McCraken makes first start vs. elders in Fayette

The curtain falls Saturday on another Keeneland meet, but not before one last stakes race of consequence at the historic Lexington, Ky., track.

A terrific renewal of the Grade 2, $200,000 Fayette anchors the final program of the 17-day fall meet, and with the top contenders all having clashed this year with the elite of their divisions, it should be a fitting prelude to the Breeders’ Cup next weekend.

One of the main storylines of this 60th running of the Fayette: McCraken will make his first start against older horses. The Whitham Thoroughbreds homebred colt was third as the favorite in the Keeneland spring showcase, the Blue Grass Stakes, and his past performances are dotted with the top names of the 3-year-old class.

“This should be a very good test for him,” trainer Ian Wilkes said. “We’ve been pointing to this race for quite some time. I’m very happy with the horse.”

Brian Hernandez Jr. will be aboard McCraken when breaking from post 6 in the 1 1/8-mile Fayette. The sternest opposition figures to come from Neolithic, a recent arrival from New York for Todd Pletcher, and Honorable Duty, a steady 5-year-old trained by Brendan Walsh.

Early in the year, Neolithic (post 2, Robby Albarado) finished third in two of the world’s richest races, the Pegasus World Cup and Dubai World Cup, and the presence of BC Classic favorites Gun Runner and Arrogate in his running lines make him an obvious threat.

Honorable Duty (post 5, Corey Lanerie) has finished first or second in each of his last six starts, all stakes, and his recent romp in the Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs might be enough to make him the favorite in this spot.

Of the longer-priced starters, The Player (post 4, Calvin Borel) is the top upset threat after most recently finishing second behind Awesome Slew, who runs next weekend in the BC Dirt Mile.

“Calvin has a lot of confidence in him,” trainer Buff Bradley said. “From his very first start, we’ve thought he was all right.”

Rounding out the Fayette lineup are Giuseppe the Great (post 1, Chris Landeros), Fear the Cowboy (post 3, Jesus Rios), and Malibu Pro (post 7, Joe Rocco Jr.). The Fayette also was expected to get Texas Chrome, but the millionaire 4-year-old Texas-bred suffered a non-life-threatening injury in a workout Wednesday and has been retired.

Weight assignments based on allowance conditions range from 123 to 118 pounds.

The Fayette can be expected to produce at least a couple of starters for the final major race in Kentucky in this division this year: the Grade 1 Clark Handicap on Nov. 24 at Churchill.

First post Saturday is 1:05 p.m. Eastern. The Fayette (race 9) is set for 5:30, while the last race of the meet, a first-level allowance going a mile on turf, follows at 6:03. Three earlier allowances (races 6, 7, 8) also are part of the farewell program.

The Fayette, sponsored by the Hagyard Medical Equine Institute, is named for the county in which Keeneland is located. The race dates to 1959, with Royal Harmony (1969-71) being the only three-time winner among a star-studded roster that includes Summer Squall (1991), Blame (2009), and Wise Dan (2011).

Local meteorologists are calling for a sudden downturn in weather conditions for Saturday, with rain and a high of just 48 in the forecast. Special Halloween-related activities for closing day will include the traditional ontrack appearance by the Headless Horseman.

The fall meet began Oct. 6 with a flurry of activity on a three-day FallStars Weekend that included nine graded stakes.

After Saturday, live action on the Kentucky circuit moves Sunday to Churchill Downs for a Stars of Tomorrow program that kicks off a 21-day fall meet.

KEY CONTENDERS

Neolithic, by Harlan’s Holiday
Last 3 Beyers: 97-92-n/a

◗ His favorable draw and tactical ability should put Albarado in a good spot from the opening bell.

Honorable Duty, by Distorted Humor
Last 3 Beyers: 100-100-98

◗ Walsh is elated with how this gelding has trained in recent weeks, saying, “He’s about as good as I can get him right now.”

McCraken, by Ghostzapper
Last 3 Beyers: 92-94-93

◗ A winner in 5 of 9 career starts, he has been a shining light on the powerful Wilkes shed row for nearly a year now.

The Player, by Street Hero
Last 3 Beyers: 96-86-89

◗ He has never raced as far as these 9 furlongs, but Bradley is optimistic the homebred colt can handle them.