Talent-laden Madison resembles Breeders' Cup event
LEXINGTON, Ky. – It’s enough to make you laugh. Yes, it’s completely ridiculous, this 15th running of the Madison, a Grade 1 race so stacked in quality that legitimate comparisons to a Breeders’ Cup event are being made here at Keeneland and in every corner of the racing world.
Did someone say Breeders’ Cup? Well, two of the mares in the seven-furlong Madison were winners here last fall: Stopchargingmaria won the BC Distaff on Oct. 30, and Wavell Avenue won the BC Filly and Mare Sprint the following day.
Remarkably, Stopchargingmaria and Wavell Avenue are just two of the many viable options in a $300,000 race that will directly precede the Blue Grass Stakes as part of a “Big Apple-Blue Grass” pick four wager that links two races apiece at Aqueduct and Keeneland. The Madison is the ninth of 11 Keeneland races and the second leg in the two-track pick four. Post time for the Madison is 5:20 p.m. Eastern.
Partly because both are making their first starts since their Breeders’ Cup heroics, Stopchargingmaria and Wavell Avenue don’t necessarily have to win right back – although as stretch runners, both could benefit from what appears to be plenty of pace in the lineup. The California shipper Sunday Rules figures to set fast fractions, and she’ll get no breathers when pursued by the likes of Super Majesty.
Wavell Avenue “has been training well all winter at Palm Meadows” in Florida, said trainer Chad Brown. “We’ve been targeting this race for quite a while. We’re really excited to get her back.”
Although 13 fillies and mares are entered, Cavorting will scratch in favor of the Grade 3 Distaff at Aqueduct on April 17, according to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, and so will longshot Thirteen Arrows, trained by Larry Jones.
The Madison was first run in 2002, when Victory Ride prevailed for Rusty Arnold. Subsequent winners include such standouts as Informed Decision (2009), Groupie Doll (2012), and Judy the Beauty (2014).
Madison, Race 9
KEY CONTENDERS
Wavell Avenue, by Harlington
Last 3 Beyers: 95-101-88
◗ Onetime claimer has had nine recorded workouts since early February in preparing for her return, which comes with 10-time Keeneland riding champion Julien Leparoux substituting for the injured Joel Rosario.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 3 Wavell Avenue. Trainer Chad Brown is 12-4-2-2 with a $5.90 ROI over the past five years in dirt sprint graded stakes following a layoff of 45 days or more. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Stopchargingmaria, by Tale of the Cat
Last 3 Beyers: 98-93-95
◗ Long-striding mare shows seven works at Palm Beach Downs in Florida since late February for Todd Pletcher, who entered this spring meet with 48 Keeneland stakes victories, just two shy of the record held by his former boss, D. Wayne Lukas.
Sheer Drama, by Burning Roma
Last 3 Beyers: 91-98-96
◗ Florida-bred mare won back-to-back Grade 1 races (Delaware Handicap and Personal Ensign) last summer for owner-breeder Harold Queen, but the seven furlongs could be a bit short for her, barring a total pace meltdown.
Birdatthewire, by Summer Bird
Last 3 Beyers: 88-84-89
◗ Blinkers go on a 4-year-old filly whose victory in the Grade 1 La Brea in late December were followed by two so-so efforts in Santa Anita stakes for her new trainer, Tom Proctor.
Dancing House, by Tapit
Last 3 Beyers: 95-90-89
◗ One of two remaining starters in here for McLaughlin (with Clothes Fall Off), this improving gray mare will be going for her fourth victory in her last five starts after earning a career-high Beyer Speed Figure in winning the Grade 2 Barbara Fritchie at Laurel in her latest.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 7 Dancing House and No. 8 Clothes Fall Off. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin is 21-0-1-4 over the past five years in graded stakes at Keeneland. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
Sunday Rules, by Tribal Rule
Last 3 Beyers: 95-88-93
◗ California-bred mare doesn’t have the graded credentials of many of her rivals, but, boy, oh boy, is she quick, and surely she’ll be the one to reel in after they straighten for home.
Super Majesty, by Super Saver
Last 3 Beyers: 73-92-91
◗ Well-drawn filly was all the rage after just two starts out West and enters this off nine swift works since mid-February for her new trainer, Steve Asmussen.
Spelling Again, by Awesome Again
Last 3 Beyers: 88-88-86
◗ She’s one more returning from a layoff of several months and comes well drawn to the far outside following five recorded works at Oaklawn Park for the red-hot Brad Cox barn.