Myrtlewood, Rubicon Valley Analysis: Keeneland Friday

One week from Friday Keeneland will be hosting Breeders’ Cup. This Friday they host two stakes of much smaller renown. The Myrtlewood and Rubicon Valley are scheduled this week.

Keeneland- Race 1

Post: 1:00 PM ET; $47k Claiming going about 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 9

• #6 MAHAAMEL (8-5) gets the top selection. He goes out for the Pletcher barn and gets Saez in the irons. This one has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #5 FLINT RIDGE (6-1) could be in with a shot in this race. He seems to fit well enough here. This one could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #3 CHASING RAINBOWS (5-2) isn't without hope. He goes out for the Cox barn and gets Geroux in the irons.
• #4 LIBERTY STAR (20-1) has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed.

Selections: 6 – 5 – 3 – 4

Keeneland- Race 2

Post: 1:32 PM ET; $43k Maiden Claiming going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 10

• #5 BOURBON ON FIRE (3-1) is the top pick. He has races good enough to beat this group.
• #4 GOLDEN LUNA (7-2) could be in with a shot in this race. This one looks to be the class of the field.
• #3 FLY HOME (6-1) has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #7 SUPE (15-1) is a price horse and is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. He goes out for the Tomlinson barn and gets Rocco in the irons.

Selections: 5 – 4 – 3 – 7

Keeneland- Race 3

Post: 2:04 PM ET; $69k Maiden Claiming going 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 9

• #3 GOLDEN BANDIT (2-1) should improve off the first start and looks best here. He has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #8 MR BOB (10-1) is a price horse and makes sense on speed figures.
• #5 BOUDIN (7-2) should take a step forward off the debut effort and it wouldn’t take much improvement to make him competitive in this group.
• #9 HILL OF TARA (9-2) has been running against some really solid company in the recent efforts.

Selections: 3 – 8 – 5 – 9

Keeneland- Race 4

Post: 2:36 PM ET; $56k Claiming going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 9

• #9 BURNINHUNKOFLOVE (5-2) gets the top selection. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Stall and Saez.
• #3 MEAN JAKEY (8-1) has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race. This one will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
• #1 CEES GET DEGREES (4-1) looks to be the class of the field. This one has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.
• #4 FLAGS UP (8-1) isn't without hope. He makes sense on speed figures. This one projects to sit mid pack and come with one run.

Selections: 9 – 3 – 1 – 4

Keeneland- Race 5

Post: 3:08 PM ET; $110k Allowance going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 13

• #8 AZTEC NIGHTS (9-2) is the top pick. She looks to be the class of the field. This one comes into the race in really good form.
• #4 C C CRUISE CONTROL (8-1) appears to be a major player in this race. She shouldn't have trouble with the 1 mile distance. This one has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #13 FREYDIS THE RED (6-1) makes sense on speed figures. This one seems to fit well enough here.
• #3 MURKY (4-1) should improve off the first start and could be in with a shot in this race. The debut effort was impressive and improvement is likely here. It’s just a big jump to running against winners.

Selections: 8 – 4 – 13- 3

Keeneland- Race 6

Post: 3:40 PM ET; $100k Maiden Special Weight going 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 8

• #4 SUNNY RIVER (7-5) looks best here. She has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip. This one could take the lead if others choose to sit back.
• #2 SCARLET STRIPE (5-2) makes a lot of sense in this spot and is a definite factor.
• #3 PARENTS PRIDE (6-1) comes into the race in really good form.
• #7 TWENTYTWENTY HOAX (20-1) doesn’t feel like she should be 20-1 in this spot. The numbers suggest this one is more competitive than the price.

Selections: 4 – 2 – 3 – 7

Keeneland- Race 7

Post: 4:12 PM ET; $200k Myrtlewood S. going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 11

• #6 KEY OF LIFE (8-5) gets the top selection. She has to be respected going out for the combination of Cox and Geroux.
• #7 TAKE CHARGE BRIANA (8-1) looks to be the class of the field.
• #11 SOMEBODY'S PROBLEM (7-2) makes sense on speed figures. This one should be part of the early pace in this spot.
• #1 LADY RADLER (12-1) is a price horse and is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. She has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.

Selections: 6 – 7 – 11- 1

Keeneland- Race 8

Post: 4:44 PM ET; $300k Rubicon Valley View S. going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 14

• #5 DOLCE ZEL (5-2) is the top pick. She seems to fit well enough here. This one should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders.
• #7 LADY PUCHI (8-1) has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts. This one comes into the race in really good form.
• #9 SPARKLE BLUE (12-1) is a price horse and has races that are good enough to beat these types. She is worth a shot above 10-1.
• #3 OAKHURST (8-1) looks to be the class of the field. She’s been good in these turf routes in previous tries.

Selections: 5 – 7 – 9 – 3

Keeneland- Race 9

Post: 5:16 PM ET; $120k Allowance Optional Claiming going 1 1/16 miles on dirt; Entries: 9

• #1 PRINCESS OF CAIRO (12-1) is an upset possibility here. She has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip. This one has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #8 MICROCAP (9-2) shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/16 mile distance. This one has races good enough to beat this group.
• #3 POWDER RIVER (2-1) has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #6 MOON SWAG (7-2) really likes this distance and could be a bit dangerous with the right trip here.

Selections: 1 – 8 – 3 – 6

Keeneland- Race 10

Post: 5:48 PM ET; $140k Allowance going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 16

• #10 TOTALLY BOSS (9-2) gets the top selection. He has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts. This one makes sense on speed figures.
• #12 BREAKING THE RULES (15-1) is a price horse and is great in these turf sprints. This one may benefit from a hot pace up front and the outside draw may actually help.
• #6 MARK OF THE Z (8-1) has speed figures that absolutely figure against these types.
• #11 CHARCOAL (5-1) has been in great form of late and likes these short sprints.

Selections: 10- 12- 6 – 11

Betting News Breeders’ Cup Coverage

With the Breeders’ Cup on the horizon Betting News will have wall to wall coverage of the world championships of horse racing. The event will take place November 4th and 5th at Keeneland. Check back all week for features and analysis on what is sure to be a loaded 2 day card from Lexington.