Keeneland, Race 4 – Wednesday, April 17, 2024
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By The 2YO EdgeMan
KEE4:041724 – 4 1/2f on Dirt. A full field of 12 boys will compete in this one – 11 colts and one lone gelding. Trainers that stand out include McEntee (2) and Chapman (2), along with one runner each from Ward, Jack L. Hancock, and John A. Hancock. On the sire side, I’ve circled Frosted, Bernardini, Runhappy, Audible, and Into Mischief (Spendthrift). We’ve also got two newbie sires – Instagrand and Improbable. Let’s take a closer look at five of these guys…
#2 – Jet Sweep Joe (7/2) – The first of two from McEntee is a homebred who is sired by Frosted and is out of a Pioneerof the Nile mare. Mama banked north of $200K on the racetrack, hanging a record of five for 22. She’s only thrown one other foal – a 5YO that is 0 for seven. Frosted’s 2YO MSWs are 41 out of 262 (15.6%) in events on dirt with a purse of $30,000+. He was entered in the season opener here at Keeneland but scratched out of that one. This fella’s first work was over the Blackwood Stable’s strip on 2/21/24 and he posted a bullet move – 35.4 seconds going handily over 3/8th of a mile (1/16). He then fashioned another bullet effort in his fourth (and last) work over that oval when he crushed the same distance in 34.3, again going handily (1/6). He then took the short van ride over to Keeneland where he’s worked three times (the most recent over their all-weather training track). Albin Jimenez has secured the mount.
#3 – Baytown Boo Boo (8/1) – McEntee’s second entrant will start one gate outside of his stablemate and he’s by the First-Crop sire, Instagrand. His mare is by Proud Citizen and she was two for 14 on the track with both victories coming at age 2. This is her first foal. Today’s runner has never been sold at public auction, but did likely change hands in a private transaction as he was bred by OXO Equine. He has worked a total of eight times – the first six at Blackwood Stables and the last two here at KEE. His best work was probably his last at Blackwood when he went 36 flat handily from the gate for three furlongs earning a ‘small’ bullet (1/6). Gavin Ashton will be his pilot.
#4 – Bostontonian (2/1) – The favorite is of course trained by the 2YO Maestro, Wesley Ward. He was also entered to run on opening day here but scratched. This dude was a $40,000 yearling by Bernardini from a mare who was sired by Forest Wildcat. His dam won as a 2YO in her third start but failed to post another victory in her career after that score. All that Ward has done is win 23 MSW 2YO races at Keeneland in the spring over the past five years, from 51 to start (45.1%) with an ROI of an even $2.00 and now he’s won three more in 2024. Wesley has had this gelding out for eight morning workouts, with the most recent seven here at Keeneland and they’ve all covered 3/8th of a mile. He boasted four straight bullet works from 3/8/24 through 3/30/24, with his fasted being clocked at 34.6 from the gate (1/17). Walter A. Rodriguez will be his reinsman.
#9 – Strummin (9/2) – The dude is the first 2YO to run back in this short Keeneland meet as he ran second on opening day, beaten 7 ½ lengths by Wes Ward’s, Shoot It True. John A. Hancock will saddle this colt who is sired by Flameaway. He was a $12,000 ‘short’ yearling purchase from the 2023 Keeneland January Sale. Mamma is by Kantharos and she was seven for 44 in her career (0 for 2 at age 2) and has produced one other foal – a 3YO full brother – who is unraced. Although miles behind Wesley Ward in 2YO MSW wins at KEE in the spring, Hancock has visited the Winner’s Circle four times since 2019, which is the second most of all trainers. Hancock again taps Victor Lebron for the riding assignment.
#12 – Into Inspiration (30/1) – As you may have guessed from his name, this colt is a product of the great Into Mischief. His dam is by Honor Code and she was one for five on the track, but her win came in her 2YO season in November at Woodbine. This is her first baby. Today’s colt was a $300K yearling purchase (56/69). He’s only been out for work on three mornings, however the last two have been here at Keeneland. On 4/3/24, his first time over the KEE oval, he went four furlongs in 47.8 from the gate (7/28). Conditioner Rafeal Ramos looks to Javier Padron-Barcenas for the jockey duties.
Pick – #2 Jet Sweep Joe – I’m going to try to beat Ward with McEntee’s cost by Frosted. He has worked impressively and like the fact that he’s worked a half mile over today’s track. And daddy can turn out some quick babies. I like the success that his mom had while actively running, but wish she had been a bit more precocious.
We’ve got another baby affair at Keeneland on Thursday, so be sure to check back into Past the Wire. Until then, enjoy this one my Edgie Partners – stay safe and be well.
