Keeneland Connections Elected to Racing Hall of Fame

 Keeneland is proud to recognize the 2020 inductees to the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame who have connections to Keeneland: two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan and trainer Mark Casse in the contemporary category; jockey Darrel McHargue via the Historic Review Committee; and Pillars of the Turf selections Alice Headley Chandler and J. Keene Daingerfield Jr.

Wise Dan was based at Keeneland with trainer Charlie LoPresti, the popular gelding won a record seven stakes and made a total of 10 starts at the track during his career.

Here’s a look at Wise Dan's outstanding record:

• For breeder and owner Morton Fink, Wise Dan had 23 wins and two seconds in 31 starts and earned $7,552,920 from 2010-2014. 
• The son of Wiseman’s Ferry won 11 Grade 1 races, including the 2012-2013 Breeders’ Cup Mile, along with six Grade 2 races and two Grade 3 races.
• He captured 15 of 16 starts on grass, including his last 14, and set course records at Santa Anita and Woodbine, breaking marks that had stood for 15 and nine years, respectively. 
• In 2012, Wise Dan was named Horse of the Year, champion older male and champion turf male to become the first horse since John Henry in 1981 to sweep the three categories. Wise Dan also earned the three titles in 2013.

At Keeneland, Wise Dan showcased his brilliance with multiple wins in the track’s two most important turf races. He made four starts in the Shadwell Turf Mile (G1), winning in 2012 and 2014. He also finished second in the race in 2013 and fourth in 2011. 

During the Spring Meet, Wise Dan won Keeneland’s Maker’s 46 Mile (G1) (now the Maker’s Mark Mile) in 2013-2014.

Fink, who died in 2019, received a unique distinction when Wise Dan won the 2014 Maker’s 46 Mile. That victory marked the eighth graded stakes win at Keeneland for a horse Fink owned, earning him a gold tray as part of Keeneland’s Milestone Trophy Program. At the time, Wise Dan had won six Keeneland stakes; Fink’s other two graded stakes wins at the track came from Wise Dan’s year older half-brother, Successful Dan, who took the 2010 Fayette (G2) and 2013 Ben Ali (G3)

Wise Dan began his career on dirt or all-weather surfaces and was a Grade 1 winner on dirt, which emphasized his versatility. At Keeneland, he captured three graded all-weather stakes: 2010 Phoenix (G3), 2011 Fayette and 2012 Ben Ali. He set a 1 1/8-mile track record in the Ben Ali.

In 2014, the Shadwell Turf Mile became Keeneland’s first million-dollar race. The 9-10 favorite, Wise Dan overcame a poor start, weaved his way through traffic and rolled past the leaders in deep stretch to score a 1-length victory before 25,070 cheering fans in what would be his seventh Keeneland graded stakes victory and the final start of his career. 

“We love Keeneland,” LoPresti said after the Shadwell Turf Mile. “This is our home. It’s Wise Dan’s home, and thanks to all the fans for coming out here and being so proud of this horse. … People love him and we love him. We’re proud to have him and blessed to have him.”

A year later and a few days before Wise Dan was paraded before his adoring fans at Keeneland on the day of the next Shadwell Turf Mile, LoPresti was asked what races would be atop a “Wise Dan Greatest Wins” video.

“Oh gosh, there are so many,” LoPresti said. “Probably both Breeders’ Cup Miles (at Santa Anita) and both Woodbines (Ricoh Woodbine Mile-G1 in 2012 and 2013).

“But probably the most emotional would be the (2014) Bernard Baruch (G2) after he came back from having colic surgery. He has overcome a lot.”

“I’m not bragging on my horse, because his record speaks for itself,” LoPresti said at the time. “But the really good horses, they find a way to win no matter what happens in a race.”

Today, Wise Dan and Successful Dan are enjoying retirement together in Lexington at Forest Lane Farm, owned by LoPresti and his wife, Amy.

Wise Dan’s Wins at Keeneland

2010 Phoenix (G3)

2011 Fayette (G2)

2012 Ben Ali (G3)

2012 and 2014 Shadwell Turf Mile (G1)

2013-2014 Maker’s 46 Mile (G1)