Hammersly: Keeneland pick five play for Saturday, April 6, 2019

A few grizzled veterans, a couple dangerous Southern California raiders and an unbeaten Chad Brown filly could prove key in Saturday’s all-stakes Pick-5 at Keeneland (races 6-10).

Race 6

UNCONTESTED (#4) was gone nine months but has come back better than ever with two smashing wins at Laurel. He’s run well here before. LIMOUSINE LIBERAL (#6) and WARRIOR’S CLUB (#13) are two terrific old warriors. ‘LIBERAL was a sharp second in this last year (to WARRIOR’S CLUB) and has worked well for this first start since a fifth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint. WARRIOR’S CLUB, as noted won this last year and comes off a solid second in his first start back off a layoff. That said, both are getting along a bit in years. BOBBY’S WICKED ONE (#11) has blossomed in recent months at the Fair Grounds and may be this good.

A’s) 4, 6

B’s) 13

C’s) 11

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Race 7

BOUND FOR NOWHERE (#9) has run big here and off the bench. He’s worked superbly for this. CONQUEST TSUNAMI (#8) sizzled and fizzled in the Grade 3 San Simeon down the hill last week, but the quick turnaround is a great sign and the shorter trip helps. DISCO PARTNER (#3) has been among the turf sprint elite for some time and while he’s getting on in age he’s worked as if there’s still plenty of gas in the tank.

A’s) 8, 9

B’s) 3

C’s) None

Race 8

SPICED PERFECTION (#5) was purchased privately this winter and promptly ran a sharp second in the Grade 3 Barbara Fritchie at Laurel despite some trouble. They could have stayed out West for Sunday’s Grade 3 Las Flores but opted to ship for this much tougher spot, a most encouraging sign. SHAMROCK ROSE (#9), the reigning distaff sprint champ, was big here last fall and comes off a very nice third in the Grade 2 Azeri at Oaklawn behind beasts Midnight Bisou and Elate. She returns to what is likely her best game. LATE NIGHT POW WOW (#6) is the one who edged ‘PERFECTION in the Fritchie and figures tough again.

A’s) 5, 9

B’s) 6

C’s) None

Race 9

FEEDBACK (#5) is unbeaten and should fall into a great trip stalking/pressing the pace, and trainer Chad Brown has regarded her highly since day one. She’s also entered in the Grade 3 Beaumont here Sunday, so if he opts to go here that’s a thumbs-up. If she goes in the Beaumont, JAYWALK (#4) and RESTLESS RIDER (#6) loom large. JAYWALK, last year’s 2-year-old filly champ, tossed in a real clunker in the Grade 2 Davona Dale, her first start of the year, where she prompted the pace before giving way readily. She’s surely much better than that and a return to top form makes her the one to beat. Still, the lack of any spark shown in the Davona Dale gives cause for pause. RESTLESS RIDER is top-class when on her game and could get a real nice trip on the stalk.

A’s) 4, 5

B’s) 6

C’s) None

Race 10

Considering VEKOMA (#2) was closer to a hot pace in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth than the other closers and was making his first start of the year, his effort to finish third was quite good. He can move forward with that under his belt and punch his ticket to Louisville. WIN WIN WIN (#8) was deceptively good when third in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby. That shows he’s not just a sprinter. SOMELIKEITHOTBROWN (#1) has been smashing on turf and synthetic. His only dirt start wasn’t much but he’s a better horse now than he was then and if he handles the footing can be scary on the front end as he figures to go from his rail draw.

A’s) 2

B’s) 8

C’s) 1