The Keeneland fall meet involves an in depth Oct. 25, however will exit with a bang as the ultimate stakes race, the $350,000 Fayette Stakes (G3), guarantees to be a thriller.
Eleven entries had been taken for the 1 1/8-mile contest, however essentially the most intriguing of these often is the two 3-year-olds taking up older horses for the primary time: Gosger and Bracket Buster .
Harvey A. Clarke Racing Stables’ homebred, Gosger, skilled success at Keeneland within the spring with a victory within the Lexington Stakes (G3) that launched his path to consecutive graded placings within the Preakness Stakes (G1) and Haskell Stakes (G1). Coach Brendan Walsh, who enters the weekend with 4 graded triumphs on the fall meet, hopes that Keeneland will get the son of Nyquist  again within the win column after a disappointing sixth within the Sept. 20 Pennsylvania Derby (G1).
“I do not suppose he preferred the monitor. Parx could be a humorous monitor, some horses prefer it and a few horses do not,” Walsh stated concerning the Pennsylvania Derby on the Oct. 6 episode of BloodHorse Monday. “We all know he likes Keeneland, so it may be a great alternative to win a race with him. The horse is doing good, and he is lastly come collectively bodily. I am inclined to simply draw a line via the Parx race and roll on with him.”
BBN Racing’s Bracket Buster has additionally proven an affinity for Keeneland, the place coach Vicki Oliver is predicated, breaking his maiden there final 12 months and ending runner-up to Gosger within the Lexington. His final two begins, a runner-up end to Sovereignty within the Travers Stakes (G1) and victory within the Oklahoma Derby (G3), have earned him the sting because the 3-1 morning-line favourite in comparison with Gosger’s 9-2.Join BloodHorse Every day
At 7-2, Dragoon Guard holds the shortest odds among the many older horses after returning to the win column in a powerful 4 1/4-length allowance non-compulsory claiming victory at Churchill Downs in opposition to Whit Beckman-trained returning rival and grade 2 winner, Ribble Farms and Lighthouse Racing’s Honor Marie , final month. The Juddmonte homebred son of Arrogate makes his first begin in stakes firm this 12 months after a pair of grade 3 wins final 12 months for coach Brad Cox.
Photograph: Coady MediaDragoon Guard wins an allowance non-compulsory claiming race as Honor Marie (orange silks) finishes third at Churchill Downs
Cox additionally enters Wathnan Racing’s Dubai World Cup (G1) winner and defending Fayette winner Hit Present off a fourth within the Sept. 27 Lukas Traditional Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. takes over within the saddle from the far outdoors publish as Florent Geroux retains his mount on Dragoon Guard.
Fortunate Seven Secure and Sharaf Mohamad Alhariri’s Rattle N Roll completed sixth within the Lukas and goals to enhance for Kenny McPeek in his second begin since getting back from a 5 1/2-month layoff. Bryan Carney’s a number of stakes-placed Prince of Energy , fifth within the Lukas, additionally returns Saturday for coach Jesus Esquivel.
Additionally within the subject are City and Nation Racing’s Moonlight , a last-out allowance winner at Churchill Downs for coach Chris Block; Carl R. Moore Administration’s stakes winner Lambeth for coach Joe Sharp; Michael Ryan’s graded stakes-placed Dilger , who was a slender second within the Parx Dust Mile Stakes final month for coach Saffie Joseph Jr.; and Steve Moger’s grade 3 winner Greatest Actor skilled by Ed Moger Jr.
Entries: Hagyard Fayette S. (G3)Keeneland, Saturday, October 25, 2025, Race 9Grade III1 1/8mDirt $350,0003 yo’s & up5:16 PM (native)
