Miss Temple City's repeat bid among highlights of FallStars Weekend

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The probability of Miss Temple City trying for a repeat win in the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile is just one of numerous compelling story lines that await fans when Keeneland opens its 17-day fall meet Friday.

Nine graded stakes, all major preps for the Nov. 3-4 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar, highlight the traditional three-day FallStars Weekend at the Lexington, Ky., track. The richest of those is the $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile, which trainer Graham Motion said this week he is “leaning to,” as opposed to the filly and mare alternative, the Grade 1 First Lady, with Miss Temple City.

“It’s not set in stone, but we’re looking at the Shadwell,” Motion said from his Maryland base. “The main thing is we know she loves Keeneland, and we’re excited to have her race there again.”

Miss Temple City, now 5, pulled off a remarkable sweep at Keeneland in 2016 when defeating males in the Maker’s 46 Mile in April and the Shadwell Turf Mile in October. She would be among a core of favorites in what shapes up as a wide-open 32nd running of the Shadwell Turf Mile on Saturday.

Here follows a quick glance at the FallStars races. All but the Woodford are Win and You’re In events for the Breeders’ Cup.

◗ Grade 1, $400,000 Alcibiades (Friday): This 1 1/16-mile prep for the BC Juvenile Fillies is expected to get several fillies who already have won stakes, including Amy’s Challenge (Shakopee Juvenile Fillies), Bet She Wins (Arlington-Washington Lassie), Kelly’s Humor (Ellis Park Debutante), Pacific Gale (Sorority), and Sunny Skies (Debutante at Churchill).

One notable possible is Maya Malibu, runner-up in the Grade 1 Spinaway. Patrona Margarita, the Pocahontas winner, has been turned out and will miss the Breeders’ Cup, trainer Bret Calhoun said.

◗ Grade 2, $250,000 Phoenix (Friday): Limousine Liberal and Whitmore look like the probable favorites in what’s shaping up as a sizable field for this six-furlong prep toward the BC Sprint.

◗ Grade 1, $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile (Saturday): The stakes maximum of 14 appears possible for this key prep toward the BC Mile. Besides Miss Temple City, the lineup is expected to include American Patriot, Divisidero, Heart to Heart, Mondialiste, Time Test, and possibly Lancaster Bomber for trainer Aidan O’Brien.

◗ Grade 1, $500,000 Breeders’ Futurity (Saturday): Free Drop Billy, second in the Grade 1 Hopeful, will try to give Dale Romans his fourth winner in this 1 1/16-mile race as part of a BC Juvenile prep that also will include The Tabulator and Ten City in what should be another big field.

◗ Grade 1, $400,000 First Lady (Saturday): Assuming Miss Temple City goes in the Shadwell Turf Mile, the likely favorites in this one-mile race include Dickinson, Dona Bruja, Hawksmoor, and Roca Rojo.

◗ Grade 2, $250,000 Thoroughbred Club of America (Saturday): Finley’sluckycharm, who had her final prerace breeze Friday at Churchill Downs when going a half-mile in 47.60 seconds, will be a decided favorite in this six-furlong prep for the BC Filly and Mare Sprint. Bendable, Ivy Bell, and Vertical Oak are her main challengers in what’s shaping up as one of the smaller fields.

◗ Grade 2, $200,000 Woodford (Saturday): Big Rock, Commend, Hogy, and Mongolian Saturday are among the prospects for this 5 1/2-furlong turf dash.

◗ Grade 1, $500,000 Spinster (Sunday): A decision from trainer Tom Amoss is pending in regard to whether Grade 1 winner Big World will go in this 1 1/8-mile prep for the BC Distaff. Regardless, the lineup will include Romantic Vision, Blue Prize, Tiger Moth, and probably a few more fillies and mares.

◗ Grade 3, $250,000 Bourbon (Sunday): Stakes winners Budro Talking and Flameaway are among what will be a large cast of 2-year-olds in this 1 1/16-mile prep toward the BC Juvenile Turf.

The fall meet will unfold with some behind-the-scenes discontentment as some horseplayers have vowed not to bet into wagering pools with increased takeout. Once an industry leader in low takeout, Keeneland raised its takeout this summer to the maximums allowed under state law – 17.5 percent on win, place, and show, and 22 percent on all other bets. The lone exception is the pick five (15 percent).

Daily first post is 1:05 p.m. Eastern at a meet that runs through Oct. 28. Mondays and Tuesdays are dark.

Cox looks to hold on

Brad Cox took sole command atop the trainer standings at the September meet at Churchill Downs by going 2 for 2 on Thursday, but after having eight scheduled starters for Friday and Saturday, the Louisville native has no entries for the closing-day card Sunday.

Cox led Kenny McPeek by a 6-5 count heading into the final three days of racing, with seven trainers tied for third with three wins apiece. McPeek had 10 entries Friday through Sunday.

Corey Lanerie all but clinched his 14th meet riding title at Churchill when sweeping the first three races Thursday.