Hammersly: Keeneland late pick four for Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018

A thoroughly top-class filly leads the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup and could prove your linchpin for Saturday’s late pick four at Keeneland (races 7-10). On the other hand, she’ll be on everyone’s ticket, so if you can topple her, well, you know the drill.

Race 7
Lots of firsters translate to lots of question marks, so it seems mandatory to spread. TAPIT WISE (#11) is a $700,000 son of top sire Tapit who has worked strongly for his debut. EXPLORATIONIST (#5) cost $825,000, dueled and ran a fine third in his debut. BOURBON CALLING (#10) was a solid third in his debut last month, and any improvement makes him scary. DECLINED (#7) has rehearsed well for his first run. B P ROCKET (#6) is a son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin who has worked strongly for his career debut.

A’s) 5, 11
B’s) 7, 10
C’s) 6

Race 8
TREASURE IN HEAVEN (#10) loomed a threat, only to give way badly at Saratoga on Aug. 31, but that was her first start vs. winners and first action in more than eight months. She can benefit from that outing and bounce back to form. FOXTROT SALLY (#3) found Grade 2 foes too much to handle when last seen at Gulfstream more than seven months ago. She’s been freshened and drops. QUICK QUICK QUICK (#11) was dull in her last two at Saratoga but was asked to route in slop in the first run and then was wide and never involved in the second. She’s back to Kentucky with some good works in tow.

A’s) 3, 10
B’s) 11
C’s) None

Race 9
RUSHING FALL (#8) is terrific and just a neck shy of being a perfect 6 for 6. She looked super whipping some of these in the Grade 2 Lake Placid at Saratoga last time out Aug. 18. This is her Breeders’ Cup. NYALETI (#1) was a good sixth in the Grade 1 Beverly D. at Arlington on Aug. 11 when facing elders, beaten just 2 3/4 lengths by Sistercharlie, considered by most as the leader of the nation’s older distaff turf division. She then faced some top elder males in a Group 2 in England and again wasn’t beaten far. FATALE BERE (#3) continues to blossom out West, and it’s a great sign they opted to ship across the country for this. After all, they knew whom they’d be running against.

A’s) 8
B’s) 1
C’s) 3

Race 10
NOW POWER (#5) was a game second as the even-money favorite last time out at Ellis Park, beaten just a nose, a run that looks even better when you note that the gal she beat for second came right back to win. DYNATAIL (#3) has been knocking on the door. She comes out of a tough optional claimer at Saratoga and has the speed to be in a good spot from the start. SMART EMMA (#10) was awfully game to win her last at Ellis Park on Aug. 4 as she had the lead, lost it, but rerallied to win. YOU CHEATED (#6) has blossomed of late. That last big win came in slop, yes, but note two big turf tries in her prior two starts.

A’s) 3, 5
B’s) 6, 10
C’s) None