Beau’s Town Giving It a Go at Keeneland

Making his first start since winning the Bing Crosby Breeders’ Cup Handicap on July 26 at Del Mar, Beau’s Town heads a field of eight in the $250,000 Phoenix Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky.

The Grade III at six furlongs is one of two stakes on the opening-day card. The other is the $400,000 Alcibiades, a Grade II at 1 1/16 miles for 2-year-old fillies.

Owned by Robert Beck and David Hulkewicz and trained by Cole Norman, Beau’s Town is using the Phoenix as a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint on Oct. 25.

Winner of 10 of 14 starts, the 5-year-old Beau Genius gelding will be running for the first time at Keeneland and will be ridden by Patrick Valenzuela. The jockey rode the chestnut in the Bing Crosby when he beat Captain Squire and seven others in 1:07 4/5 for the six furlongs.

In the Alcibiades, Lokoya is the probable favorite for owner James Scatuorchio and trainer Todd Pletcher. Winner of one of three starts, the daughter of Woodman lost by a nose to Marylebone in the Matron, a Grade I, at Belmont Park in her last outing on Sept. 14. John Velasquez will ride against a field that includes Sweet Jo Jo, Be Gentle, In Rome, Galloping Gal, Whirlwind Charlott and Deb’s Charm.

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Race of the day: Watchem Smokey, unbeaten in six races in Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas, will make his first start for owner Ed Gann and trainer Bobby Frankel in today’s sixth at Santa Anita. The 3-year-old Alphabet Soup gelding will be ridden by Alex Solis in the $60,000 optional claimer at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf.

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One for the road: El Prado’s Gal should improve in her second start on the turf and first on the surface against New York breds in today’s fourth at Belmont Park. Trained by Gary Contessa, who had a longshot winner on Thursday at Belmont, the gray daughter of El Prado will be ridden by Aaron Gryder.

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Exotically speaking: A pick three singling Licari in the third, Our Magistrate, Ex Federali, Mansilver and Waki American in the fourth and Happy And Hasty, Lake Ray and Harvest Festival in the fifth.

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Winners: Previous day/meet total: 1/12. Money: Previous day/meet total: $5.40/$50.80. Total money bet: $52.