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




Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Race 1:  Wickapecko (2) was much-improved in the first start of the year and I'm betting two of the four horses coming out of the Fairgrounds races will make up the exacta, so let's go for a four-horse box.  EXACTA BOX:  2-1-3-8

Race 2:  Ladies Luv Outlaws (4) comes from the potent connections of owners Ken & Sarah Ramsey and trainer Mike Maker and now they add top jock Leparoux.  EXACTA BOX:  4-3-7

Race 3:  Days Ride (10) has a bad post but I like the class drop, the record on synthetics and the upgrade in riders and with the Ramsey-Maker connections on Rules of Honor, we could get a good price.  Proud Jared (6) is an interesting longshot, given this one's good record at Presque Isle Downs.  EXACTA BOX:  10-1-6

Race 4:  Twirl (6) had a strong '13 debut and should be ready to get the win today.  EXACTA BOX:  6-7-4

Race 5:  Tobes the Man (12) is in top form and excels on synthetics.  St. Armands (11) and Bluegrass Dreamer (8) are good price plays--the former is in top form and the latter won twice at Presque Isle.  EXACTA BOX:  12-11-8

Race 6:  Tap Twenty One (9) ran his best race (in Beyer terms) on the Keeneland main track last fall, is proven at 7 furlongs  and shows a steady pattern of good works.  EXACTA BOX:  9-8-2

Race 7:  Both McPeek trainees are strong contenders.  I'll lean to Bold Challenger (3).  He draws Leparoux in the saddle and I really liked that breakthrough win last fall on Churchill's turf course and horses that run well there usually run well here.  Beyond Compare (5) is an interesting price play for trainer Tom Proctor.  EXACTA BOX:  3-1-5

Race 8:  Stormy Sunday (12) is coming off a layoff but trainer Greg Foley has a good record in that area and I like the class drop here.  Eye Luv U Two (5) is the one to beat but Stormy Sunday will be a better price.  EXACTA BOX:  12-5-8

BEST EXACTA RACE:  Race 8

50-cent LATE PICK 4 FOR $50 OR LESS:  ALL with 9 with 3/1 with 12/5/8 = $36

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