Seven Keeneland Sales Graduates Entered in Preakness

Keeneland sales produced seven horses who were entered today in Saturday’s 147^th 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.