Ward, Gaffalione, Godolphin Lead Standings with Three Days Remaining in Spring Meet

Before the start of racing on Wednesday, trainer Wesley Ward, jockey Tyler Gaffalione and owner Godolphin held narrow leads atop the standings of the leaders of Keeneland’s 15-day Spring Meet.

With nine wins – including the Shakertown (G2) with Golden Pal, Giant’s Causeway (L) with Campanelle (IRE) and TVG Limestone (L) with Ruthin (GB) – Ward is bidding for his sixth Spring Meet title and eighth overall. Ward has horses entered in one race today, four races Thursday and three races Friday.

Second with eight victories is Brad Cox, who won the Madison (G1) with Just One Time, Stonestreet Lexington (G3) with Tawny Port and Beaumont (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select with Matareya. Cox has horses entered in two races today, two races Thursday and three races Friday. 

The seven wins by Chad Brown in third place include the $1 million Toyota Blue Grass (G1) with Zandon and Jenny Wiley (G1) with Regal Glory. Brown has two entrants Wednesday and two entrants Thursday. He has no runners Friday.

Todd Pletcher and Mike Maker are tied with six wins apiece. Pletcher, who won the Central Bank Ashland (G1) with Nest and Baird Doubledogdare (G3) with Malathaat, has one entrant remaining – on Thursday.

Maker has one starter today, three Thursday and three Friday.

Bidding for his first Spring Meet title and fifth overall, Tyler Gaffalione leads jockeys with 16 wins, including the Appalachian (G2) Presented by Japan Racing Association on Spendarella and Commonwealth (G3) on Prevalence. He has mounts in four races Wednesday (following the announcement of today’s scratches), seven races Thursday and eight races Friday.

Irad Ortiz Jr. is second with 13 wins, including the Kentucky Utilities Transylvania (G3) on Sy Dog along with the aforementioned Central Bank Ashland, Shakertown and Giant’s Causeway. Ortiz has mounts in four races Wednesday, five races in Thursday and six races Friday.

Two jockeys each have 12 wins: Flavien Prat and Luis Saez. Winner of the aforementioned Toyota Blue Grass, Madison and Beaumont Presented by Keeneland Select, Prat has two mounts Wednesday, five races Thursday and five races Friday.

Saez has three mounts today, six mounts Thursday and six mounts Friday. He won the Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) on Shirl’s Speight and the Elkhorn (G2) on Channel Maker.

Godolphin is the season’s leading owner with four wins, including the Commonwealth and Beaumont Presented by Keeneland Select. Godolphin has one more horse entered this season – on Thursday.

Stonestreet Stables has three wins, including the Giant’s Causeway and TVG Limestone. Stonestreet has one entrant today, none Thursday and one Friday.

Six owners are tied with two wins apiece.