Aryna Sabalenka made a name for herself over the winter by winning her first tennis major, the Australian Open. 

On Saturday, her equine namesake owned by DiRico Racing and Breeding will try to grab some headlines for herself in the 35^th running of the $400,000 Appalachian (G2) Presented by Japan Racing Association going a mile on the turf. 

Trained by Whit Beckman, Sabalenka will be making her 2023 debut after closing her 2-year-old campaign with a turf victory at Churchill Downs. Prior to that, Sabalenka ran fourth in the JPMorgan Chase Jessamine (G2) here. 

“She’s getting on the van to come to Keeneland this afternoon,” Beckman said of Sabalenka, who shipped to Louisville’s Trackside Training Center Sunday after spending the winter at Tampa Bay Downs. “It is good to be back in Louisville.” 

Sabalenka completed her preparation for the Appalachian Presented by Japan Racing Association by working a half-mile in :50 last Saturday at Tampa. 

Ricardo Santana Jr., who was aboard for the allowance victory at Churchill, has the call Saturday in the Appalachian Presented by Japan Racing Association. 

“Her numbers as a 2-year-old were right along with the pack, and we hope she continues to develop going from 2 or 3,” Beckman said. “The goal is to run longer (distances) in the summer and fall, and this is a good starting point.”