Keepmeinmind Begins Preparation at 3 With Breeze
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Photo: Coady Photography
Keepmeinmind rallies to win the Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs
Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) hopeful Keepmeinmind recorded his first workout since winning the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs with a half-mile breeze in :50 1/5 Jan. 6 at Oaklawn Park.
Following the Kentucky Jockey Club, the 3-year-old son of Laoban received a few weeks off at WinStar Farm in Kentucky before resuming training last month in Arkansas.
"It was just a nice, easy half, his first work back," said trainer Robertino Diodoro. "He did it very nicely, galloped out strong."
A race at either Oaklawn or Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots would appear most likely for his first start at 3, though Diodoro has not settled on a specific race. Next month Oaklawn stages the $750,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) at 1 1/16 miles Feb. 15, and Fair Grounds hosts the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes Presented by Lamarque Ford (G2) at 1 1/8 miles Feb. 13.
One of the top 2-year-olds of last year, racing for owners Cypress Creek and Arnold Bennewith, Keepmeinmind began his career with a second in a maiden race in September. Then he was the runner-up in the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) before finishing third behind Essential Quality and Hot Rod Charlie in the TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1) in the fall.
He has earned 18 qualifying points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, trailing only Essential Quality, the probable 2-year-old champion.