Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Keepmeinmind

Dec 01, 2020 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Cypress Creek, LLC and Arnold Bennewith’s Keepmeinmind picked up 10 points on the “2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby” following his late-running victory in the $200,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs. The winner, who broke his maiden in the contest, clocked 1 1/16 miles on the fast main surface in 1:44.52 under the guidance of David Cohen.

Smiley Sobotka, Arabian Prince, and Swill rounded out the top four and earned qualifying points on a 4-2-1 basis, respectively.

Keepmeinmind debuted on September 2 beneath the Twin Spires and finished a smart second in an off-the-turf event traveling one mile. The son of Laoban was put directly into top-level racing second time out, and he checked in with a fine runner-up performance in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland behind likely champion Essential Quality.

He preceded his first graded tally with a third-place result in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), when he rallied from last for conditioner Robertino Diodoro.

Bred in the Bluegrass State by Southern Equine Stables, Keepmeinmind is the first stakes winner produced from the unraced Victory Gallop mare Inclination, who counts herself as a half-sister to Grade 3 hero Mellow Fellow, as well as stakes heroine Zawzooth.

Keepmeinmind has an excellent foundation under him with four route races this campaign. The colt is proven to be among the best in his division, and he has room to improve as the distances increase, as well. In addition, the bay sports solid Brisnet Late Pace figures of 96-100-94 in his last trio of races with graded competition.

With proven ability combined with an affinity for the Churchill Downs surface, I think that Keepmeinmind is a very logical contender for the classic races in 2021.