Keeneland Hosts 2 Breeders’ Cup Preps: Sunday, October, 8 Selections

Keeneland returned to racing on Friday. The race is a pivotal part of the horse racing calendar that leads up to the Breeders’ Cup in November.

On Sunday’s racing card, there are two races that will earn the winners automatic entry into the year end world championships.

The Juddmonte Spinster

The Juddmonte Spinster is a prep race for the Longines Distaff. The dirt race is targeted by many of the same horses that were on the Kentucky Oaks trail as 3 year old horses.

Castle & Key Bourbon

The Castle and Key Bourbon Stakes will be contested over the Keeneland turf course and is a prep race for the Juvenile Turf. The Juvenile turf will be a part of the Friday Future Stars Friday at the Breeders’ Cup.

Sunday, October 8, 2023 Full Card Analysis

Keeneland Race Track – Race 1

Post: 1:00 PM ET; $44k Claiming, 1 1/16 m on dirt; Entries: 6

• #5 MOHAAFETH (4-1) earns the top selection, not expected to struggle with the distance.
• #4 G T FIVE HUNDRED (8-5) isn’t without hope, boasting races good enough to compete with this group.
• #3 CHISHOLM TRAIL (6-1) is likely a good choice for underneath on most tickets, featuring solid early pace figures in a race lacking substantial front-running speed.
• #6 NAVY SOUL (9-2) is another contender to consider for underneath positions, potentially posing a front-running threat.

Selections: 5 – 4 – 3 – 6

Keeneland Race Track – Race 2

Post: 1:32 PM ET; $68k Maiden Claiming, 1 1/16 m on dirt; Entries: 6

• #3 MY LILY MAE (7-2) secures the top pick, looking to be the class of the field and well-bred for this race.
• #2 QUEEN OF MISSOULA (7-5) should be competitive, also well-bred and capable of making a strong late run.
• #1 EYES OF GOLD (3-1) is another competitive choice, fitting well here and boasting races good enough to contend.
• #4 STAGFLATION (6-1) should be in the mix, coming into the race in good form and expected to sit mid-pack for a late run.

Selections: 3 – 2 – 1 – 4

Keeneland Race Track – Race 3

Post: 2:04 PM ET; $61k Claiming, 6 1/2 f on dirt; Entries: 7

• #6 LOVE OF MY HEART (5-2) looks strong here, making sense on speed figures and not struggling with the distance.
• #7 SLACK TIDE (8-1) should be competitive, potentially posing a front-running threat under the Forster barn with Lanerie in the irons.
• #3 LET’S BE CLEAR (2-1) is a contender without a doubt, making sense on speed figures and featuring the top overall power rating in the group.
• #2 CHOCTAW BINGO (3-1) is another to consider, also making sense on speed figures and boasting a strong power rating.

Selections: 6 – 7 – 3 – 2

Keeneland Race Track – Race 4

Post: 2:36 PM ET; $48k Maiden Claiming, 1 1/16 m on dirt; Entries: 8

• #4 LOST LOVE (9-2) is expected to improve off the first start and earns the top selection, featuring races good enough to beat this group and coming into the race in good form.
• #7 ABOVE THE SUN (8-1) is a potential contender, looking to be in with a shot in this race.
• #8 CHOCTAW GRACE (4-1) isn’t without hope, boasting races good enough to compete with this group and likely to lead or be near the front.
• #3 NORTHERN ROAD (6-1) should be considered for underneath positions, expected to improve and displaying recent solid form.

Selections: 4 – 7 – 8 – 3

Keeneland Race Track – Race 5

Post: 3:08 PM ET; $130k Allowance, 5 1/2 f on turf; Entries: 7

• #1 SOUPER QUEST (1-1) is the top pick, featuring races good enough to outclass this group and looking to be the class of the field.
• #4 NO NAY HUDSON (3-1) appears to be a major player, capable of competing with this group and having tactical speed for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #5 HIDDEN PATH (7-2) is another significant contender, making sense on speed figures and also equipped with tactical speed.
• #6 MOUNSIEUR COCO (10-1) is a price horse to watch, not to be underestimated and potentially in contention late.

Selections: 1 – 4 – 5 – 6

Keeneland Race Track – Race 6

Post: 3:40 PM ET; $110k Allowance, about 7 f on dirt; Entries: 8

• #5 TRACK MATE (4-1) appears strong here, featuring races good enough to beat this group and expected to be part of the early pace.
• #8 ANTARES (1-1) is a major player, possibly a front-running threat.
• #4 CAN’T HUSH THIS (6-1) should be competitive, making sense on speed figures.
• #3 SEEKING UNITY (15-1) is a price horse to consider, not struggling with the distance and coming into the race in good form.

Selections: 5 – 8 – 4 – 3

Keeneland Race Track – Race 7

Post: 4:12 PM ET; $100k Maiden Special Weight, 7 f on dirt; Entries: 10

• #1 WICKED AGAIN (8-5) gets the top selection, fitting well in this race and not troubled by the distance.
• #4 TUNISIAN SPRING (3-1) is another contender, expected to improve off the first start and potentially posing a front-running threat.
• #8 ATLANTIC DANCER (20-1) is a price horse and should be considered for underneath positions.
• #6 HALMSTAD (15-1) is another price horse, likely running for the minor placings.

Selections: 1 – 4 – 8 – 6

Keeneland Race Track – Race 8

Post: 4:44 PM ET; $250k Indian Summer S. Presented by Keeneland Select, 5 1/2 f on turf; Entries: 10

• #2 AMIDST WAVES (3-1) is the top pick, fitting well in this race and not troubled by the distance.
• #3 COWES (15-1) is a price horse to consider, making sense on speed figures and with Catalano and Lezcano in the mix.
• #7 BLEDSOE (10-1) is another price horse to watch, potentially in contention late.
• #4 SPONGE BATH (8-1) is a fringe contender, making sense on speed figures.

Selections: 2 – 3 – 7 – 4

Keeneland Race Track – Race 9

Post: 5:16 PM ET; $600k Juddmonte Spinster S., 1 1/8 m on dirt; Entries: 7

• #2 IDIOMATIC (7-5) looks strong, proven to handle these conditions and a contender under the Cox-Geroux combination.
• #3 NEST (6-5) is a major player, not troubled by the distance. Ultimately she will probably be the best of this lot and one of my personal favorite horses, but the presence of the 2 makes this feel like more of a needed prep race with the Breeders’ Cup as the target.
• #4 LE DA VIDA (6-1) could be in with a shot, potentially benefiting from a hot pace up front and in solid recent form.
• #1 SIXTYTHREECALIBER (15-1) is a price horse to consider for underneath positions, capable of making a mid-pack run.

Selections: 2 – 3 – 4 – 1

Keeneland Race Track – Race 10

Post: 5:48 PM ET; $350k Castle & Key Bourbon S., 1 1/16 m on turf; Entries: 15

• #5 NOTED (3-1) earns the top selection, not expected to struggle with the distance.
• #10 NOMOS (15-1) is a price horse to watch, likely sitting in the second tier and making a well-timed run.
• #6 VOTE NO (8-1) is a fringe contender, expected to be in the first flight and potentially in contention late.
• #2 GORILLA TREK (15-1) is another price horse to consider, running evenly and benefiting from a fair pace scenario.

Selections: 5 – 10 – 6 – 2

Betting News Horse Racing Coverage

Betting News provides AI generated handicapping tools for all of the major tracks around the country each and every day.

In addition, Betting News will continue to provide in depth analysis of select cards throughout the week. This week’s analysis will feature many of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” races including: