One-Turn Lexus Raven Run Lures Tonalist's Shape to Keeneland

Slam Dunk Racing, Doug Branham and Legacy Ranch’s Tonalist’s Shape, who began her career with five consecutive victories in one-turn races for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., arrived at Keeneland Tuesday from Gulfstream Park for a run in Saturday’s $200,000 Lexus Raven Run (G2) going 7 furlongs on the main track.

“There are no plans for her beyond this race,” Joseph said by text Wednesday morning. “I am just curious to see how she would do back around one turn and hoping she will come back to her (good) form.”

Tonalist’s Shape has been off the board in her past three starts in graded stakes company going two turns with the most recent being a fifth-place finish in the 7-furlong Charles Town Oaks (G3) on Aug. 28.

“That was two turns and she did have trouble in that race,” Joseph said, referring to Tonalist’s Shape being checked approaching the sixteenth pole.

Since that race, Tonalist’s Shape has worked twice at Gulfstream – a best-of-78 half-mile in :47.03 on Sept. 27 and a best-of-seven five-eighths in 1:00.62 on Sunday before shipping.

“The two weeks between works was by design to keep her fresh,” Joseph said.

Tonalist’s Shape is cataloged as a racing or broodmare prospect for Keeneland’s November Breeding Stock Sale. She is Hip 155 in the sale for the premier Book 1.

Joseph also gave an update on Ny Traffic, most recently ninth in the Preakness (G1) following an eighth-place finish in the Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve.

“He is well. I have backed off him for a freshening,” Joseph said.