(selections listed in chronological order)
KEENELAND – FIFTH RACE (Post time: 3:08 ET)
1-Myredwhiteandblue (4-1)
Lightly raced sophomore brings from New Orleans a developing pattern that can lead to a victory in this nine furlong first-level allowance grass affair restricted to 3-year-olds. A promising, progressive colt, he clearly has found his niche as a late-running turf router, as he was sharp (and quite game) in his maiden win two races back at Fair Grounds before stepping forward significantly when producing an impressive turn of foot to miss by a neck in a race at this level last month. With rising speed figures in each of his four races, returning to his maiden winning distance, and being reunited with “win rider” Jareth Loveberry, the son of Violence projects to enjoy a ground-saving trip from the rail and then be along in time at a solid price.
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KEENELAND- SIXTH RACE (Post time 3:40 ET)
9-Scylla (5/2)
Debuting daughter of Tapit displayed an immense amount of ability last summer at Saratoga but never made it to the post, and finally does so for trainer Bill Mott in this six furlong maiden track sprint for sophomore fillies. In one of her drills as a 2-year-old at the Spa, she easily outworked Classic Legacy, who finished third behind Tapit Trice in the Tampa Bay Derby-G3 last month, so while her recent work tab over the deepish Payson Park training track contains nothing flashy, there is little doubt that this daughter of the brilliant race mare Close Hatches has enough natural speed and talent to handle this assignment. There should be good value to be found in the win pool and in rolling exotic play at anywhere near her morning line of 5/2.
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AQUEDUCT – NINTH RACE (Post time: 5:38 ET)
6-Accept the Outcome (Ire) (4-1)
Second-time starter seems sure to improve a bunch for trainer Chad Brown (28% with this angle) after encountering self-caused trouble in her debut in a two turner at Gulfstream Park in mid-February. Purchased at auction for more than $233,000 overseas, the daughter of No Nay Never was under severe restraint during the early stages of that race and soon became extremely rank and almost uncontrollable. She never really settled until mid-race and then finally leveled off to finish as well as could be expected to wind up fourth of eight, beaten about four lengths. Today, she shortens to six furlongs and will be able to settle behind quicker early fractions before producing one late run. At 4-1 on the morning line, the Irish-bred filly is a gamble in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics.
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OAKLAWN PARK – NINTH RACE (Post time: 4:58 CT)
10-Strobe (7/2)
Has been carefully handled throughout his five race career but finally gets his chance to prove his quality when facing stakes opposition for the first time in this year’s renewal of the Count Fleet Sprint Handicap-G3 over six furlongs. With runaway victories in his last two outings that produced triple-digit Beyer speed figures, the immensely talented Godolphin homebred certainly is fast enough to win at this level, and from his cozy outside draw will have the option of popping and going or stalking and pouncing (he’s won doing both in his four previous victories). The Brad Cox-trained son of Into Mischief from the multiple Grade-1 winning sprinter Flashing looks well-spotted to continue his winning ways, so at 7/2 on the morning line we’ll play him with conviction and hope to get close to that price.
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