Hammersly: Keeneland pick four play for Saturday, April 13, 2019
You can never go wrong when you hitch your wagon to Chad Brown, as one of his runners could be your ticket linchpin in Saturday’s Pick-4 (races 7-10) at Keeneland.
Race 7
SOLOMINI (#6) was top class but tailed off after a troubled Kentucky Derby run. He’s headed back in the right direction, and a strong optional-claiming win at Santa Anita last time out March 3 may prove the springboard back to graded stakes success. FLAMEAWAY (#4) was awfully game leading all the way to win a stakes at Tampa March 9. He’s back on track and has put in strong efforts here. His speed and inside post likely put him in the thick of it from the bell. NOBLE COMMANDER (#7) was going to go in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap last week but his connections opted for this race, and that decision could certainly pay off because he doesn’t face the likes of Gift Box and McKinzie here.
A’s) 4, 6
B’s) 7
C’s) None
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Race 8
SURRENDER NOW (#4) became renewed last summer when moved to turf as she won her two grass outings, both sprints at Del Mar. She hasn’t run since but has worked well and trainer Peter Miller has done very well the past few seasons with SoCal raiders (won the Grade 1 Ashland last Saturday with Spiced Perfection). MORTICIA (#8) was third in this last year and comes off a sharp second in her first start of this season, which sets her up well for this. A LITTLE BIT ME (#1) looked super winning down the hill at Santa Anita Jan. 4 and then chased the West’s top turf sprinting distaffer Belvoir Bay in the Wishing Well. Like Miller, trainer Richard Baltas has shown he knows what kind of horse to bring here from SoCal. MRS. RAMONA G. (#3) blew the start in the Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf at Gulfstream Jan. 19 but ran on well for third. She has more speed than she was able to show and sprinting may be her best game. EXCESSIVE SPENDING (#10) ran on well for third in the Mardi Gras at the Fair Grounds after considerable trouble. She has the versatility to give her rider options and has run well here.
A’s) 4, 8
B’s) 1, 3
C’s) 10
Race 9
SUENO (#3) was a sharp second in the Grade 3 Southwest at Oaklawn Feb. 18, and was in the hunt in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby to midstretch before tiring some late to end up third. Being near the lead from the start and going longer may have been his undoing. A return to stalking tactics here and this slightly shorter distance may prove pivotal. ANOTHERTWISTAFATE (#4) blossomed on Golden Gate’s synthetic track but moved to dirt in the Grade 3 Sunland Park Derby March 24 and was a strong second, so the footing is no issue. A bullet work since shows the $360,000 son of Scat Daddy holds his edge. SHANG (#1) continues his ascent. He not only blasted statebreds at the Fair Grounds last time but did so geared down. Another move forward puts him in the mix.
A’s) 3, 4
B’s) 1
C’s) None
Race 10
RUSHING FALL (#2) makes her 2019 debut after two stellar seasons. She’s perfect on this course (3 for 3) and has the speed and versatility to give her rider options. She’s almost certainly the second-best turf distaffer in the land, behind only champion stablemate Sistercharlie. Her trainer, Chad Brown, has another potent weapon in here as RYMSKA (#4) can be freaky big when in the mood. She figures to be coming. Yet another Brown runner deserves respect as ONTHEMOONAGAIN (#8) has shown ample ability, being Grade 1-placed last year. She ran well in her first start of the year when third in the Grade 2 Hillsborough at Tampa last month (to stablemate RYMSKA) and can improve. Brown swept the trifecta in this race last year.
A’s) 2
B’s) 4
C’s) 8
