breeders’ Cup four weeks hence. All but one (the Woodford) are Win and You’re In events toward the Nov. 1-2 Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita, and all but one (the Indian Summer) are graded.

“When you look at all the nominations for opening weekend, it’s a Who’s Who of horses,” said Elliston. “It’s what the fall meet is all about, people coming from everywhere looking to punch their ticket to the Breeders’ Cup.”

Things get going Friday with the Grade 1 Alcibiades and Grade 2 Phoenix, followed Saturday by five stakes on the biggest day of the 17-day meet – the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile, Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity, Grade 1 First Lady, Grade 2 Thoroughbred Club of America, and Grade 2 Woodford. Sunday ends the busy weekend with the Grade 1 Spinster, the Grade 3 Bourbon, and the Indian Summer.

The $1 million Shadwell, the richest race of the meet, might be among the deepest, too, with a full gate of 14 a distinct possibility.

Get Western, trained by LoPresti, is a likely longshot in the Shadwell following a last-out victory in the restricted Old Friends at Kentucky Downs.

“He’s no Wise Dan,” said LoPresti, citing an always unfair comparison to his 2012-2013 Horse of the Year, “but he deserves a shot in something like this.”

Blue Prize, the 2018 Spinster winner for Merriebelle Stable and Correas, will face Elate, She’s a Julie, and Dunbar Road in a sensational renewal of the Spinster.

“Whether we run back in the Breeders’ Cup [Distaff] depends on how she does Sunday,” said Correas. “She’s supposed to sell at Fasig-Tipton [in early November] so this is a very important race for her.”

A contingent of about 24 Chad Brown horses was expected to settle in here Tuesday, while other New York-based trainers such as Todd Pletcher, Christophe Clement, Shug McGaughey, and Kiaran McLaughlin also will have ample representation. Their California counterparts include Neil Drysdale, Richard Baltas, Phil D’Amato, Peter Miller, and Keith Desormeaux. That’s in addition to Kentucky mainstays such as Steve Asmussen, Bill Mott, Mike Maker, Brad Cox, Kenny McPeek, and more.

With Keeneland hosting the 2020 Breeders’ Cup, the saddling paddock chalet is back, looming large over the outer stone-wall perimeter. The track is offering specials for $60 (Saturdays are $70), including a buffet. Otherwise, general admission is $5.

The meet runs through Oct. 26. First post daily is 1:05 p.m. Eastern.