Free Selections / Saturday / 4-20-2013

The biggies are in the books, and a few are chasing minor points this weekend.  Just when you think there could be no real runners to come out of this race. Turn back the clocks to the 1999, as Charismatic almost won the Triple Crown. So, don’t go fishing just yet. There is plenty of money to be made!

 

Keeneland

Saturday afternoon calls for a clear and sunny day with a high of 59 degrees.

 

Race #7 – Alw $60,000 – 7f – 4:11 p.m. ET

#4 – Awesome Flower (3-1) = Joel Rosario (30%) in the irons for trainer Mike Maker (23%).  They have been winning at a 36% clip this past month, and two back this gal was claimed for $30,000. Maker does well off the claim, and he did not disappoint last out winning by 5  -3/4 lengths. 2nd off the layoff, and she has been working well at Palm Meadows. I think she has matured nicely for a hot barn.

 

Race #8 – $100,000 Giant’s Causeway – 5 1/2f on the turf – 4:42 p.m. ET

#9 – Sweet Cassiopeia (5-2) = Joe Rocco, Jr. in the irons for Bill Connelly. This mare has shown that she enjoys the weeds, and makes her second off the layoff. She is 4-in-a-row, and been working solid in Florida. 2/2 at the distance, and is 3/3 ITM on the turf. I like her form coming into this heat, and I’m looking for a big effort.

 

Race #9 – (G-3) Lexington Stakes – 1 1/16 – 5:13 p.m. ET

#1 – Winning Cause (5-1) = Julien Leparoux in the driver’s seat for Todd Pletcher. The rail has not been the place to be, but this son of Giant’s Causeway will be closing from off the pace. He should break, and drop over to the three path as Leparoux knows the track well. 2nd time off the layoff, and 2/2 at Keeneland.

#2 – Pick of the Litter (6-1) = Jesus Castanon for Dale Romans, and they do good work as a team. Ran a flat 6th place finish in the Florida Derby, but I don’t see anyone in here that resembles Orb. Cuts back in distance from 1 1/8, and Castanon is a very capable pilot.

#11 – Pure Fun (7-2) = Rosie Napravnik in the saddle for Kenny McPeek (22%), and this is a filly facing the boys. She is by Pure Prize, and that is good poly- breeding. She won the (G-1) Hollywood Starlet, and McPeek looks for a Bluegrass – Lexington daily double this meet. Rosie is having a good time in Kentucky. I think this gal will have to overcome the 11-post, but she is in very good hands.

 

Don’t dismiss this race! Remember 1999 with Charismatic… Grab your E-Z Win Forms, and get busy. The weather will be perfect, and we are counting the days until the Kentucky Derby. This is a golden chance to build your bankroll. What better place than here, and what better time than now??