Keeneland September Sale Graduate Kameko Wins 2,000 Guineas to Become Early Favorite for Epsom Derby

Keeneland September Yearling Sales graduate Kameko won the QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas (G1) at Newmarket on Saturday to establish himself as the early favorite for the Epsom Derby (G1) on July 4.

September Sale alumni captured seven graded stakes this weekend.

Kameko was one of three Grade/Group 1 winners. Vekoma romped in the Runhappy Carter (G1) to earn an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) on Nov. 7 at Keeneland. At Santa Anita, Improbable returned to the winner’s circle with an authoritative win in the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1). 

Other notable performances included Swiss Skydiver, who posted an easy victory in the Santa Anita Oaks (G2) to further enhance her position as the favorite for the Kentucky Oaks (G1) on Sept. 4. 

At Belmont, Code of Honor made a successful season debut in winning the Westchester (G3).

KEENELAND SALES GRADUATES

VEKOMA, 4YO colt by Candy Ride (ARG) – Mona de Momma ($135,000, 2017 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Lane’s End, agent; Buyer- R. A. Hill Stable) Won Runhappy Carter H. (G1) on 6/6 at Belmont (career 7-5-0-1, $970,525) O- R. A. Hill Stable & Gatsas Stables; B- Alpha Delta Stables (KY); T- George Weaver 

Keeneland sales graduates finished 1-2 in the Hollywood Gold Cup S. (G1) on 6/6 at Santa Anita:

1- IMPROBABLE, 4YO colt by City Zip – Rare Event ($110,000, 2016 Nov Breeding Stock, Consignor- Lane’s End, agent, Buyer- Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent; $200,000, 2017 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, Buyer- Maverick Racing & China Horse Club) (career 12-5-3-0, $1,129,520) O- WinStar Farm, China Horse Club International & SF Racing; B- St. George Farm & G. Watts Humphrey Jr. (KY); T- Bob Baffert

2- Higher Power, 5YO horse by Medaglia d’Oro – Alternate ($250,000, 2019 April 2YO & HRA Sale, Consignor- Stidham Racing, agent; Buyer- Lane’s End Bloodstock) O- Hronis Racing; B- Pin Oak Stud (KY); T- John Sadler

KAMEKO, 3YO colt by Kitten’s Joy – Sweeter Still (IRE) ($90,000, 2018 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Paramount Sales, agent; Buyer- David Redvers) Won QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas S. (G1) on 6/6 at Newmarket (career 5-3-2-0, $380,969) O- Qatar Racing; B- Calumet Farm (KY); T- Andrew Balding

SWISS SKYDIVER, 3YO filly by Daredevil – Expo Gold ($35,000, 2018 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Select Sales, agent; Buyer- Kenny McPeek, agent) Won Santa Anita Oaks (G2) on 6/6 at Santa Anita (career 7-4-1-1, $557,980) O- Peter Callahan; B- WinStar Farm (KY); T- Kenny McPeek

MCKINZIE, 5YO horse by Street Sense – Runway Model ($170,000, 2016 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Lane’s End, agent; Buyer- Three Amigos) Won Triple Bend S. (G2) on 6/7 at Santa Anita (career 16-8-6-0, $3,438,560) O- Karl Watson, Mike Pegram & Paul Weitman; B- Summer Wind Farm (KY); T- Bob Baffert

INSTILLED REGARD, 5YO horse by Arch – Enhancing ($100,000 RNA to Sale, 2016 Sept Yearling, Consignor- KatieRich Farms; Buyer- Tom McCrocklin, agent for Solana Beach Sales) Won Fort Marcy S. (G2) on 6/6 at Belmont (career 17-4-3-4, $763,240) O- OXO Equine; B- KatieRich Farms (KY); T- Chad Brown

CODE OF HONOR, 4YO colt Noble Mission (GB) – Reunited ($70,000 RNA, 2017 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Lane’s End, agent) Won Westchester S. (G3) on 6/6 at Belmont (career 11-6-2-1, $2,413,320) O/B- W.S. Farish (KY); T- Shug McGaughey

VOLATILE, 4YO colt by Violence – Melody Lady ($850,000, 2017 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent; Buyer- Kerri Radcliffe Bloodstock & Three Chimneys Farm) Won $100,000 Aristides S. on 6/6 at Churchill Downs (career 5-4-1-0, $203,540) O- Phoenix Thoroughbred III & Three Chimneys Farm; B- Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings & Stretch Run Ventures (KY); T- Steve Asmussen

SHE’S SO SPECIAL, 3YO filly by Hard Spun – Born Special ($12,000 RNA, 2018 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Paramount Sales, agent) Won $85,875 Desert Code S. on 6/6 at Santa Anita (career 9-4-1-3, $157,580) O- Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners; B- Gary & Mary West Stables (KY); T- Peter Miller

LA AUSTRALIANA, 4YO filly by Australia (GB) – Tree Chopper ($175,000, 2017 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Paramount Sales, agent; Buyer- Stripes Stable for Sano Racing) Won $60,000 Treasure Coast S. on 6/7 at Gulfstream (career 14-3-0-3, $107,686) O- Victoria’s Ranch; B- Capital Bloodstock (KY); T- Juan Carlos Avila