Just a Touch Leads Competitive Sycamore Field at Keeneland
Keeneland's Elite Turf Challenge: Sycamore Stakes Showcases Top Talent
Just a Touch: A Dominant Force on the Green
Just a Touch, a five-year-old gelding by Justify, has consistently demonstrated his prowess on turf, securing two stakes victories and triumphing in three out of four grass races this season. His recent win in the Colonial Cup at Colonial Downs, contested over the same distance of 1 1/2 miles, positions him as a leading contender in the upcoming Sycamore.
The Sycamore Stakes: A Feature Event on Keeneland's Calendar
The Sycamore Stakes, a Grade 2 race with a substantial purse of $400,000, is slated to be the highlight of Friday's ten-race program at Keeneland. This event attracts a full complement of twelve entries, ensuring a competitive and thrilling contest for racing enthusiasts.
Key Challengers and Returning Veterans
Among the notable entries challenging Just a Touch are Mercante, who previously secured a second-place finish in the Wise Dan (G2) and is looking to rebound after a challenging Green River Island performance. Also in the mix is Desvio, last year's Sycamore champion, who will be seeking to reclaim his form after a winless streak in his last five starts.
Full Field Breakdown and Prospective Entrants
The Sycamore field is packed with talent, featuring a diverse array of horses and their connections. Goldeneye, trained by Peter Eurton and ridden by Edwin A. Maldonado, comes off a fourth-place finish in the Bowling Green Gold Cup. Just A Touch, with trainer Brad H. Cox and jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr., boasts a recent victory in the Colonial Cup. Mercante, under Brian Knippenberg and Joseph D. Ramos, looks to improve on his sixth-place finish in the Green River Island Stakes. Other contenders include Navy Seal, Echo Lane, English Actor, Limited Liability, Tiz Dashing, Layabout, Vote No, Desvio, and Rothschild, each bringing their unique form and potential to the race.
Alternate Entries and Potential Lineup Changes
Three alternate entries, Lambeth, Sumood, and Carcano, are also listed, ready to step in should any of the primary entries withdraw. Lambeth, trained by Joe Sharp, finished second in the Bowling Green Gold Cup. Sumood, from Brendan P. Walsh's barn, last ran seventh in the KD Handicap. Carcano, under Victoria H. Oliver, secured second in the Colonial Cup. Ur Benja is another alternate, having recently won an allowance race.