LEXINGTON, KY (Oct. 4, 2016) – Normandy Farm’s Daddys Lil Darling, winner of the Pocahontas (G2) in her most recent start at Churchill Downs, headlines a field of 14 2-year-old fillies entered Tuesday for Friday’s 65th running of the $400,000 Darley Alcibiades (G1).
The Darley Alcibiades is the centerpiece of the 10-race opening-day card of Keeneland’s 17-day Fall Meet that runs through Oct. 29. First post time Friday is 1:05 p.m. ET with the Darley Alcibiades going as the ninth race with a 5:30 p.m. post time.
The Darley Alcibiades, run at 1 1/16 miles on dirt, is the first of six Grade 1 races during the Fall Meet and one of eight “Win and You’re In” challenge races for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships to be run Nov. 4-5 at Santa Anita. Friday’s winner gets a fees-paid entry into the $2 million 14 Hands Winery Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) on Nov. 5.
Three Alcibiades winners have gone on to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies: Eliza (1992), Countess Diana (1997) and Silverbulletday (1998).
Kenny McPeek, a three-time Alcibiades winner, trains Daddys Lil Darling, who has won two of three career starts with the Pocahontas victory earning her a Breeders’ Cup berth. Corey Lanerie, who was aboard in the Pocahontas, has the riding assignment Friday and will break from post position 14.
Among the leading rivals to Daddys Lil Darling is Empyrean Stables and Two Princesses’ undefeated Diadura.
Trained by Mike Stidham, Diadura has won her two starts as the favorite over Arlington Park’s all-weather surface. Her most recent victory was a 5½-length score in the Arlington-Washington Lassie at seven furlongs.
Carlos Marquez Jr., who has ridden Diadura in both of her starts, will be aboard Friday and break from post position 11.
The field for the Darley Alcibiades, from the rail with riders, is as follows: Fun (Brian Hernandez Jr.), Sully’s Dream (Channing Hill), Queen Bernardina (Joe Bravo), Dancing Rags (Angel Cruz), Lady Hansen (Luis Saez), Caroline Test (Jose Ortiz), Cold Hearted Pearl (Jesus Castanon), Dream Dancing (Florent Geroux), Price too High (Julio Garcia), Benner Island (Robby Albarado), Diadura (Marquez Jr.), I’mluckysgirl (Miguel Mena), For Honor (Ricardo Santana Jr.) and Daddys Lil Darling (Lanerie). All starters will carry 118 pounds.