The final Thursday of the spring meet is upon us at Keeneland before the Kentucky circuit moves to Churchill Downs on Saturday. The 9-race card is headlined by a Pick 6 carryover of over $25k that starts in Race 4. It also has a trio of horses I am interested in wagering on that are double-digits on oddsmaker Nick Tammaro’s morning line.


Race 2:

This MSW event for 2YO’s sprinting over the lawn is led by a pair of first-time starters for high-profile connections, including 8-5-favorite #10 Longshoreman. The Wesley Ward trainee as always looms large in this spot as does Brad Cox/Stonestreet Stables filly #7 Raffinato, but I will try to beat them with a colt who holds the experience edge and should offer far better value.

#12 Barstool debuted over the good main track back on April 7 for trainer Ben Colebrook and put forth a good effort all things considered to finish third. Not only did the son of Caravaggio overcome being caught four-wide, but did so for a barn that is just 4 for 54 with 2YO first-time starters over the last 5 years. Colebrook has far stronger numbers with second-time starters and is having another strong Keeneland spring giving me no reason to believe this colt will not move forward this afternoon.

Play: #12 Barstool (10-1 ML)


Race 5:

This first-level allowance at 1 1/2-miles over the turf not only makes up the second leg of the Pick 6 and the opening leg of the late Pick 5, but also the start of the $3 Turf Pick 3. 9-5-morning line favorite #8 British Isles never got to run earlier this month in a similar spot at one-mile and retains Flavien Prat, but that does not change the fact he is 1 for 16 in his career. #10 Steadfast Resolve is the deserving second choice off of four consecutive solid runs for George Weaver, but has never raced in Kentucky and was competing against $40k maiden claimers a few starts back. So again, I will take a swing with a price.

#5 Fort Thomas makes his first start since finally breaking through for his first career victory last November at Churchill Downs. The War Front colt obviously is at the mercy of the pace since he has absolutely no speed, but has run well over this course and should be fit off of five consecutive works over the Keeneland main track. Hopefully Julien Leparoux can work out a trip from well off the pace.

Play: #5 Fort Thomas (12-1 ML)


Race 7:

My final price play of the afternoon comes in this 8.5-furlong affair over the grass for second-level allowance foes where I will take a big swing with #10 Ocean Pointe. The Kitten’s Joy gelding was on the shelf for well over a year before returning to the races at Turfway Park in mid-February. He was empty in his return race, but then took a noticeable move forward in his second start off the lengthy layoff despite failing to hit the board once again. The 5YO gelding has been fastest over the turf, not the all-weather, so the move to the green should be to his liking. Hopefully, he can get back to his races at Churchill in September ’23.

Play: #10 Ocean Pointe (20-1 ML)