Keeneland sales produced seven horses who were entered today in Saturday’s 147th running of the $1.5 million Preakness (G1) at Pimlico, including 6-5 morning-line favorite Epicenter and 7-2 second choice Early Voting.
Twenty-six Preakness winners, including 11 of the past 15, are graduates of Keeneland sales. They are the filly Swiss Skydiver (2020), War of Will (2019), undefeated Triple Crown winner Justify (2018), Cloud Computing (2017), Exaggerator (2016), Oxbow (2013), Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another (2012), Shackleford (2011), Lookin At Lucky (2010), Big Brown (2008) and Curlin (2007).
These alumni of Keeneland sales are among the nine 3-year-olds entered in the 1 3/16-mile Preakness:
Armagnac (Quality Road-Kitty Wine) – Stone Farm and Joseph W. Sutton bred Armagnac, who was consigned by Stone Farm, agent, to the 2020 September Yearling Sale. Donato Lanni, agent, purchased the colt for $210,000 for SF/Starlight/Madaket, who race him with Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay A. Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine Donovan, Golconda Stable and Siena Farm. Tim Yakteen trains Armagnac, who will be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr.
Creative Minister (Creative Cause-Tamboz) – Trainer Kenny McPeek, agent, purchased the colt for $180,000 from the consignment of St George Sales at the 2020 September Sale. Del Ridge Farm bred Creative Minister, who is owned by Fern Circle Stables and Back Racing. He will be ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr.
Early Voting (Gun Runner-Amour d’Ete) – Klaravich Stables’ Withers (G3) winner was bred by Three Chimneys Farm. Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent, consigned Early Voting to the 2020 September Sale, where he sold to Triphammer Farm for $200,000. Chad Brown trains Early Voting, who will be ridden by Jose Ortiz.
Epicenter (Not This Time-Silent Candy) – The Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve runner-up races for Winchell Thoroughbreds of Joan Winchell and Ron Winchell, who bought the colt for $260,000 at the 2020 September Sale. Bred by Westwind Farms and consigned by Bettersworth Westwind Farms, Epicenter is trained by Steve Asmussen, and will be ridden by Joel Rosario.
Happy Jack (Oxbow-Tapitstry) – Breeder Calumet Farm owns the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1) third-place finisher, who was offered by Select Sales, agent, as a weanling at the 2019 November Breeding Stock Sale. Doug O’Neill trains Happy Jack, who will be ridden by Tyler Gaffalione.
Simplification (Not This Time-Simply Confection) – Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, offered the Fountain of Youth (G2) and Mucho Macho Man Stakes (L) winner as a weanling at the 2019 November Sale. France Weiner and Irwin Weiner bred Simplification, who is owned by Tami Bobo and Tristan de Meric. John Velazaquez will ride the colt for trainer Antonio Sano.
Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator-Twinkling) – Third for owner Daniel Olonso in the Wood Memorial (G2) Presented by Resorts World Casino, Skippylongstocking was bred by Brushy Hill. South Point Sales Agency, agent, consigned him to the 2020 September Sale, where he sold to Doble Jak Investments for $15,000. Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., Skippylongstocking will be ridden by Junior Alvarado.
Since its first race meet more than 85 years ago, the Keeneland Association has devoted itself to the health and vibrancy of the Thoroughbred industry. The world’s largest Thoroughbred auction house, Keeneland conducts four sales a year, in January, April, September and November. Graduates of Keeneland sales dominate racing across the globe at every level. In April and October, Keeneland offers some of the highest caliber and richest Thoroughbred racing in the world. Keeneland hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in 2015 and 2020 and is holding the event again on Nov. 4-5, 2022. Uniquely structured, Keeneland is a privately held company with a not-for-profit mission that returns its earnings to the industry and the community in the form of higher purses and millions of dollars donated in support of horse industry initiatives and charitable contributions for education, research, and health and human services throughout Central Kentucky. Keeneland also maintains the Keeneland Library, a world-renowned public research institution with the mission of preserving information about the Thoroughbred industry. To learn more, visit Keeneland.com.
For more information contact:
Amy Gregory at 859 361-3490
Amy Owens at 859 421-2566