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Friday’s Race Recap from Keeneland:
(All odds US)
Replays for yesterday’s races from Keeneland can be found here:
Keeneland:
Race 6: 8th@ 6.60/1
Race 7: 4th@ 43.10/1
In Race 6, Make It Big might have to look for another career if he’s looking to make it big. Maybe he can be used for children’s parties or to help with ranch work because based on his effort in Race 6, it doesn’t look like racing is his thing. In Race 7, Paint Me Perfect was given a smart trip by David Cohen just off the early speed. Switched out for the stretch drive and appeared to hit neutral for a few strides while shifting gears then closed again mildly for fourth. With a little more ground she might’ve won the whole thing.
Let’s head back to Belmont at Aqueduct and Keeneland for Saturday’s races. I don’t love the Aqueduct card so I’m going to pepper in some races from Keeneland. We’re expecting beautiful, sunny skies with slightly chilly temps along with a fast main track and a good to firm turf courses at both tracks for Saturday. Let’s get to work!
Belmont at Aqueduct:
Race 1: Treasured Gem - 1 pt win (US Morning Line Odds: 8/1)
Two year old maiden fillies race 1 1/16 miles on the lawn to start our Saturday. Chad Brown has two runners that are likely to go favored here but from a speed figure standpoint, neither has put up a number significantly higher than Treasured Gem. Hola Gata, one of those Brown runners only finished a neck in front of our 8/1 morning line runner who may get a little forgotten about here after a dreadful start on dirt last time out. She’s bred for turf and gets a nice jockey upgrade to Joel Rosario. The Christophe Clement barn started the meet off slow but is heating up winning at a 29% clip over the last 14 days (4 for 14) with an in the money percentage of 64%. Value play.
Race 9: Hail To - 1 pt win (US Morning Line Odds: 12/1)
I’ve been a fan of this full sister to Grade 1 winning, $2.6 million earning turf specialist Sadler’s Joy for a little while now and she’s slowly rounding into serious-racehorse form for trainer Tom Albertrani, who’s been known to bring his runners along slowly. In her three most recent starts she’s been given a little more distance to work with and has flourished - winning off at nearly 20/1 last time out. Jockey Jose Lezcano might’ve been a key factor in her form turnaround as he’s also been riding well at this meet. Last time out she showed a change in tactics coming from off the pace and rallied 6 wide entering the stretch and passed everyone in front of her. Another effort like that would put her right in the mix here at long odds.
Keeneland:
Race 5: Megacity - 1 pt win (US Morning Line Odds: 6/1)
Speed on turf has been a dangerous asset in these turf races at Keeneland this meet and Megacity has plenty of that. He also owns the rail position as an added bonus. Last time out he raced without Lasix in a stakes race at Kentucky Downs and finished up the track. He gets a rider upgrade to Luis Saez and trainer Mike Maker can be dangerous in spots like these. Four wins at today’s distance is twice as many wins as his next closest rival and he’s got a win over the Keeneland turf course for good measure. Gate to wire threat.
Race 7: Hardy Choice - 1 pt win (US Morning Line Odds: 15/1)
More two year old maidens on tap. This time they’ll navigate a mile on the turf in this maiden special weight race. Our morning line favorites haven’t done much to warrant overwhelming favoritism so I’m taking a look at Hardy Choice, the two year old son of Hard Spun, who connects with 13% of his turf runners. We’ve got Dynaformer in the breeding on the dam’s side so I’m optimistic about the surface switch. Trainer Brian Lynch is 4 for 20 (20% wins) with two year olds on the Kentucky circuit making their turf debut at an average payoff of $16.40. Has been working well and James Graham is a go-to rider for this barn.
Race 10: Don’t Forget - 1 pt win (US Morning Line Odds: 15/1)
Starter Allowance runners sprint 6 furlongs here and this race is chock-full of speed-types. Don’t Forget breaks from the inside position but isn’t likely to be a part of that early vanguard. Jockey Alex Achard is going to need to take him off the duel and if he can sit a relatively traffic-free trip, he can upset at a big price. You don’t have to look back too deep in his form to find races that would win this as he raced several times in the spring where he earned speed figures in the mid 80’s. His two most recent starts are better than they look and recent workout looks like he’s primed and ready.
Best of luck to everyone playing Saturday’s races from around the US!