Ramseys clinch 17th owner’s title at Keeneland
The Day at the Races
Thursday’s figures: On-track attendance, 9,963; on-track betting, $675,595.20; total betting including simulcast, $6,551,073.35.
This day last year: On-track attendance, 12,111; on-track betting, $866,885; total betting including simulcast, $5,896,248.
Coming up: The 2016 Keeneland Spring Meet closes Friday with a 10-race card highlighted by the Grade III, $150,000 Bewitch Stakes for older fillies and mares going 1 1/2 miles on the turf. Grade I winner Personal Diary is part of the 12-horse field and will be making her second start this meet, having won a 1 1/2 -mile allowance race on April 13.
Final furlong
▪ On the eve of his final work before the Kentucky Derby, Reddam Racing’s Nyquist jogged for the second straight day, going twice around the training track with Jonny Garcia aboard. “Tomorrow’s a big day,” trainer Doug O’Neill said. “We initially thought about taking him to the main track today, but when it was raining earlier, we just decided to take him to the training track, give him an easy day and save him up for tomorrow.” Nyquist will work Friday at 12:15 p.m. at Keeneland in company with stablemate Ralis. Jockey Mario Gutierrez is flying in for the move and will be aboard the unbeaten champion.
▪ Javier Castellano rode two winners on Thursday’s card to give him a 16-15 edge on Corey Lanerie in the jockey standings heading into the final day. Castellano won his first Keeneland meet title last Spring while Lanerie earned his first Keeneland riding title last fall.
▪ Ken and Sarah Ramsey have mathematically locked up their 17th Keeneland meet crown for leading owner. The Nicholasville-based couple saw two of their horses win on Thursday’s card, giving their operation eight wins for the meet heading into Friday.
▪ Trainer Mike Maker also saddled two winners Thursday, both for the Ramseys, to give him 13 wins heading into Friday and clinch his fourth career Keeneland Meet title.
This story was originally published April 28, 2016 at 7:21 PM with the headline "Ramseys clinch 17th owner’s title at Keeneland."