Wednesday’s Keeneland late pick 4 carries a 2 million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split promotion when you play through 1/ST BET and Xpressbet. The sequence looks deep and challenging with field sizes of 12x8x12x11 and no obvious, free-space favorites. That’s good news for those looking for a healthy score, and who amongst us doesn’t want that?
We took down Sunday’s late pick 4 in this space for $274 on a $16 ticket, so let’s double down to open the racing week in Lexington.
Race 5
#4 Dear Scarlett (30-1 morning line) and #3 Candy Mine (4-1 ML) drew advantageous posts in this turf sprint maiden race and are deep closers looking to make ground-saving rallies. I’m taking the bigger price on top, but will look for depth in this spot with #7 Izzy Sweet Girl (10-1 ML), whose sire has done really good work in Keeneland turf sprints, and #10 Magic Escapade (6-1 ML), a sharp-working rookie from a win-early barn and hot jockey in the saddle in Luis Saez.
Race 6
#8 Trust Issues (15-1 ML) is 5: 1-2-2 on fast dirt and hasn’t misfired, yet his record looks inconsistent due to several races on synthetic, turf or wet tracks. He’s reunited with Luis Saez, who rode him to a win and second-place finish in 2 prior pairings. Drawn nicely outside in modest field size for 6 furlongs. #6 Augusta Melody (3-1 ML) runs second-off-the-layoff after a notable fourth by 1 length at Fair Grounds behind Discreet Mischief, who returned to smash allowance foes here last week. Comfortable with this pair.
Race 7
This is another full-field turf sprint and it’s full of good allowance options. #4 Elegant (6-1 ML) transfers from the Bob Baffert barn and should bring California speed to Rudy Brisset and lures Flavien Prat from an advantageous draw. International export X-factors #2 Tales of the Heart (6-1 ML) and #3 Latin Fever (8-1 ML) arrive in Hall of Fame barns. #12 Big Trouble (9-2 ML) should be flying late down the center of the course under Jose Ortiz, while #9 Saturday Flirt (7-2 ML) was a course winner here as a 2-year-old for the always-dangerous turf sprint barn of Wesley Ward.
Race 8
#1 Princess Is Olivia has won 5 of her last 9 starts, including a 7-furlong claimer here during the Fall Meet when battling every step. She’s likely more effective at today’s 6-furlong trip and looks to go to 3-for-3 when teamed with Luis Saez, who could be poised for another big day. I’ll single here in the finale while fearing the late rally of #6 Sally’s Surprise, who would be the logical addition to the ticket for those faint of heart or who prefer to single in another spot in the sequence.
The Ticket:
4,7,10,3 with 8,6 with 4,2,3,12,9 with 1 = $20 for $.50
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