Keeneland Picks: Closing Day comes on April 29, Bewitch S. featured ...

It's Closing Day ... Keeneland enters its final day of racing for the April Meet. You do not want to miss any of the action, as it is time to cash out. As usual, Tyler Gaffalione (jockey), and Wesley Ward (trainer), sit atop the standings, but Irad Ortiz, Brad Cox, Chad Brown, and also Mike Maker, are giving chase in their respective categories. Should be a fun one to watch as we close out another great experience at historic Keeneland with the Haggin distance test on the turf ... Grade 3 Bewitch S.!

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Most Likely Winner: (Race 7: Sacred Samurai #1, 3/1):

Taking a chance against a Wesley Ward favorite like Cynwyd #8 might not be a good plan to most. However, I think this is the right spot to take him on. Joe Sharp is training well these days, and at Keeneland, he can pull his share of upsets. Bred nicely by First Samurai, this young colt will be making his ’22 debut, and only his 2nd career start. He has worked well at Keeneland since coming up from the Fair Grounds in late March. The addition of Irad Ortiz makes me think that breaking from the rail will not be much of an issue. At odds  of 3/1, this one looks like a bet!

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #1

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 6: Xavey Dave #8, 8/1):

Looking for a price horse on this Closing Day, I am all-in on McLean Robertson’s colt by Temple City. This feisty sire has fab turf bloodlines, and his offspring really showed the ability to stretch out in his last race at the Fair Grounds. Clearly, the ground was to his liking, and against OC50kn1x-types, it was a rousing score at odds of 23/1. Now, the barn is getting aggressive, and coming to Keeneland with the hope of more. This is not an easy move going against winners like this, but with James Graham in the irons, he has the ability to make a difference. Maybe going to the lead is the play? Try and steal it … Going 1 1/8th is tough, but I like the price … and those bloodlines!

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #8 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 8: Turf, 1½, Bewitch S. (G3), $300k, F&M 4+):

The “close out” stakes of the April Meet is traditionally the Bewitch S., which pits older females against one another on the Haggin Turf Course. We have a massive underlay that is coming back to the track for her ’21 debut. Bill Mott’s War Like Goddess #4 was superb last year (she is the defending Bewitch S. champ too), and she deserved all of the accolades that she received. In the BC F&M Turf (G1), she could only muster 3rd against the popular winner from Japan, Loves Only You. Ready to begin her next campaign, if she has that devastating leg kick that was on-display last year, then she will be impossible to beat down the lane. I am willing to take a chance against her because I am a “’contrarian horseplayer” by trade. I am keen to back Rusty Arnold’s Stand Tall #5 because the last time we saw her on the grass it was on this course, winning at 1½ during the KEE Fall Stars Meet. A horse-for-the-course might be just the ticket against a tough opponent like Mott’s. The way I want to construct this Exacta is take the field over “War Like,” hoping that she doesn’t have her best fastball in the 9th inning. What a fun one … to say the least.

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Exacta Wheel, 1/2/3/5/6/7 w 4

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Enjoy Closing Day! Best of luck on another run at historic Keeneland! Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter … Horseracing_USA !!!