Keepmeinmind to Blue Grass

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Keepmeinmind ran some of the best races of his career last year at Keeneland, and he will be returning to the track for the Grade 2, $800,000 Blue Grass, trainer Robertino Diodoro said Monday. The Kentucky Derby points race is Saturday.

Keepmeinmind is based at Oaklawn, where he also had been under consideration for the Arkansas Derby on April 10. Keepmeinmind worked here Saturday, going five-eighths in 1:00. Diodoro said shortly after the work that a decision had not yet been made on the horse’s next start, but he expected to have plans by Monday.

“We’re going to go,” he said Monday. “We know he ran well over the track there.”

Keepmeinmind has made two starts at Keeneland. He was second in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity last October and third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last November. Both races were won by eventual champion Essential Quality, who also is scheduled to run in the Blue Grass.

Keepmeindmind closed his 2-year-old season with a win in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs. He has made one start at 3, finishing sixth in the Grade 2 Rebel on March 13 at Oaklawn.

Diodoro said Keepmeinmind will ship Wednesday to Keeneland, where he will have a small division of horses. David Cohen has the mount on the horse, who races for Cypress Creek Equine, Arnold Bennewith, and Spendthrift Farm.

The Blue Grass, which will be run over 1 1/8 miles, awards its first four finishers Kentucky Derby points on a scale of 100-40-20-10. Keepmeinmind currently has 18 points for the Kentucky Derby and sits 20th on the leaderboard issued by Churchill Downs.

Diodoro’s stable also will see stakes action at Oaklawn on Saturday, with Ava’s Grace in the Grade 3, $600,000 Fantasy. It’s a points race for the Kentucky Oaks. Last year, the filly ran second in the Grade 2 Adirondack at Saratoga.

The Fantasy comes on the first day of the Racing Festival of the South at Oaklawn, which has scheduled its festival stakes for three consecutive Saturdays. Other festival starters for Diodoro will include Harpers First Ride, a multiple stakes winner who was fourth last out in the $500,000 Essex at Oaklawn. Diodoro said Harpers First Ride will go in the $400,000 Oaklawn Mile on April 10.

Mojo Man eyes Count Fleet

Mojo Man is being considered for a start in the Grade 3, $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap at Oaklawn, trainer Jimmy DiVito said. The stakes is part of the Racing Festival of the South and runs April 10.

Mojo Man won a local allowance sprint in his last start Feb. 28, equaling his best Beyer Speed Figure of 95. He races for Arkansas resident Dash Goff.

“We’re looking at the big race, the Count Fleet,” DiVito said. “There isn’t much for him. He’s kind of been out of his conditions. He’s won eight times. We’re looking it over, discussing it with Mr. Goff.”

Mojo Man is a son of Stay Thirsty and a half-brother to four-time stakes winner Fight to Glory. The 6-year-old would be making the second stakes start of his career in the Count Fleet.

“He’s a late-developing horse,” DiVito said. “I think he’s getting better with age. The last year or so, he’s run some pretty good races. We’ll see. It’s a tough option.”

The Count Fleet is expected to draw champion Whitmore and C Z Rocket, who finished first and second in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint in November. The horses last raced in March, with C Z Rocket winning the Hot Springs over Whitmore.

◗ Arkansas Derby candidate Super Stock worked fiveeighths in a bullet 1:00.20 on Monday.