Handicapping

Play of the Day Race Date October 24, 2020 Track Keeneland Race 9 Overview A solid 3yof ALW with a few class droppers, and two potentially talented Euro imports—8 Faccio Io and #9 Kourvoisier—who are marooned outside, so it’s worth remembering their names. Pace It looks slow, and with the class—#2 IN GOOD SPIRITS (5-2)—being the only confirmed front runner, stalker/closers are in tough. Trends Check the turf condition, as they are carding just one turf race a day with the BC coming, so it’s tough to get a feel for the course. Best Bet IN GOOD SPIRITS Number 2 Morning Line (5-2) Best Bet Overview A solid…

Play of the Day Race Date October 23, 2020 Track Keeneland Race 8 Overview A N2L that has a lot of horses with the same middling kind of form, which makes it ripe for a newcomer and class dropper like #6 MARKET ANALYSIS (3-1). Pace Hopefully #1 Prioritizer can keep #9 Backshot honest, since the latter could get brave if he’s able to clear on the lead. Trends Tactical speed continues to be the way to go on the main track, especially routing, but in the sprints, if it’s hot and contested, off-the-pace types can still have success. Best Bet MARKET ANALYSIS Number 6 Morning Line (3-1) Best…

Play of the Day Race Date October 22, 2020 Track Keeneland Race 5 Overview A modest SAL field with no local standouts and a Cby invader #6 TEE EM EYE (3-1) that looks much the best. Pace It looks hot and contested, with several who want to be involved early, which only adds to the appeal of #6 TEE EM EYE (3-1), who has an ideal stalking gear. Trends Tactical speed continues to be the way to go on the main track, especially routing, but in the sprints, if it’s hot and contested, off-the-pace types can still have success. Best Bet TEE EM EYE Number 6 Morning Line…

Play of the Day Race Date October 21, 2020 Track Keeneland Race 1 Overview An average group of 15k MCL’ers with several throwouts, and several more who have had their share of chances, and a lightly raced runner in #4 NOT A NEEDY GAL (3-1) who is on the improve. Pace It looks moderate, which should only flatter #4 NOT A NEEDY GAL (3-1), who could control things up front. Trends Tactical speed continues to be the way to go on the main track, especially routing at this 1 1/16 miles, with the short finish line. Best Bet NOT A NEEDY GAL Number 4 Morning Line (3-1) Best…

Play of the Day Race Date October 18, 2020 Track Keeneland Race 5 Overview A decent looking N1X with no standouts, or horses with a lot of upside, yet #1 IN LOVE (8-1) has plenty of the latter, off a troubled US debut that came off a 10-month layoff. Pace There’s plenty here, as several want to be on or just off the lead, which should set things up for the stalker/closers late. Trends Keeneland hasn’t carded a lot of turf races, so it’s tough it’s tough to get much of a feel, though the course seems to be playing fair. Best Bet IN LOVE Number 1 Morning…

Play of the Day Race Date October 17, 2020 Track Keeneland Race 6 Overview A solid group of 50k starters that could have a potentially vulnerable favorite down inside in #1 Cool Bobby (2-1). Pace It looks HOT and contested, as there are several here who want to mix it up early, including the favorite #1 Cool Bobby, which should hopefully set it up for #7 SENOR JOBIM (10-1), who closed to be 2nd at the level last time and should like the extra furlong he gets. Trends Tactical speed continues to be the way to go on the main track, especially routing, but when there are several…

Play of the Day Race Date October 16, 2020 Track Keeneland Race 7 Overview A modest group for the N2X level, which means it’s a race there for the taking, and price shopping is the way to go. Pace Things should be hot and contested up front, with most of the speed coming from the outside, which should make it even faster, which is why #1 SHACKLEFORD’S GOLD (8-1), off a strong closing N1X at KD, is very appealing right back. Trends Kee has not been carding many turf races, so it tough to get a read, but with so much speed signed on here, things should be…

Play of the Day Race Date October 15, 2020 Track Keeneland Race 8 Overview A solid G3 Sycamore, with a sharp Euro import in #10 ZIYAD (5-2) adding Lasix for his first US start after facing eons better and more than holding his own in G1/G2 company overseas. Pace Things should be moderate up front going 1 ½ miles, which should only play into the hands of #10 ZIYAD (5-2), who has been used to running in the typically slow early/fast late Euro stakes. Trends Keeneland has not been carding many turf races, so it tough to get a read, especially going a foreign 1 ½ miles on…

Play of the Day Race Date October 14, 2020 Track Keeneland Race 3 Overview A low-level 15k MCL where the two favorites—#2 Feisty Bird and #5 Dreamonmebaby—have major questions, while price player #8 FIXICO (8-1) has a world of upside off a big dirt debut. Pace The pace figures honest, and the play #8 FIXICO (8-1) will be involved throughout, with a perfect outside attack post. Trends Tactical speed continues to be at a premium, as very few winners have been able to make a dent from further than 4th at the pace call on the main track. Best Bet FIXICO Number 8 Morning Line (8-1) Best Bet…

Play of the Day Race Date October 11, 2020 Track Keeneland Race 8 Overview A wide open turf sprint with an evenly matched group in a race that looks there for the taking. Pace There doesn’t appear to be a ton of pace here, which should play into the hands of #7 QUEBEC (6-1), who is drawn perfectly, and should like the class drop and cutback as well. Trends It’s still early in the meet, but speed has done well, especially at 1 1/16-mile routes with the short finish line. Last Saturday speed was king, so pay attention early, as the track could be souped up on the…