I am the lucky person to get the Keeneland opening, lots of pressure but I think I’m ready!
Good Luck
Race 1
7-5-6-9
7- Niigons Glory- first race for the fall meet opens up with a fairly cheap claiming race. This guys been racing well since being taken over by the owner trainer and I’m looking for a strong race off a bit of a layoff. Shows some nice workouts and also a preference for the distance coming in for very strong connections.
5- Got My Mo – this guy ripped off five in a row recently moving up the ladder and has shown ultra consistency throughout his short career. Looking for another strong one here.
6- Irritator – this guy looks good after winning four of his last six and just missing in his last at Canterbury. Should be close to the pace here which should be beneficial at Keeneland.
Race 2
7-2-5
7- Looking at Bikinis – The obvious favourite here this three-year-old is getting back to a class in a distance where he should excel. Looks like he’s ready with some nice works in the morning for a hike class outfit.
2- Bolder – this guy really hasn’t had a bad race in five career starts as he is hit the money and four of those five races and is one for one at Keeneland. He is fresh and has had some nice workouts for high-quality connections.
5- Pole Setter – Second off a layoff getting back on dirt to a track that he has one on all good thoughts should get some value for high class trainer.
Race 3
8-1-5
8- Lngtermrelationship – now there’s a mouthful. Looks like it could be a pretty good value play as he drops down to a level where he has done well in the past and if you look at the January races at golf stream you can see why am picking him on top.
1- Dr Hipp – A recent claim by trainer Norm Casse Who has a huge 40% win percentage with first claims. He had a horrible race at Saratoga in his last but has had time to bounce back here.
5- Croatian – another value play here for top Jock after winning his last race at Churchill.
Race 4
6-5-2
6- Herecomesyourman- was a great claim back in August at Saratoga as the owners bought him for 35,000 and wins over 90,000 his first raise back at Kentucky downs. That last race had a nice speed figure and shows that he can go this long distance.
5- Stella D’oro – this one’s head to nice races since coming over the pond and has one at this distance. Blinkers go on here for more focus and jockey Rosario sticks with him.
2- Apreciado- Will be one of the choices here for this proven trainer and jockey combination. Has done very well Over his last races and should be competitive here
Race 5
4-3-7-11-12
4- Energizer- Hope he is just like the bunny and keeps going and going and going. I like the breeding I like the trainer I like the workouts.
3- Boss o the horizon- this guy jumps out at me mainly because of the breeding the ownership and the strong trainer, the September 13 work out at Churchhill jumps off the page and I think this guy may be ready.
7- Selleck – I think you get lots of value here but if you look closely there’s some very nice things to like. A $300,000 2017 purchase has shown some great works and if you look back to July 15 at Keeneland shows an amazing work getting ready for this first race. He obviously had a setback but he is shown that he can move in the morning
Race 6
5-4-8
5- Ununderstandable- The smaller outfit sends out this two-year-old after two very good races to start her career. You will need to watch the tote board to see what kind of action she will get early on but I feel there’s some quality here and could do well in your first race at Keeneland.
4- Sound machine- this high-priced two-year-old comes in from gulfstream after a first race stunner. She won by over eight at even money so obviously there is some talent.
8- Into Humor- another that showed a very nice win in her first and only start and comes here just try the dirt for the first time which based on her breeding should not be a problem.
Race 7
9-2-5-6
9- Snaffle – you may be able to get some value here on this girl as I think she really wants to be on the turf. The September workouts have been stellar for this quality connection.
2- Urban Fairytale- I think she’ll also enjoy her second out on the turf with the added distance her first race at Ellis Park she was bent down and didn’t really run but her second start at Kentucky downs had a nice speed figure and showed a lot of interest at the end of the race.
5- Regal passage- hoping for good value here as well as this trainer has a very nice 24% win percentage with first time starters and this horse is bred both for the turf and the distance. She’s got a few bullet workouts that shows there may be some quality and success in this first start.
Race 8
3-4-7
3- Whitmore- I think he’s back and if you can get 5 to 2 I think you’re getting value on this champ. The horse is never been worse and second at Keeneland and has an unbelievable 10 for 16 at the distance. He’s running fresh and if you look back on the March race at Oaklawn he did very well fresh.
4- Recruiting ready- very nice speed from this five-year-old who has done very well at this distance and has made almost a half $1 million running six furlongs. He should take the lead but I can see him faltering to my top pic late in the race.
7- Promises Fulfilled- another champion that shows great success at Keeneland and the distance but I feel he is on a downturn and 6 furlongs may not be his ideal distance.
Race 9
5-4-9-6
5- Michelin’s- You’re going to get some value in this race after all these Fillies are stretching out for the first time. There are a few changes for this two-year-old including first time Lasix and first time running on dirt but based on breeding in the morning works I feel she can handle both with a nice price.
4- Alandra- this girl screams of quality and she showed it in her first race at Saratoga in early September. The trainer is very high on her and she should not disappoint in her first stakes.
9- Seguin- she’s a high-priced Filly, it runs for a high percentage trainer. She comes in off to very nice turf races but is bred to run well in the dirt and has shown some amazing workouts leading into this first dirt try. Watch the tote for value.
Race 10
2-5-7-9
2- Caribbean kitten- A first time starter for the powerhouse team of Ramsey and maker. Has shown some nice workouts and the trainer has done well in the past with debuting at greater than a mile.
5- Copper Quest- I like the breeding I like the connections and I like the price.
7- Enthroned- Big value here for this two-year-old comes in After a not bad race at Kentucky downs. It’s a shot in the dark with amazing value.
Please enjoy the Keeneland opener, choose your spots wisely and cash big!!
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@shawn55murphy