The Last Kentucky Derby Prep Race

 On this Stakes Saturday we look at the last Kentucky Derby prep race on the points list. These horses will need 40 + points to get a gate in KD150. This race only offers 20-10-6-4-2 for first through fifth place respectively. It should be a fine race.

Keeneland Race 10 {Lexington Stakes~G3~1 1/16 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A reduced field of nine will go to the gate in this graded stakes race. 

Past Performances used:  Equibase.

This might be a wide-open race where any of these fellas could win. Only one horse will be assured a gate in KD150 should he win and that is #5 Hades. Two other horses will be on the bubble with a win, #8 Encino and #9 Liberal Arts. There is plenty of speed to keep the pace rolling. Speed numbers are very close. Only three in the field have competed over the Keeneland oval. It should be a great betting race.

#2 The Wine Steward (L. Saez / Maker) is coming off a layoff with four power workouts in the last thirty days. He holds the third highest last out speed number. This guy should track the pace and strike in the stretch. He has hit the board at this distance in one try. A son of Vino Rosso, he is 100% in the money from four starts. Derby points: 5.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#8 Encino (Geroux / B. Cox) has posted two victories at this distance. This colt holds the highest last out speed number and four hearty peaking workouts. He has speed but is not a need to lead type. A son of Nyquist, he is 100% in the money from three starts. Derby points: 20.

$2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#4 Footprint (B. Hernandez / McPeek) has improved his speed numbers in his last three. He holds the fourth highest last out speed number and two strong peaking workouts. This lad should track the pace closely. A son of Dialed In, he is 72% in the money from seven starts. Derby points: 2

$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#10 Lucky Jeremy (Corrales / Morey) comes in from Turfway Park to try the Keeneland track for the first time. He raced last out at a longer route and has put in two strong workouts. He should be forwardly placed. A son of Lookin at Lucky, he is 60% in the money from five starts. Derby points: 16.

#5 Hades (J. Ortiz / Orseno) has a win at this distance. He comes off a longer route and has two robust peaking workouts. He should show speed. It will be his first start over the Keeneland track. A son of Awesome Slew, he holds a 75% win rate from four starts. Derby points; 30.

#9 Liberal Arts (I. Ortiz / Medina) holds the second highest last out speed number and two sturdy workouts. He will try the Keeneland track for this first time, but has hit the board in both of his starts at the distance. Look for him to track and close into a solid pace. A son of Arrogate, he is 85% in the money from seven starts. Derby points: 19.

$1 Exacta Wheel ($5.00)

#2 The Wine Steward  //  #8 Encino,  #4 Footprint,  #10 Lucky Jeremy,  #5 Hades,  #9 Liberal Arts.

Reverse the Wheel ($5.00)

#8,  #4,  #10,  #5,  #9  //  #2 The Wine Steward.

Best of luck to all your Keenleand plays on this Stakes Saturday!!!    

Superfecta Sunday at Glorious Keeneland

Today we look at a very contentious Turf route at that famous race track, Keeneland.

Keeneland Race 9 {1 1/16 mile~TURF~4 year-old Up~Allowance}

A highly talented group of twelve will enter the gate in this supremely competitive Turf allowance. There is enough speed to maintain a sturdy pace. Speed numbers are fairly close. The vast majority in this race have taken a brief break before moving on to Keeneland. Our challenge is to mold a winning 10 CENT Superfecta Box ticket. The race promises to be an exhilarating finish to our horse racing weekend.

#3 Can'thelpbelieving [IRE] (Prat / Motion) is coming off a modest layoff and appears ready to tackle the task. He holds the highest last out speed number, a three race progression, and two stamina producing workouts. This lad has the tactical speed to stay close and rumble through the stretch. He is our Bronze Horseshoe selection.
$1 SHOW.

#10 Flashlight [IRE] (Castellano / Maker) is another coming off a modest layoff with the third highest last out speed number and three tremendous peaking workouts. He appears race ready and will use his tactical speed to great advantage. This lad shares the second best speed figure at the distance.

#4 Taghleeb (J. Velazquez / McLaughlin) should challenge with the second highest speed last out speed number at a longer route and four sound workouts. He is another that is coming off a brief freshening. The proper pace will enhance his tracking / closing capability.

#7 Speightsland (Leparoux / Casse) should contend sharing the second highest last out speed number and putting in four robust peaking workouts. This lad has already notched a win at this distance. He should be forwardly placed ready to roll into the stretch.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#3 Can'thelpbelieving [IRE]  +  #10 Flashlight [IRE]  +  #4 Taghleeb  +  #7 Speightsland.




Stakes Saturday Results
Keeneland R9.  Lexington--G3.  Our first pick, Swipe, finished 6th.  Our second pick, Direct Message, finished 4th.  Our third pick, Collected, won (1st) for show money of $1.50.
Superfecta went 10-1-5-2.
Bankroll gets swiped and falls to $7.61.

Stakes Saturday at Keeneland

Stakes Saturday. Sunny skies. Life is good.
Today we take a look at a stakes race for the three year-olds.

Keeneland Race 9 {Lexington~G3~1 1/16 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A great group of ten will enter the gate in this annual graded stakes race. There is enough speed to keep the pace honest. Speed numbers are fairly close. Half the field is Triple Crown nominated. There are three that have not yet gone this distance and will be stretching out. It should be one of many exciting races on this Stakes Saturday.

#4 Swipe (Prat / Desormeaux) will probably be the post time favorite with the third highest last out speed number, a three race progression, and four stellar peaking workouts. He has been on an extended layoff so should fire fresh and ready. This son of Birdstone is 100% in the money in his seven race career. He should track and close gallantly.
$1 WIN  /  $2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#2 Direct Message (L. Saez / Albertrani) will challenge with the highest last out speed number at a longer route, a four race progression, and two hearty workouts. He should take up position behind the pace setters. This son of Bernardini is 50% in the money from four career starts.
$1 PLACE  /  $2 SHOW.

#10 Collected (Castellano / Baffert) should also challenge with the second highest last out speed number at a longer route, a three race progression, and two robust workouts. This guy should be forwardly placed. A son of City Zip, he is 80% in the money from five starts.
$1 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#6 Big Squeeze (Landeros / Simms) should contend with a couple of decent last out speed numbers and one excellent workout. He comes in from Oaklawn Park and has competed well in his three career starts landing in the money in all of them. A son of Lemon Drop Kid, he should track the pace closely.

#8 Riker (Geroux / Casse) should fire fresh off a short layoff. He holds the fourth highest last out speed number and three superb peaking workouts. He will be jumping onto the dirt for the third time after four wins over the poly at Woodbine. A son of Include, he could be the speed of the race.

10 CENT Superfecta

#4 Swipe  /  #2 Direct Message  /  #10 Collected  /  #6 Big Squeeze, #8 Riker.




Furlong Friday Results
Keeneland R4.  Claiming.  Our selection, Angelic Score, won (1st) for show money of $1.20.
Superfecta went 11-4-5-2.
Bankroll gains a dime to settle at $16.31.