Looks like another great day at Keeneland the sun should be shining early on and warm temperatures. Let’s make some money!
Race 1
2- Princesa Caroline – The logical favourite here and Thursdays opener has had two nice races coming off that October layoff for trainer Mcpeek. This Tapit filly should love the extra distance and tactical speed. Has been running in steaks company and should appreciate the drop down.
6- Comic Kitten- Another that should appreciate The distance as she is out of kittens joy. There really isn’t a poor race on her card and has shown well in some graded stakes.
3- Alasaayil – Great first win at gulfstream last out and JR sticks with her. She is bred both for the distance and the turf and should have a good showing today from a high percentage outfit.
Race 2
5- it’s hard to go against trainer Brad Cox as he has a 36% winning percentage at the meet. This four-year-old has had four nice races in a row and looks to continue the trend here in this for Horsfield after the yearly scratch of the number four. I look for a similar race as her October 21 race at Keeneland.
2- Red Dane – this Italian bread was almost my first choice as I see her running style and record it Keeneland doing well here. In her second last race she won by a slim margin over my top pick.
3- Skeptic- comes off a layoff and hasn’t raise since November 2018. The last four are in graded steak races with one win in a grade 3 at Monmouth. She should sit close to the pace in this abbreviated field similar to the races this time last year in Kentucky.
Race 3
7- Kulin Rock – is going to be chalk and based on recent form should be. This astute claim back in October has worked out well for the connections. This long distance should not be a problem I did very well in his last start in a grade 2 going long.
2- Broth – this cold has been working out like a bear for a new trainer Kozhomzharov, I love the last two races at the fairgrounds it should definitely show his presence here going long. Great first time numbers for this trainer as he hits at 35% first time out.
6- Botswana – The slightly raced four-year-old is up against it here going long. After the top two he gets pretty murky. This guys done well on the turf and show some forward speed they can be advantageous in this long race.
Race 4
4- Baron of Bluegrass- he looks very logical here taking another step down after two second-place finishes. The field is very weak and he should be able to take advantage of this at a low price.
3- Nautical legacy – Dropping down after two average races at the fairgrounds, lightly raced as this is only his third race and is likely to improve.
6- Odie – this Ward Trainee continues to drop looking for a spot to break through. He did not show well last out at Keeneland but the trainer is been very hot this week so I’m looking for a better outing.
Race 5
5- Lessons from Avery – Love this horse today as I see a lot of early cheap speed and based on the running lines she should be coming flying down the stretch. Lopresti usually has a good Keeneland meet but is been slow so far and I look to him to get his second win from this four year-old Filly.
8- Flat Meadow – not sure what happened last race at Keeneland but she tired quite significantly after 6 furlongs of the race. Seeing that she is being wheeled back quickly tells me that she is OK and should run back to her January race at Fairgrounds.
6- Let’s roll – her last two races on the Tampa dirt work quite well she returns to the turf where she has had some nice Races in the past. Hot Rosario rides which is an added bonus.
Race 6
3- Kiumari – a filly running against the boys. Who cares it’s a two year old train by Ward. Lightning workouts for this $152000 yearling purchase.
2- Halfmoon Reef – Always a fan of trainer Asmussen. He’s bread for speed and has had some good workouts in the mornings.
7- Not again Jackie- His first race was pretty good considering he was off slow and wide early returns with blinkers on.
Race 7
2- Tooreen Dancer – Slides in from California for this 1 mile tilt. Trainer is well known to have turf runners ready and should be forwardly placed for her Kentucky debut. She doesn’t race often but always comes to play. Her speed figures match up very well in this contest.
4- Sensitive – A Brad Cox entry that is been racing very well of late. Shows very strong speed figures relative to the rest of the field and I am looking for her to come from the back and make her presence felt down the lane. Cox does very well with second off layoff in turf routes.
6- Truth in the lies – i’m taking a bit of a flyer on this seven-year-old and should get great value. She likes the distance and has done well on the turf making over $170,000 lifetime.
Race 8
3- Samurai cause – I’m leaning towards this two year old first time starter as he exudes speed on both the sire and in the dams side. Has had some great works including his last April 18 from the gate.
9- Letsstaypositive – Ward 2 year old. Enough said but a filly against the boys.
5- Clear destination – Long shot bettors take notice, two nice bullets and lots of speed breeding for this first timer.
Race 9
4- Uncle Artie – it’s finally time to throw some good value into a race. Lots of changes for this for-year-old running for the first time for high percentage farm. Has not had a bad race and is never finished worse than fourth. Has been trying to get on the turf forever and is only succeeded once early in the year at Fairgrounds. The removal of blinkers I see is a positive and I like the way he raised at the end of the year at the fairgrounds without blinkers.
5- Oxburger – another where are you should get some good value. Bread for both the turf and the distance this $900,000 yearling purchase should do well in his second start. In his first line he shows some trouble early on but passed six horses throughout his mile. Look for much better today from this quality outfit.
6- Preacher Power. – he is never run a bad race in seven outings and should contend in this tough field today. I don’t think he liked being near the lead last out and now removes blinkers which I see is a very positive move.
All the best, make some money and giddy-up
@shawn55murphy