Intercontinental heads strong Galaxy

The $400,000 Galaxy S. (G2) shares the spotlight with Sunday's Spinster S.

(G1) at Keeneland, but the one-mile turf affair is an outstanding race in its

own right. Grade 1 winner INTERCONTINENTAL (GB) (Danehill), a full sister to

champion Banks Hill (GB) and a half to multiple Grade 1 queen Heat Haze, is one

of the best turf distaffers in training and will be making her third appearance

over the Haggin Course after winning the last two runnings of the Jenny Wiley S.

(G3).

Trained by Bobby Frankel, the five-year-old Intercontinental exits an easy 1

1/4-length score in the Palomar Breeders' Cup H. (G2) at Del Mar and will have

regular rider Jerry Bailey up. The Hall of Fame rider takes off WEND (Pulpit) to

ride the likely favorite, but Wend will still be very dangerous under John

Velazquez. The Bill Mott-trained four-year-old reeled off five straight wins,

including a victory over a top-class field in the New York H. (G2), before

finishing a respectable sixth in the Beverly D. S. (G1) last time, and the

cutback in distance should benefit her.

Three-time Grade 2 heroine KATDOGAWN (GB) (Bahhare) is another contender, and

multiple Grade 3 winner SHACONAGE (El Prado [Ire]) adds even more depth. Last

year's Queen Elizabeth II Invitational Challenge Cup (G1) victress TICKER TAPE

(GB) (Royal Applause [GB]), a two-time Grade 1 winner, will return to Keeneland

for the Galaxy.

The contestants, in post order with jockeys and weights, is PRETTY JANE

(Subordination), Eddie Castro, 119; Shaconage, David Flores, 121; Ticker Tape,

Kent Desormeaux, 121; Intercontinental, 123; Katdogawn, Robby Albarado, 121;

VERY VERY (Royal Academy), Ramon Dominguez, 119; RIVER BELLE (GB) (Lahib),

Brice Blanc, 119; Wend, 123; and LA REINA (A.P. Indy), Mike Smith, 119.