Keeneland Barn Notes: Champ Letruska Returns to Regular Work

Keeneland Barn Notes: Champ Letruska Returns to Regular Work.

Letruska is the champion older dirt female for 2021. She is using Keeneland to do the bulk of her training. Letrusha's goal is to make another start in the Breeders’ Cup here in November. She will leave for Oaklawn Park for next Saturday”s Grade 1 Apple Blossom and then come back here.

In Due Time needs to win Stonestreet Lexington to reach the top 20 on the leaderboard for the Kentucky Derby (G1) to be run May 7 at Churchill Downs. If he doesn't make it, trainer Kelly Breen will go to the Preakness. The Stonestreet is the final points race for this year's Run for The Roses.

Lothenbach Stable’s Audrey”s Time worked a half-mile in :50.40 for trainer Neil Pessin. Wolfe Racing and Hugh Robertson“s Two Emmys worked 5 furlongs in 1:01. 40 for Mac Robertson for a possible start in next Saturday ‘s $350,000 Elkhorn (G2). Tom Durant‚s Silver Dust worked 6 furs in 1.13.80 for Bret Calhoun.

Larry Cordes’ horse Mighty Heart was named Canadian Champion for the second consecutive year. Keeneland is represented by several winners of the Sovereign Awards. Mighty heart is stabled with trainer Josie Carroll at Keeneland.

Sovereign winners with connections to Keeneland include God of Love, Amalfi Coast, Skygaze and Ivan Dalos. Mark Casse has won 25 Keeneland stakes. Live Oak Plantation has seven stakes, including the 2011 Toyota Blue Grass (G1) with Brilliant Speed. Dalo won the 2016 Commonwealth and the 2019 Kentucky Utilities Transylvania.

Champion 2-year-old male God of Love sold for $77,000 at the 2019 November Breeding Stock Sale and sold at 2020 September Yearling Sale for $9,00. Champion female sprinter Amalfi Coast sold as a weanling for £7,500.

April 22 stakes. $300,000 BAIRD DOUBLEDOGDARE (G3): Audrey’s Time (trainer NeilPessin), Malathaat (Todd Pletcher). Possible: CrazyBeautiful (Kenny McPeek), SuperQuick (Norm Casse).

Champ Letruska is back to work. Entries for the contest are due Wednesday, April 20.

$350,000 ELKHORN (G2): Possible: Another Mystery (Chris Block), Cullum Road (Doug Danner), Two Emmys (Mac Robertson). $300,00 BEN ALI ( G3): Mighty Heart (Josie Carroll), TitleReady (Dallas Stewart).

All year. Visit keeneland.com/tours for availability and to purchase.

The Hill is a free tailgating area on The Hill at Keeneland's Spring Meet. It's open on Friday and Saturday. Premium package is available for VIP guests.

Sunrise Trackside is a morning program for families. Children's activities include a meet and greet with Keeneland’s mascot, Buckles, face painting, games and more. This Saturday, Sunrise Track side will include the Easter Bunny.

Champ Letruska is back to work. Keeneland is closed for Easter.

Keeneland Barn Notes is a news service dedicated to the Thoroughbred industry.