Wise Dan primed for big effort in Shadwell Turf Mile

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Everyone is talking about the new dirt track in place at Keeneland after eight years of Polytrack, but once racing action gets under way this weekend, a major focus will be on a different surface.

That’s because Wise Dan, the reigning two-time Horse of the Year, will be racing on the Keeneland turf Saturday in the richest race in track history, the $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile.

Trainer Charlie LoPresti said he has Wise Dan “about as good as I can get him” as the 7-year-old gelding prepares for his second start since undergoing emergency colic surgery in May. About eight older horses were expected for the Shadwell when entries were taken Wednesday.

LoPresti opted not to put Wise Dan through an official breeze this week after working him on the turf Sept. 23, although he and the Keeneland clockers said the manner in which Wise Dan trained Monday basically served the same purpose. LoPresti said Wise Dan galloped about a mile at an extremely strong clip.

“He went around there clicking off his eighths in [13 seconds],” said clocker Billy Pettingill. “He looks like a monster out there.”

John Velazquez has the mount on Wise Dan.

The Shadwell, which was worth $750,000 in each of the last two years, will be the first seven-figure race ever run at Keeneland. It is one of nine graded stakes during the three-day Fall Stars Weekend that opens the 17-day fall meet: two Friday, five Saturday, and two Sunday.