The connections of Evanescence are not complaining about Keeneland hosting the Breeders' Cup World Championships this season.
Using a steady stretch rally under jockey Jose Ortiz to grind away the 2 1/2-length lead of Praying, Evanescence posted a neck victory in the $400,000 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (G2) Oct. 3 at Keeneland, securing the the first graded stakes win of her career.
The victory saw Green Lantern Stables' Evanescence land her third win in as many starts at Keeneland. While the TCA is a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In race, awarding a fees-paid spot in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1), Green Lantern's Richard Masson said they will weigh some past experience with a quick turnaround ahead of the Breeders' Cup against some factors in the 4-year-old Munnings filly's favor before deciding on running in four weeks.
In 2016 Green Lantern homebred A. P. Indian won the Phoenix Stakes (G2) on the opening weekend at Keeneland and then shipped to Santa Anita Park for the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) where he finished third. Masson said that experience proved taxing, but noted that they'll have to consider the unique factors for this year.
Masson noted that Evanescence's love of Keeneland and good fit with Ortiz, who has three wins in as many starts on the filly, as well as the free entry, are in favor of starting.
Trained by Eddie Kenneally, Evanescence completed the 6 1/2-furlong test in 1:16.57. Praying finished a neck back in second while it was 4 3/4 lengths back to third-place Eclatant.
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Joe Shiesty Lands Woodford Stakes
The More Than Ready mare Ready to Unleash got quite the midafternoon update to her produce record Oct. 3.
First, her 2-year-old daughter Brickyard Belle won the Matron Stakes (G3T) at Belmont Park, followed 48 minutes later by her 5-year-old gelded son, Joe Shiesty, who bravely prevailed in the $376,900 Woodford Stakes (G2T) at Keeneland. Each victory was the horse's first at the graded level, with both coming in turf sprints.
While Brickyard Belle used a late kick to win the 6-furlong Matron, Joe Shiesty won with speed and competitiveness in the 5 1/2-furlong Woodford. Going to the lead under Fernando De La Cruz, he shook off pressure from Doncho, battling back after that rival passed him in midstretch, and outlasted a late bid from runner-up No Nay Hudson to score by a half-length. Doncho weakened to third.
Joe Shiesty, a gelding by Air Force Blue bred by Rodney Orr in Kentucky, was timed in 1:02.58 for the distance on firm turf after setting splits of :21.79 and :44.52. He paid $7.70 to win.
Eric Foster trains Joe Shiesty for owners Foster Family Racing, Lonnie Reynolds, Vicki Mills, and Donald Coomes. Halvorson Bloodstock purchased him for $16,000 as a short yearling during the 2022 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale out of the Paramount Sales consignment.
He is now 9-4-2 in 23 starts with earnings of $1,376,227.
Foster said Joe Shiesty's performance was "just testimony to his heart," adding that "he gave everything he had at the time he needed to do it."
Air Force Blue, who entered stud at Coolmore's Ashford Stud in Kentucky, currently stands in South Korea.
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