Saturday’s Keeneland late pick 5 includes a trio of stakes races, the Giant’s Causeway for turf sprinters, the Lexington for Triple Crown hopefuls and the Jenny Wiley for fillies and mares on the grass. Those stakes are book-ended by a pair of deep allowance races with quality options. Let’s get to work.
Keeneland | Race 7 | allowance
Good options abound at every handicapping corner here, so spread for appropriate coverage. #7 Tepeu has trained well for the return since being gelded; #1 Barber Road broke his maiden over this track and his last showed a real wakeup call; #4 Principe d’Oro could be the controlling speed stretching out around two turns; #2 Graphic Detail is surface-versatile for a Lobo barn going well right now; #8 Master Game steps up in class but is a local winner and can compete; #6 Crump needs to find the finishing punch, but shorter stretch here vs. Fair Grounds could be the elixir.
Keeneland | Race 8 | Giant’s Causeway Stakes
Must-use Wesley Ward’s pair of #3 Happy Soul and #10 Twilight Gleaming, but advantageously drawn #5 Amy C could flex her muscle from California. #11 Little Jewel really impressed the eye at Gulfstream and may be value here.
Keeneland | Race 9 | Lexington Stakes
Brad Cox trainees are lightning at 1-1/16 miles with the short stretch at Keeneland, he’s got a couple drawn nicely here in #5 First Mission and #3 Demolition Duke. He’s won the Lexington 2 of the last 3 years with Tawny Port and Owendale, both making their way next to the Triple Crown series. Beat him to score.
Keeneland | Race 10 | Jenny Wiley Stakes
Favorite #2 In Italian should be too tough to handle on the front end for trainer Chad Brown, who has won this race 4 of the last 5 years. The Jenny Wiley historically has played to speed, and she’s got it.
Keeneland | Race 11 | allowance
West coasters have had a good week at Keeneland and that could continue with #4 Ironic Twist, who has trained smartly since a solid 2023 return third in a stakes-caliber allowance at Santa Anita. #11 Napa Candy should offer value, likes the course and is by strong Keeneland dirt sire Candy Ride. #12 Tarabi had fantastic form last year against fellow 3-year-old fillies. Any improvement from 3 to 4 and her seasonal unveiling first time against elders can be successful. Also consider #2 Top Gun Girl, but fear that 6-1/2 furlongs might be a touch beyond her best trip.
The Ticket
7,1,4,2,8,6 with 3,10,5,11 with 5,3 with 2 with 4,11,12 = $72
Budget players: cut the ticket cost in half by singling #5 in Race 9.
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