Keeneland Fall Meet 2004

Ticker Tape Is Crowned
by Emily Hufford

Ticker Tape has certainlly proven her worth as a top three-year-old turf filly, especially in international events. In the American Oaks at Hollywood Park in July she won over a top class international field, and in the Queen Elizabeth II Invitational Stakes at Keeneland on Saturday. Ticker Tape rallied strongly to hold off the closing Barancella in the 1 1/16 miles event on a very windy day at the historic racetrack.

Team Valor's River Belle finished third and Phantom Wind, who was making her American debut, ran fourth. Phantom Wind's dam, Ryafan, who died giving birth to Phantom Wind, won the same race in 1997.

Ticker Tape is trained by James Cassidy, who has guided her to five winds and four seconds in ten American races. In the Del Mar Oaks in August she finished second by a nose to Amorama. Ticker Tape will not run in the Breeders' Cup.

Azeri Takes the Spinster
by Emily Hufford

The ever-popular and brilliant filly Azeri rose to greater heights when she won the Overbrook Spinster Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland on Sunday, the second to last race of her incredible career. The six-year-old daughter of Jade Hunter gained her 17th win in 23 starts and her 11th grade 1 win overall. She has made over $3.9 million.

Taking the lead at the top of the stretch, Azeri bounded away to win by three over Tamweel with Mayo on the Side, who defeated her at 7 furlongs in May running third. She is trained by D. Wayne Lukas and was ridden by Pat Day.

The grandstand roared when the gallant chestnut mare, who was Horse of the Year in 2002, galloped back after the race. Her final start will come in the Breeders' Cup at Lone Star Park.

Consolidator Wins for Lukas
by Emily Hufford

The D. Wayne Lukas-trained Consolidator, a two-year-old son of Storm Cat, won the Lane's End Breeders' Futurity by two lengths at Keeneland on Saturday, drawing clear around the far turn and down the stretch. Ridden by Rafael Bejerano, Consolidator covered the mile and 1/16 in 1:43.67.

Patriot Act finished second, Diamond Isle third. The two "big" horses, Scipion and Bellamy Road, faltered, finishing eighth and seventh, respectively. Consolidator paid $13.80 to win.

He Didn't Lose
by Emily Hufford

Nothing to Lose, a four-year-old son of Sky Classic, won yesterday's Shadwell Mile at Keeneland as his final prep for the Breeders' Cup Mile on October 30 at Lone Star Park. It was a very impressive performance, as the Kenneth Ramsey-owned horse made a move on the far turn to draw away full of run from a field that included Perfect Soul and Sweet Return.

Bobby Frankel trains Nothing to Lose, who last out won the Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga, and will now point the colt to Lone Star.

Runway Model Upsets
by Emily Hufford

Runway Model, a two-year-old daughter of Petionville, won the Darley Alcibiades Stakes on Friday, opening day of Keeneland's fall meet. Sense of Style, the heavily favored daughter of Thunder Gulch, finished fifth.

Runway Model, trained by Bernie Flint, paid $36.00 to win. Sharp Lisa ran second, only a head behind the winner, and it was another nose back to In the Gold. Punch Appeal, the Kentucky Cup Juvenile Fillies winner, finished sixth. Rafael Bejarano rode the winner, and also won the Phoenix Breeders' Cup Stakes with Champali on the undercard.

The Alcibiades was Runway Model's eighth start and third win.