Thursday Keeneland Analysis: Breeders’ Cup Looms

With the Breeders’ Cup just over a week away, Keeneland runs the final week of regular racing. Thursday’s card will be comprised mostly of claiming races.

Keeneland- Race 1

Post: 1:00 PM ET; $43k Claiming going 1 1/8 miles on dirt; Entries: 7

• #2 NEVER CHANGE (9-5) gets the top selection. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Pletcher and Saez. This one has races good enough to beat this group.
• #1 COASTAL CHAOS (5-2) isn't without hope. He makes sense on speed figures.
• #7 FORT DEFIANCE (7-2) looks to be the class of the field.
• #5 HEY BOSS (20-1) is a price horse and is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. He has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.

Selections: 2 – 1 – 7 – 5

Keeneland- Race 2

Post: 1:32 PM ET; $56k Claiming going 1 1/16 miles on dirt; Entries: 6

• #6 CAMP DAVID (7-2) is the top pick. He seems to fit well enough here. This one has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #1 SUPER DESIGN (5-2) could be in with a shot in this race. He has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #4 MAXIMUM IMPACT (9-2) could be in with a shot in this race. He makes sense on speed figures. This one may benefit from a hot pace up front.
• #2 CAN'T HUSH THIS (8-1) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. He has races good enough to beat this group. This one has been really good at the distance.

Selections: 6 – 1 – 4 – 2

Keeneland- Race 3

Post: 2:04 PM ET; $51k Claiming going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 8

• #5 REED KAN (8-5) looks best here. He could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #4 CALIFORNIA STREET (5-2) should be competitive in this spot. He shouldn't have trouble with the 6 furlong distance. This one will likely have a lot to do in the lane, but could get up with a competitive run.
• #6 GRAY ATTEMPT (9-2) has to be respected going out for the combination of Rivelli and Loveberry.
• #2 WILD BEHAVIOR (15-1) is a price horse and is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. He comes into the race in really good form. This one will likely be out on or near the lead and will look to hold off the charge to the wire.

Selections: 5 – 4 – 6 – 2

Keeneland- Race 4

Post: 2:36 PM ET; $44k Starter Allowance going 1 1/16 miles on dirt; Entries: 7

• #5 LEADER OF MEN (6-1) gets the top selection. He should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders.
• #6 BEAR OAK (9-2) appears to be a major player in this race. He seems to fit well enough here. This one has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed.
• #3 GIGGING (3-1) has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip. This one could also look to wire if no one goes.
• #7 CAN'TBETEMALL (5-1) could be in with a shot in this race. He projects to sit mid pack and come with one run.

Selections: 5 – 6 – 3 – 7

Keeneland- Race 5

Post: 3:08 PM ET; $110k Allowance going about 1 1/8 miles on turf; Entries: 13

• #10 GAL WONDER (6-1) is the top pick. She should be part of the early pace in this spot.
• #11 BRAVO KITTEN (2-1) appears to be a major player in this race. She runs evenly and looks to get a very fair pace scenario here. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #8 GET ON THE BUS (7-2) will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done here.
• #5 TWO SIXTYONE (15-1) is a price horse and feels like a fringe contender in this spot. She shouldn't have trouble with the about 1 1/8 mile distance.

Selections: 10- 11- 8 – 5

Keeneland- Race 6

Post: 3:40 PM ET; $100k Maiden Special Weight going 5 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 10

• #9 RARIFY (6-5) looks best here. She should be part of the early pace in this spot.
• #7 MALIBU TOAST (7-2) should improve off the first start. She has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here. This one has to be respected going out for the combination of Cox and Geroux.
• #1 MASTER SOM (8-1) should be better second time around the track.
• #5 STELLAR LILY (10-1) is a price horse that has been running solid efforts of late. This one wouldn’t be a total shocker to hit the board.

Selections: 9 – 7 – 1 – 5

Keeneland- Race 7

Post: 4:12 PM ET; $55k Claiming going 1 1/16 miles on dirt; Entries: 10

• #1 CENTURION (5-2) gets the top selection. He should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders.
• #9 HAPPY BOY ROCKET (9-2) should be competitive in this spot. He makes sense on speed figures.
• #4 JR'S GIFT (12-1) is a price horse and could be in with a shot in this race. He will likely have a lot to do in the lane, but could get up with a competitive run.
• #3 COOL RAGS (20-1) is a price horse and feels like a fringe contender in this spot. He has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.

Selections: 1 – 9 – 4 – 3

Keeneland- Race 8

Post: 4:44 PM ET; $110k Allowance going about 1 1/8 miles on turf; Entries: 13

• #5 PERSONAL BEST (3-1) is the top pick. She has races good enough to beat this group. This one should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders.
• #9 LOVELY PRINCESS (10-1) is a price horse and shouldn't have trouble with the about 1 1/8 mile distance. This one has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.
• #8 THISNAMEISOKAY (12-1) has races good enough to beat this group. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #11 PEARL EARRING (6-1) has to be respected going out for the combination of Stidham and Geroux.

Selections: 5 – 9 – 8 – 11

Keeneland- Race 9

Post: 5:16 PM ET; $47k Maiden Claiming going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 10

• #6 SALTA (7-2) looks best here. He has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #9 MATARO (8-1) has races good enough to beat this group. The price is right on this one.
• #10 BALSA (3-1) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. He shouldn't have trouble with the 6 furlong distance.
• #3 BOLT ABOVE (9-2) goes out for the Casse barn and gets Geroux in the irons. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.

Selections: 6 – 9 – 10- 3

Betting News Breeders’ Cup Coverage

With the Breeders’ Cup on the horizon Betting News will have wall to wall coverage of the world championships of horse racing. The event will take place November 4th and 5th at Keeneland. Check back all week for features and analysis on what is sure to be a loaded 2 day card from Lexington.