Keystoneforvictory may be set to turn tables in Forty Niner
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The last time Megeve and Keystoneforvictory faced one another, Megeve came out on top, winning the $60,000 Sage of Monticello under starter-allowance conditions during the height of Gulfstream Park’s championship meeting. Things figure to be a lot closer when the two meet again Saturday in the restricted Forty Niner Stakes, which drew a well-matched field of 10 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles on turf.
Megeve rallied from near the rear of the pack to win the Sage of Monticello by a neck over the 3-5 favorite Oisby, with Keystoneforvictory finishing another five lengths behind in fifth. Megeve did not return for 10 weeks following that victory, finally coming back to finish third April 21 as the tepid favorite against starter-allowance foes.
“He’s an improving sort,” said trainer Phil Gleaves. “We gave him a bit of a break after the Sage of Monticello, and he came back to run a good race last time. I think he fits here.”
Keystoneforvictory has shown steady improvement since the Sage of Monticello, sandwiching a pair of victories, one here and a second at Churchill Downs, around a troubled effort in the Rushaway Stakes at Turfway Park. Trainer Mike Maker shipped Keystoneforvictory back to south Florida for Saturday’s race from Keeneland.
Gleaves will send out a second starter, the improving Fast Fire, who has won his last two starts after beginning his career with seven losses.
“Since we took the blinkers off, he’s been doing very well,” said Gleaves.
Trainer Mark Casse also has a key contender in Tizzarunner, who makes his 3-year-old debut Saturday and has been gelded since closing out his 2-year-old campaign with a second last fall at Woodbine. Tizzarunner, who was graded-stakes-placed at 2, has done most of his training for the Forty Niner in Ocala, Fla.
Forty Niner, Race 9
Key Contenders
Megeve, by Trappe Shot
Last 3 Beyers: 65-83-67
◗ Stretch-running sort will need some early help in a relatively paceless affair, with Keystoneforvictory likely holding a tactical edge in the rematch.
Keystoneforvictory, by Shakespeare
Last 3 Beyers: 84-38-74
◗ Toss out his race over the artificial surface in the Rushaway, and his Beyer Speed Figures have improved steadily since he won his maiden under a $25,000 claiming tag here in January.
Tizzarunner, by Tizway
Last 3 Beyers: 76-80-73
◗ Three of his four losses at 2 came behind stablemate Riker, who finished sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile but has not hit the board in three starts at 3.