Keeneland Returns Friday: Laffayette, Transylvania, Ashland Analysis

Keeneland is the heart of horse racing. Not just for it’s much anticipated spring meet, but also because of its sale which produces dozens of champions every year.

Opening Day Full Card Analysis

As of the writing of this article official program numbers and morning line odds had not been assigned. Numbers listed before the selections represent order of preference. Please consult Equibase.com on race day before placing any wagers.

Keeneland Race 1

Post: 1:00 PM ET; Purse: $80,000 Maiden Special Weight, 4 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 9

• DOMINICANA goes out for Wesley Ward points his horses to Keeneland. The trainer’s personal farm is within miles of the historic site.
• INSANITY IT SEEMS is well bred to be precocious and win in this spot.
• ROL AGAIN DANCER will have Luis Saez in the saddle. He’s one of the best from the gate in the country and early position is so vital at 4 1/2 furlongs.
• KING ADROCK will be ridden by Flavien Prat. This one needs to work out a trip from the wide post but at least that means getting a little breathing room should one or more of these young runners break sideways out of the gate.

Selections:

1. DOMINICANA
2. INSANITY IT SEEMS
3. ROL AGAIN DANCER
4. KING ADROCK

Keeneland Race 2

Post: 1:32 PM ET; Purse: $100,000 Maiden Special Weight, 1 3/16 Miles on Turf; Entries: 16

• PURE COUNTRY is worth a look here given edges in record at the distance & form.
• DUVET DAY is a major player based on speed figures.
• BLAMETHECHAMPAGNE merits consideration in this spot given edges in stamina & class.
• BEACHFRONT BID has to be respected based on the connections.

Selections:

1. PURE COUNTRY
2. DUVET DAY
3. BLAMETHECHAMPAGNE
4. BEACHFRONT BID

Keeneland Race 3

Post: 2:04 PM ET; Purse: $38,000 Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 14

• GUNDUZ is in with a great chance based on the horse's stamina & form.
• SCARY LARRY is a major player based on speed figures.
• TERAWATT gets Joel Rosario aboard. For my money he is one of the best judges of pass in the country. Although often known for his late surging turf rides, he’s been known to outpace the field when he feels he needs to use his speed.
• PASSWORD PROTECTED goes out for Eddie Kenneally who reaches for Adam “the Biscuit” Beschizza.

Selections:

1. GUNDUZ
2. SCARY LARRY
3. TERAWATT
4. PASSWORD PROTECTED

Keeneland Race 4

Post: 2:36 PM ET; Purse: $110,000 Allowance Optional Claiming, 1 1/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 10

• MALIBU MARIE is in with a great chance based on the horse's connections & pace numbers.
• A MO REAY is worth a look here given edges in class & pace numbers.
• PARK ON THE NILE comes into the race signaling a big performance in the near future.
• CUSTOMER DRIVEN merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & stamina.

Selections:

1. MALIBU MARIE
2. A MO REAY
3. PARK ON THE NILE
4. CUSTOMER DRIVEN

Keeneland Race 5

Post: 3:08 PM ET; Purse: $110,000 Allowance, 1 Mile on Turf; Entries: 16

• HEALING is in with a great chance based on the horse's record at the distance & pace numbers.
• IN EFFECT merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & class.
• SUPPLY CHAIN is in with a great chance based on the horse's connections & power rating.
• ROCHAMBEAU is trained by Cherie Devaux. At Gulfstream she is a must use. Her success outside of Florida is a bit more sporadic, but she’s shown some life at some of the more prominent meets and maybe breaks through this year.

Selections:

1. HEALING
2. IN EFFECT
3. SUPPLY CHAIN
4. ROCHAMBEAU

Keeneland Race 6

Post: 3:40 PM ET; Purse: $100,000 Maiden Special Weight, 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 16

• OMA THE GREAT is worth a look here given edges in pace numbers & power rating.
• BERAVINA merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & connections.
• LUV DRAGON should be competitive based on breeding which has it tops in the group.
• ELLE OF THE BALL merits consideration in this spot given edges in stamina & race flow.

Selections:

1. OMA THE GREAT
2. BERAVINA
3. LUV DRAGON
4. ELLE OF THE BALL

Keeneland Race 7

Post: 4:12 PM ET; Purse: $400,000 Lafayette S., 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 12

• MY PRANKSTER has a great shot in the race given the speed & class.
• BAROSSA classes up with the rest of these runners
• TEJANO TWIST has posted solid speed figures in the recent contests and could be competitive if he can work out a trip from the 12 post.
• MAGNOLIA MIDNIGHT should be in the right spot early to give this horse a chance to get the job done.

Selections:

1. MY PRANKSTER (BEST BET)
2. BAROSSA
3. TEJANO TWIST
4. MAGNOLIA MIDNIGHT

Keeneland Race 8

Post: 4:44 PM ET; Purse: $400,000 Kentucky Utilities Transylvania S., 1 1/16 Miles on Turf; Entries: 6

• GRAND SONATA is in with a great chance based on the horse's class & early pace.
• COINAGE merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & form.
• VERBAL is worth a look here given edges in race flow & pace numbers.
• SY DOG has Irad in the saddle and that is always dangerous

Selections:

1. GRAND SONATA
2. COINAGE
3. VERBAL
4. SY DOG

Keeneland Race 9

Post: 5:16 PM ET; Purse: $600,000 Central Bank Ashland S., 1 1/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 8

• AWAKE AT MIDNYTE merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & class.
• NEST is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including stamina & power rating.
• INTERSTATEDAYDREAM is trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Florent Geroux. This one is a must consider.
• HAPPY SOUL comes into the race signaling a big performance in the near future.

Selections:

1. AWAKE AT MIDNYTE
2. NEST
3. INTERSTATEDAYDREAM
4. HAPPY SOUL

Keeneland Race 10

Post: 5:48 PM ET; Purse: $120,000 Allowance, 5 1/2 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 16

• ILLEGAL SMILE has a great shot in the race given the speed & power rating.
• SPICY MARG could get a perfect pace scenario today.
• BAY STORM classes up well against the field.
• SENORA ROMA could break like a shot and if she clears should be in a great spot.

Selections:

1. ILLEGAL SMILE
2. SPICY MARG
3. BAY STORM
4. SENORA ROMA

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