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 19, 2013

1st Race: LA TORERA (#3) looked good winning her Keeneland debut for trainer Bob Hess. She moves up in class and faces much tougher company but appears capable of making it two in a row with a good trip. DIJARVO (#5) drops in for a tag for the first time and is the one to beat. SERVING TIME (#4) fits with these.

2nd Race: THE SIXTIES (#4) drops a notch in class after a third-place finish over this track on opening weekend. He should move forward off that one and gets the nod with Julien Leparoux back aboard. SMOKININDABOYSROOM (#3) has been beaten as the odds-on favorite in his last two but looks like the main competition. SIVA (#6) will be running at the end.

3rd Race: IGOTTHEMONEYHONEY (#1) drops in class and hooks a fairly easy field. Give her the edge. ALEX’S GOLD (#8) ran well at Turfway in December but only shows one posted work since that race. JUSTICE JUDY (#6) is a solid threat.

4th Race: DISTORTED LEGACY (#5) needed her last race after a nine-month layoff. She figures to move forward and her bet makes her a winner in this one. CLASS INCLUDED (#1) was overmatched against Centre Court last out but definitely fits with these. BRILLIANT FUTURE (#3) has the speed to be dangerous.

5th Race: HOLLLYWOOD TALENT (#1) debuts for trainer Wesley Ward. He had a solid work on Saturday and rates the edge with Joel Rosario up. BIG GATOR (#12) is a first-timer trained by Steve Asmussen who looks like the one to beat. INNOVATIVE FASHION (#8) is training well for John Hancock, who does well with his two-year-olds.

6th Race: ELUSIVE FATE (#3) ran well despite the outside post in her race on the Gulfstream turf. She should get a good trip with Joel Rosario aboard and rates the edge in a tough maiden race. GLITTERONTHEHIWAY (#4) showed improvement in her second career start and has been training very well over the Keeneland Polytrack. BREECH INLET (#6) is a contender.

7th Race: ANIMAL STYLE (#2) just missed against Up With the Birds, who came back to finish second in the Transylvania (G3) on opening day. He will be rallying from off the pace and looks like a winner in this one. RIP ROARIN RITCHIE (#9) has the speed to be on or near the lead and is the one to catch. AMARISH (#4) rates a chance.

8th Race: KANAGARO (#7) has only won once in 16 tries but has been in the money in 12 of those races. He moves to the barn of trainer Graham Motion and has been training well for his first race back after a three-month freshener. Give him the edge. WINDSWEPT (#8) has been idle since 2011 but is in the capable hands of trainer Charlie LoPresti and has the back class to be dangerous. TATER DOWNS (#4) has been running well since trainer Mike Maker claimed him in May.

9th Race – Hilliard Lyons Doubledogdare Stakes (G3): MYSTICAL STAR (#5) is a graded stakes winner on the turf and was second in the Grade 1 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes here last fall. She finished third in her five-year-old debut at Tampa Bay Downs and should be ready to go. ARTEMUS KITTEN (#1) comes off a game score and looks second best. INGLORIOUS (#3) is a definite threat.

10th Race: DISTORTIONIST (#3) comes off a runner-up effort over this track and appears to be in a good spot to get his maiden win with Gary Stevens picking up the mount. WAMBRI (#11) is the one to beat. RAPID RANGER (#6) is a contender.

Pages