Weekend Stakes Races from Keeneland (Part 2)

Race-day: 10/10/2009

Race-times: Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity at 5:10 pm EST, Shadwell Turf Mile at 5:45 pm EST

Keeneland Racetrack is back with a flourish with five graded races scheduled this Saturday.

Keeneland used to be a boon for speed players as almost every horseplayers in the United States knew that there was inside speed bias at Keeneland. With the advent of the Polytrack, what used to be easy pickings for gamblers in the BetOnline online racebook has turned into a handicapping conundrum for most races.

Let’s take a look at the final two graded races on Saturday’s Keeneland card

Keeneland – Race 8

Grade I Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity

$500,000

For Two Year Olds

1 1/16 th miles on Polytrack

Fourteen two year olds line up for the Grade I Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity which means that taking a short price on any of the starters isn’t a good idea. I’m gong with long shot Noble’s Promise who figures to go off at odds of between 12 to 20 to 1. The son of Cuvee has won his last two, finished 2 nd in a race on Keeneland’s Polytrack, and is 1 and 1 out of 2 on all weather surfaces. He’s stretching out from 6 ½ furlongs to this 1 1/16 th mile distance and could be hard pressed to make the distance, but he’s worth a shot at the odds. Backtalk is a son of Smarty Jones running for trainer Thomas Amoss who should have an incredibly quick pace to chase. The closer has been running against the likes of Dublin and Aspire and there’s no doubt that he gets the distance. His works have been sensational leading up to this. Dixie Band is undefeated but he hasn’t been able to increase his speed ratings and he likes to run on the front. Unfortunately, there is a ton of other speed in this. He could hang on for third, but I doubt he’ll have enough in the tank to hold off some of the better closers in this race for the victory.

1. Noble’s Promise
2. Backtalk
3. Dixie Band

Keeneland – Race 9

Grade I Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes

$600,000

For Three Year Olds and Upward

1 mile on turf

A mile on the turf is a very particular distance which is why Mr. Sidney figures to win the Grade I Shadwell Turf Mile on Saturday. Mr. Sidney is 3 for 3 at the distance and has put up some of the best speed ratings out of any horse in the race. He’s got the right style for the distance and the Keeneland turf track. Justenuffhumor could go off as the favorite in this race and I couldn’t argue it.

Kiaran McLaughlin, Godolphin owned, son of Distorted Humor has won 6 out of 7 races, all on the turf, and is tractable enough to lie anywhere from 3 to 10 lengths off the pace depending on how fast they go up front. He’s scary good. Court Vision goes from Bill Mott to Richard Dutrow. Dutrow is going to try to turn the millionaire into a miler, which could be tough, but if any trainer can it’s Dutrow. He’s put some seriously fast works into Court Vision, adds blinkers and Robby Albarado. Will it be enough? Maybe. Court Vision is the only millionaire in the field, after all.

1. Mr. Sidney
2. Justenuffhumor
3. Court Vision