Keepmeinmind Heads to Stud at Sequel New York

Keepmeinmind  , winner of the 2020 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) and a multiple grade 1-placed son of Laoban , will stand at Sequel New York in 2023 at an advertised fee of $6,500.

The late-running 4-year-old last raced Oct. 1, finishing third in the Woodward Stakes (G1) behind Life Is Good   and Law Professor , beaten 11 1/2 lengths. In his two other starts this year, he ran fifth in the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) and won an allowance race for owners Cypress Creek Equine, Arnold Bennewith, and Spendthrift Farm.

"Keepmeinmind is a specimen with a terrific disposition. He competed with and beat the best of the best. A big boost for the New York breeding roster," said Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, who trained the colt in 2022.

In just his second start, Keepmeinmind was runner-up to Eclipse Award winner Essential Quality   in the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1). This outstanding performance sparked his berth into the 2020 TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1), in which he finished third behind Essential Quality and eventual grade 1 winner Hot Rod Charlie . Keepmeinmind concluded his juvenile campaign with a victory in the aforementioned Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs.

At 3, Keepmeinmind ran exclusively in graded stakes company on seven occasions while on the Triple Crown trail. In the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), he would finish sixth after breaking awkwardly and making up ground with a wide trip. His next start would be the Preakness Stakes (G1), where he finished fourth after another poor start.

His sophomore campaign was highlighted by an extraordinary effort in the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2), where he was bested narrowly by just half a length by Essential Quality. Four weeks later, he ran in the Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1), checking in fourth behind the same rival. His races at ages 2 and 3 came for trainer Robertino Diodoro.

After earning $903,237 with a 2-3-3 record in 14 starts on the racetrack, Keepmeinmind will stand at Sequel New York, where he will carry on the Laoban legacy and the proven Uncle Mo   line. The late Laoban also went to stud initially at Sequel New York before he was sent to Kentucky after promising returns from his first crop of runners.

Bred in Kentucky by Southern Equine Stables, he is the first stakes winner from the unraced Victory Gallop mare Inclination. The mare has produced 12 starters from as many foals, eight winners, and three black-type runners. Besides Keepmeinmind, the other two were stakes placed, one at the grade 2 level.

Keepmeinmind's second dam is stakes-winning Lady Blockbuster, a producer of two stakes winners, led by graded winner Mellow Fellow.