Keeneland: Mike Battaglia’s picks for Friday’s races
First post 1:05 p.m.
1st-$31,000, Maiden Claiming , $75,000, 3-Year-Olds & Up, 6 1/2 Furlongs
PP | Horse | Wt. | Jockey | Odds |
1 | Hope Is Best | 122 | A. Cox | 30-1 |
2 | Pristine Sistine | 116 | J. Leparoux | 5-1 |
3 | Kings Wish | 122 | D. Cannon | 20-1 |
4 | Tree Top Lover | 122 | J. Valdivia | 4-1 |
5 | Silvertown | 116 | C. Lanerie | 2-1 |
6 | Legal Eagle | 122 | J. Velazquez | 5-2 |
7 | Conquest Nitro | 116 | J. Lezcano | 7-2 |
Trainers: 1. W. Rice, 2. I. Wilkes, 3. K. Crouch, 4. W. Ward, 5. E. Kenneally, 6. W. Catalano, 7. M. Casse.
CONQUEST NITRO ran poorly last out with no visible excuse but Casse runs him back quickly and adds blinkers. Look for a better effort today. SILVERTOWN has finished second in four of his last five races and posted a solid work at Churchill on Sunday. LEGAL EAGLE is a definite threat.
2nd-$27,000, Maiden Claiming, $50,000, 3-Year-Olds & Up Fillies and Mares, 1 1/16 miles, 1:39
PP | Horse | Wt. | Jockey | Odds |
1 | Run Alex Run | 116 | M. Murrill | 3-1 |
2 | Back Road Bellamy | 116 | F. Geroux | 4-1 |
3 | Sea Light | 123 | R. Albarado | 9-5 |
4 | Explosive Vacation | 116 | C. Lanerie | 5-2 |
5 | Ghostly Again | 116 | Hernandez | 8-1 |
6 | Willburnhot | 111 | S. Saez | 15-1 |
Trainers: 1. G. Dorochenko, 2. M. Matz, 3. V. Oliver, 4. E. Kenneally, 5. W. Connelly, 6. L. Jurado.
SEA LIGHT is the only four year old in here and she rates the edge as she drops in for a tag for the first time. EXPLOSIVE VACATION is probably better on grass but she woke up last out and Lanerie rides. RUN ALEX RUN rates a chance.
3rd-$27,000, Starters Allowance, 4-Year-Olds & Up, 1 1/8 miles, 2:12
PP | Horse | Wt. | Jockey | Odds |
1 | Halo Nation | 118 | C. Lanerie | 5-1 |
2 | Birdsone | 118 | Hernandez | 6-5 |
3 | Yolo Mon | 118 | M. Sanchez | 9-2 |
4 | Dynabeaver | 118 | C. Hill | 3-1 |
5 | Kaygold’s Ruby | 118 | R. Aragon | 20-1 |
6 | Blame Angel | 118 | J. Castanon | 5-1 |
Trainers: 1. C. Murphy, 2. G. Forster, 3. A. Davies, 4. D. . Lukas, 5. W. Howard, 6. T. McCarthy.
BIRDSONE was overmatched last out in a Gr.3 but drops back in against starter allowance runners today. He ran well over this track last year and looks like a good bet to win this one at short odds. DYNABEAVER also likes the Keeneland strip and figures second best. HALO NATION is lightly raced and could improve.
4th-$37,000, Starters Allowance, 3-Year-Olds Fillies, 1 1/8 miles (Turf), 2:45
PP | Horse | Wt. | Jockey | Odds |
1. | Sensuous Pat | 118 | G. Stevens | 8-1 |
2. | Dgres of Frdm | 118 | J. Castellano | 7-2 |
3. | Greedy American | 118 | Hernandez | 12-1 |
4. | Cape Caroline | 118 | J. Leparoux | 3-1 |
5. | All Aces | 118 | J. Gilligan | 20-1 |
6. | Indypndnt Dputy | 118 | Bridgmohan | 7-2 |
7. | Edeline | 118 | J. Castanon | 8-1 |
8. | Miss Prudence | 118 | J. Bravo | 20-1 |
9. | Sage’s Epiphany | 118 | J. Rocco | 12-1 |
10. | Cold Dish | 118 | C. Lanerie | 6-1 |
Trainers: 1. K. McPeek, 2. C. Brown, 3. J. Sharp, 4. W. Bradley, 5. M. Ewing, 6. S. Asmussen, 7. M. Lovell, 8. V. Oliver, 9. B. Colebrook, 10. K. McPeek.
SENSUOUS PAT comes off of an allowance win on the Turfway poly and should be able to handle the move back to the turf today. She figures to get a good trip with Gary Stevens picking up the mount for Ken McPeek and could spring the upset in here. CAPE CAROLINE has solid grass form and will be ralllying from off of the pace. She is the one to beat. DEGREES OF FREEDOM had to drop in class to get her maiden win but is a solid threat.
5th-$21,000, Claiming, $20,000, 3-Year-Olds & Up, 1 1/8 miles, 3:18
PP | Horse | Wt. | Jockey | Odds |
1 | Bellamy Run | 123 | Hernandez | 4-1 |
2 | Spikechevious | 116 | J. Castanon | 20-1 |
3 | I’mbetterthangood | 123 | C. Lanerie | 7-2 |
4 | Inspire Courage | 123 | J. Castellano | 3-1 |
5 | He’s From Queens | 116 | R. Albarado | 9-2 |
6 | Musical Score | 123 | J. Rocco | 12-1 |
7 | Vogner | 123 | C. Hill | 10-1 |
8 | Battle Midway | 123 | J. Graham | 4-1 |
Trainers: 1. J. Sharp, 2. M. Lightner, 3. K. McPeek, 4. M. Maker, 5. N. Howard, 6. B. Colebrook, 7. D. . Lukas, 8. N. Zito.
INSPIRE COURAGE was a beaten favorite last out at Gulfstream but has been training sharply since returning to Ky. He ran well over the Keeneland strip last meet and looks like a good bet to win this one for Maker and Castellano. I'MBETTERTHANGOOD has just one win in 18 races but is the one to beat with Lanerie back aboard. BELLAMY ROAD has the speed to make the lead from the inside post and could be tough to catch.
6th-$60,000, Maiden Special Weight, 3-Year-Olds, 1 1/16 miles (Turf), 3:51
PP | Horse | Wt. | Jockey | Odds |
1 | Sir Dudley Digges | 120 | J. Leparoux | 3-1 |
2 | Manitoulin | 120 | F. Geroux | 5-1 |
3 | Benediction | 120 | J. Lezcano | 12-1 |
4 | Tempestaire | 120 | F. Torres | 20-1 |
5 | Hardly Home | 120 | J. Velazquez | 10-1 |
6 | Turf Commander | 120 | J. Castellano | 7-2 |
7 | War Order | 120 | D. Van Dyke | 9-2 |
8 | Crush | 120 | Bridgmohan | 20-1 |
9 | Aerostar | 120 | M. Murrill | 20-1 |
10 | Mucho Macho Bets | 120 | R. Albarado | 15-1 |
11 | King’s Player | 120 | J. Valdivia | 10-1 |
12 | Mr. Sensibility | 120 | J. Rocco | 20-1 |
13 | Fort Smith | 120 | F. Prat | 20-1 |
14 | Shoe Show King | 120 | J. Graham | 20-1 |
Trainers: 1. M. Maker, 2. J. Toner, 3. W. Mott, 4. T. Glyshaw, 5. C. McGaughey III, 6. C. Brown, 7. H. . Motion, 8. W. Bradley, 9. A. Granitz, 10. L. Hendrickson, 11. R. Scherer, 12. B. Colebrook, 13. W. Van Meter, 14. A. McKeever.
WAR ORDER should like the move back to the turf and figures to be in good position right off of the early leaders . Graham Motion adds blinkers and he rates the slight edge with Van Dyke picking up the mount. TURF COMMANDER jusst missed in his debut and can be expected to move forward off of that start. SIR DUDLEY DIGGES has the speed to be dangerous.
7th-$62,000, Allowance, 3-Year-Old Fillies, 6 Furlongs, 4:24
PP | Horse | Wt. | Jockey | Odds |
1 | Quick Release | 118 | J. Castellano | 7-2 |
2 | Ivy Bell | 123 | R. Santana | 7-2 |
3 | Touch and Smile | 118 | G. Stevens | 2-1 |
4 | Royal Story | 118 | R. Albarado | 5-1 |
5 | Mama Joyce | 118 | F. Geroux | 5-1 |
6 | Frozen Hannah | 123 | Hernandez | 6-1 |
7 | Iwantapronotion | 118 | S. Doyle | 30-1 |
Trainers: 1. M. Dini, 2. S. Asmussen, 3. W. Ward, 4. W. Catalano, 5. B. Cox, 6. J. Sharp, 7. J. Dyer.
TOUCH AND SMILE was very professional in her debut win at Turfway. She overcame a poor start to win by a neck and has trained well since that score. She figures to move forward and is capable of making it two in a row with Gary Stevens picking up the mount for Wes Ward. IVY BELL comes off of a sharp maiden win at Oaklawn and is the one to beat. MAMA JOYCE won for a tag but did it easily and is a contender.
8th-$64,000, Allowance, 4-Year-Olds & Up Fillies and Mares, 5 1/2 Furlongs (Turf), 4:57
PP | Horse | Wt. | Jockey | Odds |
1 | Hooligan | 118 | J. Velazquez | 12-1 |
2 | Elusive Holiday | 118 | J. Lezcano | 5-1 |
3 | Gentle One | 123 | A. Cox | 50-1 |
4 | Sunnysammi | 118 | J. Castellano | 8-1 |
5 | Moon Medal | 118 | G. Stevens | 10-1 |
6 | Skyluck | 118 | D. Parker | 20-1 |
7 | Anusara | 118 | J. Leparoux | 5-1 |
8 | Melaleuca | 118 | C. Villasana | 8-1 |
9 | Late Spring | 118 | C. Lanerie | 6-1 |
10 | Katie O. | 118 | F. Geroux | 6-1 |
11 | Sweet Diva | 118 | Bridgmohan | 6-1 |
12 | Yodel | 118 | J. Graham | 10-1 |
Trainers: 1. W. Ward, 2. C. LoPresti, 3. W. Rice, 4. G. Weaver, 5. M. Maker, 6. E. Reed, 7. G. Foley, 8. B. Michael, 9. V. Oliver, 10. M. Maker, 11. W. Hawley, 12. C. Murphy.
ELUSIVE HOLIDAY was a game winner in her 4 year old debut coming off of a 4 1⁄2 month layoff. She ran well in both of her turf races last year and rates the slight edge in a wide open turf sprint. ANUSARA has raced well on all surfaces finishing in the money in 11 of her 13 races. She will be running late and is definitely the one to beat. SWEET DIVA just missed last out and has to be considered.
9th-$100,000, Hilliard Lyons Doubledogdare Stakes (Grade III), 4-Year-Olds & Up Fillies and Mares, 1 1/16 miles, 5:30
PP | Horse | Wt. | Jockey | Odds |
1 | Brooklynsway | 118 | R. Albarado | 15-1 |
2 | I’m a Chatterbox | 118 | F. Geroux | 3-5 |
3 | Welcome Aboard | 118 | D. Parker | 20-1 |
4 | Sea Shadow | 118 | J. Castellano | 20-1 |
5 | Back in Dixie | 118 | C. Hill | 15-1 |
6 | Ahh Chocolate | 120 | Hernandez | 4-1 |
7 | White Clover | 118 | C. Lanerie | 5-1 |
8 | Pretty Fancy | 118 | J. Rocco | 20-1 |
9 | Innovative Idea | 118 | J. Graham | 20-1 |
Trainers: 1. B. Flint, 2. J. . Jones, 3. E. Reed, 4. B. Colebrook, 5. I. Mason, 6. N. Howard, 7. G. Arnold, II, 8. G. Arnold, II, 9. E. Harty.
I'M A CHATTERBOX had an excellent 3 year old campaign for Larry Jones and she has been training sharply for her 4 year old debut. She has the tactical speed to be on or near the lead throughout and she looks like a solid bet to win the Doubledogdare as a heavy favorite. AHH CHOCOLATE capped her 3 year old season with a win against older runners in the Falls City. She may not have liked the mud in New Orleans and figures to be the main threat to the favorite. WHITE CLOVER looks best of the rest.
10th-$19,000, Maiden Claiming, $20,000, 3-Year-Olds & Up, 6 Furlongs, 6:03
PP | Horse | Wt. | Jockey | Odds |
1 | Principio | 116 | P. Ouzts | 9-2 |
2 | Wagon Boss | 116 | P. Lopez | 10-1 |
3 | Ideal City | 116 | S. Doyle | 20-1 |
4 | Congrats to Cucos | 116 | R. Hisby | 15-1 |
5 | Charming He Is | 116 | J. Rocco | 12-1 |
6 | Mo’ Munnings | 116 | Hernandez | 7-2 |
7 | Mill Bayou | 116 | R. Santana | 15-1 |
8 | Pink’s Honor | 122 | R. Albarado | 5-1 |
9 | Forty Purrs | 122 | C. Lanerie | 3-1 |
10 | Zhukov | 116 | M. Murrill | 10-1 |
11 | Giveemdaheater | 116 | M. Pedroza | 20-1 |
12 | Demarlboro | 116 | J. Graham | 20-1 |
Trainers: 1. R. Beck, 2. I. Correas IV, 3. T. Burke, 4. A. Gonzalez, 5. J. Sharp, 6. J. Sharp, 7. R. Moquett, 8. L. Hendrickson, 9. E. Kenneally, 10. G. Dorochenko, 11. M. Castaneda, 12. P. Sims.
PINK'S HONOR made a nice middle move while wide in a race here on opening day. He can improve on that effort today and is capable of winning this one with Albarado picking up the mount. FORTY PURRS has been off since August but drops in class for his return and has to be respected. WAGON BOSS drops in for a tag for the first time and rates a chance.
This story was originally published April 22, 2016 at 10:56 AM with the headline "Keeneland: Mike Battaglia’s picks for Friday’s races."