While the rest of the field for the April 4, $1.25 million Blue Grass Stakes (G1) made their most recent starts outside Kentucky, Three Chimneys Farm and trainer John Ennis' Great White has raced exclusively in the state. All three of his races have been over the all-weather surface at Turfway Park, where in his most recent effort he captured the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes Feb. 21.
On April 1, three days before the 1 1/8-mile Blue Grass, Ennis said he is not concerned about Great White's lack of experience with dirt racing.
"He has always moved great at The Thoroughbred Center on the dirt," said Ennis, whose stable is based at the Keeneland-owned training center, 12 miles northeast of Keeneland.
"We are going into deeper waters, but better to find out now than the first Saturday in May," Ennis said. "He is an improving horse, and if he gets enough points in the Blue Grass for the Kentucky Derby, I think it will be worth going to the Derby."
Great White tuned up for his dirt race debut March 29 at Keeneland by clocking a half-mile in :47 3/5 in company with maiden Just Munny. On Wednesday the stablemates were back at Keeneland to get acquainted with the saddling paddock.
"The Blue Grass is such a big event, so we wanted to make sure he sees the paddock and has a quiet, easy time," Ennis said about Great White.
In 2024, Ennis was represented in the Blue Grass by third-place finisher Epic Ride, who went on to finish unplaced in the Kentucky Derby (G1).
"They are different horses and (Great White) is probably a better horse," he said.
After recognizing Great White's potential during his early lessons under saddle as a yearling, Ennis readily agreed to become a partner with Three Chimneys, who stands the 3-year-old's sire Volatile . and bought Great White as a yearling for $55,000 out of the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment to the 2024 Fasig-Tipton December Digital Sale.
"He just had so much presence about him and such a good demeanor," Ennis said. "He was big with legs everywhere and a great attitude. He has a massive stride. He's a big unit who is getting better and stronger. He is a business-type horse. He doesn't want you petting or loving on him. Give him one pat, and then he will tell you to get away. He is all work, eat, sleep. The type of horse you want."
Great White went back to The Thoroughbred Center after Wednesday's morning schooling session and will return to Keeneland on Blue Grass day.
Arcangelo's Connections Take Shot With Moonstrocity
Owner Jon Ebbert answered the question before it was even asked.
"Why are we running?" Ebbert queried of ponying up $20,000 to supplement Moonstrocity into the Blue Grass. "Because he is sitting on a peak performance and why waste it on a maiden race? We are going to take a shot."
Trained by Jena Antonucci, Moonstrocity has run twice. He finished eighth going a mile on the grass in his debut Feb. 8 at Gulfstream Park and was third going a mile on the dirt at Gulfstream Feb. 28.
"I think he is ready to run the race of his life, but I am not sure if that will be good enough," said Ebbert, who campaigned champion Arcangelo with Antonucci in 2023. "I expect him to run well. I hope he runs like his daddy, Tiz the Law."
Jose Morelos will have the mount Saturday and exit post 8 on Moonstrocity.
"It's great to be back at Keeneland," said Ebbert, who lives in Pennsylvania. "This is where I bought him."
Moonstrocity was a $40,000 purchase out of the Upson Downs Farm consignment at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale in the name of Ebbert's Blue Rose Farm.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
