Mage’s little brother, Dornoch, breaks his maiden Saturday at Keeneland (Courtney Snow/Past The Wire)
For the Week of: 10/9/2023 through 10/15/2023
By 2YO EdgeMan
KEE8:101123 – #7 Cairo Street made her fourth start a winning one in this one mile race that was contested over the turf. Dismissed at odds of 10/1, Chris Landeros ran a stalking trip in third place most of the way around, never more than two lengths back before kicking it up in the stretch and narrowly besting the 5/2 favorite – #6 Luv Divina – by a neck on the wire. Fractions were modest – 24.21, 49.58 and 1:14.10, with the final running time coming in as 1:38.21, which equated to a 74 Equibase Speed Fig. The tote board was friendly – flashing $22.88 in the $2W column. Our pick – #8 Auraculous – got slammed in the first turn, pushing her into another runner and far wide out on the course. She ran admirable after that, but could only manage a fifth place showing, about four lengths shy in the end.
Learnings – Trainer Ian Wilkes has had a wonderful meet and this was a horse that has been getting better and better on the lawn. His stallion – Cairo Prince – is responsible for many a fine grass runner and this one used two solid workouts to spring forward today. Keep your eyes out open for Auraculous next time out.
KEE5:101223 – #1 St. Armands Key broke the fastest of all and took the lead shortly after leaving the gate in this one mile turf affair. #9 Thomas Aquinas and jockey Brian Hernandez tracked that one closely as they set fractions of 23.68, 48.72 and 1:13.27. The two were heads apart coming down the lane before St. Armands Key pulled a half length ahead with about 1/16th of a mile to run, but #9 Thomas Aquinas dug in for more and ended up prevailing by a half length in the time of 1:36.78, earning him a fine 82 EBSF. The winner was the second choice of the bettors, going off at odds of 3/1 and he paid $8.38 for $2W tickets. Our pick – #10 Zevrev – got absolutely destroyed in the first turn when another runner came out violently and rode him to the outside fence, eliminating all chance of him finishing anywhere near the winner.
Learnings – Hot conditioner – Ian Wilkes – scored again with another fine two-year-old who, like above, was making his fourth career start after only one previous run on the grass in his last outing. He, too, had the benefit and tightening of two works since his prior race. I was really high on Zevrev coming in and this race simply has to be thrown out of consideration from his past performance lines.
KEE8:101323 – #9 Intricate was wide through most all of the race, never getting very near the rail after starting in her outside post position. She and Tyler sat comfortably, about four lengths back of the leaders in fifth place much of the way trailing slow fractions of 24.14, 50.31 and 1:15.86 in this 1 1/16th mile run over the dirt oval. As the field neared the top of the short stretch, #9 Intricate flashed an impressive turn of foot and took the lead like a flash. She went on to score by an easy 3 ½ lengths and #7 Cararra came second, over six lengths clear of the third place finisher. Intricate went off as the second choice in the wagering, paying $6.34 on $2W tickets. Her final time was solid – 1:47.33, good for a very strong 89 EBSF. The victorious filly was also our pick.
Learnings – A second time starter by Gun Runner who has the services of Tyler is a dynamic combo and she had the benefit of two morning moves since her previous competition.
KEE6:101423 – After #12 Dive Bomber scratched, it left no serious competition for anyone to compete with Mage’s full brother – Dornoch. He and partner Luis Saez broke alertly and quickly gained the advantage from their #2 post position in this 1 1/16 mile dirt affair. They posted fractions of 23.50, 47.70 and 1:12.93 as they clung to a short lead from a pesky #3 Lat Long going into the far turn. But after they spun into the short stretch, #2 Dornoch found his best stride and quickly put distance between himself and the rest of the field, ultimately scoring on the line by 6 ½ widening lengths. His final time was a very brisk 1:45.00 flat, which gave him an incredible three figure EBSF of 101. As expected, he went off as the odds-on favorite at 1 to 2 and only returned $3.12 for the $2W tickets. We were all over Dornoch, as he was our pick in this one.
Learnings – Nothing in this crazy game is ever easy, but once Dive Bomber was out, this winner stood way out from the rest of the field. He was clearly a horse that was improving and that has loads of pedigree, as well as a talented rider who was familiar with him. Not a huge payout, but you gotta play the winnah.
KEE6:101523 – The week of baby MSW races at Keeneland ended with a huge ‘bang’ as the Union Rags filly – #10 Cozee Rags – scored a monumental upset, shocking the field by three lengths with Andres Calleja aboard at unbelievable odds of 88/1. Yes, that is not a typo – she went off at odds of 88/1! Trainer Brian Michael is likely still celebrating this victory and the winning time and EBSF was no fluke – 1:25.70 for the seven furlongs over the dirt, which was good enough for a strong 84 EBSF. The tote board nearly ran out of digits, but ultimately flashed $178.24 in the $2W column. Our pick – first time starter – #2 Final Draft – looked like she was moving well down the back stretch, but then seemed to get uncomfortable when the going got a little tight and she never did any running through final 7/16th, as she ended 10th of 12.
Learnings – Honestly, not much. Other than sometimes you’ve got to expect the unexpected. I looked back after the results were in and could find absolutely nothing that would make me take a second look at this filly. Anyways, congrats to the connections – they looked so excited and frankly dumbfounded (no disrespect intended).
Last week was a blast and we look forward to another fun one with Keeneland again carding daily two-year-old Maiden Special Weight races, Monday thru Sunday. Autumn at KEE is special – the gorgeous fall colors and the outstanding 2YO MSW racing. Come enjoy it with us, all of your Edgy Brothas and Sistas.
