After a trip to the First State, we head to Kentucky for today’s QPW. We have a field of 10 horses going a mile and a sixteenth on the turf here in this allowance race.
Keeneland Race 8
Favored on the outside is the 10 Chasing the Crown (3/1 morning line). He comes into this race after a fourth-place finish at Kentucky Downs at the end of August. I would not be too worried about not closing like he normally does. With some nice works under his belt for today’s race, his trip to Keeneland could be very successful.
The 1 Major Dude (4/1 ML) was overmatched in the Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga and drops back to this allowance level today. He should be closer to the pace than the morning line favorite here and should have a chance to bounce back here at Keeneland today.
The 6 Gigante (9/2 ML) returns after an almost seven-month layoff today. Last time he had a multiple month layoff, this colt won a stakes race at Horseshoe Indianapolis. I’m not worried about the layoff here as he returns in this spot at Keeneland.
A longshot with a chance is the 4 Johny’s Fireball (12/1 ML). Toss that last race in August at Saratoga. That was a race that was of the turf where the connections were probably forced to run since they made the trip from Kentucky to run in a race that was to run on the turf. He has won his only race on the turf here at Keeneland last year and should revert to form here in a turf allowance.
Joe’s pick
This is a wide open race where I am trying to beat that favorite on the outside. I’ll head to the rail with my pick and put my money on Major Dude. I’ll call this 1-6-4-10 and my play is $20 to win on the 1. Best of luck everyone!
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