Keeneland Handicapping: Pick 3 Spinning Towards the Wire
The final week at Keeneland arrives, and unfortunately, we are heading towards Closing Day. In that vein, let’s enjoy it while it lasts . . .
As we have throughout this April Meet, we have a complete rundown of the fields, with select analysis. Check it out! Today, I will be playing the Rolling Pick 3, which promises to offer some major value.
By the way, our ‘Cappers Challenge continues, and you can follow our progress as our Editor, Lead Handicapper, and Turf-man try to rack up as many Win-Place scores as they can!
Join us throughout the April Meet for the very best that Keeneland has to offer!
If you're looking for picks elsewhere around the country on Sunday, be sure to check out our Free Horse Racing Picks via the gold button below.
- Keeneland Picks
- Picks (Sean)
- Picks (J.N.)
- Picks (Neil)
Keeneland Picks
- Race 1:
- Race 2:
- Race 3:
- Race 4:
- Race 5:
- Race 6:
- Race 7:
- Race 8:
- Race 9:
- Most Likely Winner:
- Best Value Play:
Picks (Sean)
- 1-11-7-2
- 3-1-2-5
- 6-1-7-4
- 5-1-8-7
- 8-7-2-1
- 3-5-12-2
- 2-4-6-8
- 5-4-8-1
- 2-9-6-5
- Ruthin (GB) (Race 1)
- Gamblin Train (Race 6)
Picks (J.N.)
- 4-7-1-2
- 2-4-1-2
- 5-6-1-7
- 5-2-7-1
- 2-7-1-3
- 8-9-2-4
- 7-4-2-9
- 4-3-1-5
- 2-6-3-8
- Daddy Is a Legend (Race 8)
- Sea Song (Race 7)
Picks (Neil)
- 5-1-7-2
- 4-2-1-5
- 4-7-6-1
- 8-4-1-7
- 7-6-1-5
- 6-2-9-8
- 4-2-14-5
- 8-9-1-4
- 6-8-3-5
- Zanesville (Race 5)
- First Course (Race 4)
ROLLING PICK 3…
LEG 1: (Race 6: Turf, 1 3/16th, ALLW83k, F&M4+)
Here are some complex conditions to begin this “Rolling Pick 3” that I have selected. These types of turf events are a challenge because they require stamina, and most will not have it. I am an advocate though of the distance because it will provide a unique set of tests to both jockey and mount.
My top selections are both from the Arnaud Delacour Barn. Both Niceno #8 and Curly Ruth #9 have solid ability, after running at Tampa Bay Downs. One of my favorite tracks because their turf course is always in excellent condition; it gets little notoriety when compared to its southern neighbor, Gulfstream Park.
The filly that Delacour sends out is a 4-yr-old out of super turf sire, Karakonite. I think she is ready to step up in both class and distance. Her bloodlines are grass-oriented, and this is a homebred from Runnymede Farm, which is always a welcome sight. Hector Diaz is coming to Keeneland just to ride this one. Much to like here.
The other runner is a daughter of Curlin, and she has also made good progress in the TAM ALLW ranks. Diaz rode her on a pair of last out occasions. Now, she draws Rosario, which bodes well for a win considering his riding prowess during this Meet. I like her works after racing at 1 1/16th back in February. The most inviting sign from that race was the late turn-of-foot. We all know what Rosario can do with that kind of runner.
Makes sense to go with the pair in this one.
Selections: 8/9 (2-Deep)
LEG 2: (Race 7: Dirt, 6½F, MSW79k, 3F)
A nice group of young fillies will head out around 1-turn on the KEE MT. In these situations, I tend to shy away from first-time starters since they don’t have any form to go off of. You want to shape and hone your selection, drawing from several sources that might produce a viable winner.
For my money on top, I like Neil Howard’s Sea Song #7. Here is a filly out of The Factor who is exiting a key race. That sounds rather rash considering it was her debut, but that Turfway MSW32k sprint had a nice group of a dozen that were going forward. Howard’s entry acquitted herself well, even though she finished 4th. The pair up front performed admirably, and the place horse, a runner from the Colebrook Barn, already came to Keeneland and won during this Meet.
She offers some excellent value, and there is some continuity getting Chris Landeros to retain the mount. If he can get her away from the gate quicker than last time, and I think he can, she may get the idea that this is a horse race, in which running fast is the objective. Major “Single,” and a gutsy move, might I say, from this handicapper.
Selections: 7 (Single)
LEG 3: (Race 8: Turf, 1 1/16th, ALLW87k, F&M4+)
Here is a race that will round out this Pick 3, and it is a contest that probably should have taken place a week ago, were it not for rain that took it off the turf. A pair of the co-favorites from that event included Mike Maker’s Stunning Sky #1 and Wayne Catalano’s Winter Sunset #8. Now, that race gets infinitely more difficult for them, especially considering that Temple City Terror #3, Daddy Is a Legend #4, and Summer in Saratoga #5 have joined the fray, among others.
Out of this bunch, I tend to favor Daddy Is a Legend #4, since she gets Rosario, and is now back in the hands of conditioner George Weaver. She could be very “live” off the bench, and remember her former glory when she used to compete in some of the very best turf mile company in North America. I am going to tab her on top, but the rest of this field is capable. I wouldn’t doubt that any of them could win in this spot. Insurance in this last leg is absolutely the key.
Selections: 1-8 (All)
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.50 RP3 TICKET COST: $8.00
Enjoy some action from Lexington, Kentucky! The tradition of Keeneland continues…
- Date
- Daily Winners / Places
- Daily Biggest Winner / Place
- Daily $
- Overall $
Date
- April 2
- April 3
- April 7
- April 8
- April 9
- April 10
- April 11
- April 14
- April 15
- April 16
- April 17
- April 18
- April 22
- April 23
- April 24
Daily Winners / Places
- 0 Win / 1 Place
- 3 Win / 3 Place
- 0 Win / 4 Place
- 1 Win / 3 Place
- 3 Win / 4 Place
- 0 Win / 3 Place
- 1 Win / 1 Place
- 1 Win / 2 Place
- 1 Win / 4 Place
- 1 Win / 2 Place
- 1 Win / 2 Place
- 1 Win / 4 Place
- 2 Win / 4 Place
- 2 Win / 2 Place
- 2 Win / 2 Place
Daily Biggest Winner / Place
- $7.20 (Place - R9)
- $5.80 (Win - R7)
- $4.20 (Place - R4)
- $22.80 (Place - R5)
- $16.00 (Win - R4)
- $4.80 (Place - R11)
- $2.40 (Win - R1)
- $22.60 (Win - R6)
- $6 (Place - R9)
- $9.40 (Win - R9)
- $13.60 (Place - R3)
- $25.20 (Win - R4)
- $9.60 (Win - R7)
- $5.60 (Win - R9)
- $6.80 (Win - R4)
Daily $
- $7.40
- $23
- $13.20
- $41.80
- $42.40
- $10.80
- $4.60
- $35.60
- $23.00
- $16.60
- $26.40
- $46.60
- $27.20
- $17.40
- $19.20
Overall $
- $7.40
- $30.40
- $43.60
- $85.40
- $127.80
- $138.60
- $143.20
- $178.80
- $201.80
- $218.40
- $242.80
- $289.40
- $316.60
- $334.00
- $353.20