A graduate of Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Scott has covered horse racing since 2004, first at HRTV and later with TVG. He has been part the broadcast team coverage of the Triple Crown, Dubai World Cup (G1) and Royal Ascot. His father Richard Hazelton won more than 4,700 races during a training career that spanned over 60 years.
Friday’s ten-race Keeneland card features the $300,000 Myrtlewood for two-year-old fillies sprinting on dirt and the Grade 2, $400,000 Valley View for three-year-old fillies going a mile on turf. The supporting program mixes maiden, claiming, and starter allowance races, with a juvenile maiden sprint adding interest among the newcomers. Both grass races fall in the second half of the afternoon, while a mile-and-a-sixteenth maiden for fillies and mares closes the card.
5-7-9
#5 Most Probable returns to dirt after an unsuccessful try going a mile on turf at Belterra Park. His previous two dirt sprints produced narrow second-place finishes, including one at today’s six-and-a-half-furlong distance. I like the return to those conditions, with John McKee staying aboard. This is stronger company than he has been facing, so he will need to improve, but his recent sprint efforts offer a reason to give him a look.
6-8-2
#6 Progeny has finished first or second in her last three starts, most recently rallying for second in a starter allowance at Churchill Downs. I like the return to seven furlongs, the distance of her convincing win at Ellis Park in August. Rafael Bejarano stays aboard after riding her through all three of those recent efforts. She can settle behind the speed and finish, and I think today’s conditions give her a good opportunity to get back to winning.
6-7-4
#6 Dice Shot gets a fresh start for Christopher Davis after being claimed out of her debut at Churchill Downs. She broke slowly and never threatened that day, but a sharp gate workout at Turfway Park on October 9 gives some encouragement that she can show more this time. Luis Saez takes over as she stretches out to a mile. The class rise and added distance are both questions, so this selection depends on meaningful improvement from that first experience.
4-8-5
#4 Tarantino showed plenty of determination winning here earlier in the meet, pressing the pace and holding off his challengers in a tight finish. Tyler Gaffalione stays aboard, and this veteran also won a seven-furlong starter allowance at Churchill Downs in June. I like that he brings current form and proven ability over this track. He moves up from the $50,000 claiming level today, but his recent efforts suggest he can remain competitive.
6-1-5
#6 Ghostwritten ran a strong third at Churchill Downs last time, beaten just over a length in his first start against winners and first race for Christopher Davis. Before that, he broke his maiden convincingly going a mile at Del Mar. I like the return to two turns, with Luis Saez staying aboard a horse who has enough speed to secure a useful early position. He is still lightly raced, and another small move forward could put him right there.
3-8-1
#3 Justico is a first-time starter for Bob Baffert who has shown plenty of ability in the mornings. He posted a bullet half-mile from the gate at Santa Anita before recording another bullet gate work going five furlongs at Churchill Downs on October 8. Baffert’s strong debut record adds to the appeal, and Tyler Gaffalione takes the mount. I think the preparation makes this Juddmonte colt an interesting prospect to win at first asking.
2-10-1
#2 Winter Holiday never got involved at Churchill Downs last time, but his previous second at Ellis Park was a much better effort over today’s distance and surface. He rallied wide and was bumped in that race, yet still finished only a length behind the winner. I think he is worth another chance in his third start since the layoff, with Alex Achard staying aboard. A return to that Ellis Park effort would make him competitive here.
7-5-2
#7 Elewene has improved from a narrow debut defeat to two consecutive victories, most recently drawing away by nearly eight lengths at Churchill Downs. She has already shown she can win at six furlongs and can be effective either pressing the pace or making it herself. Jose Ortiz takes over, and I like the progression this filly has shown through her three starts. Stakes company presents a tougher challenge, but her latest performance suggests she has earned the opportunity.
2-5-7
#2 Spin a Tune just missed at Churchill Downs last time after taking the lead in the stretch, ending a two-race winning streak. I like that she has already shown she can settle behind horses and finish, with Jaime Torres aboard for all four of her starts. Her sharp five-furlong workout on October 13 adds some encouragement heading into this assignment. The Valley View is a substantial class test, but she remains lightly raced and has yet to finish outside the top three.
6-7-4
#6 Al Ghadeer returned from a break with a good second at Churchill Downs, briefly taking the lead before being outfinished. She finished well clear of the third horse and earned her best speed figure yet over today’s mile-and-a-sixteenth distance. I like that she now has that race behind her, with Danny Sheehy staying aboard. She has finished in the money in all four starts on fast dirt, and this looks like a reasonable opportunity to break through.
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