Stakes Saturday at Magnificent Keeneland

 With the Kentucky Derby only twenty-eight days away we take in one of the influential preps on the road to KD 147.

Keeneland Race 11 {Toyota Bluegrass~G2~1 1/8 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A fantastic field of nine will enter the gate in search of Derby points.

Past Performances used:  DRF Classic.

Of this field, seven have accumulated some derby points, but only one, Essential Quality, may already have enough to get himself into the gate on the first Saturday in May. He will be the odds on favorite. Only two in this field have gone this distance. The aforementioned favorite is the only millionaire of the group. This race lacks speed as most take up a tracking position hoping to close gallantly. Speed numbers are very close for the top tier of runners. It should be a great race with a number in here ready to prove their mettle.

#4 Essential Quality (L. Saez / B. Cox) is the deserved favorite as he puts his undefeated record from four career starts on the line. He won last out in the Southwest at Oaklawn Park earning him the highest last out speed number of this crew. He has since put in three dynamite workouts in preparation for this race. A millionaire son of Tapit, could be the pace leader by default.

$1 WIN  /  $2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#3 Highly Motivated (Castellano / C. Brown) should be the chief challenger with the second highest last out speed number and two sound workouts. He has already posted a victory at Keeneland. Currently he is in 33rd position on the KD 147 points leaderboard and will need to win or place second to get himself in the gate. This lad is one of many trackers in this field. A son of Into Mischief, whose progeny relish the Keeneland surface, is 100% in the money from four career starts.

$1 PLACE  /  $2 SHOW.

#5 Rombauer (Geroux / M. McCarthy) will surely challenge coming off a victory at this distance in the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields. His last three races have produced consistently good speed figs and he has put in four powerful workouts in preparation for the race. He sits in 24th position on the KD 147 points leaderboard. Look for him to be battling among the closers to hit the board. A son of surface versatile, Twirling Candy, he is 60% in the money from five career starts.

$2 SHOW.

#1 Hidden Stash (Bejarano / Oliver) is sitting on an explosive effort with a couple of good last out speed numbers and three superb peaking workouts. This guy ranks 18th on the KD 147 points leaderboard. He should take up a tracking position ready to strike. Another in this field with a win over the Keenland track. A son of Constitution, he is 83% in the money from six career starts.

$1 SHOW.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($3.00)

#4 Essential Quality  //  #3 Highly Motivated,  #5 Rombauer,  #1 Hidden Stash.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#4 Essential Quality  +  #3 Highly Motivated  +  #5 Rombauer  +  #1 Hidden Stash.

Last Stakes Saturday (3/27) Results

Turfway Park R11.  Jeff Ruby Steaks--G3.  Our first pick, Gretsky the Great, finished a disappointing 5th.  Our second pick, Sainthood, finished 2nd for place money of $9.40 and show money of $9.90.  Our third pick, Like the King, won (1st) for show money of $5.60.

We flubbed our Exacta Wheel play. Superfecta went 1-5-12-9.

Bankroll moves up a notch to settle at $54.13.