Laoban’s Keepmeinmind goes from last to first in Kentucky Jockey Club (G2)

Keepmeninmind got a breakthrough win in Saturday’s $200,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs, breaking his maiden in the 1 1/16-mile race after placing in both the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and Keeneland’s Breeders’ Futurity (G1) this fall.

The bay 2-year-old is Laoban’s third stakes winner and his tenth overall winner. Laoban, who is new to the WinStar Farm stallion roster for 2021, is currently second on the First-Crop sire list by progeny earnings and is tied for the top spot by graded winners and horses.

Keepmeinmind was last of nine out of the gate and though he was at the back of the field for the first six furlongs, he was never more than six lengths from the leaders. Jockey David Cohen moved off the fence coming into the stretch and was in full flight as he rolled down the middle of the track. He collared Smiley Sobotka in the final furlong, winning by three-quarters of a length in 1:44.52 on a fast track (VIDEO).

“He showed his talent today,” trainer Robertino Diodoro said. “He’s had some tough trips previously, and even though he was a maiden, we knew he’d fit with this field. I think he’ll be a horse that’ll run all day.” 

The Kentucky Jockey Club is a qualifying race on the 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby, earning the winner 10 points toward next year’s Run for the Roses. Keepmeinmind has 18 points after earning four points each in the Breeders’ Futurity and Juvenile. 

Bred in Kentucky by Southern Equine Stables, he is the first stakes winner from the Victory Gallop mare Inclination. She has a a weanling full brother to Keepmeinmind. 

The winner is owned by Cypress Creek LLC and Arnold Bennewith and has now earned $394,320.