Tag Archives: Keeneland

Horse racing, Keeneland, Keeneland Race Course

Jeff Nahill’s Keeneland opinions for Thursday, July 9

FIRST RACE: 1. Gypsy King, 2. Fauci, 3. King Uhtred. LONG SHOT: Rustler.

SECOND RACE: 1. Free Cause, 2. Jeweled Princess, 3. Malibu Marlee. LONG SHOT: My Bets.

THIRD RACE: 1. Hop Kat, 2. The Great Dansky, 3. Pyron. LONG SHOT: Holly Blame.

FOURTH RACE: 1. Stealth, 2. Uranite, 3. Revenio. LONG SHOT: Tiz McNamara.

FIFTH RACE: 1. Osaka Girl, 2. Jen Take Charge, 3. Lady Oxbow. LONG SHOT: Teenage Kicks.

SIXTH RACE: 1. Movie Moxy, 2. Made to Measure, 3. Palio Flag. LONG SHOT: Speightful Charge.

SEVENTH RACE: 1. A K’s Song, 2. Ella Brilla, 3. Moral Reasoning. LONG SHOT: Fashionable Lady.

EIGHTH RACE: 1. Dos Vinos (best bet), 2. Figure It Out, 3. Cardamon. LONG SHOT: Summer Delivery.

NINTH RACE: 1. King of Fortune, 2. Exult, 3. Pintxos. LONG SHOT: Pine Knoll.

Good luck. Stay safe.

WEDNESDAY’S KEENELAND RESULTS

Top choice winners: 1 (Admire $8, seventh race)

Second choice winners: 4 (Heavens Whisper $2.60, second; I Hear You $15.40, fourth; Greyes Creek $3.80, sixth; Maven $8.60, eighth)

Third choice winners: 0

Long shot winners: 0

Standard
Horse racing, Keeneland, Keeneland Race Course, Oaklawn Park, Tampa Bay Downs

Keeneland and Oaklawn Park stakes opinions for Saturday, April 13 (Plus Tampa Bay)

KEENELAND

SEVENTH RACE (Ben Ali): 1. Nun the Less 2ND PAID $9.60 TO PLACE, 2. Bonus Points, 3. Hence. LONG SHOT: Third Day.

EIGHTH RACE (Giant’s Causeway): 1. Mrs. Ramona G. SCRATCHED, 2. Morticia WINNER $6.40, 3. Excessivespending COLD EXACTA $26.80. LONG SHOT: Surrender Now. TRIFECTA $27.30 for 50 cents

NINTH RACE (Lexington): 1. Anothertwistafate 2ND PAID $3.60 TO PLACE, 2. Sueno THIRD, 3. Shang. LONG SHOT: Hawaiian Noises.

10TH RACE (Jenny Wiley): 1. Rymska SECOND, 2. Rushing Fall WINNER $3.80 REVERSE EXACTA $7.40, 3. Onthemoonagain, 4. Bellavais.

OAKLAWN PARK

NINTH RACE (Oaklawn Handicap): 1. Quip WINNER $13, 2. Rated R Superstar, 3. Giant Expectations. LONG SHOT: Lookin At Lee.

11TH RACE (Arkansas Derby) : 1. Omaha Beach WINNER $5.40, 2. Galilean, 3. Improbable SECOND, 4. Long Range Toddy. LONG SHOT: Tikhvin Flew.

TAMPA BAY

SECOND RACE: 1. R True Sensation WINNER $5.40, 2. Lovetobehappy, 3. Taylor’s Belle. LONG SHOT: U Know I B Lion.

THIRD RACE: 1. Spectacular Plum WINNER $9, 2. First Reward, 3. Trumpi. LONG SHOT: Candy Cove. COLD EXACTA $66.20; COLD TRIFECTA $102.30 for $1

SIXTH RACE: 1. Architect SECOND AT 19-1 PAID $19.60 TO PLACE, 2. Luna, 3. Itsagimme’s Girl. LONG SHOT: Red Curls.

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Silver Duke WINNER $54.80, 2. Peas and Carrots, 3. Money Broker. LONG SHOT: Tamper (SCRATCHED). COLD EXACTA $189; COLD TRIFECTA $198.55 for 50 cents

Good luck.

Standard
Aqueduct, Horse racing, Keeneland, Santa Anita

Santa Anita stakes opinions for Saturday, April 6 (Plus Wood Memorial and Blue Grass)

SANTA ANITA

SECOND RACE (Evening Jewel): 1. Sneaking Out, 2. Tim for Kisses, 3. Ruby Bradley. LONG SHOT: Violette Szabo.

THIRD RACE (Grade I Santa Anita Oaks): 1. Flor de La Mar, 2. Bellafina, 3. Chasing Yesterday. LONG SHOT: Slewgoodtobetrue.
Obviously Bellafina is the filly to beat as the 2-5 favorite and trainer Bob Baffert tries to do it with Flor de La Mar and Chasing Yesterday. Flor de La Mar makes her first start around two turns and Baffert is 28 percent with this move and she’s bred to do so. Chasing Yesterday is coming back a little soon after a win in the March 24 Sunland Park Oaks and that’s not a normal Baffert move.

FIFTH RACE (Grade II Royal Heroine): 1. Space Talk, 2. Vasilika, 3. Meal Ticket. LONG SHOT: Ms Bad Behavior.
Vasilika is 3-5 on the morning-line favorite and deservedly so with nine wins over the course. Space Talk is making her second start in the U.S. and is bred to run all day. Her last looks like a prep to me and huge jockey change to Rafael Bejarano.

SIXTH RACE (Echo Eddie): 1. Tap the Wire, 2. Foster Boi, 3. Lieutenant Dan. LONG SHOT: Midnight Special.

EIGHTH RACE (Grade I Santa Anita Derby): 1. Roadster, 2. Game Winner, 3. Instagrand. LONG SHOT: Nolo Contesto.
If any of these four won the race, it wouldn’t surprise me. Roadster needs the points the most to get into the Kentucky Derby and maybe Baffert has him cranked up more than stablemate Game Winner, who is in the Derby and appears to be racing himself into shape after that huge second in a division of the Rebel. Instagrand also needs a first or second to get into the Derby and he figures to improve off that third in the Gotham.

NINTH RACE (Grade III Providencia): 1. Hostess, 2. Miss Flawless, 3. Lady Prancealot. LONG SHOT: Truffalino.
Hostess (12-1) and Miss Flawless (6-1) are both making their first starts in the U.S. after European campaigns and they are bred to run all day. Trainer Simon Callaghan is 24 percent first time in the U.S. so I lean to her. Miss Flawless is trained by Peter Miller, who is 21 percent with a horse off a 90-plus day layoff.

10TH RACE (Grade I Santa Anita Handicap): 1. Gift Box, 2. McKinzie, 3. Campaign. LONG SHOT: Mongolian Groom.
It certain looks like a two-horse race and the odds suggest that: 4-5 on McKinzie and 6-5 on Gift Box. Loved Gift Box when he beat the ill-fated Battle of Midway in the San Antonio and he has been training well for John Sadler in this spot.

AQUEDUCT

RACE 10 (Grade II Wood Memorial): 1. Haikal, 2. Final Jeopardy, 3. Tax. LONG SHOT: Hoffa’s Union.

KEENELAND

RACE 11 (Blue Grass): 1. Market King, 2. Dream Maker, 3. Signalman. LONG SHOT: So Alive.

Good luck.

THURSDAY’S RESULTS (Santa Anita races 2-7)

Top choice winners: 1 (Monydontspenitself $13.60, second race)

Second choice winners: 3 (Railman $2.80, third; Lomu $5.40, fourth; Cinnamon Twist $6.40, fifth)

Third choice winners: 0

Long shot winners: 0

Standard
Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Sunday, June 12

Preview: Not a whole lot of quality on this card, but maybe it will make up for it with prices. Trainer Phil D’Amato continues to lead in wins on the turf course with seven followed by Richard Mandella and Jim Cassidy, who both have four. Trainers to think twice about on the grass are Richard Baltas (1-17), Peter Miller (1-15), Mark Glatt (1-15), Doug O’Neill (1-14) and John Shirreffs (0-10).

Race 6 – SA
#6 Street Moxie (2-1): Trainer Phil D’Amato claimed this gelding at Keeneland and ships West. He ran at a similar level there, finishing second. He likes to come from off the pace. D’Amato is 21% first off the claim and 23% with first routers. Jockey Tyler Baze is 27% with D’Amato.

Race 8 – SA
#5 Exuberante (15-1): This maiden is running in a stakes race, but the key here is the distance of 1 1/2 miles on the turf. This filly is bred to go more than 10 furlongs on both the top and bottom. Jockey Brice Blanc rides back for Paulo Lobo.

Race 9 – SA
#9 C W Road (4-1): Trainer Peter Eurton drops this filly down to the bottom of the maiden claiming ranks for the first time. Eurton is 25% when dropping a horse more than two levels. Key jockey switch to Flavien Prat, who is 13% with Eurton.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Standard
Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Thursday, March 31

Preview: We’re getting down to the final weeks of the meet before three weeks at Los Alamitos. That means trainers with turf horses will be trying to get a race into them and some jockeys will be packing up and heading for Keeneland. Pay attention to new jockey-trainer combinations.

                                

Race 2 – SA

#7 Seaquet (12-1): This filly got bumped at the start of her debut, but still finished third. Trainer Neil French moves her up to a MSW on the grass and maybe that was the plan all along. French is 3-for-5 with first-time turf and good turf rider Flavien Prat stays aboard.

                   

Race 5 – SA

#6 Pica (4-1): This mare has won over this downhill turf course once before and has the top Late Pace Rating from Brisnet. Apprentice David Lopez takes over and trainer Eddie Truman is 39% third off the layoff.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Standard
Horse racing, Tampa Bay Downs

Tampa Bay Downs opinions for Sunday, Jan. 24

Preview: Races were rained off the turf on Friday and Saturday. There are three turf races on this card and later on the card so hopefully they stay on the turf as they have larger fields.

==

Race 2: #2 Tonite Tonite (7-2) 

This 5-year-old has broken his maiden but was disqualified. He now shows up at Tampa under trainer Rashern Creque, who is 36% with horses the first time he has them.

==                                

Race 9: #5 Fancy Man (5-2)

This 4-year-old is coming out of a winning effort at Keeneland and is now in the Dale Bennett barn, which is having a good meet. Bennett is 21% with horses off a 90-plus-day layoff and he’s 35% with jockey Pablo Morales.

== 

Race 10: #2 He’s the Dude (8-1) 

This gelding was claimed at Arlington Park last June by trainer Larry Rivelli and hasn’t been seen since. Rivelli is 28% with horses off a layoff of more than 90 days. You can be sure this one will be fit.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Standard
Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar selections for Thursday, Nov. 5

FIRST RACE: 1. Sayitright Kat, 2. Bayonet, 3. Watdifrenzdzitmake. LONG SHOT: Luvuryan.

==
SECOND RACE: 1. I’ll Play My Hand, 2. Run the Show, 3. Increase. LONG SHOT: Roth.
==
THIRD RACE: 1. Distinta, 2. Achiever’s Legacy, 3. Ultimate Holiday. LONG SHOT: Senza Fina.
==
FOURTH RACE: 1. Empire Knight, 2. Unusually Green, 3. Mr T Bird. LONG SHOT: Gin Riki.
==
FIFTH RACE: 1. Ponder Lea, 2. Hennythelovepenny, 3. Vocalist. LONG SHOT: Stellata.
==
SIXTH RACE: 1. #2 CHEEKABOO (2-1) (BEST BET), 2. Roo’s Valentine, 3. I’m a Drama Mama. LONG SHOT: Californiasunshine.

This filly finished second in her career debut for trainer Peter Eurton, who doesn’t crank them up first time out. The daughter of Unusual Heat is bred to go longer and should relish this 1 mile distance. Eurton is 27% is second time turf.

==

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Basmati, 2. True Ten, 3. Guns Loaded. LONG SHOT: Seeking the Sherif.
==
EIGHTH RACE: 1. #1 Rastanora (9-2), 2. Boat Drinks, 3. Send Me a Sign. LONG SHOT: Broken Halo.

This filly finished third going long at Keeneland on the dirt. In her second start for Jerry Hollendorfer she returns to the turf, which she is bred for being out of Dynaformer. Hollendorfer is 28% second time starting horses.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Sunday’s top choice winners: 6 (Sugar Spice $3.60, first race; Iron Fist $2.40, second; Cowboy $8, third; Coppa $5.20, fourth; Pippappy $3.40, sixth; Swissarella $10, eighth)

Sunday’s second choice winners: 0

Sunday’s third choice winners: 0

Sunday’s long shot winners: 0

 

Standard
Breeders' Cup, Horse racing, Keeneland, Keeneland Race Course

Breeders’ Cup selections for Saturday, Oct. 31

Race 3: JUVENILE FILLIES

10-Songbird

1-Land Over Sea

9-Rachel’s Valentina

2-Tap to It

I have thought all along SONGBIRD would be the most likely winner on this card, but then she drew outside post, No. 10. I still think she is the one to beat, but I think LAND OVER SEA needs a longer look after drawing No. 1 and finishing second to Songbird two times in a row.

==

Race 4: TURF SPRINT

1-Pure Sensation

9-No Silent

14-Mongolian Saturday

4-Bobby’s Kitten

I think this a wide open race. The only thing I think is I’m not betting favored LADY SHIPMAN. If she wins, I lose. I like the fact that PURE SENSATION draws the inside and he likes it hard or soft turf plus John Velazquez rides. I hope NO SILENT comes from off the pace for the Gary Mandella barn.

==

Race 5: FILLY AND MARE SPRINT

2-Dame Dorothy

11-Judy the Beauty

6-Super Majesty

3-Taris

This 4-year-old filly DAME DOROTHY is making her third start off the layoff for that powerful jack-trainer combination of Velazquez and Todd Pletcher. She will likely press the pace from the inside and she loves this 7-furlong distance with a 4-for-5 record.

==

Race 6: FILLY AND MARE TURF

10-Bawina

3-Legatissimo

9-Miss France

6-Queen’s Jewel

Once again I’m sticking with the Euros in this race. BAWINA gets the services of Oliver Pesleir back and they have won three races together. She is first time Lasix and had some trouble in her last race.

==

Race 7: SPRINT

8-Wild Dude

5-Runhappy

4-Limousine Liberal

2-Kobe’s Back

Of course there is a ton of speed in this race and I’m going with the horse I think is the best closer in WILD DUDE for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and jockey Rafael Bejarano.

==

Race 8: MILE

11-Karakontie

4-Mondialiste

3-Make Believe

9-Esoterique

Again sticking with the foreign horses and KARAKONTIE is the defending champions of this race. Can you say back-to-back?

==

Race 9: JUVENILE

9-Exaggerator

12-Swipe

10-Ralis

13-Nyquist

The West Coast horses have done pretty good around the country in the 2-year-old ranks and it will be no different here. Jockey Kent Desormeaux had his choice of horses entered by his brother, trainer Keith Desormeaux, and he settled on this son of Curlin, EXAGGERATOR.

==

Race 10: TURF

9-Found

1-Golden Horn

10-The Pizza Man

4-Big John B

GOLDEN HORN will be a lot a single for a lot of people but just not convinced he has to win this race after already winning the Arc in France. I’m going with the 3-year-old filly FOUND, trained by Aiden O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore.

==

Race 10: CLASSIC

9-Honor Code

4-American Pharoah

10-Tonalist

3-Frosted

Like I said before it’s a shame BEHOLDER isn’t in this race. AMERICAN PHAROAH is now the clear speed although others will likely take a shot at him. I’m going with the deep closer HONOR CODE, trained by Shug McGaughey. Honor Code was impressive at Saratoga and I look for a similar effort.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Standard
Breeders' Cup, Horse racing, Keeneland, Keeneland Race Course, Kentucky, Lexington

Breeders’ Cup selections for Friday, Oct. 30

In case you don’t know it, Beholder has been scratched from Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Classic due to bleeding in her lungs after a gallop on Thursday.

It’s a shame because I really wanted to see her face American Pharoah, but the show much go on so here are my thoughts for Friday.

===

Sixth Race: JUVENILE TURF

7-Ray’s The Bar

2-Azar

11-Hollywood Don

4-Shogun

If we get this morning-line, I’ll be stunned as trainer Chad Brown and jockey Javier Castellano just don’t go off at 20-1. RAY’S THE BAR had traffic trouble in U.S. debut so here’s hoping for a clean trip.

==

Race 7: DIRT MILE

5-Lea

3-Liam’s Map

1-Red Vine

7-War Envoy

LIAM’S MAP will be everyone’s single here. Not me. This Bill Mot runner LEA is a perfect 3-for-3 at the distance and finished third in the Dubai World Cup. Mott put a good work into over the track recently signaling all systems are go.

==

Race 8: JUVENILE FILLIES TURF

3-Alice Springs

10-Illuminate

14-Last Waltz

8-Harmonize

Sticking with the Euros in this race. They just seem to do well here. The condition of the turf course will be a concern to some after rain most of the week but reports are that the inside is harder than the inside so you might see horses all over the place depending on what type of turf they prefer.

==

Race 9: DISTAFF

1-I’m a Chatterbox

14-Sheer Drama

7-Wedding Toast

6-My Sweet Addiction

Boy, if Beholder was healthy and running in this race she would be 1-9. She’s not so let’s go with an up and coming 3-year-old filly facing older for the first time in I’M A CHATTERBOX. Larry Jones is a great trainer and will have her ready.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Standard
Del Mar, Gulfstream Park West, Horse racing, Keeneland

Del Mar picks for Thursday, Oct. 29 (plus a few others)

FIRST RACE: 1. Doyouknowsomething, 2. Player’s Charm, 3. Vartan. LONG SHOT: Exemplar.

==

SECOND RACE: 1. Pico Chick, 2. Exit Sixty Slew, 3. Swag Money. LONG SHOT: Amare.

==

THIRD RACE: 1. Follow Me Cerv, 2. Sunbeamsfromheaven, 3. Mister Blue. LONG SHOT: Zim N the Mailman.

==

FOURTH RACE: 1. Newfound Gold, 2. Razorbill, 3. Karma King. LONG SHOT: Surf N Ski.

==

FIFTH RACE: 1. John’s Success, 2. Lovenseek, 3. Trifecta. LONG SHOT: Peach Arch.

==

SIXTH RACE: 1. #7 Pacific Heat (9-2) BEST BET, 2. Just Google Me, 3. Obey. LONG SHOT: Forthenineteen.

Trainer Peter Eurton doesn’t get them ready first time out so for this one to win first time out by 13½ lengths is impressive. Even more impressive is the fact he went wire-to-wire and had the best late pace BRIS figure.

==

SEVENTH RACE: 1. Tiz a Kiss, 2. Hiking, 3. Natice Heart. LONG SHOT: Queenofthepalace.

==

EIGHTH RACE: 1. #3 Dirt in Your Face (4-1), 2. Dakota Deacon, 3. Alltheleavesrbrown. LONG SHOT: Ghost of Navigator.

This 3-year-old drops down to the level where he finished second at this summer. He has a good work coming into the race and trainer Tim Yakteen is 43% with horses moving down two or more classes. Jockey James Graham takes over.

==

Gulfstream Park West 

Race 1: #2 Megatoni (turf only) (5-1)

This 2-year-old finished sixth at this level over the track three weeks ago. That race has produced three next out winners and she gets a jockey change to E. Jaramillo.

==

Race 8: #7 Expect Some Drama (15-1)

Trainer Jane Cibelli is 36% with horses going down two or more class levels. On top of that this filly is coming out of a key race and apprentice jockey Harry Hernandez takes over.

==

Keeneland Race Course 

Race 6: #5 Clearly Confused (5-1)

Our Eyes: This filly has been playing musical trainers lately, ending with her third conditioner in her last three races. But this much is clear she is coming out of a Del Mar race that has produced three winners already and she finished third in a Grade I over this track in the spring.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Standard