With the return of Cy Fair, the Limestone Stakes at Keeneland debuts its G3 status

The Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) winner will add a different flavor to this Friday's race

Cy Fair takes center stage for Friday's card at Keeneland / ADAM COGLIANESE / NYRA

LEXINGTON, KY (Special to Turf Diario)— Promoted to graded status for the first time in 2026, the Limestone Stakes (G3T) will have a debut worthy of the hype this Friday at Keeneland, featuring a $350,000 purse that has attracted some of the top young turf sprinters in the division. Heading the field is Cy Fair (Not This Time), winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1), who returns from a winter break following her dazzling performance last October when she defeated the boys over five furlongs at Del Mar. Defending the colors of Medallion Racing and partners, the filly returns to the 5 1/2-furlong distance, the same trip over which she broke her maiden at Saratoga.

“She’s been training really well. She came back in great shape and we are very happy with her preparation. She’s developed and strengthened,” said trainer George Weaver. With Irad Ortiz Jr. back in the irons—the same pilot who guided her in the Breeders’ Cup—Cy Fair has been installed as the 9-5 morning-line favorite, breaking from post 9 in a full field of 12 (plus two also-eligibles). A performance living up to those odds could project her toward even loftier goals.

“We’re starting in a turf sprint and we’ll see later on. If she runs well enough, maybe we’ll think about Royal Ascot, but we’ll take it race by race,” Weaver added.

Among her main rivals is Lennilu (Leinster), who already has experience at Royal Ascot, where she finished third in the Queen Mary Stakes (G2). Trained by Patrick Biancone, she comes off a stakes victory at Gulfstream Park and is the second choice on the line with Luis Saez named to ride.

Another strong contender is Snow Face Princess (Midshipman), the only horse to have previously defeated Cy Fair,beating her by a neck in the Bolting Landing Stakes before being purchased for $775,000. She now runs for the legendary Steve Asmussen, returning after a seven-month layoff.

Also in the mix is Godolphin’s Quiet Street (Street Sense), trained by Bill Mott, who returns after six months away from the races. She enters with an impeccable record of two wins from as many starts in sprint distances.

With top-tier talent and several storylines crossing over from the Breeders’ Cup and the 2025 season, the Limestone Stakes promises an inaugural G3 edition loaded with quality. For Cy Fair, it will be the first step in a campaign that could harbor international ambitions—and one that begins under the pressure to confirm her status.