Keen Ice runs in the $400,000 Maktoum Challenge (GR1) on the ‘Super Saturday’ program.
The GI Donn H., featuring a field of eight, headlines a blockbuster 13-race card at Gulfstream Park Saturday.
Donegal Racing’s Keen Ice (Curlin), the only horse to defeat Triple Crown hero American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) last season, makes his 4-year-old debut in the Donn. He got going too late to finish a close fourth when last seen in the GI Clark H. at Churchill Nov. 27.
Airoforce runs in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III) the same day, and Casse said the colt will have a more intense breezed next week.
John Oxley’s Airoforce splashed over the sloppy, sealed track at Churchill Downs Nov. 28 with nary an issue, closing gamely to grind out 1 3/4-length victory when making his dirt debut in the $200,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. II).
Joseph W. Sutton’s multiple graded stakes winner Bradester, a contender for the $1 million Las Vegas Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Keeneland on Oct. 30, worked five furlongs in :59 on a fast main track Saturday after the renovation break.
John Oxley’s Airoforce, off an easy debut maiden win at Kentucky Downs, rallied in the stretch to win the Dixiana Bourbon Stakes (gr, IIIT) for 2-year-olds at Keeneland Oct. 4.
The six-furlong Bashford Manor is one of four stakes events on the 11-race “Downs After Dark” closing-night program of Churchill’s 38-day spring meet.
