Horse Pick of the Day – Hot Cha Cha from Keeneland

Keeneland continues their spring meet on Thursday with a Grade III highlighting the card.

This track routinely showcases some of the best wagering in the United States up to Kentucky Derby week when racing switches from Lexington, KY where Keeneland is located, to Louisville, KY where Churchill Downs is located.

BetOnline racebook fans should take the opportunity to bet this fantastic track.

Let’s analyze Race 8 at Keeneland on Thursday.

Keeneland – Race 8

Grade III Appalachian Stakes

$100,000

For Fillies, Three Years Old

1 mile on turf

Hot Cha Cha – - 8/1 morning line odds

Hot Cha Cha circled the field in her last, the Grade III Bourbonette stakes, on the Polytrack and won by 6 lengths at odds of 9 to 1. This will be her first time on the turf, but she does have some breeding for it as she is out of a Broad Brush mare. Trainer Philip Sims is 33% first time with his horses on the turf and Hot Cha Cha is 3 out of 5 overall. She’s a terrific wager in this.

April Pride – - 5/2 morning line odds

She rarely runs a bad race but could be compromised in this because she breaks out of the 10 hole. Her turf form is exceptional as she is 8 out of 11 on the lawn and coming from Santa Anita means that she has been facing better. But that 10 hole scares this horseplayer which is why I’ve placed her second in this and not on top.

Obsequious – - 6/1 morning line odds

Obsequious has been chasing after Gozzip Girl in her last two starts and she has had some success when finishing second and third to that one. She will be close to the pace and has a big shot to win this but she faces other speed and will find it difficult to hold off a closer like Hot Cha Cha. Obsequious has guts so I wouldn’t try to talk any horseplayer out of betting her to win.

Wagering Strategy

I like Hot Cha Cha at those odds and will bet her to win and place. I will put her into an exacta box with April Pride and Obsequious and put her into a trifecta box with April Pride, Obsequious and the Kiaran McLaughlin trained Habaya.