Jude Feld’s Notes on Andrew Vansickle’s Thursday Keeneland Program
April 17th, 2013
1st Race) Horses who run back during the meeting are usually solid plays. #8 WHATTHECATDRUGIN ran a nice second here sprinting on April 11. He likes to win races and if he can handle the distance, he’ll be tough. #5 FRANCOIS invades from Hawthorne in Chicago. He handles the polytrack well and should be right there at the finish.
2nd Race) Trainer Mike Maker wins with 30% of his recent claims the first time he saddles them. #6 HURRICANE GIRL is very solid at this level and gets the services of hot-riding jockey Joel Rosario.
4th Race) Thoroughbred owner and breeder Dr. John Chandler had a “love at first sight†crush on a gal on his first day of school. He lost track of her over the years but never forgot her. #11 FRANCES GARDNER is named in her honor. The Johar mare won under similar conditions during the fall meeting and looks tough again in this easier spot.
5th Race) With two turf preps under his belt, #3 SOUTHPAW SLAMMER dips into a claiming race for the first time. His trainer Chad Brown is among the nation’s best and the son of Grand Slam has been working very nicely at Keeneland.
6th Race) These turf sprints are always tough because a certain amount of luck is needed to win them. #11 THERE IS NO LIMIT ships in from California for trainer Doug O’Neill. She has had some success in turf sprints and will be flying late under jockey Rosie Napravnik.
7th Race) Second in his debut at Turfway Park, #2 MAL GUAPO has come back to work well for trainer Kellyn Gorder. It’s a very good sign that jockey Javier Castellano takes the reins for this race. #7 PEGASUS STAR showed promise in his two starts last fall and has been working well for this race. Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens enhances his chances. Of the first time starters, #3 COWBOY PRINCE and #11 CONE OF LIGHT both drew favorable “Clocker’s Comments,†from Tom Bridges, Keeneland’s man with the stopwatch.
8th Race) Second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) last fall, #4 WATSDACHANCES has proven that she is a quality filly. She makes her 2013 debut today, in a race her trainer, Chad Brown, has been pointing towards for some time. Look for a big effort.
