Another day of racing at Keeneland, another Wesley Ward-trained 2-year-old winner by a freshman sire.
Ward improved to 3-for-3 in 4 1/2-furlong maiden races at the Lexington oval this spring when Skara Brae, a daughter of Ashford Stud first-crop sire Golden Pal , scored a front-running 4 1/2-length victory in the April 9 opener. Her victory was accomplished in :52.83 on a fast track under minimal urging from jockey Joel Rosario.
Ward's other 2-year-old winners at the meet, Suspicions (Corniche ) and Waggley (Life Is Good ), ran :52.74 and :53.05 on April 3 and April 8, respectively. Suspicions raced over a sloppy (sealed) surface opening day following a morning rainstorm.
(5) Skara Brae an easy winner in the Thursday opener at Keeneland! (2) Crossfire and (4) Uncle With Money follow. pic.twitter.com/QjLNFh8CTX
— Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) April 9, 2026
Ten Broeck Farm's Skara Brae, the only filly in Thursday's five-horse field, sped right to the front after an alert break and was never threatened. Heavily favored off a series of fast works for Ward's strike-early operation, she paid $2.50 to win for $2 bet.
Bred by Paul Farr's Titletown Racing Stables and BRS in Kentucky out of the War Front mare Mince, Skara Brae was a $120,000 weanling purchase from the Warrendale Sales consignment to the 2024 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.
Golden Pal, a son of Uncle Mo standing for $25,000 at Coolmore's Ashford Stud near Versailles, Ky., won eight races, all stakes, under Ward's training over 13 starts from 2020-22. Two victories came in Breeders' Cup races—initially in the 2020 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2T) at Keeneland, then at age 3 in the 2021 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) at Del Mar. His attempt to win a third consecutive Breeders' Cup race fell short when he broke slowly and finished 10th in the 2022 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland. He entered stud the next year.
Golden Pal, bred by Randall Lowe out of his graded-winning turf sprinter Lady Shipman, initially raced for Lowe's Ranlo Investments. At age 3, Golden Pal was purchased by Coolmore-affiliated owners Westerberg, Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith, and Michael Tabor.
Charlie O'Connor, director of sales for Coolmore America, mentioned last week while enjoying Suspicion's debut victory that Skara Brae was held in high regard by Ward.
Golden Pal's first yearlings averaged $121,717 at public auction last year. Twelve of his juveniles have sold this year for an average of $122,375.
The 8-year-old stallion will be represented by a second starter this year when Mr Gerson races in the second race, another 4 1/2-furlong dash for juveniles, April 16 at Keeneland.
