LEXINGTON, Ky. – The accolade “freak” is overused in racing, as any first-time starter winning by open lengths might be labeled as such.

Though Saturday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Woodford is a rare Keeneland stakes race not designated as a Win and You’re In Breeders’ Cup prep, it doesn’t show in the quality of horses entered in the 5 1/2-furlong turf race.

Five of the seven entries are stakes winners, led by Chamberlain Bridge, the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner, and Bridgetown, a multiple stakes winner who ran second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf in 2009.

[KEENELAND: Get PPs, watch Saturday's full card live]

Welcome to Keeneland Babies!  I'll break down the statistics for every juvenile maiden contest at the meet.  In past years, I would list the stats for each horse before writing up my analysis, selections and wagering strategy. In order to streamline the content, this year's Keeneland Babies will showcase written analyses of each juvenile maiden race.  Each analysis will include relevant statistical information.  Following the analysis, top three selections and wagering strategy will be provided.  Selections and wagering strategy will be presented for non-maiden races.

ELMONT, N.Y. – With a forecast that calls for wet weather Sunday and with its turf courses already saturated by rain, the New York Racing Association has moved two turf stakes scheduled for Sunday at Belmont Park to Monday’s Columbus Day card.

NYRA officials have moved the Pilgrim, for 2-year-old males, and the Miss Grillo, for 2-year-old fillies, to Monday. Though typically a dark day on this circuit, Belmont will have live racing Monday because of the holiday.

PHOENIX – Turf Paradise, which was to begin its meet Friday, has implemented a procedure to ensure its jockeys are fit enough to handle the physical demands of riding.

With the blessing of the Jockeys’ Guild, the Phoenix track is initiating the “Dr. Tibone protocol,” named for its developer, James Tibone, a California-based sports medicine physician and orthopedic surgeon. It issues a questionnaire designed to establish a rider’s history of injuries and gives jockeys a physical exam that focuses on motor strength and range of motion.

ELMONT, N.Y.  - Belle of the Hall, inadvertently scratched in the morning but allowed to run for purse money only in the afternoon, rallied to nip Agave Kiss by a neck in Wednesday's $76,000 Valor Lady Stakes at Belmont Park.

The Valor Lady was scheduled to be run on the turf, but was moved to the dirt - as were four other grass races - when New York racing officials felt the turf was too wet to be used for racing.

ELMONT, N.Y. - After watching the races from Santa Anita last weekend, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said he may pre-enter Forego winner Emcee in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile as well as the Sprint.

McLaughlin said the speed-favoring nature of Santa Anita’s main track prompted him to present that scenario to Simon Crisford, the racing manager for Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin Stable.

“We’re going to look at both spots,” McLaughlin said. “We didn’t like the two-turn thing, but watching the races out there it’s been all speed.”

ELMONT, N.Y. - Dreaming of Julia, who has won her first two starts by a combined 26 3/4 lengths, will be the favorite in Saturday’s Grade 1, $400,000 Frizette.

My Happy Face, who won her second start by 21 1/4 lengths, could be her main rival in the one mile race, which offers the winner an automatic spot in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on Nov. 2 at Santa Anita.

Retama Park near San Antonio opens a 26-date meet Friday night with an improved purse structure, two new stakes races and the promise of a “strong financial partner” coming on board as early as December. The track will race every Friday and Saturday night through Dec. 29.

ELMONT, N.Y. – It doesn’t matter to trainer Carlos Martin whether Friday’s $80,000 Voodoo Dancer Stakes is run on turf, as scheduled, or if it has to be moved to the main track. He believes his 2-year-old filly John’s Mariah is capable of winning the race on either surface.