Mongolian Saturday works; Keeneland releases stakes probables

Edited Press Release

Even though he never has raced outside the U.S., Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) hopeful Mongolian Saturday embodies the “world” in Breeders’ Cup World Championships because his connections are from Mongolia.

Owner Ganbaatar Dagvadorj’s Mongolian Stable and trainer Enebish Ganbat purchased Mongolian Saturday for $60,000 at Keeneland’s 2011 September Yearling Sale.

Mongolian Saturday exits a pair of runner-up finishes in the September 7 Turf Monster (G3) at Parx and the October 3 Woodford Stakes (G3) at Keeneland, the being rained off the turf course and run on dirt. The 5-year-old gelding has posted a total of four runner-up finish in stakes competition this year.

On Tuesday morning at Keeneland, Mongolian Saturday worked for the first time since the Woodford, covering three furlongs in :37.40 under assistant trainer Santiago Aragon.

Ganbat is happy about the prospect of saddling his first Breeders’ Cup starter.

“Everybody is excited,” he said, adding that the owner will be at Keeneland for the Breeders’ Cup.

Ganbat, who is in his fifth year of training in the U.S., said he began training horses in Mongolia in 1995 and he has 12 horses in training for Dagvadorj, who keeps several broodmares in Central Kentucky.

Florent Geroux will retain the mount in the Turf Sprint.

Stakes Probables

Keeneland Racing Secretary Ben Huffman and Stakes Coordinator Allison DeLuca have released probable starters for the final stakes of Keeneland’s Fall Meet, the October 29 Prelude to the Cup program and the Breeders’ Cup Friday and Saturday undercards:

OCTOBER 24

$150,000 Pin Oak Valley View (G3): America Mon Amie, Calypso Beat, Cara Marie, Don’t Leave Me, Havanna Belle (IRE), Include Betty, Miss Double d’Oro, Mrs McDougal, Osaila (IRE), Pine Needles, Prado’s Sweet Ride, Rainha Da Bateria, Stormy Regatta, Sunset Glow, Tiger Ride.

OCTOBER 29, Prelude to the Cup 

$100,000 Lafayette: A. P. Indian, Bagg O’Day, Doubledown Again, Jimmy Bouncer, Midnight Cello.

OCTOBER 30, Breeders’ Cup Friday

$200,000 Fayette (G2): Code West, Commissioner, Encryption, Imperative, Protonico, Race Day, Smack Smack, V. E. Day.

$200,000 Marathon (G2): Bailoutbobby, Crucero, Divine Oath, Hoppertunity, Looks to Spare, Majestic Harbor, Neck ‘n Neck.

$100,000 Bryan Station: Billy’s Star, Chapter Two, One Go All Go, Tale of Verve. 

OCTOBER 31, Breeders’ Cup Saturday

$100,000 Perryville: Lewys Vaporizer, Prime Engine, Ready for Rye.

$100,000 Juvenile Dirt Sprint: Noholdingback Bear, Spikes Shirl, Twirling Tiger, Uncle Vinny.

$100,000 Fort Springs: Fusaichi Red, Meshell, Natural Wonder, Promise Me Silver.

 Mongolian Saturday photo courtesy of Bill Denver/Equi-Photo