Handicapping

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…

Play of the Day Race Date October 10, 2020 Track Keeneland Race 4 Overview A good field for the level, but #7 FEVOLA (7-2) goes off the claim for Gargan, a huge 48% move, and has a ton of upside off just four lifetime starts. Pace It looks slow, which should play into the hands of #7 FEVOLA (7-2), as she has plenty of tactical speed and a perfect outside attack post. 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…

Play of the Day Race Date October 08, 2020 Track Keeneland Race 7 Overview A very weak group for the level, with the exception of #1 ELIADE (2-1), who is proven in graded stakes and drew perfectly. Pace It looks very slow, with only #9 Romantic Pursuit (3-1) used to showing any aggressiveness early. Trends It’s still early in the meet, but the turf course has seemingly played fair and doesn’t seem to be favoring any running styles. Best Bet ELIADE Number 1 Morning Line (2-1) Best Bet Overview A very weak group for the level, with the exception of #1 ELIADE (2-1), who is proven in graded…

Play of the Day Race Date October 07, 2020 Track Keeneland Race 7 Overview A good group of lightly raced 2yo fillies, several who come off sharp debut wins that look to step up and earn a berth into the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf. Pace It looks like #7 AUNT PEARL (3-1) should be able to control things early, especially with Geroux riding, as he’s one of the most aggressive gate riders in the country. Trends Speed has done very well on the main track, so you need to be close early. The turf is a bit more of a mixed bag, but positional speed, especially over a…