Keeneland Daily Notebook

KEENELAND DAILY NOTEBOOK

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2005

by Brian P. Turner

Keeneland concluded its 2005 Fall Meet with an abbreviated five-race card

that was highlighted by the Fayette S. (G3) for three-year-olds and up going

nine furlongs on the main track. ALUMNI HALL (A.P. Indy) was sent to the post

as the favorite off his record of consistency over the Keeneland strip, which

boasted three wins from four starts. When the gates sprang open, things got

off to a bad start for Alumni Hall as he was the victim of a bit of bumping

that caused him to take a bad step. Jockey Calvin Borel didn't panic though, and

gradually eased him into contention so that by the time the field reached the

top of the stretch Alumni Hall was battling for the lead.

It appeared at that point that Alumni Hall would pull away for an easy

victory but On Thin Ice (Tactical Cat), the longest shot on the board, had other

ideas. Digging in gamely through the stretch drive, he left the conclusion in

doubt until late. Alumni Hall eventually gained the upper hand and crossed the

finish line a half-length in front.

Last year's winner, M B SEA (Alphabet Soup) rallied from last to finish

another two lengths back in third.

The biggest disappointments in the race were Lord of the Game (Saint Ballado),

who had been pre-entered for the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), and Shaniko (A.P.

Indy), the recent winner of the Kentucky Cup Classic S. (G2). The pair finished

sixth and ninth, respectively.

Though Rafael Bejarano was in New York today riding in the Breeders' Cup, he

already had the riding title wrapped up and ended the meet with 30 winners.

Robby Albarado was in New York as well and ended the meet with 16. Shaun

Bridgmohan was in town today and picked up a winner, giving him 14 for the meet.

As for the trainers, Nick Zito's two winners yesterday were enough to give

him the trainer title with nine winners for the meet. Steve Asmussen finished

second with eight. Neil Howard and Bob Holthus each saddled a winner on the day

and ended the meet in a tie for the third spot with six winners each.

Speed dominated on the main track for the meet in both sprints and routes, and

horses coming from off the pace had the advantage on the lawn.

I would like to thank everyone that has followed the Keeneland Daily Notebook

this fall and wish you nothing but winners until April. when it is time to return

once more to Lexington, Kentucky, and another great meet of racing at Keeneland Race

Course.

Horses to Watch

1ST - TRIFECTA (Quiet American) took the lead out of the gate in this his

first start for trainer Tom Amoss and guided the field through early fractions

of :22 3/5 and :46 2/5 before opening up in the stretch for a solid 4 1/4 length

victory. Trifecta was claimed out of the race and will be making his next start

for trainer Lori Grace. The gelding could be tough to handle next out as well,

provided the connections don't become too ambitious with his placement.

2ND - ROCKET BEAUTY (Cape Canaveral) looked extremely impressive in this

allowance event. The chestnut led the field early through opening fractions of

:22 1/5 and :45 3/5. Once the field hit the stretch, the two-year-old colt left

his rivals in his dust to hit the wire 6 1/2 lengths in front. Short Circuit has

taken a couple of shots against stakes competition in the past and may be ready

for a return to more elite company.