Spendthrift Acquires 50% Ownership in Keepmeinmind

B. Wayne Hughes' Spendthrift Farm has acquired 50% ownership interest in Keepmeinmind, winner of the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) last fall at Churchill Downs and currently second on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 18 points, Spendthrift announced Feb. 7.

"We are delighted to be a part of such an exciting young racehorse as Keepmeinmind, and thankful to Cypress Creek and Arnold Bennewith for the opportunity to join the team," said Ned Toffey, Spendthrift general manager. "We believe Keepmeinmind is poised for a big 3-year-old year. He demonstrated tremendous talent as a 2-year-old, placing twice in grade 1s including the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) and finishing up the year in style with a convincing win in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill."

Autrey Bloodstock brokered the deal for Spendthrift to join the current ownership group.

Keepmeinmind will make his seasonal debut in either the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes Presented by Lamarque Ford (G2) Feb. 13 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots—where he is entered in post 12 with jockey David Cohen—or the $750,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) Feb. 15 at Oaklawn Park. Post positions for the Southwest will be drawn Thursday.

Trainer Robertino Diodoro told Oaklawn media Sunday that a decision on a race will not be made until after the Laoban  colt breezes Monday at the Hot Springs, Ark., track.

"There's a couple of variables," said Diodoro. "I think we're going to wait and see the next 72 hours."

Diodoro said the potential of bad weather and a compact Southwest field make the Risen Star an option for Keepmeinmind.

"The short field here is a little bit of a concern with his running style," said Diodoro. "If you've got a speed horse, like a couple of guys do in the race, perfect having five, six horses. But when you have a come from behinder, that's not the most ideal thing."

Keepmeinmind most recently breezed a bullet five furlongs in :59 Feb. 2 at Oaklawn. 

The bay was bred in Kentucky by Southern Equine Stables out of the Victory Gallop mare Inclination and has earned $394,320 to date from a 1-2-1 record in four starts. At 2, he was second in the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland and returned to the Lexington track to finish a fast-closing third in the TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Both races were won by eventual 2-year-old male champion Essential Quality. Keepmeinmind closed out his juvenile season by breaking his maiden in the Kentucky Jockey Club.