October 17, 2024
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
A Noble Challenger
Knightsbridge may not be as experienced as his 11 contemporaries in Saturday’s $300,000 Perryville (G3) at Keeneland, but the 3-year-old colt has more than enough talent to run with the big dogs.
Through two career starts – a maiden contest in November 2023 and a claiming bout this past March – Knightsbridge owns a perfect slash line (2-0-0) supported by a stunning combined victory margin of 19 ½ lengths.
The seven-furlong Perryville, which features top contenders in Book’em Danno (2-1 opening line favorite) and Locked (7-2), will no doubt be Knightsbridge’s stiffest test to date.
However, oddsmakers are intrigued by the Bill Mott trainee, listing him at 3-1 in the early going.
Request a Rematch?
Familiar foes Emery (7-5) and My Mane Squeeze (4-1) are set to meet for the second time in 77 days when they square off in this Saturday’s $350,000 Raven Run (G2) at Keeneland.
Although neither challenger reigned victorious in their previous meeting, the $500,000 Test Stakes (G1) on Aug. 3, the pair finished second and third, respectively.
Emery, who sports a 4-1-0 line through six lifetime starts, has yet to race since then.
Meanwhile, My Mane Squeeze has competed twice, improving to second in the Charles Town Oaks (G2) and breaking through with a Dogwood (G3) score last time out on Sept. 21.
Welcome to the Show
Edict’s (ARG) North American debut had to be put on hold after the 4-year-old filly came down with a foot bruise ahead of the Noble Damsel on Sept. 21.
Fortunately, the Argentinian national is back to full strength and raring to go for the $150,000 Athenia Stakes at Belmont.
The David Donk charge has been training in New York for the past four months and will remain in The Empire State for her maiden stateside voyage on Saturday.
Edict, who rattled off a pair of Group 1 wins to round out her 2023 campaign, enters the Athenia at 12-1.
Catching Kelce
Following a rookie year in which he missed the top three in all four starts, Swift Delivery rode into his sophomore season a new horse.
The recently invigorated 4-year-old gelding has hit the podium in all five attempts in 2024, registering a strong 2-1-2 line along the way.
Swift Delivery will try to keep the good times rolling in this Saturday’s $135,000 Ontario Derby (G3) at Woodbine.
Fresh off a slight letdown as the even-money favorite in August’s Toronto Cup, the youngster, whose ownership group includes Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, can make amends at 2-1 in the 1 1/8-mile contest.
If successful, Swift Delivery will have as many wins as Kelce does Super Bowl rings (three).
We’ll Meet Again
Keeneland’s weekend of grudge matches continues Sunday afternoon with the $300,000 Dowager (G3T) for fillies and mares 3-years and older.
After nearly seven months of stewing, Atomic Blonde (GER) finally has the chance to turn the tide on Chop Chop, who ousted the former by 2 ¼-lengths in April’s Bewitch (G2T).
With only one trip to the winner’s circle between them in eight starts since the Grade 2 tilt (Atomic Blonde won the Keertana in May), both candidates are eyeing a get-right effort in the Dowager.
Oddsmakers are more bullish on Chop Chop (5-1) heading into the 1 ½-mile affair, while
Atomic Blonde faces more of an uphill battle at 10-1.