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 12, 2013

1st Race: WILD PANTERA (#4) drops in class and should like the move back to the poly. She will be running at the end and rates the edge in the opener. GLAMOUR GALORE (#5) was an impressive winner in her first start back after a layoff and is the one to beat. LA TORERA (#10) fits in here.

2nd Race: PLAY BULL (#7) debuts for trainer Chad Brown, who doesn’t have great numbers with his first-timers but this looks like a fairly weak bunch. Give him the edge with Javier Castellano up. SCHOOL SPIRIT (#1) has been off for a year and a half but is training well for his comeback. CAPTAIN DAVRICK (#4) is a contender.

3rd Race: GET RUNNIN’ (#5) ran second in her only start over the Keeneland Polytrack and should be rallying from just off the pace today. Give her he slight edge in a well-matched starter allowance race. AT THE FINISH (#9) has been off since October but is training steadily and is the one to beat. WON GREAT DAMSEL (#7) has won five of her last seven and will be tough if she gets loose on the lead.

4th Race: KIMBERLY JEAN (#6) was second behind Close Hatches two starts back and that one came back to win the Gazelle Stakes (G1) last weekend. Throw out the Gulfstream Oaks (G2) and she looks like a solid bet to get the win today. REMEMBER THEN (#5) was an impressive debut winner over this track in October and will be tough despite the layoff. ALYDORABLE (#1) is a contender.

5th Race: SEA ISLAND (#6) had a solid 3-year-old campaign and has been training sharply for her return. She just missed in her only try on the turf and looks like a good bet to handle this field in her 4-year-old debut. TREASURED UP (#8) comes off a game score in her first race after a layoff and figures to be the one to beat. APPEALING CAT (#1) is a solid contender.

6th Race: FLAK (#11) faded after setting the pace on the Gulfstream turf but should move forward today in her third career start. Trainer Ken McPeek cuts her back to six furlongs and she rates the edge in a well-matched maiden race. SKY GIRL (#4) is a first-timer from the barn of trainer Paul McGee who has been firing bullets in the morning at Churchill Downs. OLD DONYO (#12) beat half the field in her only start and Javier Castellano picks up the mount.

7th Race: CELTIC ARCH (#8) closed well in her debut to finish third. She figures to move forward off that effort and gets the nod with Julien Leparoux picking up the mount. FLORES ISLAND (#1) just missed in her first race back after a layoff and is definitely the one to beat. WARM BREEZE (#11) had trouble in her debut and gets jockey Gary Stevens today.

8th Race: RELOAD (#7) comes off a three- month layoff but has been training well for his return. Trainer Shug McGaughey figures to have him ready and if he takes to the poly he should be able to win this one. WOLF WHISTLE (#11) won on the Polytrack at Turfway in September and a repeat of that one makes him dangerous. CASINO DAN (#12) is another one coming back off the layoff who has to be considered

9th Race – Maker’s 46 Mile (G1): Horse of the Year WISE DAN (#5) has been training sharply for his 6-year-old debut. He has won seven of his last eight races over every type of surface and trainer Charlie LoPresti figures to have him ready to roll today. DATA LINK (#4) won this race last year and should complete the short-priced exacta. MR. COMMONS (#2) is a talented runner from the barn of trainer John Shirreffs.

10th Race: ISSHEIT (#12) was a dominant winner last out at Tufway and posted a recent bullet work at Churchill. She faces tougher today but could make it two in a row at decent odds. GOT NO ANSWERS (#6) is a solid runner from the barn of trainer Jeff Greenhill and is the one to beat. ADDED DELIGHT (#5) fits with these.

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