Tom Leach

Tom Leach is “the Voice of the Wildcats” for football and men’s basketball and a contributor to Keeneland.com as well. He is a two-time winner of the Eclipse Award for radio coverage of thoroughbred racing. During race meets, check out Keeneland’s You Tube channel for his trainer and jockey interviews ahead of major stakes races and listen for the weekly “In The Money” podcast with Tom and Jim Goodman at keenelandselect.com. You can follow Tom’s coverage of the Cats at tomleachky.com




Friday, April 12, 2013

Race 1:  La Torera (10) goes for a trainer that is good in the claiming ranks and Kent Desormeaux has been his go-to rider here at Keeneland.  EXACTA BOX:  10-2-5

Race 2:  Not high on any of those who have started so let's took at a firster.  Play Bull goes for Chad Brown and jockey Castellano so let's a take a shot there.  Of those who have started, the 4-horse did beat half the field in his debut last summer and is worth a look.  EXACTA BOX 7-6-4

Race 3:  Sailors Pasttime (1) has a good record at Keeneland and gets the nod in a race with no standout.  EXACTA BOX:  1-6-7

Race 4:  Remember Then won a race that featured multiple next-out winners on this track last fall and trainer Sheppard often his horses ready to fire off the layoff here.  EXACTA BOX:  5-6-8

Race 5:  I like another Sheppard-trainnee here as Angel Terrace (1A) was very impressive in victory on this turf course last fall.  If she should scratch, I'm comfortable getting the other half of the entry.  Preferential is regally-bred and Bill Mott-trained horses can certainly win off the layoff on the grass. EXACTA BOX:  1/1A-3-8

Race 6:  Flak (11) turns back from a mile race for McPeek and could have a fitness edge.  EXACTA BOX:  11-12-9

Race 7:  Celtic Arch (8) comes out of a race won by a horse that ran decently against a strong field yesterday so going second-time-out for trainer Clement would make this one tough to beat.  I'll take a shot there as I figure I'll get a better price than I'll get on the other one I like, Flores Island (1).  EXACTA BOX:  8-1-3

Race 8:  Wolf Whistle (11) won first-time-out for Mott and that doesn't happen often.   And this one ran very well in his only try on polytrack.  Casino Dan (12) is the main challenger.  EXACTA BOX:  11-12-7

Race 9:  Data Link (4) is the defending champ but doesn't seem to be as good when he's on less-than-firm turf.  Wise Dan (5) is the pick to win but I'll look for a price to play with him and that's Skyring (3), who may make an easy lead.  EXACTA BOXES:  5-3, 4-3

Race 10:  Reputa the Beautah (1) goes for low-profile connections but does have two runnerup finishes from three starts on the Keeneland poly and I'll take a shot with a price play there.  EXACTA BOX:  1-2-5

BEST EXACTA RACE:  8

50-cent LATE PICK 4 FOR $50 or less:  8/1 with 11/12 with 5/4/3 with 1/3/5/6 = $24

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