Keeneland Spring 2005

The Pletcher Train Keeps Rolling
By Emily Hufford

Todd Pletcher swept the Blue Grass Stakes with Bandini, and then surprised by winning the Lexington Stakes a week later with Coin Silver, a three-year-old son of Anees with only a maiden victory to his credit. Sort It Out, who is Bob Baffert's lone Derby contender this year, finished second, and Storm Surge was third. Rockport Harbor, the favorite and John Servis' chance for back-to-back Kentucky Derbies, finished well behind the winner and is off the Triple Crown trail.

Clock Stopper Charges to the Lead © Amelia Baldree 2005

Clock Stopper Breaks Through
By Emily Hufford

The Dallas Stewart-trained Gilded Time gelding Clock Stopper, famous for a string of on-the-board runs in stakes races but who rarely won a race, broke through with a win in the Commonwealth Breeders' Cup at Keeneland on Saturday. In the process, Clock Stopper defeated a good field that included Lion Tamer, Cajun Beat (who was injured in the race), and Gators N Bears.

Clock Stopper is owned by Overbrook Farm and was ridden to victory by Jerry Bailey.

Madcap Escapade Before the Vinery Madison
© Emily Hufford 2005

Madcap Escapade Impressive Once More
By Emily Hufford

The ultra impressive four-year-old filly Madcap Escapade won the Vinery Madison Stakes at Keeneland on Wednesday, blowing away a good field to win easily by 4 3/4 lengths. Jerry Bailey rode the daughter of Hennessy through fractions of :21.59 and :43.75, and completed the race in a stakes record time of 1:23.33.

The game little filly My Trusty Cat ran on to be second, and Molto Vita ran third. Souris and Bending Strings were two other fillies left in the wake of the awesome Madcap Escapade.

"Madcap's" only loss came in the 2004 Kentucky Oaks, which was won by Ashado. Last year, Madcap Escapade won the Ashland Stakes over the Keeneland surface as well.