Tommy Jo Looks to Claim Second Elite-Level Win in Alcibiades

[Wandering Eyes]

Friday is the start of the unofficial Kentucky state holiday known as Opening Weekend at Keeneland, and GI Spinaway victress Tommy Jo (Into Mischief) headlines a strong card for fantastic racing not just at the venue but across the country.

Largely considered the last hurrah for anyone trying to get into the World Championships by way of the 'WAYI' challenge series, several tracks across the country have such opportunities in October, and Keeneland will be hosting three such chances on Friday. The last of the graded races for the opening card at the Kentucky institution is the GI Darley Alcibiades Stakes, and Tommy Jo has been instated as the 2-5 morning line favorite.

An unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' after her July 26 unveiling, it was a tour-de-force effort in the aforementioned Grade I race at Saratoga where she defeated returning face Percy's Bar (Upstart). That rival finds herself drawn on the rail here and a 3-1 morning line chance, and just like Tommy Jo, figures to be the other controlling pace in the race.

When able to make the lead, Percy's Bar put up similarly dominating victories as what the likely betting choice has shown thus far, but was forced out of her element in the Spinaway when asked to close from the rear of the field. She has been running Beyers at least 10-15 points lower than what Tommy Jo has been doing though, so she's going to have to improve quite a bit to catch up to this daunting favorite.

The rest of the field largely composes of closers who come on late to pick up the pieces, like Go to Girl (Knicks Go) has been able to do. The addition of Irad Ortiz Jr. is always a big checkmark in a horse's favor, and if there's a pace meltdown, few can time a rally better than Ortiz Jr. But they're all chasing Tommy Jo, who on paper is the clear one to beat with a 'Win and You're In' golden ticket on the line to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.

Time to Dream Will Need Some Luck in Jessamine

It's about as close to getting the 20-hole in the Kentucky Derby as a turf horse will likely ever get–drawing the far outside of a 12-horse field and not having a lot of time to get over.

Such is the fate of Time to Dream (Not This Time) in the GII Jessamine Stakes, but perhaps some what fortuitously, the filly has been a closer thus far in her career. It's been a dominating display from her all the same, with her unveiling July 25 culminating in a 2 1/4-length score and the P. G. Johnson Stakes Aug. 27 turned into a masterclass when she left them in her wake by five lengths in her first try at this distance. Owner Mike Repole shelled out $750,000 at FTSAUG last year for this half-sister to MGSW & GISP Red Carpet Ready (Oscar Performance), and she's been living up to those expectations so far.

On the other side of the gate will be Mackinac (Twirling Candy), who's improved in both of her career jumps for owner BBN Racing and trainer George Arnold. She debuted July 30 at Saratoga behind SW Snow Face Princess (Midshipman), who has since gone on to not only collect a stakes victory but also run second for her new connections in the Untapable Stakes at Kentucky Downs. Mackinac herself found some success at the boutique meeting, and collected an expensive allowance victory Aug. 28 by 1 1/2 lengths while coming on from the rear of the field. She's stretching out from the sprints for the first time though, and this is no lightweight field to try that against.

There's a lot of pace in the race, so if that ends up being the worst enemy, Godolphin's Infinite Sky (Not This Time) could also pose a threat alongside Mackinac from the back of the pack. She too closes from well off the speed, has experience at the 1 1/16-mile trip, and is bred top to bottom for the grass. She improved 11 Beyer points from her unveiling Aug. 3 at Ellis to when she broke her maiden Sept. 7 at Kentucky Downs. Her half-sister Wet Paint (Blame) had a similar improvement early on in her career before eventually becoming a Grade I winner. It should not shock anyone if Infinite Sky does the same.

The Jessamine is a 'WAYI' race for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

Battle of the Speedsters in Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix

Last on the previews but the first graded on the day is the GII Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes, the 'WAYI' challenge for the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint. At the top of the class is the elder statesman Skelly (Practical Joke), who stands a measure apart from the rest of the field even if his recent for hasn't entirely been his best.

Skelly | Coady Media

While his 2025 hasn't been quite as sensational as his 2024 year had been, the gelding is still running some of the fastest figures in the field even in defeat. He started his campaign running a 107 Beyer coming off a five-month layoff Apr. 11 at Oaklawn and turned around to post a scintillating 110 in the Lake Hamilton Stakes May 2 when he drew off  to win by over 10 lengths. He was not himself in the GIII Aristides Stakes before going on a freshening but he returned Sept. 13 in the Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes and begrudgingly yielded to third late. He'll face three familiar opponents here, but if he fires his usual race, this will not be the same horse they beat in his prior two outings.

Speaking of, GSW World Record (Gun Runner) is one of those who have beaten Skelly, and who returns here for another shot at playing spoiler. He was last seen making his introduction to the West Coast in the GI Bing Crosby Stakes, and ran on from fifth to claim the last of the trifecta over the same surface where the Breeders' Cup will be run. He's been a consistent horse his entire career, and he'll be looking to claim an automatic berth here. The morning line has him tabbed at 8-5 odds with the lingering question of which Skelly we'll see Friday. If neither of these two fire, it will be anyone's game as the Ogden Phoenix is arguably one of the most competitive races on the card.

Pletcher's DQ'd 1-2 Back for Pilgrim, Turf Speed on Display in Futurity

Todd Pletcher was in the unenviable position of enjoying a one-two finish between his runners on debut Aug. 17 at Saratoga and then having to smile through the photos as Teleport (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) was elevated to the win by way of Scope (Gun Runner)'s disqualification for alleged interference.

Now the two are both back in the GII Pilgrim Stakes, and are both gunning for the guaranteed berth into the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf via the 'WAYI' Challenge Series.

Standing in their way is a small army of well-bred turf horses, led by 'TDN Rising Star', presented by Hagyard' Capital Partner (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and the late-closing Bottas (Vekoma). The former and latter are the types to come off the pace, and with plenty of speed in here, this is a contest that is shaping up to be right in their wheelhouse. Capital Partner did everything he could to lose first-out and still came home best of all by a half-length in his Aug. 2 Saratoga unveiling. He weakened late in the GIII With Anticipation Stakes at that venue last out but comes into this race with a healthy worktab to his credit for trainer Chad Brown.

To his far inside is the Miguel Clement-trained Bottas, who debuted at this distance Aug. 23 and roared home from the five path to win by 2 1/4 lengths. He's taking on graded company in his second start, and as it pertains to the 1 1/16-miles, he'll have the experience edge over some of his competitors–many of whom are stretching out for the first time.

Two races before the Pilgrim will be the GIII Futurity Stakes, which will function as the return of Outfielder (Speightstown) after his tilt at French Group 1 black-type. After a monster debut May 23 beneath the Twin Spires, his connections looked to Europe and went ahead with the plan to take on the G1 Prix Morny. For the domestic audience, that's not an easy contest to win, and not only was he well-supported by the international bettors, but he didn't disgrace himself to finish fourth behind an unbeaten filly. He's been training very well since returning and if the ship across the Atlantic truly didn't take anything out of him, Outfielder is going to be very hard to beat with electric speed from a rail spot.

Stone Farm's Expressway (Hard Spun) and the Tom Morley-trained Attfield (Vekoma) have faced some quality company between their respective debuts. If Outfielder falters, they figure to be the most likely to claim the moment in the sun, especially the latter. Attfield has already faced, and beaten, Outfielder's equally highly-regarded stablemate Schwarzenegger (Not This Time)–who well could end up the favorite in Saturday's Speakeasy Stakes at Santa Anita Park,

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