Keeneland: The day at the races

Saturday’s figures: On-track attendance, 20,848; on-track betting, $2,161,682.60; total betting including simulcast, $21,229,134.95.

This day last year: On-track attendance, 26,357; on-track betting, $1,819,054.10; total betting including simulcast, $16,240,181.72.

Coming up: There are no stakes races on Sunday’s nine-race card. First post time is 1:05 p.m. Fans arriving early can take part in Jockey Autograph Signing Day, with active jockeys signing from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. adjacent to the paddock to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

Final Furlong

▪  A rematch of Friday’s Transylvania Stakes could be in the works for the Kentucky Derby undercard next month at Churchill Downs.

The Queen’s Plate on July 3 at Woodbine is the ultimate goal for Transylvania winner Shakhimat, but assistant trainer Patrick Dixon said the immediate plan might be to stay around here.

“There are a lot of options out there, and it is possible he could run at Churchill Downs,” Dixon said, referring to the Grade II, $300,000 American Turf on May 7.

Trainer Roger Attfield, who was not in Lexington on Friday, and owners Richard Hogan and Dan Gale will determine the 3-year-old colt’s next start.

“He is very good this morning; a happy horse,” Dixon said Saturday. “He was acting like he never ran at all.”

If Shakhimat does go to the American Turf on Derby Day, he’ll likely face Transylvania runner-up J R’s Holiday, who will be pointed toward that race, trainer Jose Garoffalo said Saturday.

▪  Noble Bird, the winner of last year’s Grade I Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs, worked a half-mile after the break in :46.20. He galloped out five-eighths in :58.60 and 6 furlongs in 1:12.

This story was originally published April 9, 2016 at 7:55 PM with the headline "Keeneland: The day at the races."