Keeneland Returns:Jessamine, Alcibiades Analysis, Selections

Keeneland will hold the 2022 Breeders’ Cup. On Friday the Kentucky track returns with a slew of stakes including the Jessamine and the Alcibiades stakes.

Rainy Days Ahead

Players should be aware that the Kentucky are has been rocked by rain which could prompt some or all turf races to get moved off the turf. Check out Equibase on race day for a full list of changes.

Keeneland- Race 1

Post: 1:00 PM ET; $43k Claiming going 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 10

• #1 WITH VERVE (8-1) gets the top selection. He may benefit from a hot pace up front. This one has races good enough to beat this group.
• #2 SOUNION (6-1) shouldn't have trouble with the 7 furlong distance.
• #3 DIRECT ORDER (5-1) will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done here.
• #8 RIVERBOAT GAMBLER (7-2) makes sense on speed figures. This one is a good bet to hit the board in this type of race.

Selections: 1 – 2 – 3 – 8

Keeneland- Race 2

Post: 1:32 PM ET; $100k Maiden Special Weight going about 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 8

• #2 MISREAD (5-2) is the top pick. She goes out for the Stall barn and gets Rosario in the irons.
• #5 SHE'S ALL CLASS (8-1) is well bred for this spot. This one goes out for the Maker barn and gets Saez in the irons.
• #7 SCRIPPS (3-1) debuts has to be respected going out for the combination of Brisset and Ortiz.
• #8 SEABROOK (5-1) is an interesting prospect on debut. If this one hovers around the morning line, it’s worth a look.

Selections: 2 – 5 – 7 – 8

Keeneland- Race 3

Post: 2:04 PM ET; $110k Allowance Optional Claiming going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 9

• #7 KEY OF LIFE (8-5) looks best here. She should be part of the early pace in this spot. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #2 SANTA FE GOLD (8-1) appears to be a major player in this race. She has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #3 LOOKING FOR HOPE (7-2) should improve off the first start and should be competitive in this spot. The debut makes her a player.
• #1 CRACKALACKING (15-1) has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.

Selections: 7 – 2 – 3 – 1

Keeneland- Race 4

Post: 2:36 PM ET; $130k Allowance going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 10

• #6 CASANOVA KITTEN (10-1) has the top overall power rating in the group and has been running against some decent foes.
• #8 JOHNNY UNLEASHED (7-2) appears to be a major player in this race. He makes sense on speed figures. This one has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.
• #2 THERIDEOFALIFETIME (9-2) will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
• #9 MARK OF THE Z (15-1) will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late. This one shouldn't have trouble with the 6 furlong distance.

Selections: 6 – 8 – 2 – 9

Keeneland- Race 5

Post: 3:08 PM ET; $110k Allowance going 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 12

• #9 BEGUINE (7-2) is the top pick. She has the top overall power rating in the group. This one could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #10 RING ME DARLING (20-1) seems to fit well enough here. This one goes out for the Garcia barn and gets Morales in the irons.
• #11 JAG WARRIOR (10-1) has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed. This one is a good bet to hit the board in this type of race.
• #5 NOSILVERSPOONSHERE (8-1) seems to fit well enough here.

Selections: 9 – 10- 11- 5

Keeneland- Race 6

Post: 3:40 PM ET; $100k Maiden Special Weight going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 16

• #16 EASY ACTION (3-1) should improve off the first start and looks best here. This one has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #4 LIBERTY'S HAULER (9-2) debuts here and gets Joel Rosario, one of the top turf sprint riders in the country in the saddle.
• #6 BRITERDAYZAHEAD (3-1) is likely to improve off the first start. Saez will likely have this one quick out of the gate.
• #11 SIR (15-1) comes into the race in solid form.

Selections: 16- 4 – 6 – 11

Keeneland- Race 7

Post: 4:12 PM ET; $350k Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix S. going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 8

• #6 NECKER ISLAND (7-2) gets the top selection. He has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #5 SIBELIUS (5-2) has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.
• #2 SPECIAL RESERVE (2-1) has races good enough to beat this group.
• #1 SIR ALFRED JAMES (8-1) runs evenly and looks to get a very fair pace scenario here. This one comes into the race in really good form.

Selections: 6 – 5 – 2 – 1

Keeneland- Race 8

Post: 4:44 PM ET; $350k JPMorgan Chase Jessamine S. going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 16

• #12 TOWHEAD (9-2) is the top pick. She will likely be out on or near the lead and will look to hold off the charge to the wire. This one looks to be the class of the field.
• #4 PROMISE OF HOPE (6-1) has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #9 RECOGNIZE (10-1) seems to fit well enough here.
• #3 DELIGHT (4-1) will likely have a lot to do in the lane, but could get up with a competitive run.

Selections: 12- 4 – 9 – 3

Keeneland- Race 9

Post: 5:16 PM ET; $500k Darley Alcibiades S. going 1 1/16 miles on dirt; Entries: 14

• #1 WONDER WHEEL (9-2) looks best here. She has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #11 JUST CINDY (20-1) comes into the race in really good form. This one should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders.
• #4 RAGING SEA (6-1) should improve off the first start and should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders.
• #9 FUN AND FEISTY (7-2) has races good enough to beat this group.

Selections: 1 – 11- 4 – 9

Keeneland- Race 10

Post: 5:48 PM ET; $120k Allowance going 1 1/2 miles on turf; Entries: 13

• #5 QUEEN BOURBON (7-2) gets the top selection. She has races good enough to beat this group.
• #8 FAIRCHILD (5-2) will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
• #1 MIA MARTINA (10-1) is a value play and comes into the race in really good form.
• #13 GO BIG BLUE NATION (6-1) could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.

Selections: 5 – 8 – 1 – 13

Keeneland Handicapping Tools

Betting News will continue bringing full card analysis from stakes action from around North America. Coverage includes weekend action from Belmont, Santa Anita Park and opening weekend from Keeneland which prepares to host the Breeders’ Cup in November.