Keeneland & Selected Saturday Spot Plays
April 5th, 2012Saturday, April 7, 2012
Aqueduct
Race 9 – #7 TIGER WALK has had two lousy trips on the Aqueduct inner track in his last two starts. Back on the main track for the Wood Memorial (G1), his closing kick should be more effective. He gets a pivotal rider switch to John Velazquez and has posted some sparkling workouts at Pimlico to have him sharp for today’s event. He’ll be a great price too.
Keeneland
Race 2 – Last spring #1 EASY ASHLEY won a race at this same distance and class level. She excels on synthetic surfaces and trainer Wesley Ward always has his horses ready to fire at Keeneland. Her solid six-furlong work over the track on April Fool’s Day should have her primed.
Race 3 – #4a LIGNITE is reportedly a runner. She will undoubtedly be a short price to graduate, as Ward-trained fillies usually dominate the two-year-old action during the Keeneland sping meeting. Stable jockey Jeffrey Sanchez takes the call.
Race 7 – Exiting a key race, #7 SAFELY SPUN finished willingly in his Fair Grounds debut. The Larry Jones trainee ran a 70 Beyer speed figure in that race, which is very solid at this level. His trainer wins 25% of the time with second-time staqrters and 40% of the time when Robby Albarado rides.
Santa Anita
Race 7 – #3 THUNDER CANYON is lightly raced but talented and improving. He should be very effective at this one mile distance and he continues to train like a bomb in the morning. Underrated rider Brice Blanc will help his price but not hinder his chances.
Race 8 – #7 INDIGO RIVER ran better-than-looked in the China Doll. Jockey Joel Rosario fought with her too much in the early stages and she came up just a bit short in the shadow of the wire. If jockey Joe Talamo can get the classy Irish-bred to relax she could turn the tables on #1 LADY OF SHAMROCK.
Race 10 – With some fantastic Racing Post ratings to her credit, European invader #4 BELLE ROYALE seems to have way too much class for this group. Her trainer, Simon Callaghan, does his best work with these transplants and wins at a 36% clip when Joel Rosario is in the saddle.
