Five allowances on penultimate card of meet Thursday

LEXINGTON, Ky. – When and where could you ever find a weekday program on which more than half the races are allowances?

Why, the second-to-last day of the spring meet at Keeneland, of course. Five of the nine Thursday races are allowances on an unusual card that begins at the usual 1:05 p.m. Eastern. Also on tap are a pair of maiden special races for 2-year-olds.

Here’s a quick look at the allowances on an afternoon that will unfold in non-traditional fashion:

Race 1: Two of the 3-year-old fillies in this $81,000, first-level race at 1 3/16 miles on the turf already are graded stakes-placed – Princesa Carolina and Comic Kitten – and they’re the likely favorites in a field of six. Princesa Carolina, trained by Kenny McPeek, has more recency, having finished second in the Herecomesthebride and third in the Appalachian, so she’s likely to draw the most tote action.

Race 2: It’s been another productive Keeneland meet for Brad Cox, who tied for leading trainer here last spring, and he’s liable to add to his win total when sending out Mylady Curlin as a solid favorite in this $85,000, third-level race at a mile on the main track. Mylady Curlin came to hand in three starts over the winter at Oaklawn Park, ending with a dominating victory that equated to a field-high 89 Beyer Speed Figure.

Race 3: Under other circumstances, the 1-for-13 record compiled to date by Kulin Rock might prove uninspiring – and yet the 5-year-old gelding surely will come heavily favored with Jose Ortiz aboard when stretching out to 1 1/2 miles in this $81,000, first-level turf race. Kulin Rock is one of two Mike Maker trainees in here, along with Victor Lounge, who could be good enough to finish ahead of the other five.

Race 5: Charlie LoPresti of Wise Dan fame takes every winter to regroup on his Forest Lane Farm in nearby Athens, and sometimes his horses take a race or two to round back to form. But Lessons From Avery looks entirely capable of winning straight off the bench for LoPresti when facing eight other fillies and mares in this $81,000, first-level race at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

Race 7: Cox comes well-armed in this $85,000 classified allowance with Sensitive, a 5-year-old mare who will be ridden by Florent Geroux when facing seven others at a mile on turf. Most recently second off a 10-month layoff in an ungraded stakes at Fair Grounds, Sensitive could face her strongest challenges from Sassy Little Lila, Tooreen Dancer, and Over Thinking.

The 16-day spring meet closes Friday with the Grade 3 Bewitch Stakes. Churchill Downs starts its spring meet Saturday night.