Just a Touch Dominates Keeneland Allowance, Eyes Met Mile
Keeneland showcased a potential new star in the handicap division as Just a Touch delivered a commanding seven-length victory in Saturday’s $130,000 allowance optional claiming event.
The 4-year-old Justify colt, who finished second in last year’s GIII Gotham Stakes and GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, demonstrated why he was once considered a serious Kentucky Derby contender.
Sent off as the heavy favorite following a 10 1/2-length romp in a Fair Grounds allowance on March 1, Just a Touch controlled the 1 1/8-mile contest from start to finish. Under jockey Florent Geroux, he completed the distance in 1:50.34 over a fast track.
“He’ll not be seeing allowance company again anytime soon,” remarked one observer after the impressive performance.
The Brad Cox trainee initially settled into second position behind pacesetter Passing Game before asserting his dominance at the half-mile pole. Just a Touch opened up decisively in the stretch, winning with authority as ‘TDN Rising Star’ Parchment Party rallied for second ahead of Gould’s Gold.
Fergus Galvin, U.S. advisor to co-owner Qatar Racing’s Sheikh Fahad, confirmed Just a Touch will target the GI Met Mile on the GI Belmont Stakes program at Saratoga on June 7.
The $300,000 OBS April purchase has now compiled a record of three wins and three second-place finishes from seven starts with earnings of $440,778.
Just a Touch is out of Touching Beauty, a Grade 3-winning Tapit mare who captured the 2010 GIII Comely Stakes. Don Alberto Corporation acquired her for $800,000 at the 2014 Keeneland November Sale.
In a notable coincidence, Touching Beauty delivered a full-sister to Just a Touch on the same day he celebrated victory at Keeneland. The mare has produced five winners from seven foals to race, including the 3-year-old Adventurist.
Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack interviewed trainer Brad Cox about Just a Touch and his other top handicap division contenders in Saturday’s TDN.
(5) Just A Touch wins race 8 convincingly with @flothejock in the saddle! (2) Parchment Party rallies up for second, (8) Gould's Gold is third. pic.twitter.com/UWyPFf1PrA
— Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing)
(5) Just A Touch wins race 8 convincingly with April 19, 2025
