Keeneland Picks: Grade 2 Franklin Stakes (10/11/2026)
Written by: Chris Adams
Published: Sun Oct 11, 2026, 7:00 am ET
Read Time: 7 minutes
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Keeneland picks are here for a 9-race card topped by the Grade 2 Franklin Stakes. Below you will find full Keeneland picks and analysis for every race on the October 11, 2026 program, including a best bet, a live longshot and suggested wagers for each event.
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Keeneland Full Card Analysis
Keeneland Picks: Grade 2 Franklin Stakes (10/11/2026)
Keeneland Picks – Race 1
Post Time: 12:00 PM CT; Starter Allowance $20k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 6 runners.
- #3 INDY CHARGES ON (8-5): Major Player. Consistently runs above the level it faces. Top connections on the circuit with Ortiz and Gaudet.
- #5 CREATIVE MINISTER (4-1): Major Player. Proven competitor at this configuration. Figures fit comfortably at this level.
- #4 TRUSTY RUSTY (3-1): Contender. Improving with each start. Numbers grade out better than the raw figures suggest.
- #1 PIKE PLACE (9-2): Contender. Has won at a higher level than this. Van and Arrieta team up, and that combination wins its share.
Selections: 3 – 5 – 4 – 1
The Plays
Win: #3 at 5-2
Exacta: 3,5 / 3,5,4,1
Keeneland Picks – Race 2
Post Time: 12:32 PM CT; Maiden Claiming $30k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 14 runners.
- #14 WICKED GUN (9-2): Major Player. Meaningful class relief today. Outruns the class par more often than not.
- #12 ROAD TRIPPIN (6-1): Major Player. Distance change should suit. The 5.8 speed rating is among the top in the group.
- #8 FLUME'S VINO (8-1): Contender. Ran at this level last out. Barn has been solid with this exact move.
- #7 BOURBONKOMA (12-1): Contender. Much better than the last line indicates. Speed numbers are right there with the top group.
Selections: 14 – 12 – 8 – 7
The Plays
Win: #14 at 5-2
Trifecta: 14,12 / 14,12,8,7 / 14,12,8,7
Keeneland Picks – Race 3
Post Time: 1:04 PM CT; Claiming $20k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 8 runners.
- #6 SASSY PRINCESS (7-5): Best Bet of the Card. Record over this surface and trip stands out. Strong connections with Jacobson sending out Gaffalione. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
- #4 NILO'S ROSE (6-1): Major Player. Has handled this exact setup before. Runs better than the bare figures indicate once class is factored in.
- #2 HIDDEN RECIPE (9-2): Contender. Bred to handle the added ground. Danner has the barn rolling and keeps Hazlewood aboard.
- #5 WITS AND WAGERS (7-2): Contender. Ran into trouble last out and deserves another look. Recent form lines measure up to these.
Selections: 6 – 4 – 2 – 5
The Plays
Win: #6 at 8-5
Pick 3 (Races 3-5): #6 with #2,8,3 with #5,3,12
Exacta: 6 / 4,2
Keeneland Picks – Race 4
Post Time: 1:36 PM CT; Claiming $40k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 8 runners.
- #2 ORAIA (5-2): Major Player. Cutting back should sharpen this one up. Best late pace figure in the field at 93.
- #3 LOVE KNICKS HART (10-1): Major Player. Competitive in the same class recently. Looks good based on the 3 speed rating.
- #8 EASTER PROMISE (5-1): Contender. Drops to a level that should suit. Has the numbers to be involved late.
- #4 FRENCH MISTRESS (12-1): Contender. Pedigree says the surface switch is worth a try. Has been exceeding what the level demands.
Selections: 2 – 3 – 8 – 4
The Plays
Win: #2 at 5-2
Trifecta: 2,3 / 2,3,8,4 / 2,3,8,4
Keeneland Picks – Race 5
Post Time: 2:08 PM CT; Allowance $120k; 1 M Turf; Field of 16 runners.
- #3 GOLDEN CHANNEL (6-1): Major Player. Faced tougher last time and gets relief here. The Weaver barn strikes at a healthy clip in this spot.
- #5 SINISTER SMILE (8-1): Major Player. Sharp drop in class is the story. Ortiz takes the mount for Sharp, which is worth noting.
- #12 MIRACLE MARK (8-1): Contender. Figures have climbed in three straight. Quick enough to matter in the closing stages.
- #9 IRISH LAW (9-2): Contender. Has been running against better than this. Form lines read well against this group.
Selections: 3 – 5 – 12 – 9
The Plays
Win: #3 at 5-2
Trifecta: 3,5 / 3,5,12,9 / 3,5,12,9
Keeneland Picks – Race 6
Post Time: 2:40 PM CT; Maiden Special Weight $110k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 11 runners.
- #7 THE LAST CAMPAIGN (20-1): Major Player. A well-meant first-time starter against a group that has not run to par. Nothing in here has run to the class par, which leaves the door open for a newcomer.
- #11 INVASION (7-2): Major Player. The work tab reads like a horse ready to run, not one being educated. Connections are as strong as any in the race.
- #6 BOB (15-1): Contender. Has been drilling steadily into the debut. Serious work pattern behind this first start.
- #2 FLEETFOOT MAC (9-2): Contender. The morning line of works shows a horse wound up for the opener. Enough recorded works to trust the fitness.
Selections: 7 – 11 – 6 – 2
The Plays
Win: #7 at 5-2
Exacta: 7 / 11,6
Keeneland Picks – Race 7
Post Time: 3:12 PM CT; Claiming $80k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 9 runners.
- #2 LANDED (7-2): Major Player. Has been facing this kind and holding its own.
- #3 MODO (5-2): Major Player. No class question at this level. Numbers are competitive with anything else entered.
- #5 INEFFICIENCY (9-2): Contender. Belongs on class and should be in the mix.
- #1 OVERCOME ADVERSITY (4-1): Contender. Beaten only 99 lengths last out against similar. Has been knocking on the door in similar spots.
Selections: 2 – 3 – 5 – 1
The Plays
Win: #2 at 5-2
Exacta: 2,3 / 2,3,5,1
Keeneland Picks – Race 8
Post Time: 3:44 PM CT; Grade 2 Franklin Stakes $400k; 5 1/2 F Turf; Field of 8 runners.
- #3 TIME TO DAZZLE (8-1): Longshot Play of the Day. Clearly moving forward off the last two. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
- #7 AG BULLET (2-1): Major Player. Course and distance record is the strongest here. Consistent enough to be a factor at this level.
- #5 SHOOT IT TRUE (9-2): Contender. May be able to take advantage of the pace.
- #8 MOVIN' ON UP (6-1): Contender. The class edge on paper is real.
Selections: 3 – 7 – 5 – 8
The Plays
Win: #3 at 7-2
Trifecta: 3,7 / 3,7,5,8 / 3,7,5,8
Keeneland Picks – Race 9
Post Time: 4:16 PM CT; Maiden Special Weight $110k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 12 runners.
- #10 NEWTON (3-1): Major Player. Ran at this level last out.
- #1 ELEOS (15-1): Major Player. Consistently runs above the level it faces.
- #4 JOZEMPIC (8-1): Contender. Bred to be effective on this surface right away. The page says this one should handle the trip first time out.
- #6 EMILIO (5-1): Contender. Pedigree ratings support an immediate run.
Selections: 10 – 1 – 4 – 6
The Plays
Win: #10 at 5-2
Trifecta: 10,1 / 10,1,4,6 / 10,1,4,6
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Chris first got introduced to horse racing in 2009 at Canterbury Park (Shakopee, MN). Along with handicapping and betting, Chris has worked as a teller at his local track and participated in ownership partnerships. He now enjoys sharing his passion with his wife and two young daughters who love going out to the track each and every summer.
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