Peter Brant’s In Italian (GB), a two-time Grade 1 winner and runner-up here last fall in the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1), headlines a star-studded roster of 21 fillies and mares nominated to the 35^th running of the $600,000 Jenny Wiley (G1) going 1 1/16 miles on the turf on Saturday, April 15. 

Trained by Chad Brown, In Italian won the First Lady (G1) Presented by UK HealthCare here last fall prior to her narrow defeat in the Breeders’ Cup. 

In total, Brown has five runners nominated to the Jenny Wiley, which he has won five times including last year with eventual champion Regal Glory. Other Brown runners include Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables and Robert LaPenta’s Shantisara (IRE), winner of the 2021 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) Presented by Dixiana (G1) at Keeneland, Klaravich Stables’ Faith in Humanity (FR) and Technical Analysis (IRE) and Peter Brant’s Speak of the Devil (FR). 

Other Grade or Group 1 winners nominated to the Jenny Wiley are Merriebelle Stable’s Didia (ARG), trained by Ignacio Correas IV; Bobby Flay’s Pizza Bianca, trained by Christophe Clement; Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gary Barber’s Queen Goddess, trained by Michael McCarthy; and Gainesway Stable’s Spendarella, trained by Graham Motion. 

In addition to the Jenny Wiley and the Maker’s Mark Mile, five other stakes will be run during the second weekend of the Spring Meet. 

The fourth running of the $250,000 FanDuel Limestone (L) for 3-year-old fillies attracted 33 nominations for the 5½-furlong grass test to be run April 14. Topping the nominees is NBS Stable and Elements Racing’s Danse Macabre, winner of the Herecomesthebride (G3) last month at Gulfstream Park for trainer Kelsey Danner. 

Two other stakes will be contested on the Jenny Wiley card on April 15: the 41^st running of the $400,000 Stonestreet Lexington (G3) for 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles on the main track and the 26^th running of the $250,000 Giant’s Causeway (L) for fillies and mares going 5½ furlongs on the turf. 

The Stonestreet Lexington, which drew 72 nominations, is the final race in the Road to the Kentucky Derby with 40 points available on a 20-8-6-4-2 scale to the first- through fifth-place finishers. Among the top 20 point earners going into Saturday’s races 11 are nominated to the Stonestreet Lexington. 

The Giant’s Causeway (L) attracted 34 nominations headed by Qatar Racing Limited, Marc Detampel and Madaket Stables’ Caravel and Stonestreet Stables’ Twilight Gleaming (IRE). 

Winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) here last fall, Caravel is expected to start in Saturday’s Shakertown (G2) against males for trainer Brad Cox. Twilight Gleaming, trained by Wesley Ward, won the 2021 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2) against the boys at Del Mar. 

Two stakes are on tap for Sunday, April 16: the 38^th running of the $400,000 Beaumont (G2) Presented by Keeneland Select for 3-year-old fillies racing over the Beard Course of 7 furlongs, 184 feet and the 17^th running of the $250,000 Palisades (L) for 3-year-olds going 5½ furlongs on the turf. 

The Beaumont is the final race in the Road to the Kentucky Oaks with 20 points available on a 10-4-3-2-1 scale to the first- through fifth-place finishers. Topping the list of 34 nominees is Ashbrook Farm and Upland Flats Racing’s Forward Gal (G3) winner Red Carpet Ready, trained by Rusty Arnold. 

The Palisades attracted 34 nominations headed by Mike McCarty’s Private Creed, winner of the Indian Summer (L) Presented by Keeneland Select here last fall and third-place finisher in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) for trainer Steve Asmussen, and Madaket Stables, Little Red Feather Racing and William Strauss’ Nagirroc, winner of the Futurity (G3) and third-place finisher in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) for trainer Graham Motion.