Stakes Saturday at Keeneland

The leaves are turning, there's a crispness in the air, and the horses are running.  Another beautiful Fall day in Kentucky.  It is a wonderful Stakes Saturday at Keeneland.

Keeneland Race 8 {Dixianna Breeders Futurity~G1~1 1/16 mile~2 year olds~Stakes}
Another full bodied field of fourteen will saunter to the gate.  This race appears equally divided among the forwardly placed and those coming from off the pace.  It is stacked with talented youngsters and will be a good one.

#11 Balance the Books (Leparoux / C. Brown) has a slight edge with the second highest last out speed number which happened to be at this distance.  He is working a two race progression and has put in two diligent workouts.  Should there be a rapid pace, this guy could close them down.
$1 WIN / $2 SHOW.

#5 Tizracer (Lezcano / Pletcher) will challenge with the highest last out speed number, a two race progression, and two stout workouts.  He should motor with the front group hoping to hold off any challengers.
$1 PLACE / $1 SHOW.

#12 Dynamic Sky (Contreras / Casse) could surprise with the fourth highest (3-way tie) last out speed number, a two race progression, and two strong workouts.  He is used to the polytrack surface, running his two career races up at Woodbine.  Watch him track and close.
$1 SHOW.

Another Wagering Interest

#6 Pataky Kid (P. Lopez / Proctor) should be in the mix sharing the fourth highest last out speed number, holding a three race progression, and putting in three sound workouts.  He is another that can be expected to track and close.

10 CENT Superfecta

#11 Balance the Books, #5 Tizracer / #11, #5 / #12 Dynamic Sky, #6 Pataky Kid / #12, #6.


Keeneland Race 9 {Shadwell Turf Mile~G1~1 mile~TURF~3 year old Up~Stakes}
A strong field of twelve will go to the grass in this annual Turf contest.  Loaded with speed as well as forwardly placed types, it could make for a fascinating Turf battle.

#5 Wise Dan (Lezcano / Loprestri) is the overwhelming favorite and the one to beat.  He holds the highest last out speed number and has put in one bullet workout.  He certainly is head and shoulders above this field with the highest speed number at the distance and an enviable three wins over four races at this mile distance.  Expect him to tuck in behind the leaders and strike into the stretch.
No Wagering Value.

#7 Data Link (Solis / McGaughey) could pick up the pieces if there is a pace meltdown.  He has the fourth highest last out speed number at a longer route, a three race progression, and three athletic workouts.  This colt should track the pace and close swiftly.
$1 PLACE / $2 SHOW.

#6 Worthadd [IRE] (Contreras / Lynch) will be making his second North American start after some brilliant racing in Europe.  His last out was a decent speed number and he has put in two solid workouts.  He should be part of the army of front runners seeking to hold on in the stretch.
$1 SHOW.

Another Wagering Interest

#11 Dominus (Leparoux / Pletcher) should be part of the mix with the second highest last out speed number at a longer route, a two race progression, and two hearty workouts.  He should be forwardly placed ready to pounce.

10 CENT Superfecta

#5 Wise Dan, #7 Data Link / #5, #7 / #6 Worthadd [IRE], #11 Dominus / #6, #11.



Friday's Results
Keeneland R9.  Darley Alcibiades--G1.  Our first pick, Tara From the Cape, finished 4th.  Our second pick, Fully Living, finished 5th.  Our third pick, Rose to Gold, finished 12th.
Superfecta went 9-6-13-10.
Bankroll gets trounced and falls to $22.30.

Keeneland Turf

Legendary Keeneland Turf will make for a pleasant Stakes Saturday.

Keeneland Race 9 {Shadwell Turf Mile~G1~1 mile~Turf~3 year old Up~Stakes}
A fantastic group of eight will go to the gate in this annual race.  All have terrific records over the Turf.  The race includes a couple of Euro invaders which should make for an exciting race.

#5 Gio Ponti (Dominguez / Clement) looks to be in the strongest position to take advantage at a sizzling pace with the highest (tie) last out speed number at a longer route, a two race progression, and two robust workouts.  He should close dominantly in the stretch.
$2 SHOW.

#6 Society's Chairman (Leparoux / Attfield) appears ready to challenge with the third highest (tie) last out speed number at this same distance and three superb workouts.  Another closer that can be considered a mile specialist, will do well coming for home.
$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#3 Dance And Dance [IRE] (Spencer / Vaughn) is one of the Euro invaders that will be in the hunt with a good performance last out at Woodbine.  He looks ready to close well as another mile specialist.

#4 Zoffany [GB] (O'Donoghue / O'Brien) is the other Euro invader who has carved out a superlative record in Turf sprints.  He will be moving up in distance from his last and could be a factor with a favourable kick.

10 CENT Superfecta

#5 Gio Ponti / #6 Society's Chairman / #3 Dance And Dance [IRE] / #4 Zoffany [GB].



Friday's Results
Keeneland R9.  Darley Alcibiades. Our first pick, Egg Drop, finished 10th.  Our second pick, Tu Endie Wei, finished 7th. Our third pick, Ann of the Dance, finished 7th. 
Superfecta went 7-11-1-10.
Bankroll gets taken out by the 2 year olds and falls to $4.05.

Keeneland Opens

On this beautiful Friday we take a look at a wonderful stakes race on the opening day of Keeneland's Fall meet.

Keeneland Race 9 {Darley Alcibiades~G1~1 1/16 mile~2 year old~fillies~Stakes}
A great group of fourteen well bred fillies will go to the gate.  The majority have not yet gone this distance, but have trained well in advance of this race.  These gals all have solid pedigrees which will make this race anyone's to take.

#6 Egg Drop (Talamo / Mitchell) has a slight edge with the second highest last out speed number in her only start.  This California invader appears well prepped with four strenuous workouts.  She could press and pounce for the win.
$2 SHOW.

#4 Tu Endie Wei (McAleney / Baker) will challenge with the highest last out speed number, two wins over the polytrack surface at Woodbine, and four robust workouts.  There should be plenty of pace for her to kick it home.
$2 SHOW.

#14 Ann Of The Dance (Maragh / DiVito) will be the surprise, having raced well over the polytrack surface at Arlington Park.  She has a win at this distance, a three race progression, and two superb workouts.  She will battle earnestly with the other closers.
$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#7 Stephanie's Kitten (Lanerie / Catalano) looks ready to compete strongly with the third highest (tie) last out speed number, a three race progression, and two athletic, peaking workouts.  She will compete with the closers in the stretch.

#10 Frolic's Revenge (Leyva / Wolfson) should perform well sharing the the third highest last out speed number, a three race progression, and two stamina inducing as well as peaking workouts.  She is 100% in the money over five career races.  Will be forwardly placed and could post another win at this distance.

10 CENT Superfecta

#6 Egg Drop / #4 Tu Endie Wei / #14 Ann Of The Dance / #7 Stephanie's Kitten, #10 Frolic's Revenge.



Thursday's Results
Belmont Park R7.  Our first pick, Hyper, finished 5th.  Our second pick, Humble and Hungry, finished 2nd for place money of $3.00 and show money of $1.95.  Our third pick, Bakhoor, finished 11th (last).
OOPs. No Superfecta offered on this race.
Bankroll slips to $10.25.