Fayette – (Grade lll)

Purse $350.00 – For Three Year Olds And Upward

1 1/8 Miles – Dirt

Keeneland – October 24, 2026

A full field of twelve colts and geldings will head to the starting gate this Saturday at Keeneland for a highly competitive 22nd running of the Fayette! Since its inception in 2005, this stake has remained at the same distance while its purse has more than doubled from $150.00 to the current $350.00. Mb Stables sits atop the Fayette owner leaderboard with four victories, a run of success that began with Resolute Jesse in 2016. Three more trips to the winner’s circle have followed that initial breakthrough, giving the stable a record that every other owner in this race is still chasing. Cheap Ways will carry the stable’s hopes this year as he attempts to follow in the footsteps of his stablemate and current Breeders Cup favorite, Diametric, who set the stakes record last year. He stopped the clock in an impressive 1:47.12—that time still stands as the track record for 1 1/8 miles at Keeneland. There’s a lot of firepower entered in this year’s edition, ranging from three-year-olds to a seven-year-old. Let’s take a closer look!

1. Malediction – (Nakamura Stables, R. Santana Jr.) Nakamura Stables’ homebred has already proven himself at this distance, winning last year’s Super Derby at LAD before finishing second in the Native Diver (G3). Malediction picked up his first turf win in an allowance at WO in May. He then tried to parlay that victory, but got seventh in the Wise Dan (G2) and fourth in the Read Stakes (G2). A return to the main track brought this colt back to the winner’s circle in August, when he led throughout an optional claimer and held on by a neck. He followed that with a competitive fourth in the PID Mile last time out. Malediction stayed close to the pace and finished just a length behind the winner. Those recent efforts suggest he arrives in solid form, with some encouraging local works adding to his appeal.

2. Burger King – (Serenity Stables, P. Lopez) Serenity Stables brings Burger King back to the Fayette after he finished seventh in last year’s renewal. His lone victory this season came in the FON Stakes in April after connections purchased this gelding privately from Team 7 Illusions. He followed that with a close fourth in the Eclipse Stakes (G2) before getting second as the heavy favorite in a DMR optional claimer. Most recently, the son of Acapulco Bay raced just off the speed in the Durham Cup (G3) but lost ground through the stretch to finish fifth by two lengths. It’s worth noting that connections removed all equipment from Burger King since the acquisition. A forward position looks likely again and finding a stronger finish will be crucial if he is to improve on his previous appearance in this event.

3. Private Money – (Winning Link Stables, V. Espinoza) Private Money showed lots of promise earlier this year with a narrow second in the Lexington (G3) and a third in the Peter Pan (G3). He took a major step forward in his first appearance after being gelded by capturing the WV Derby (G3) in August. The son of Devils Tower stalked the leaders that day before getting up by a nose over this same distance. He went off as the favorite in the PA Derby (G1) last time out, but could not make up ground down the stretch and finished fourth by four lengths. This California-bred will get a three-pound weight break in this race as he is a three-year-old taking on older foes. Private Money could be a serious contender if he repeats that August performance. He is also reunited with jockey Victor Espinoza.

4. Tube – (Spankys Barn, T. Gaffalione) This four-year-old gelding arrives for Spankys Barn off the strongest stretch of this year after winning a DMR open allowance and getting second in the Goodwood (G1). Tube rallied from just off the pace to take that August allowance by a nose over a mile. The son of Racing Plate then stretched out to nine furlongs last time out and steadily made up ground to finish only a length behind the winner in a field of twelve. Those recent performances marked a welcome turnaround after he finished ninth in the Met Mile (G1) and fifth in an optional claimer earlier in the summer. His latest showing deserves considerable respect at this level, making him a threat to get back to winning ways. This is going to be my longshot pick in here.

5. Bold Dummy – (Serenity Stables, J. McKee) The second entrant for Serenity Stables has rewarded his connections with some impressive efforts after being purchased from Mb Stables for $27.99 at auction back in March. Bold Dummy finished second in consecutive dirt outings before breaking through in last month’s PID Mile. He rallied from four lengths off the pace to prevail by three-quarters of a length with fellow Fayette entrant Malediction finishing fourth. The son of Bold Ruler has now placed in four of five appearances this season and looks to be progressing at the right time. Stretching out to nine furlongs against graded foes presents another challenge, but an honest pace could give his late run every chance to count. This will be his first time at the distance.

6. Cheap Ways – (Mb Stables, L. Saez) Mb Stables acquired Cheap Ways from Riggins Racing for $40.00 in August and now looks to the veteran for a fifth Fayette title. He finished a close third in last year’s renewal and has remained productive with four victories this season. His January score in the LA Stakes (G3) was followed by three allowance wins before he took third in the Dominion Day (G3) over this distance in June. The seven-year-old returned from nearly three months off in the PRX Dirt Mile and made a promising debut for his new connections. Cheap Ways gradually closed from fifth to secure another third while ending up just three quarters of a length behind the winner. That comeback should provide a useful foundation for this race. I’m just not 100% sure that the 1 ⅛-mile distance is his best.

7. Mr Monarch – (Simmer Down Stable, G. Corrales) Mr Monarch quickly justified Simmer Down Stable’s $40.00 claim by winning the Dominion Day (G3) in his first appearance for the barn. He closed from only a length off the speed to take command over nine furlongs and drew clear by two lengths with Cheap Ways back in third. This Ontario-bred then set the pace in the Whitney (G1) and got fifth despite being beaten only half a length. Another attempt to lead throughout in last month’s JC Gold Cup (G1) ended with him weakening late to finish sixth by two lengths. Mr Monarch’s early speed should influence how the Fayette unfolds and that Dominion Day success makes him dangerous if he can save enough for the stretch. Don’t let this guy get away on the front end.

8. Gymnast – (Noblepark, A R. Rodriguez) This son of Great State strengthened an already solid stakes record when he captured the PIM Special (G3) for Noblepark in May. He followed that with a fifth in the Foster (G1) while finishing only a length behind the winner. A drop into allowance company at SAR brought another victory in July as he handled a sloppy track and prevailed by a neck over nine furlongs. Gymnast’s latest appearance produced a strong third in the JC Gold Cup (G1), where he stayed within striking distance throughout and crossed the wire a length short. With lifetime earnings approaching $1,000.00 and several competitive efforts against stronger foes, this colt certainly has the credentials to challenge for another graded title here. A serious contender.

9. Power Grid – (The Sidley Stud, J R. Velazquez) Power Grid has turned his season around for The Sidley Stud with two victories and a close third from his last three appearances. He swept from last to first in a one-mile allowance at LS in July and pulled away to score by two lengths. A similar late charge carried him to a one-length victory in the Iselin Stakes (G3) the following month. This five-year-old gelding then closed nicely once again from tenth to finish third in the Goodwood (G1) just a length behind the winner and one spot behind Tube. All of that came after ninth and eighth-place effort at the start of the year. The showing last time out over nine furlongs strengthens Power Grid’s case considerably and a contested pace would give this closer an inviting target.

10. Knight Forgotten – (The Sidley Stud, S X. Bridgmohan) Another dependable runner for The Sidley Stud after proving to be a great $12.50 claim from Mb Stables. Knight Forgotten won a starter allowance in April before capturing the Knicks Go Stakes on Kentucky Derby Day the following month. A close fourth in the Cornhusker Handicap (G3) preceded a third behind stablemate Power Grid in the Iselin Stakes (G3). September’s Durham Cup (G3) brought another placing as he advanced from sixth to finish third just a length behind the winner and ahead of Burger King. The son of Knight Eyes has yet to finish worse than fourth this season—a stronger finishing punch could make the difference as he pursues his first graded victory. Recent workouts are strong as well.

11. Maymun – (Mo Mentum Farm, B. Curtis) Maymun has climbed sharply through the ranks for Mo Mentum Farm since being claimed for $40.00 at KEE in April. He followed a WO allowance victory with a win in the Commentator Stakes over nine furlongs back in the summer. This New York-bred then finished second in both the San Diego Handicap (G2) and Pacific Classic (G1), only being beaten by under three lengths combined. Maymun’s latest fifth in the JC Gold Cup (G1) deserves a closer look after he rallied from twelfth and reduced a ten-length deficit to only two at the finish with some traffic trouble down the stretch. Returning to a distance where he has already won adds to his appeal and his recent efforts against top company suggest he can make a big impact here.

12. Cumberland Blue – (Jerry Garcia Racing, R M. Hernandez) Jerry Garcia Racing’s homebred Cumberland Blue established his credentials with victories in the Gotham (G3) and Wood Memorial (G2) earlier this season. He then contested all three Triple Crown races with his best placings coming when fifth in both the Preakness (G1) and Belmont (G1). A recent turf experiment produced a close fourth at SAR followed by a fifth in the Nashville Derby (G2) after making up considerable ground late. The son of Excoriator now returns to the distance of his Wood Memorial success with some sharp KEE works adding encouragement. Cumberland Blue’s ability to finish strongly gives him a chance, but securing a position closer to the leaders will be absolutely crucial against this field.

– AJM

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES