Next Start for Rattle N Roll Undecided

Trainer Kenny McPeek indicated the morning of Oct. 10 that Lucky Seven Stable's Rattle N Roll , winner of the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland a day earlier, might bypass the TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1) Nov. 5 at Del Mar in favor of a race at his Churchill Downs base.

"I am not going to commit yet," McPeek said. "My first instinct is to wait for the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) on Nov. 27. The Breeders' Cup is an 'away game,' and I know he likes Churchill a lot." 

Rattle N Roll made his career debut with a third-place finish June 26 at Churchill and returned there in September to win a 1 1/16-mile maiden race in his third start. The son of Connect   was a clear winner at the same distance in the Breeders' Futurity.

"This colt wants even more distance," McPeek said. "I think a mile and a quarter is what he is asking for."

McPeek's family, crew, and friends had multiple reasons for festivities Saturday night at his traditional semi-annual barbeque and bonfire at his Magdalena Farm in Lexington. About 100 people attended to celebrate the Breeders' Futurity triumph, the 21st birthday of McPeek's daughter, Jenna, and the University of Kentucky football team's win over Louisiana State University.

"We had birthday cake, and Jenna had champagne," he said.

Phoenix Thoroughbred's Double Thunder  came out of his rallying runner-up effort in the Breeders' Futurity in good order, according to Ginny DePasquale, assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher.

"The one hole in a big field; it's tough," DePasquale said. "I thought he ran well."

Pletcher told Keeneland media via text that Double Thunder would ship back to Belmont Park and "we will keep our options open."

Lobo Horses Look to Breeders' Cup

Trainer Paulo Lobo, who saddled In Love  to win Saturday's Keeneland Turf Mile (G1T) and last year's victor Ivar  to a fourth-place finish, said that both horses returned to The Thoroughbred Center on the other side of Lexington Saturday night and were doing fine Sunday morning.

Lobo has his Keeneland Turf Mile duo penciled for the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) and Imperador , winner of the Calumet Turf Cup (G2T) at Kentucky Downs last month, for the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T). Both races are Nov. 6 at Del Mar.

All three horses are owned by Bonne Chance Farm and Stud R D I. Lobo said he would ship his Breeders' Cup runners to Del Mar on Nov. 1.

The defending champion in the Breeders' Cup Mile, Order of Australia , finished last in the field of 12 in the Keeneland Turf Mile.

"He was a disappointment," Kieran Murphy said Sunday, who is overseeing trainer Aidan O'Brien's horses at Keeneland. "He had a tough draw, 10 of 13, and he doesn't like to be in around other horses. He will leave tonight for Chicago and then fly home tomorrow."

Plans Still Forming for Blowout, Regal Glory

Trainer Chad Brown continued his dominance of the First Lady Stakes Presented by UK HealthCare (G1T) with the 1-2 finish by owner Peter Brant's Blowout  and Regal Glory .

Brown has won the past four editions of the mile race and five overall. The only other trainer with multiple wins in the race was Brown's mentor, Hall of Famer Bobby Frankel. Brown's other winners are Dayatthespa  (2014), A Raving Beauty  (2018), and Uni  in 2019 and 2020.

Brown has not confirmed Blowout or Regal Glory for the Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) at 1 3/8 miles. Both have been campaigned as milers this season.

"I'm not sure yet. I'll speak to Mr. Brant about that and see where we'll go," said Brown.

Both fillies came out of the race well along with sixth-place finisher Viadera , according to Baldo Hernandez, Brown's assistant at Keeneland.

Beaten a length was third-place finisher Empress Josephine  for O'Brien and the ownership group of Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith.

"She was very encouraging," said Murphy. "The plan is to run her back Saturday (in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Dixiana, G1T) and I think the extra furlong should benefit her."

Godolphin's Althiqa , fourth as the favorite after a rough trip, is scheduled to begin her journey back to Europe Monday night.

"You just can't be that far back (early) at Keeneland," said Christopher Durham, assistant to trainer Charlie Appleby.

Bell's the One Back at Churchill

Lothenbach Stables' Bell's the One  returned to trainer Neil Pessin's base at Churchill Downs Saturday night following her victory in the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (G2). Pessin reported things were fine Sunday morning with Bell's the One. After Saturday's race, Pessin had not made a decision yet on whether Bell's the One will ship to California for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1).

Plans are indefinite for Michael and Katherine Ball's Club Car , who came up a neck short of victory.

"Not sure what is next, but it's not going to be the Breeders' Cup," trainer Ben Colebrook said. "She has been running a lot, 12 times in the past 12 months."