Godolphin's Verity did not hang around Keeneland long the afternoon of April 6 following her 5 1/4-length victory over a sloppy track in the $400,000 Beaumont Stakes (G2) on opening day of the spring meet.
"She returned to Turfway Park last night," said Michael Banahan, director of bloodstock for Godolphin.
Trained by Eoin Harty and ridden by Vincent Cheminaud, Verity ran her winning streak to three with Sunday's daylight victory. Her lone loss in her four-race career came in her debut Dec. 1 at Churchill Downs, which is where she could head next.
"We want to see how she recovers from yesterday and then decide, but the Eight Belles will certainly be discussed," Banahan said of the $600,000 Grade 2 race going 7 furlongs May 2 at Churchill Downs. "Hopefully a long-term goal will be the (grade 1) Test (Aug. 2 at Saratoga Race Course)."
JOCKEY CURTIS RELISHING FIRST KEENELAND VICTORY
Ben Curtis was reacquainted with Keeneland in a big way April 6 when he guided Red Gate Racing's Normandy Coast to a 31/2-length victory in the $300,000 Palisades Stakes and recorded his first Keeneland win.
A native of Ireland who has ridden extensively in Europe, Curtis has been based in North America since 2023. He had three mounts last year at Keeneland.
"I've watched a lot of racing from here, and I had a go around the track during one day of racing at the October meet," Curtis said. "The track on Sunday was what you would expect after the weather."
The Palisades, a 51/2-furlong race for 3-year-olds, was scheduled for the turf but was switched to the sloppy main track after days-long rain.
"Normandy Coast is a big, lovely horse who was dropping back in distance, and he handled the conditions well," Curtis said. "He (and I) won a very competitive race at Fair Grounds in January. We stretched him out on a much deeper track (in the Gotham [G3]) at Aqueduct.) He didn't like the surface and the (1-mile) distance. Sunday was the ideal scenario, and I got the dream trip around."
Eddie Kenneally, whose brother Eric is a partner in Red Gate, has no firm plans for Normandy Coast's next start.
"We'll look at the upcoming sprints for 3-year-olds; nothing etched in stone just yet," the trainer said. "The fact that he can run in the mud is good. He is an improving horse with a bright future."
Aside from his triumph, Curtis relished the Keeneland atmosphere of cheering fans despite the unseasonably chilly conditions.
"They get good crowds here, and a lot of them are interested in the horses," he said. "Most people come here to watch the Thoroughbreds, and that is nice. There is a good vibe here. The track is lovely."
Monday afternoon, Curtis will pursue Keeneland win No. 2 when he rides CJ Thoroughbreds and Mo Speed Racing's Tom's Magic in the Transylvania Stakes (G3).
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
