Weekend Graded Stakes Action – Calm Before BC Storm
No Grade 1 races this week and only one Grade 2 race of note as we all anticipate Breeders’ Cup weekend next week.
On Saturday Keeneland cards the Grade 2 $150,000 Fayette Stakes on closing day. A field of 10 will face the starter with the role of favorite likely going to 6-year-old Parading, from the Shug McGaughey barn who will be ridden by Kent Desormeaux. Up and coming 3-year-old Blame, from the Albert Stall barn, who was runner-up to Regal Ransom in the Super Derby has yet to finish off the board in three career starts. It should be noted that both contenders won their only previous start over the Keeneland Polytrack surface. Longshot players might consider Giant Oak, a talented former Kentucky Derby contender who’s been badly mismanaged but has shown flashes of talent; and Medjool, who does his best running on the grass, a colt who has earned excellent and competitive Equibase Speed Figures in those races and figures to be a HUGE price on the tote board.