Race 1: FRANCOIS (5) has been facing tougher in most of his career and exits a sharp performance on the dirt. He is a stakeswinner over this type of footing at AP to be a tough customer from off the pace. HEY CUZ (1) has been running well in recent months, but against slightly easier company. He should be forwardly placed from the rail. WHATTHECATDRUGIN (8) will be part of the early pace who has multiple wins running a flat mile so we’ll see how he handles the added half-furlong.
5-1-8
Race 2: HURRICANE GIRL (6) has no experience on the all weather surface, but decent form over the grass. She runs first off the claim for the same tag for a 26% trainer. MY PERFECT TEN (4) has been a major force on both the poly and turf against allowance company. She will come running down the lane if ready off the layoff. BRILLIANT AUTUMN (8) may have the issue of being hung wide again, but she’s run well at the distance on the dirt and broke her maiden her last spring.
6-4-8
Race 3: MARY AT THE COVE (5) is a 2yo on debut for sharp 2yo barn with some fast works, but a few gaps in her schedule to try to beat at a short price. E BUILT THIS CITY (9) has an intriguing workout from the gate over the Keeneland poly for an 18% trainer. BECCAWHIT (6) published a decent work in the a.m. and the barn had some recent success at Keeneland.
5-9-6
Race 4: FRANCES GARDNER (11) won an open $25k claiming event here last year, and now runs for a lesser price off the layoff. She will have to overcome the outside draw, but this field doesn’t too tough to beat. HOLIDAY BROAD (9) may have needed that race when she was facing allowance company. This may be the right spot as long as she likes the poly. VISION OF LIZ (5) was third in a starter allowance and moves back to the softer footing at 10-1.
11-9-5
Race 5: HE’S SO FINE (6) has been sharp with blinkers on in recent start in tough spots. He will be tough in this field for the McPeek barn. LOVERBIL (4) improved in his latest to be considered a player in a slightly easier race. SOUTHPAW SLAMMER (3) should like the longer distance for his third start off a long break.
6-4-3
Race 6: THERE IS NO LIMIT (11) has a tough post position to overcome, but she’s been running well leading up to her latest performance when she dealt with traffic to throw out and give her another chance. IT’S SATURDAY NITE (5) moves up in class, but she has early speed on her side to throw into the mix. THE CAT’S ALL THAT (6) returns fresh with sharp works and should be part of the early pace scenario on the turf.
11-5-6
Race 7: PACIFIC THEATER (9) should put on a stronger performance for second lifetime start with a turn back in distance. ARGOSY (5) ran well against Florida bred company that is fairly well bred and should be able to handle the step up against open maiden allowance foes. PEGASUS STAR (7) may be much better as a 3yo with some early speed and consistent breezes.
9-5-7
Race 8: The Grade III Appalachian Stakes
WATSDACHANCES (4) should run well from off the pace if she’s ready off the layoff. This stakeswinner had a prominent 2yo campaign that hopefully will make a big comeback. She has steady works for a sharp layoff barn (29%). OVERHEARD (5) is reunited with Napravnik and should like the ‘firm’ turf course today. She was an impressive winner over the FG’s lawn and makes her second stakes attempt. UNBELIEVABLE DREAM (2) has two wins at the distance on the grass to help her do well against stakes company first time.
4-5-2
Race 9: KITTEN GOES PRO (11) has fast works leading up to this race to perform better than shown on paper, but don’t sell yourself short. KID TWIST (4) runs with blinkers off and drops in class for his second start of the meet. PLIME BLANK (9) has some decent efforts against maiden claiming company that hopes to improve second time over a synthetic surface.
11-4-9