Keeneland’s Perryville Stakes Returns with Competitive Field

The Perryville Stakes at Keeneland has returned to graded status after a decade of alternations in its listing, with a field that exemplifies its comeback. A total of twelve 3-year-old thoroughbreds are set to compete in the seven-furlong race on October 19, contending for a purse of $300,000. Among these competitors is a Grade 1 winner and two participants from the Kentucky Derby.

Leading the entries is Book’em Danno, owned by Atlantic Six Racing. This Woody Stephens Stakes (G1) winner has garnered morning-line favoritism at odds of 2-1. Trained by Derek Ryan, Book’em Danno last competed in the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes (G1), where he finished third.

Trainer Todd Pletcher’s trainee is also a noteworthy entry but may instead run in an allowance optional claiming race at Keeneland on the same day. This horse was victorious in last year’s Breeders’ Futurity (G1) and last participated in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), securing a third-place finish.

The Godolphin-owned and Bill Mott-trained Knightsbridge returns after a considerable break due to bone bruising. Knightsbridge, with two substantial victories by a total of 19 1/2 lengths, holds the second-choice position on the morning line at 3-1 despite not racing since March 28.

John Ennis‘s charge, Epic Ride, comes into the Perryville after a pause following the Kentucky Derby. Ennis remarked, “He’s bigger and stronger. He was a kid going into the Derby, and now he is a man.” Epic Ride has competed at Keeneland previously, capturing a third-place finish in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1).

West Saratoga is another Kentucky Derby entrant returning to competition after a brief respite, having last raced in the Matt Winn Stakes (G3) in June.