Lucy N Ethel impressing new trainer in advance of Raven Run
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Lucy N Ethel will put her unbeaten record on the line Saturday as part of a terrific field of 3-year-old fillies in the richest race this week at Keeneland, the $250,000 Raven Run at seven furlongs.
Lucy N Ethel will be making her first start since being transferred by owners J A G Racing and Jettany Thoroughbred Corp. into the care of Tom Amoss about three weeks ago. The dark bay filly has had two breezes at Keeneland.
“She’s really impressed me,” said Amoss. “It’s like she has conflicting personalities. She’s got a lot of speed and is aggressive when she needs to be, but she’s very calm around the barn, very laid-back. I guess ‘smart’ is the word I’m looking for.”
Lucy N Ethel opened her career with three straight wins for trainer Ramon Preciado, who later was handed a lengthy suspension for medication positives. Preciado’s assistant Chloe Bradley then was the filly’s trainer in early September, when she won the Grade 2 Prioress at Saratoga at 22-1, but Bradley was suspended in New Jersey a few weeks afterward for a rules violation.
Lucy N Ethel has never raced beyond 6 1/2 furlongs, “so this is really going to test her,” said Amoss. Corey Lanerie will have the mount.
Lewis Bay, the Kentucky Oaks runner-up, is among the others expected in a big field for the Raven Run, along with Lightstream, Mines and Magic, and Sophia’s Song.
◗ There have been more important races at the meet, but few winners have been flashier than Phone Chick in the last race Friday.
Off poorly to trail badly in the six-furlong maiden race, the 2-year-old Dialed In filly persisted under Joe Bravo to pass all 11 of her opponents, winning by 1 1/2 lengths in a remarkable effort.
“It’s funny because she always gets away like a rocket,” said trainer Ignacio Correas. “Joe said she relaxed for him and just kept going. It was a big race.”
As a Maryland-bred, Phone Chick will be pointed to the $100,000 Maryland Juvenile Filly Championship on Dec. 10 at Laurel Park, said Correas, who was based in Maryland until moving to Kentucky in early 2015.
Correas also said Kasaqui will shift to the dirt for the Grade 2 Fayette Stakes on closing day, Oct. 29. Kasaqui, this year’s Arlington Million runner-up, most recently was fifth in the Shadwell Turf Mile.
◗ As the 17-day fall meet hits its midpoint Wednesday, Julien Leparoux is the leading jockey in wins (9) and mount earnings ($875,581). Leparoux has won or tied for 10 riding titles at Keeneland.
Among trainers, Mike Maker leads with six wins, while Graham Motion has the top stable earnings with $972,585.
◗ Longshots in the final races both Saturday and Sunday helped create some interesting jackpot carryovers going into the eight-race Wednesday card. The $1 pick six (races 3-8) stands at $106,746 and the $1 super high five (race 8) at $36,731.