Wednesday wagers: Too Fast for You lives up to name at Keeneland
After a thrilling first weekend, the Keeneland fall meet rolls on Wednesday with an excellent eight-race card. Join me as I preview my five favorite races on the day.
Best bet: Wecallemfuncoupons (race 2)
Best value bet: Too Fast For You (race 5)
Race 1
No. 5 Vintage (3-1) has won two straight, a claimer at Saratoga and an allowance at Finger Lakes, and looks well-spotted on the ship-in for Jeffrey Englehart. She should be forwardly placed in a race lacking pace on paper. No. 2 Lady With a Cause (9-2) drops slightly after trying to close six-wide at Churchill and fizzling out. A repeat of her two-back victory at Horseshoe Indianapolis makes her a threat. No. 1 Sicilian Grandma (6-5, morning-line favorite) beat only four others with a fluky-looking effort on the speed figures before flopping completely at Kentucky Downs. She’s far from inspiring at the price but appears best of the rest.
How I’d bet it (based on a $100 budget): $15 exacta 5/2, $5 exacta 2/5
Race 2
No. 2 Wecallemfuncoupons (4-1) adds blinkers for Englehart after a game runner-up effort vs. maiden claimers at Churchill on debut. Moving up to tackle maiden specials is never easy, but this son of Twirling Candy appears more than capable. No. 3 Stunnem (7-2, morning-line favorite) looks logical in what could be a scramble for second shipping in off a second-place result at Aqueduct. No. 4 Tiz My Hero (6-1) has hit the board in two straight and cuts back a furlong. No. 10 Great Richie M (20-1) flashes promising morning works and appeals at a price. The dam’s only starter to date was a winner. No. 11 Mr. Faversham (10-1) cost $50k at auction and lures Luis Saez for his debut. He’s a half to the speedy Bayerness, a former $400k+ stakes winner.
How I’d bet it: $6 exacta 2/3,4, $4 exacta 2/10,11
Race 5
No. 8 Too Fast for You (10-1) should not be this long, as she had troubled trips in both of her misfires over four career starts. She flashed excellent speed at first asking before graduating on turf, which might be what is held against her. But Too Fast for You has worked quite well on dirt and could pop at a price with a smooth journey. No. 2 Shy Shy (7-2) also earned her diploma on turf but hit the board in both career dirt efforts and attracts Tyler Gaffalione. No. 5 Intermittent Fast (5-2, morning-line favorite) blew away maiden rivals at Indy two back before flopping in the Ellis Park Juvenile. Her other lifetime efforts were more similar to that last-out effort than her lone victory.
How I’d bet it: $8 win 8, $4 exacta box 2/8, $2 exacta box 5/8
Race 7
No. 8 Sant’ Antimo (9-2) is hard to knock from a speed-figure perspective and was a competitive second at this level when last seen. An ideal stalking trip and score could be in the offing under Corey Lanerie, and at solid odds to boot. No. 1 Hurry Hurry (10-1) has had tough trips in each of his last two but ran a monster figure three-back – respect at these odds. No. 5 Inexorable (3-1, morning-line favorite) blew away cheaper when last seen and now switches from the Robertino Diodoro barn to the Steve Asmussen one. Can that effort be replicated?
How I’d bet it: $10 exacta 8/1, $5 exacta 8/5, $5 win 1
Race 8
No. 6 Luz Divina (9-2) was extremely wide on debut but managed a third-place effort before being brushed off by Grade 2 Jessamine Stakes winner Buchu last time out. If Saez can place this daughter of Palace Malice closer to the pace like last time, she could spring the mild upset in the nightcap. No. 8 Auraculous (9-2) looks like a must-use off her rallying second-place try at Kentucky Downs going shorter. No. 2 Mishka (8-1) flashes strong drills ahead of her unveiling for the ever-dangerous Brad Cox.
How I’d bet it: $7 exacta box 6/8, $3 exacta 6, 8/2
Robert Criscola is a free-lance handicapper based in New York.
