Eclipse Sends Out a Trio of Runners Opening Weekend at Keeneland
Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners prides itself on being able to provide its’ partners with weekend action in the world’s most lucrative and prestigious races at the finest venues on offer.
Of the 83 starters the stable has sent out this season, 48 have been in Graded Stakes or Listed affairs. The stable, despite having no more than 15 horses in training at any given time throughout the year, currently ranks 4th overall in the country for owners with 5 Graded Stakes winners and 6 total Graded Stakes wins.
This coming weekend is yet another illustration of the quality Eclipse turns in week in and week out for its’ partners.
On Friday, opening day at the coveted Keeneland Fall meeting, Eclipse will be represented by Battlefield Angel in the Grade 1, $400,000 Alcibiades. Battlefield Angel, a $45,000 yearling acquisition, will have Channing Hill in the saddle for trainer Wayne Catalano. The Alcibiades is a “Win & You’re In” qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies division. Last year, Eclipse ran 4th in the Alcibiades with Tara From The Cape, who would follow up that effort with a 4th place result in the Grade 1, $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.
On Sunday, a pair of Eclipse fillies will take to the track in Lexington. Super Sky, who has a 3rd and a 2ndon her docket in her 2 lifetime starts, both at Saratoga, will be well intended to break her maiden with John Velazquez in the tack for trainer Todd Pletcher.
The weekend culminates on Sunday when Byrama, a Grade 1 winner for the stable this season, tries to defend Eclipse’s crown in the Grade 1, $500,000 Spinster at Keeneland. Eclipse was victorious in this affair last year with the glorious filly, In Lingerie. Byrama, affectionately known as “Nails” amongst the Eclipse brethren, due to her iron constitution, will have Rosie Napravnik aboard for conditioner Simon Callaghan.
“Our partners participate in our partnerships to land in the winners’ circle in big races at the best tracks and we are determined to continue to provide them with that opportunity and we are focused every day on executing that mission on a consistent basis,” Wellman added. “We participated in the Alcibiades and Spinster last year and had 2 terrific results, including a monumental win by In Lingerie in the Spinster and we have conviction that our 2 fillies we’re bringing for this year’s renewal of each race is a legitimate contender. It should be a fun and exciting weekend for all involved and we’re really looking forward to it.”