Closing Day / Free Keeneland Selections / Friday

It is hard to believe the month has flown past. For 15 days, give or take, Lexington travels back in time when the doors of Keeneland open. Times when things were simpler, and as the slogan says, “The way racing was meant to be.”

 

Keeneland

The weatherman is smiling kindly on Lexington, and there is to be a sunny day with a high near 64 degrees.

 

Race #3 – Claiming $25,000 – 1 1/16 – 2:07 p.m. ET

#2 – Live in Joy (8-5) = Rosie Napravnik in the irons for Wayne Catalano. He makes his turf to poly jump, and hasn’t raced since Gulfstream Park. A son of Kitten’s Joy, and they have taken to both the grass and poly. 1/1 ITM at Keeneland, and Ken and Sarah Ramsey are the record setting owners. I think the team can use another boost for Mrs. Ramsey, as she had to be taken to the hospital from Keeneland yesterday.

 

Race #4 – Alw $60,000 – 1 1 /16 on the turf – 2:38 p.m. ET

#12 – Paroled (6-1) = Rosie in the irons for Phil Sims. Broke in the air last out, and came on without any real riding. I think she may have nice runner making his second start of 2013. She is winning 29% of her turf mounts, and this is the second time returning for this short meet.

 

Race #7 – Alw $60,000 – 1 1 /16 on the turf – 4:11 p.m. ET

#11 – Rapacious (7-2) = Joel Rosario up for Rusty Arnold. Beaten favorite last out, and cuts back in distance. The outside post should not be a problem for Rosario who broke Randy Romero’s record of wins in a meet. He has two more and counting past R.R., and the day is long. 4/5 ITM lifetime on the weeds, and the rider is in the zone.

 

Race #8 – Mdn Sp Wt – 7f – 4:42 p.m. ET

#11 – Frivolous (3-1) = Francisco Torres in the saddle for Victoria Oliver. She made huge run on the 10th, and returns in the same meet. Same conditions, and but this time she will be respected at the windows. If you get 3-1, that is prime action.

 

Race #9 – (G-2) Elkhorn Stakes – 1 1/2 on the turf – 5:13 p.m. ET

#11 – Al Khali (7-2) = Garrett Gomez in town for Bill Mott. He is back in Kentucky until Derby, and he mentioned he had a mount for Mott yesterday afternoon on TVG. 2/3 ITM at Keeneland, and is making the third off the layoff move. This guy has been facing a steady diet of G-1 foes, and put two preps underneath his belt. I think he can layoff the pace and get nasty down the lane.

 

Nothing like a little goodbye Keeneland card. I see some solid races for the weekend, and the days are dwindling until Derby. So, grab up your E-Z Win Forms and get ready to make your run to Louisville. Who says racing is taking a break ? – Be sure to check back, as I think you will want to get in the game this weekend!