Keeneland: Malathaat Romps, 2 Stake Saturday, April 23

The great Malathaat returned to Keeneland on Friday romping in the Doubledogdare. Saturday’s card includes 2 additional stakes in the action packed weekend.

Malathaat is Back in Impressive Fashion

It had been since November 6th since we had seen one of the most impressive fillies in recent memories. On that day Malathaat had to settle third behind Japanese upsetter Marche Lorraine at 30-1 and Dunbar Road.

Prior to that she was 6 for 7 with her only loss coming to Maracuja. She finished a respectable 2nd in that race.

On Friday she returned in the Doubledogdare Stakes which went off as race 9. The filly was bet down to 1-5. Kenny McPeek, trainer of Crazy Beautiful, was asked if was surprised to see Malathaat entered here. He simply answered, “I’m not thrilled.”

McPeek and bettors respected her talent even off the layoff. It was well merited.

Race Recap

Malathaat broke a bit slow and shifted to the outside into the first turn. As the horses turned up the backside the major players were all well off the pace with Crazy Beautiful, Malathaat, and Bonny South all letting two long shots handle to the pace setting.

As the horses continue up the back stretch, the major players started to close in. Turning into the stretch Malathaat found the front, but the late closing Bonny South was also gaining momentum with her patented late kick.

However, as they lengthened down the stretch Malathaat’s class was on full display as she won by a fairly convincing margin. Not an easy task for a horse of such a long layoff. The performance suggests she is setting up to have another impressive campaign in 2022.

Saturday Full Card Analysis

Keeneland Race Course Race 1

Post: 1:00 PM ET; Purse: $60,000 Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 7

• #6 COPPER TOWN (2-1) barring a horrible turn of racing luck, this one looks like about as much of a lock as they come.
• #2 YES HE CAN (6-1) has solid speed figures and could compete here.
• #5 SPYCRAFT (5-2) may get a good trip here to be a factor in the late stages of the race.
• #3 RELENTLESS DANCER (7-2) has solid enough connections to run a good race here.

Selections: 6-2-5-3 (Best Bet: #6 COPPER TOWN)

Keeneland Race Course Race 2

Post: 1:32 PM ET; Purse: $100,000 Maiden Special Weight, 5 1/2 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 11

• #8 LAWMAKER (5-2) is a first time starter that is clearly well thought of. This one probably needs to be on every ticket.
• #1 TREVISE (8-1) should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & record at the distance.
• #7 RUM 'N TONIC (6-1) will likely have the stamina to outlast these in the final jumps of the race.
• #6 BENDETTIJOE (10-1) should be competitive based on the overall power rating which has it tops in the group.

Selections: 8-1-7-6

Keeneland Race Course Race 3

Post: 2:04 PM ET; Purse: $44,000 Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8

• #1 DIXIE'S TWO STENTS (5-2) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & pace numbers.
• #6 LIBERTY STAR (5-1) has to be respected today edging the field in several key handicapping factors including stamina & power rating.
• #5 ONCOMING TRAIN (5-1) has been good at this distance in previous tries and makes sense to be a factor here.
• #8 DARK TIMBER (4-1) merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & race flow.

Selections: 1-6-5-8

Keeneland Race Course Race 4

Post: 2:36 PM ET; Purse: $45,000 Maiden Claiming, 1 1/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 11

• #5 SALIT (5-2) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating.
• #9 OAXACA (6-1) has been running against decent competition in the previous efforts.
• #1 CLASSY MISS (4-1) is worth a look here given edges in form & pace numbers.
• #10 FOREVER HOME (15-1) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions.

Selections: 5-9-1-10

Keeneland Race Course Race 5

Post: 3:08 PM ET; Purse: $110,000 Allowance, 1 Mile on Turf; Entries: 9

• #5 NEVISIAN SUNRISE (9-5) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & pace numbers.
• #9 ENSEMBLE (8-1) comes into the race in good form and can maybe spring the upset.
• #8 JOY OF PAINTING (8-1) could get a perfect pace scenario today.
• #3 SEASONS (2-1) comes into the race signaling a big performance in the near future.

Selections: 5-9-8-3

Keeneland Race Course Race 6

Post: 3:40 PM ET; Purse: $100,000 Maiden Special Weight, About 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8

• #1 CASA DE GOAT (5-2) is worth a look here given edges in connections & pace numbers.
• #8 MUSIC STREET (8-1) has breeding to suggest this one may run well. I’m not sure if this one will win on debut or if it may take a race, but the price is worth the gamble.
• #5 FAITH'S REWARD (3-1) is in with a great chance based on the horse's stamina & form.
• #2 TOFFEE (10-1) should be competitive based on the overall power rating which has it tops in the group.

Selections: 1-8-5-2

Keeneland Race Course Race 7

Post: 4:12 PM ET; Purse: $130,000 Allowance, 1 1/16 Miles on Turf; Entries: 12

• #8 MARKET RUMOR (6-1) merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & race flow.
• #11 MISTY VEIL (3-1) is in with a great chance based on the horse's record at the distance & pace numbers.
• #5 GAM'S MISSION (3-1) is in with a great chance based on the horse's stamina & power rating.
• #1A KEEPER OF TIME (7-2) looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts.

Selections: 8-11-5-1A

Keeneland Race Course Race 8

Post: 4:44 PM ET; Purse: $300,000 Ben Ali S., 1 1/8 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 8

• #5 WARRANT (2-1) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating.
• #3 PROXY (7-2) comes into the race signaling a big performance in the near future.
• #4 DYNAMIC ONE (4-1) has to be respected based on the connections.
• #2 MIGHTY HEART (9-2) should get the right type of pace today to be a factor.

Selections: 5-3-4-2

Keeneland Race Course Race 9

Post: 5:16 PM ET; Purse: $350,000 Elkhorn S., 1 1/2 Miles on Turf; Entries: 9

• #4 PHANTOM CURRENCY (4-1) has to be respected today edging the field in several key handicapping factors including stamina & pace numbers.
• #5 CHANNEL MAKER (2-1) should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & power rating.
• #3 TWO EMMYS (7-2) comes into the race signaling a big performance in the near future.
• #9 ANOTHER MYSTERY (6-1) is definitely a fringe player, but a player none the less.

Selections: 4-5-3-9

Keeneland Race Course Race 10

Post: 5:48 PM ET; Purse: $110,000 Allowance Optional Claiming, 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 11

• #9 B SUDD (7-2) has solid speed figures here and could pull the minor upset.
• #3 UNIKEE (3-1) merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & form.
• #1A MOMENTOUS (4-1) looks like a strong prospect edging the field in several key handicapping factors including connections & power rating.
• #1 GREAT ESCAPE (4-1) merits consideration in this spot given edges in stamina & class.

Selections: 9-3-1A-1

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