Keeneland Recap – Oct 9th
The Polytrack was fast as always. The two turf races were transferred to the synthetic surface. The two 6f races favored speed. Stalkers best in the three 7f races carded. Patient runners best in the five route races on the afternoon.
Hat trick for Rajiv Maragh. Albarado also pulled off the hat trick, and he booted home a pair for trainer Ken McPeek.
Grade 3 Phoenix: Synthetic lover Fatal Bullet, the ’08 Breeders’ Cup sprint runner-up, probably punched his ticket to Santa Anita with a game prominent throughout half-length tally. He looms a pace factor on Cup day. In contrast, 3yo gelding Capt. Candyman Can was facing older for the first time, and his lone synthetic try prior to this was a troubled 6th in a flat mile juvenile stakes event. He came flying late to just miss and deserves to head to SoCal. Ez Dreamer ran well in his synthetic bow as well.
Please enjoy this YouTube Trakus Railcast(TM) video, a 3-D animated replay that shows photo-realistic views of the race, based on the actual tracking data.
Grade 1 Darley Alcibiades: Negligee proved her synthetic prowess in Canada, and she shipped to the US for new trainer John Terranova and promptly threw her hat into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies ring with a rallying win through traffic. She Be Wild tasted defeat for the first time while clearly 2nd best. Amen Hallelujah was a wide prominent throughout threat and gamely held the show. Top three probably going to the West Coast for another tilt on Nov 6th.
Keeneland Preview – Oct 10th
No less than five graded races on tap as FallStars weekend continues on Saturday. All have Breeders’ Cup implications, and below is a preview…
Grade 3 Woodford: In this prep for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, Mr. Nightlinger is the 2-1 morning line fav, but he has lost 5 of his last 6 starts, including a poor effort in last year’s Cup.
Grade 2 Thoroughbred Club of America: Prep for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. All eyes will be on heavy 3-5 fav Informed Decision, who is 5 for 5 on synthetic ground and 3 for 3 at Keeneland.
Thoroughbred Club of America favorite Informed Decision
Grade 1 First Lady: This could be a big day for trainer Jonathan Sheppard. He has the aforementioned Informed Decision, and Forever Together is the defending champ of this event. Note that the latter also won the ’08 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
Grade 1 Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity: An overflow field of sixteen 2yo’s are looking to move on to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile with a strong showing here. Two-time graded winner Backtalk is the tepid 4-1 favorite in this wide open route.
Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile: An interested battle between Justenuffhumor, who is 6 for 6 on the turf, and Mr. Sidney, who sports a 4 for 4 record at a flat mile. A strong effort will earn a trip to the Breeders’ Cup Mile.
Image: Newscom
