Keeneland Saturday: Lexington Closes Out Kentucky Derby Preps

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14 April 2023

Keeneland Saturday: Lexington Closes Out Kentucky Derby Preps

Throughout the spring the focus has been on the three year olds. Saturday’s Lexington at Keeneland is the final prep race for the Kentucky Derby.

Saturday Full Card Selections

Keeneland- Race 1

Post: 1:00 PM ET; $100k Maiden Special Weight going 1 1/16 miles on dirt; Entries: 7

#7 MAGICAL POWER (6-5) should improve off the first start and gets the top selection. He shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/16 mile distance. This one has to be respected going out for the combination of Pletcher and Ortiz.
#3 OGLETHORPE (9-5) should be competitive in this spot. He is well bred for this spot. This one looks to be the class of the field.
#4 BOONE'S PATH (12-1) is a price horse and seems to be running for the minor placings in this contest. He goes out for the Young barn and gets Rodriguez in the irons.
#2 COVET (6-1) looks to take a step forward off a decent debut. He has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts. This one comes into the race in really good form.

Selections: 7 – 3 – 4 – 2

Keeneland- Race 2

Post: 1:32 PM ET; $49k Maiden Claiming going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 13

#6 PLEASE BE KIND (8-5) is the top pick. She is well bred for this spot. This one has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
#2 ZIPPIN PIPPIN (7-2) looks like the best of rest. She runs evenly and looks to get a very fair pace scenario here.
#10 KATE'S CONCERTO (6-1) has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts. This one has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot. She definitely merits room on the bottom of vertical tickets.
#9 DOT MARIE (20-1) is a price horse and seems to be running for the minor placings in this contest. She has done well under these conditions in the past.

Selections: 6 – 2 – 10- 9

Keeneland- Race 3

Post: 2:04 PM ET; $120k Allowance going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 14

#11 PORTFOLIO COMPANY (8-5) looks best here. He has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip. This one runs evenly and looks to get a very fair pace scenario here.
#12 EYES ON TARGET (8-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts. This one looks to be the class of the field.
#6 EASY TIME (6-1) could be in with a shot in this race. He comes into the race in really good form. This one seems to fit well enough here.
#3 JAMES ALOYSIUS (4-1) is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. He makes sense on speed figures. This one has experience that makes him a player, but the price is a bit short.

Selections: 11- 12- 6 – 3

Keeneland- Race 4

Post: 2:36 PM ET; $48k Claiming going 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 9

#4 MAGNOLIA MIDNIGHT (6-1) gets the top selection. He goes out for the Stewart barn and gets Gutierrez in the irons. This one may benefit from a hot pace up front.
#7 IMPLEMENTATION (8-5) appears to be a major player in this race. He shouldn't have trouble with the 6 1/2 furlong distance. This one has the top overall power rating in the group.
#8 COURTHOUSE COVE (4-1) isn't without hope. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Leonard and Morales.
#6 C'MON MAN (3-1) has to be respected going out for the combination of Wong and Ortiz. This one looks to be the class of the field based on some of the fields he’s tried recently.

Selections: 4 – 7 – 8 – 6

Keeneland- Race 5

Post: 3:08 PM ET; $110k Allowance going 1 1/8 miles on turf; Entries: 16

#15 BATTLE OF NORMANDY (5-2) is the top pick. He projects to sit mid pack and come with one run. This one has the back class to tower over these types.
#9 REALLY GOOD (6-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/8 mile distance. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
#13 OUR DREAM RYE'D (9-2) appears to be a major player in this race. He seems to fit well enough here. This one should have plenty of foundation to get the route of ground.
#4 EMPEROR'S APPEAL (9-2) should be competitive in this spot. He has races good enough to beat this group. This one has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.

Selections: 15- 9 – 13- 4

Keeneland- Race 6

Post: 3:40 PM ET; $100k Maiden Special Weight going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 15

#10 ZEITLOS (7-2) looks best here. She will likely have a lot to do in the lane, but could get up with a competitive run. This one has to be respected going out for the combination of Asmussen and Ortiz.
#15 MAGICAL LUTE (15-1) is a price horse and should be competitive in this spot. She makes sense on speed figures. This one will be coming late and will want to see them moving on the front end.
#2 NIKKI M P (9-2) should improve off the first start and could be in with a shot in this race. She goes out for the Walsh barn and gets Ortiz in the irons.
#14 HIDEWRIGHT AWAY (30-1) isn't without hope. She goes out for the Cash barn and gets Gutierrez in the irons. This one is well bred for this spot and is a fat price. This one could be sneaky to get into the number with a couple of scratches.

Selections: 10- 15- 2 – 14

Keeneland- Race 7

Post: 4:12 PM ET; $110k Allowance going 1 1/16 miles on dirt; Entries: 8

#7 TEPEU (9-2) gets the top selection. He shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/16 mile distance. This one has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
#1 BARBER ROAD (5-2) appears to be a major player in this race. He has races good enough to beat this group. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
#4 PRINCIPE D'ORO (6-1) should be competitive in this spot. He should be part of the early pace in this spot. This one has to be respected going out for the combination of Pletcher and Ortiz.
#8 MASTER GAME (7-2) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. He could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end and that may make him tough to catch.

Selections: 7 – 1 – 4 – 8

Keeneland- Race 8

Post: 4:44 PM ET; $250k Giant's Causeway S. going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 15

#4 OEUVRE (9-2) is the top pick. She shouldn't have trouble with the 5 1/2 furlong distance. She looks the one to beat in a contentious field.
#5 AMY C (6-1) appears to be a major player in this race. She goes out for the D'Amato barn and gets Rispoli in the irons.
#12 STAR DEVINE (6-1) should be competitive in this spot. She has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
#10 TWILIGHT GLEAMING (9-2) should be competitive in this spot. She makes sense on speed figures. It’s usually not a very good plan to bet against a Ward superstar at Keeneland.

Selections: 4 – 5 – 12- 10

Keeneland- Race 9

Post: 5:16 PM ET; $400k Stonestreet Lexington S. going 1 1/16 miles on dirt; Entries: 11

#11 ARABIAN LION (7-2) looks best here. He should be part of the early pace in this spot and makes sense on speed figures. He just might be able to slip away on a dirt course that does play kindly to speed.
#6 DISARM (7-2) appears to be a major player in this race. He may benefit from a hot pace up front, but is definitely more pace dependent than the top pick.
#8 EMPIRESTRIKESFAST (4-1) should improve off the first start and should be competitive in this spot. He has races good enough to beat this group. The fresh face angle may be the one to take here.
#9 PRAIRIE HAWK (15-1) is a price horse and feels like a fringe contender in this spot. He comes into the race in really good form.

Selections: 11- 6 – 8 – 9

Keeneland- Race 10

Post: 5:48 PM ET; $600k Jenny Wiley S. going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 9

#2 IN ITALIAN (7-5) gets the top selection. She has to be respected going out for the combination of Brown and Ortiz. This one is coming off a really good 2022 campaign and will look to build on it for 2023.
#3 QUEEN GODDESS (4-1) has to be considered a factor in this race. The cozy middle in draw is perfect at this configuration.
#4 SPEAK OF THE DEVIL (10-1) is a price horse and is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. She seems to fit well enough here.
#9 WHITE FROST (8-1) may benefit from a hot pace up front and is a really fair price on the morning line.

Selections: 2 – 3 – 4 – 9

Keeneland- Race 11

Post: 6:20 PM ET; $120k Allowance Optional Claiming going 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 12

#12 TARABI (2-1) is the top pick. She seems to fit well enough here. This one shouldn't have trouble with the 6 1/2 furlong distance.
#2 TOP GUN GIRL (9-2) appears to be a major player in this race. She should enjoy the extra half furlong.
#3 RADIO DAYS (7-2) comes into the race in really good form. This one will likely have a lot to do in the lane, but could get up with a competitive run.
#9 MY KENTUCKY GIRL (10-1) is a price horse and could be in with a shot 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.