JIM WILLIAMS RECALLS KEENELAND HIGHLIGHTS
Today, on the final day of the 17-day Keeneland fall meeting, the track will be honoring Director of Communications Jim Williams. Williams is retiring at the end of 2009 after 38 years with Keeneland.
Williams is respected for his professionalism, integrity and great passion for Thoroughbred racing. Here are a few of his thoughts on racing and Keeneland:
Question: Why do you like Thoroughbred racing so much?
Answer: “There are so many things to like about Thoroughbred racing—the athleticism of the horse, the color and pageantry of the event, the opportunity to be outside, the challenge of successfully selecting and wagering on the winning horse but, most of the all, the many fascinating people who are involved as owners, trainers, jockeys, grooms, veterinarians, etc.”
Q: Why is Keeneland so special?
A: “Keeneland is special in so many ways—the short, seasonal nature of the race meetings, architecture, landscaping, rural backdrop, the intimacy and closeness of the racetrack and paddock to the stands, the quality of the horses and horsemen and the many people who are eager to be a part of the entire presentation.”
Q: Who are the best horses you've ever seen race at Keeneland?
A: “Spectacular Bid and Alydar come quickly to mind as probably the two best colts to race and win at Keeneland during my tenure, and Susan’s Girl must rank among the top fillies and mares to race here while I’ve been involved as an employee. However, there were many more like Holy Bull, Skip Away, Riva Ridge, Summer Squall, Swale, Princess Rooney, Optimistic Gal, Go for Wand, Take Charge Lady, Silverbulletday, Bayakoa (ARG) and Azeri.
“And, there are some special horses like Rochester, who won the 1 ½-mile Sycamore three times (the last time as a 9-year-old), and Royal Harmony, who won the Fayette Handicap three years in succession. I most admire horses that display durability.”
Q: What is the most significant change that you've seen at Keeneland in your tenure?
A: “I think the most important change I’ve seen is the evolution of Keeneland into a true leadership position within the Thoroughbred industry as it relates to the quality of racing and sales and the participation of management and staff in industry issues. And, most certainly the addition of the turf course and Polytrack surface to the main track has had a major impact on the racing.”
Q: What are your retirement plans?
A: “I plan to travel a little, golf a little and enjoy Keeneland and racing as a spectator.”
GALLOPING OUT
Robby Albarado, who has mounts in seven races today, is bidding for his second consecutive title as leading rider of the Keeneland fall meeting. Albarado, who rode 22 winners in the fall of 2008, has 23 wins prior to the start of racing today. His total includes a four-win day on October 25. In 1991, Keeneland’s all-time leading jockey, Pat Day, won a record 45 races during the fall season. Albarado also was Keeneland’s leading jockey in the spring of 2002 and 2003.
Ken and Sarah Ramsey are headed toward their sixth title as leading owner at Keeneland. Prior to the start of racing today, the couple had won five races. The Ramseys, who have one horse entered today, also earned honors in the fall 2008, fall 2007 (tie), spring 2006, spring 2004 (tie) and fall 2002 (tie).
KEENELAND NOVEMBER BREEDING STOCK SALE BEGINS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10
As the race meeting winds down, Keeneland turns its attention to the November Breeding Stock Sale to be held Tuesday, November 10 – Sunday, November 22.
Keeneland delayed the start of its November Sale by one day to better accommodate horsemen attending the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita, to be held Friday and Saturday, November 6-7. Sessions begin daily at 10 a.m. ET. Keeneland will provide live coverage of the entire 13-day sale at www.keeneland.com.
Highlighting the November Sale will be the dispersals of two of North America’s most prestigious breeding establishments – the W.T. Young family’s Overbrook Farm and Windfields Farm, founded by the late E.P. Taylor.
Also featured are mares covered by such first-year stallions as two-time Horse of Year Curlin and 2008 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Big Brown. Read More
SIMULCASTING CONTINUES AT KEENELAND
FOLLOWING RACE MEETING
Keeneland’s live race meet may be coming to a close, but simulcast racing action continues year-round and highlighted by the Breeders’ Cup World Championships simulcast at Keeneland on Friday and Saturday, November 6-7.
General admission and parking are free. Gates open at 10 a.m.; first Breeders’ Cup race is 1:45 p.m. Dining reservations for the Breeders’ Cup may be made by calling 859 288-4299.
2009 KEENELAND FALL MEET LEADERS
(Stats Through Friday, October 30)
Current Meet Leading Jockeys
Name Sts 1st 2nd 3rd Purses
Robby Albarado 116 23 19 11 $1,144,825
Julien Leparoux 106 19 21 16 $983,508
Kent Desormeaux 70 15 4 16 $1,008,356
James Graham 79 9 8 4 $605,187
Jesus Castanon 79 7 6 5 $275,647
Jamie Theriot 65 7 5 1 $353,104
E.T. Baird 35 7 2 7 $189,953
Shaun Bridgmohan 68 6 7 7 $259,016
Jon Court 48 6 5 4 $183,066
Leandro Goncalves 75 5 12 8 $409,851
Rajiv Maragh 27 5 6 3 $966,855
Calvin Borel 85 5 3 12 $218,577
Current Meet Leading Trainers
Name Sts 1st 2nd 3rd Purses
Ken McPeek 63 15 9 10 $880,356
Michael Maker 24 5 4 4 $153,335
Hugh Robertson 21 5 4 1 $132,133
Todd Pletcher 31 5 2 2 $326,423
George Arnold II 34 4 5 3 $311,361
Tom Proctor 29 4 4 4 $179,712
Eddie Kenneally 28 4 4 1 $153,349
Bill Mott 33 4 3 7 $540,412
Graham Motion 24 3 4 5 $289,728
Dale Romans 24 3 4 5 $150,943
Merrill Scherer 22 3 3 6 $103,707
Claude McGaughey 12 3 3 3 $154,823
Jonathan Sheppard 12 3 2 3 $328,405
W. Bret Calhoun 8 3 1 2 $133,137
Philip Sims 16 3 1 1 $357,257
Kiaran McLaughlin 7 3 0 1 $202,509
Current Meet Leading Owners
Name Wins
Ken & Sarah Ramsey 5
Augustin Stable (George Strawbridge Jr.) 3
Melnyk Racing Stables Inc (Eugene Melnyk) 3
Bonnie Heath Farm LLC (Bonnie Heath) 2
Darley Stable (Mohammed al Maktoum) 2
Glen Hill Farm (Leonard Lavin) 2
John Good 2
Homewrecker Stable LLC (Ron & Ricki Rashinski) 2
G. Watts Humphrey Jr. 2
IEAH Stables (Michael Iavarone) 2
Koolmen Racing Stable LLC (Michael Harrison) 2
Maple Lane Farm LLC (William B. Thompson Jr.) 2
Ron McCauley 2
Phipps Stable (O.M. Phipps, et al) 2
Silverton Hill LLC (Bonnie & Tommy Hamilton) 2
Wertheimer & Frere (Alain & Gerald Wertheimer) 2
WinStar Farm LLC (Bill Casner, et al) 2