Friday’s Keeneland Spot Plays
October 15th, 2010For our updated Breeders’ Cup contender list click here.
By Jude T. Feld
Jockey John Velazquez will be sporting the famous Live Oak Plantation colors when he mounts Baron Slew in the first race.1st) BARON SLEW drops in for a tag for the first time this afternoon. His two-year-old speed figures are equal to or better than most of those his competitors have earned at three. With the standard 20% age improvement, he could blow the doors off this field. Sharp connections and a 5-1 morning line make him really enticing.
2nd) Exiting a big win, with a speed rating higher than any of his opposition has garnered in their last start, LOVES TO FLY looks tough to get by. The Catalano barn is already off to a great start at the fall meeting and jockey Mike Baze is their “go-to-guy.”
7th) OH SO NICE broke her maiden on Keeneland’s Beard Course in the spring of 2009. She ran well in three starts after that but has been on vacation since the Virginia Oaks (G3) of that year. A bullet :58 3/5 workout at Keeneland on Sunday indicates she is over her problems and can be counted on for a solid performance.
9th) WEST OCEAN is a triple advantage speed figure play – one of the surest bets in racing – but she will be a very short price. BROKEN DREAMS was just one point away from eliminating her distinction and has been facing much tougher company this summer. She also exits a “key race,” where both the winner and third-place finisher have come back to win. She is the value play at 5-1 on the a.m. line.
