Keeneland Photo
By Jim Gazzale
Race 6 – Woodford Stakes
Bad Beat Brian has strung together a few nice races lately. While he probably deserved to win last time out at Kentucky Downs, he did get caught at the wire. With what figures to be a contentious early pace, I’m not sure he’ll have enough late to win this one.
I’m looking to Olympic Runner for Mark Casse to do the best running late. He finished fourth last time out by half a length, behind Bad Beat Brian, though he was moving best of all down the lane. I think the race should set up similarly to the one at Kentucky Downs.
I’ll also include Live In The Dream (IRE), the European shipper, as well as Beer Can Man, to kick things off.
Race 7 – Thoroughbred Club of America
We can draw a line through Wicked Halo’s last race, where she finished a well-beaten third at Churchill Downs. She had a bit of a discouraging trip between horses early on, then had to angle out wide before flattening in the stretch. Obviously not her best effort, so we’ll give her another shot.
Of course, if we include her, that has to be it otherwise, we chew into our value.
Race 8 – The First Lady Stakes
Could it be the other-other-Chad? There’s a lot to like about Gina Romantica coming into this race. Coming off a career best BSF, she could be sitting on another nice effort.
Will it be enough to catch In Italian (GB), though? She’s the class of the field and absolutely loves the Keeneland turf. At 4-5 on the morning line, though, I’m not sure we can include more than her… or we leave her off altogether.
Jumbly (GB) shipping back and forth across the pond in recent months is concerning to me, so she won’t be included.
One that I do believe has tons of promise is Evvie Jets. Last time out, winning the Ballston Spa at Saratoga, I liked her ability to let the front-runners take over despite breaking on top. She showed something extra down the stretch, and I’ll look for her to duplicate this once more.
Again, In Italian is the one to beat, and we’re going to try to do it with Gina Romantica and Evvie Jets.
Race 9 – Breeders’ Futurity
Locked for Todd Pletcher has received some decent fanfare following his maiden score at Saratoga. Timberlake, for Brad Cox, had a similar story after breaking his maiden at Ellis Park.
The one I’m most interested in is The Wine Steward for Mike Maker. Three wins from three races, steadily increasing BSF each time, plus he’s been working consistently for the last month.
These two-year-old races with little back form to analyze make things tricky, so I’ll spread here and include Awesome Road off his maiden win in August. Generous Tipper for Ken McPeek, too, has figures that fit here.
Race 10 – Turf Mile
Annapolis is the defending champ in this race. He posted his career-best effort in the Turf Mile last year. He hasn’t dropped off a ton in his 4-year-old year, but he doesn’t have a graded-stakes victory yet in 2023. With a salty field signed on here, I’ll look elsewhere. Irad landing on Up to the Mark could be a tell in here as well.
Master of the Seas (IRE) was incredibly impressive, winning the Woodbine Mile last time out. You just wonder how much room he’ll have down on the rail as they turn for home.
Set Piece (GB) is another one with a gigantic turn of foot. He was very impressive closing to win the Arlington Million last time out.
Pick 5 Ticket
R6: 2,6,11
R7: 1
R8: 1,8
R9: 1,2,3,6,9
R10: 1,4,5
Cost: $45 ($0.50 base)
