Keeneland continued to play hard Friday, as even including winners in the selections didn’t mean much as they were left off the multis! The reward when the magic happens is clearly worth the effort and investment though, as the carryover P5 produced a $6,445 payoff, the P4 came back at $1,407. The Hi-5 nightcap was a gaudy $21,556. Hope you did OK despite my direction Friday.

KEENELAND

POSt-SCRATCHES

5th: MDN CLM, F&M-3+, 6f (P5. P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #3 Shy Temper 7-2 4th
Next Best: #4 Pray for Grace 3-1 2nd
Best Value: #8 Even Forest 8-1 6th
Super Add: #6 Keyana Washington 4-1 3rd

6th: S/ALW, F&M-4+, 7f (P4, P3, DD, Super)

4-5 is too short a price to discover that Dubai’s Connection doesn’t care for the surface..

Best Value: #4 Mud Creek 8-1 4th
Next Best: #2 Tribecky 10-1 8th
Exotics Use: #10 Dubai’s Connection 4-5 3rd
Super Add: #8 Monkey’s Moonbeam 10-1 5th

7th: ALW/N2X, 4+, 8.5f-T (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #7 Boisterous 3-1 WON ($4.80)
Best Value: #1a Strong Commitment 8-1 6th
Next Best: #5 Kindergarden Kid 7-2 3rd
Exotics Use: #2 Lighthouse Sound 5-2 4th

8th: 10th Madison (G1), F&M-4+, 7f (DD, Super)

This is a nicely-matched field, and as big an Evening Jewel fan as I am, it’s hard to embrace her too enthusiastically at what will be a very low price..#7 Amen Hallelujah appears to be running after all; Not a SCR through 12:30 late change announcement..

Best Value: #1 Kitty in a Tizzy 12-1 7th
Next Best: #7 Amen Hallelujah 2-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #8 Evening Jewel 5-2 4th
Super Add: #6 Tremendemente Loca 20-1 9th

9th: MSW, 3yo-F, 8.5f-T (Super, Super Hi-5)

Very nice race and it comes with an $8k Hi-5 Carryover..

Best Value: #5 Maid of Heaven 8-1 2nd
Next Best: #7 High On Kitten 4-1 7th
Exotics Use: #11 Sex Appeal 6-1 5th
Super Add: #9 Littlegreatone 8-1 6th
Hi-5 Play: #8 Refugio 6-1 10th

<$75 P5 Play:

5: 3-4-6-8
6: 2-4-8-10
7: 7
8: 1-7-8
9: 5-7-11

4x4x1x3x3 = 144 x .50 = $72

<$75 P4 Play:

6: 2-4-8-10
7: 1-7
8: 1-7-8
9: 4-5-7-8-9-11

4x2x3x6 = 144 x .50 = $72

Most Likely: #2b Spooky Kitten 3-1 WON ($8.40)
Next Best: #6 Vin Santo 5-2 3rd
Exotics Use: #7 Pride of Paris 6-1 2nd
Super Add: #5 Soto’s Hija 10-1 4th

$1 Exacta (2-7) Paid $44.50
$1 Trifecta (2-7-6) Paid $205.90
$1 Superfecta (2-7-6-5) Paid $1,234.00

6th: ALW/N1X, 3yo-F, 8.5f-OFF THE TURF (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Best Value: #11 Love Dare 5-1 4th
Next Best: #10 Ms Silver Oak 5-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #6 Ipswich Bay 10-1 7th
Super Add: #2 SCR

7th: MSW, 3yo, 6.5f (P3, DD, Super)

Best Value: #6 Cheetah’s Purr 8-1 4th
Next Best: #12 Straight Line 5-2 5th
Exotics Use: #7 Captain My Captain 8-1 WON ($14.20)
Super Add: 3 Shrill 6-1 3rd

8th: ALW/N2X, 4+, 8.5f-T (DD, Super)

Crazy field, and an 8-5 ML on Awesome Act? You’re supposed to bet him at that price? No thanks..

Best Value: #1 Shrimp Dancer 8-1 8th
Next Best: #5 Day of Destiny 8-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #10 Mr. Ryder 10-1 4th
Super Add: #3 Lejadami 20-1 10th

9th: MDN CLM, 3+, 6f (Super, Super Hi-5)

Most Likely: #10 Baron Slew 7-2 2nd
Best Value: #7 Adjournment 10-1 3rd
Next Best: #1 Winter Canyon 3-1 4th
Exotics Use: #4 Mightyville 4-1 7th
Hi-5 Play: #5 Buzzards Roost 10-1 11th

<$75 P5 Play:

5: 2
6: 10-11
7: 3-6-7-12
8: 1-3-5-6-7-10
9: 1-7-10

1x2x4x6x3 = 144 x .50 = $72

<$75 P4 Play:

6: 10-11
7: 3-6-7-12
8: 1-3-5-6-7-10
9: 1-7-10

2x4x6x3 = 144 x .50 = $72

AQUEDUCT

POST-SCRATCHES

SLOPPY & OFF THE TURF

6th: Chase the Dream-NY, F&M-3+, 1m (P4, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #1e Zito entry 5-2 2nd/5th
Next Best: #5 Cody Samora 2-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #2 Spa City Princess 6-1 WON ($10.60)

7th: ALW/N1X, F&M-3+, 1m (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #1a Buster’s Ready 7-2 WON ($2.80)
Next Best: #5 Obey the Rules 12-1 4th
Exotics Use: #11 Myprinessallison 8-1 2nd

8th: ALW/N1X, F&M-3+, 6.5f (DD)

Best Value: #5 Victoria Lynn 8-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #3 Flying Train 5-1 4th
Next Best: #1 Viola 7-2 WON ($3.40)

9th: MDN CLM, F&M-3+, 1m (Super)

Most Likely: #14 Now Now Girl 6-5 WON ($3.60)
Best Value: #10 Money Magnet 6-1 3rd
Next Best: #5 Southern Sunsation 3-1 6th
Super Add: #1 Missymoonlitmagic 9-2 4th

<$50 P4 Play:

6: 1-5
7: 1-5
8: 1-3-5-6
9: 5-10-14

2x2x4x3 = $48

POST-SCRATCHES

If Todd Pletcher believed that kind of lead up was going to be enough to have Uncle Mo ready for the colt’s first 9f try, he will know better for the next time the situation arises. Then again, he might not given the Pletcher playbook that invariably relies on these kinds of maintainance drills instead of long slow gallops or stouter wind-generating 5-7f works. The Repole Team now find themselves forced to play catch up with Uncle Mo, and perhaps they still have enough to work with to be the kind of factor in the Classics that has been anticipated since the Breeders’ Cup. But their confidence has been shaken badly and the veneer is on the undeniably outstanding Juvenile is dulled considerably.

The day leading up to the Wood was delightful fun at Aqueduct, on a lovely spring afternoon, with a robust crowd jammed into the truncated, under-construction facility. The stakes winners in the Comely, Bay Shore and Carter were popular, with avariety of connections getting moments in the sun. David Dawkes (Hot Summer), Bill Anderson (JJ’s Lucky Train) and Nick Zito assistant Tim Poole (Morning Line) legged up Luis Saez, Jose Ferrer and John Velasquez on the heroine and heroes, and all three races authored stories that will be fun to relate on “At the Races” this week. That brought us to the feature, and Graham Motion, breeder-owner Diane Cotter and Eddie Castro, and another set of principals whose success produced warm reaction.

Elsewhere on the Derby Trail scene , Bob Baffert continued his general wizardry, getting Arnie Zetcher’s maiden winner Midnight Interlude home in the final jump over dogged Comma to the Top. With The Factor in good position going into Saturday’s Arkansas Derby and Jaycito pausing for the Lexington, the Triple Crown-focused Hall of Famer appears ready for a three-pronged assault on Louisville. Pletcher’s day wasn’t a total loss, as Ahmed Zayat’s Joe Vann finally fulfilled some of his promise winning the marginalized Illinois Derby. The colt is not Triple Crown nominated, and it would cost Zayat an additional $20,000 with his $180,000 check from Hawthorne to gain possible Derby entry.

Could not produce a P4 winner Saturday, but had some solid opinions that netted some exotic hits and P3’s. Hope you did OK! Nice carryover into Sunday’s Aqueduct card…

AQUEDUCT

POST-SCRATCHES

4th: MDN CLM, 3+, 1m-T (P6, P3, DD)

$66k P6 Carrover Starts Here..

Most Likely: #6 Mach Twelve 7-5 2nd
Best Value: #7 Completely Bear 5-1 6th
Next Best: #1 Upper Afleet 3-1 WON ($8.50)

5th: NY-MDN CLM, 3+, 6.5f (G/S, P3, DD, Super)

Nagging issue is what you do with the conspicuous Dutrow plummeter Kincsem Noi?

Best Value: #6 Judy’s Warrior 6-1 3rd
Next Best: #2 Sully’s Landing 5-2 –
Exotics Use: #9 Disco Capote 4-1 WON ($9.80)
Super Add: #4 Allen’s Affair 10-1 5th

6th: NY-ALW/N1X, F&M-3+, 6.5f (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Sneaky good race with a trainer change surface switcher in Torrone, a last out big fig jump MDN winner stretching out in Silver Over Gold, a positive rider upgrade with ‘DaSilva off’ on Irish Lady, a distance turnback in Fortheloveof Anna, and more..

Best Value: #3 Irish Lady 5-1 3rd
Next Best: #1 Torrone 2-1 –
Exotics Use: #6 Silver Over Gold 3-1 2nd
Super Add: #7 Fortheloveof Anna 10-1 WON ($7.00)

7th: NY-MSW, 3+, 1m-T (P3, DD)

Best Value: #2 (POE) Komisarek 10-1 5th/7th
Next Best: #1 Knock Quietly 7-2 2nd
Exotics Use: #7 Carbon Copy 5-2 WON ($5.80)

8th: NY-Packett’s Landing, 3yo, 1m (DD, Super)

Most Likely: #1 Dr Disco 7-5 3rd
Best Value: #7 Tap Attack 10-1 2nd
Next Best: #2 Bold Deed 8-5 WON ($5.60)
Super Add: #4 SCR

9th: CLM, F&M-3+, 1m-T (Super)

Best Value: #1 Queen of Protocol 5-1 WON ($8.10)
Next Best: #4 Sugar Trade 4-1 –
Exotics Use: #6 SCR
Super Add: #8 Risky Gamble 8-1 4th

<$200 P5 P6 Play:

4: 1-6-7
5: 2-6
6: 1-3-6-7
7: 1-2
8: 1
9: 1-4

3x2x4x2x1x2 = 96 x $2 = $192

<$75 P4 Play:

6: 1-3-6-7
7: 1-2-7
8: 1
9: 1-2-4-6-8-9

4x3x1x6 = $72