Keeneland: Saturday’s Stakes Selections; Pick-4, Pick-5 Plays

By Matt Pappis
Tracksideview Staff Writer —

Race 6) Grade III Commonwealth

Westwood (3): It has been known for a long time time that Kiaran McLaughlin points for this meet with his top runners and they are always live; this one fits on numbers for the step up and you should get all of 5/1.

Limousine Liberal (6): His numbers never seem to improve but he just keeps winning and running well vs the top talent in the country. He fits but 6/5 seems short.

Conquest Windycity (5): Comes off a win vs Mind Your Biscuits who came back to win in Dubai and will take a ton of money here for a barn that does well at this meet. He also has run two times over a wet course twice which he might see today.

Race 7) Grade II Shakertown

Loose on the Town (10): He turned into a different horse last year when he got on the turf and should sit a nice clean stalking trip from the outside with one of the hottest jockeys on the planet.

Big Handsome (2): Has not won since last may but coming off the layoff into a sprint should suit him well. Dutrow doesn’t bring many to this meet especially if they aren’t live.

Disco Partner (13): Much the one to beat but the draw will not do him any favors, if we get the snow/rain as we are expecting I think he might be a scratch as Clement doesn’t run many on the soft turf.

Race 8) Grade I Madison

Ami’s Mesa (7): Just missed in her first effort on dirt the F&M Sprint, her good races put her on the wire with a shot to win here.

Miss Sunset (8): Comes in off back to back scores and is rounding back into form, love the fact that she has a win over the surface and picks up one of the top jocks on the circuit.

Tequilita (5): This is her favorable distance she has 3 wins from 5 starts and a show. She is going to be fresh coming off the layoff from the fall meet and highly doubt Matz brings her here if shes not 100%.

Race 9) Grade I Ashland

Eskimo Kisses (2): Just missed in the Fair Grounds Oaks, however she should see a wet track which produced her best career number. She is going to be live for a trainer that wins at this meet more than anywhere else.

Tyfosha (7): Went favored in the Martha Washington and didn’t run a step, would like to give her another chance as her pedigree screens slop.

Monomoy Girl (1): Undoubtedly the one to beat of her last when she was asked to run in a style she never ran before. I expect her to be 3/5 and will have to be slightly against her for the top spot.

Race 10) Grade II Bluegrass

Good Magic (11): I get it he’s the 2 year old Champ off one victory in the BC Juvenile but his run in the FOY was not inspiring, not making up any ground on the leaders in the stretch. He will have to be much better here to win but boasts a huge work on 3/31 for this. Keep in mind Chad Brown only has won 45 races here since 2016 and gets the who’s who of horses beat here.

Tiz Mischief (9): There is no way this runner will be 30-1 for these connections. I am not ready to give up on him coming third off the layoff he showed far too much promise as a two year old and should enjoy the wet going with his breeding.

Free Drop Billy (10): Comes third off the layoff for Romans who has a good history in this race and track. I did not like the move to go to Aqueduct and the one turn mile I think hes a better two turn horse however this race has set him up nicely for this spot.

Pick 5 races 6-10

3,5,6 /2,9,10,13/ 2,5,8,10,11/ 1,2,7/ 9,10,11,12 = $360

Pick 4 Races 7-10

2,9,10,13/ 2,5,8,10,11/ 1,2,7/ 9,10,11,12 = $120