Mike Battaglia

Mike is Keeneland’s longtime odds maker and is recognized as being one of the best handicappers in America. In addition to his duties at Keeneland, he is a racing analyst for NBC’s Thoroughbred racing coverage.




Friday, April 26, 2013

1st Race: MISS C C (#5) closed well to finish second last out. She should be able to handle the added distance and rates the edge in this maiden claimer. TRADERS POINT (#7) is a 6-year-old with just four starts but looks like the one to beat. MISS RELENTLESS (#2) is training sharply over the Keeneland Polytrack.

2nd Race: NO NAY NEVER (#3) shows a series of slow works over the Keeneland strip but did post a bullet before he left Florida. Trainer Wesley Ward will probably have him ready to go today. SOLITARY RANGER (#6) was no match for a Ward runner in his debut but figures to be the one to beat. MANAUS (#8) also ran well in his only start and has to be considered.

3rd Race: LIVE IN JOY (#2) and LET’S DO IT (#2B) form another tough Ramsey entry. Either one is capable of winning today. QUIETDETERMINATION (#3) was claimed by trainer Steve Asmussen two starts back and looks like the main competition. TAPANNA (#7) fits with these.

4th Race: PERFECT TIMBER (#5) overcame a slow start in his debut to beat his more accomplished entrymate and has trained well since coming to Kentucky. He looks like a good bet to make it two n a row with Leparoux picking up the mount. TAPIT EXPRESS (#3) has been off since December but Sheppard’s horses are running well and this one has been training sharply. FORECON (#7) comes off a solid effort and is a definite threat.

5th Race: GHOST IS CLEAR (#8) is good right now. He was no match for Delaunay last out but that one has won five in a row and is one of the favorites for the Churchill Downs Sprint on Derby Day. Give him the slight edge in a tough allowance race. SUMMER BREEZING (#3) ran a big race in his only try on the Keeneland Polytrack and is the one to beat. HAMILTONIAN (#2) also chased Delaunay at Fair Grounds and is a serious threat.

6th Race: BRANDYS SECRET (#2) has won 8 of his last 11 races. He looked good winning on the Keeneland Polytrack in October and looks like a solid bet to win the one with Rosie Napravnik picking up the mount for trainer Mike Maker. MONONO (#8) has been running in stakes races and is the one to beat on the class drop. BLUES AND SILVERS (#10) is also trained by Maker and is a contender.

7th Race: RAPACIOUS (#11) faded in the stretch last out after pressing the pace while four wide. He should be running at the end today and rates a slight edge for trainer Rusty Arnold and jockey Joel Rosario. JUDICIAL POWER (#1) was an impressive winner sprinting on the Polytrack and could be tough if left alone on the front end. AWED (#7) won his second start back after a long layoff and can add value to the gimmicks.

8th Race: FRIVOLOUS (#11) ran well to finish second in her debut. She should move forward off that experience and appears to be in a good spot to get her maiden score. SILVER FRAME (#7) gets Lasix for the first time and figures to be the one to beat. SIMILU (#12) is a definite threat in her U.S. bow.

9th Race – Elkhorn Stakes (G2): REFLECTING (#5) looked good winning an allowance race at this same 1 ½-mile distance two weeks ago. Trainer Shug McGaughey shows his confidence by wheeling him back in a graded stakes race and he could spring the mild upset with Robby Albarado back aboard. IOYA BIGTIME (#8) is a proven stakes runner with the tactical speed to be on or near the lead throughout. He will be tough to catch. POOL PLAY (#9) showed his class winning the Grade 1 Foster in 2011. He has yet to win on the turf but has shown several strong efforts and is a contender.

10th Race: Owner Ken Ramsey and trainer Mike Maker won the first race of the meet and have been on a tear ever since. They can win the finale with TUSCAN TREASURE (#8). MUGGSY (#9) has been off for a year but figures to be the one to beat. PEGASUS FLYER (#7) is a contender.

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