Franklin Stakes Full Field Takes Gate: Keeneland Sunday Analysis

The continued full fields at Keeneland are refreshing. At a time when many tracks are struggling to fill stakes, Keeneland have 15 entered for the Sunday feature.

Keeneland- Race 1

Post: 1:00 PM ET; $47k Maiden Claiming going 1 1/16 miles on dirt; Entries: 8

• #2 KEY TO SUCCESS (5-2) gets the top selection. She shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/16 mile distance. This one has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #5 GOODBETTERBEST (9-5) gets the top selection. She has to be respected going out for the combination of Cox and Geroux.
• #8 SHE HAS THE LOOK (8-1) has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here. This one has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed.
• #1 FREE SPIRITED (6-1) makes sense on speed figures.

Selections: 2 – 5 – 8 – 1

Keeneland- Race 2

Post: 1:32 PM ET; $52k Claiming going 1 1/16 miles on dirt; Entries: 7

• #5 RIGHT TONE (8-5) is the top pick. He has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #2 BLUE NORTHER (7-2) appears to be a major player in this race. He makes sense on speed figures. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #3 KEEPCALMCARRYON (3-1) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. He seems to fit well enough here. This one has solid speed figures that should be competitive here.
• #6 MR CREED (10-1) has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.

Selections: 5 – 2 – 3 – 6

Keeneland- Race 3

Post: 2:04 PM ET; $49k Maiden Claiming going 1 1/8 miles on dirt; Entries: 8

• #3 MAASAI WARRIOR (1-1) looks best here. He seems to fit well enough has races good enough to beat this group.
• #6 MINT (6-1) looks to be the class of the field.
• #5 AWAY FROM HOME (12-1) is a price horse and comes into the race in really good form. This one shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/8 mile distance.
• #8 VALE (20-1) is an interesting price player. This one is of interest to provide value around the likely winner.

Selections: 3 – 6 – 5 – 8

Keeneland- Race 4

Post: 2:36 PM ET; $100k Maiden Special Weight going 1 1/16 miles on dirt; Entries: 6

• #5 UNLIMITEDPOTENTIAL (1-2) should improve off the first start and gets the top selection. This one shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/16 mile distance.
• #2 SPEED BIAS (8-1) could be in with a shot in this race. He looks to be the class of the field.
• #6 REDEMPTION TIME (4-1) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. He runs evenly and looks to get a very fair pace scenario here.
• #1 WAR ROOM (6-1) will make the 2nd career start and has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.

Selections: 5 – 2 – 6 – 1

Keeneland- Race 5

Post: 3:08 PM ET; $110k Allowance going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 16

• #6 KAUFYMAKER (2-1) is the top pick. She projects to sit mid pack and come with one run. This one has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.
• #14 SOSUA SUMMER (3-1) has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here. This one makes sense on speed figures.
• #4 JUST SAY WHEN (7-2) has races good enough to beat this group. This one has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #9 MUMAYAZ (15-1) is a price horse and isn't without hope. This one has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.

Selections: 6 – 14- 4 – 9

Keeneland- Race 6

Post: 3:40 PM ET; $100k Maiden Special Weight going about 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 14

• #11 ROMAN GODDESS (15-1) is a price horse and looks like value here. She comes into the race in really good form.
• #5 POSITANO SUNSET (7-2) should improve off the first start and appears to be a major player in this race. This one has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #7 GHOSTLY GIRL (5-2) is well bred for this spot. This one runs evenly and looks to get a very fair pace scenario here.
• #1 PENNY ARCADE (15-1) could be in with a shot in this race at a fat price. She goes out for the Cox barn and gets Geroux in the irons. Don’t sleep on those connections.

Selections: 11- 5 – 7 – 1

Keeneland- Race 7

Post: 4:12 PM ET; $300k Franklin S. going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 15

• #13 ILLEGAL SMILE (4-1) gets the top selection. This one has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #10 CHANGE OF CONTROL (5-1) appears to be a major player in this race. She has races good enough to beat this group.
• #2 CARAVEL (4-1) appears to be a major player in this race. She will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
• #1 STAR DEVINE (8-1) should be competitive in this spot. She will more than likely be forwardly placed throughout and could be dangerous as they are turning for home. There is some concern about the inside draw which can get claustrophobic in these full turf sprints.

Selections: 13- 10- 2 – 1

Keeneland- Race 8

Post: 4:44 PM ET; $120k Allowance Optional Claiming going about 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 9

• #2 SPANKSTER (10-1) is a price horse and is the top pick. He has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip. This one could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #1 HIDDEN SCROLL (7-2) appears to be a major player in this race. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Ward and Corrales. This one has a history of being a bad actor at the gate so buyer beware.
• #3 RUN CLASSIC (6-1) has races good enough to beat this group. This one has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed.
• #6 GAGETOWN (8-1) makes sense on speed figures. This one has the top overall power rating in the group.

Selections: 2 – 1 – 3 – 6

Keeneland- Race 9

Post: 5:16 PM ET; $100k Maiden Special Weight going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 16

• #15 SAFEEN (2-1) should improve off the first start and looks best here. Her debut could be good enough against these. She will need help getting in though.
• #5 STAY LOST (3-1) should be competitive in this spot. She shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/16 mile distance. This one comes into the race in really good form.
• #9 MISS PEABODY (5-1) is well bred for this spot and gets the benefit of experience here.
• #7 WORDS OF PRAISE (8-1) has the pedigree and foundation to be a factor at a nice price in this one.

Selections: 15- 5 – 9 – 7

Keeneland Handicapping Tools

Betting News will continue bringing full card analysis from stakes action from around North America. Coverage includes weekend action from Belmont, Santa Anita Park and opening weekend from Keeneland which prepares to host the Breeders’ Cup in November.