Keeneland: DRF Plus handicapping report for April 24, 2014

Race 1

Closer Looks >>

Race 2

Spot Play

REGULUS (#5, 4-1) This guy hasn’t run a step since Contessa assumed his training, but hey, those races were over the dirt. So now Contessa has gone far out of his way to get him back on the synthetics, which is what his record from SoCal strongly suggests he wants. Comes realistically spotted for the $25k, and the kicker is Rosario takes the call. Vastly improved effort over those Aqu/GP outings is fully expected here. – Marty McGee

Closer Looks >>

Race 3

Closer Looks >>

Race 4

Closer Looks >>

Race 5

Closer Looks >>

Race 6

Closer Looks >>

Race 7

Closer Looks >>

Race 8

Bewitch Stakes by Marty McGee

You really never know about a horse coming off a layoff, but most signs (i.e., she’s a BC runner-up) sure do point to Romantica (#9) being head-and-withers above the others in this 3-turn, 12-furlong race. With the typical Mott prep during the Payson winter, she’ll not only be fit, but fresh, and surely Rosario will find the mare to be handy throughout the running.

The one she’ll probably have to catch in the final quarter-mile most likely is a Pletcher filly who has come to hand in recent starts: Viva Rafaela (#6), who’s apt to find herself out top a long way with Johnny V. nursing her right along.

The play: let’s tie up that pair in tri and super part-wheels using them 1st-2nd and 1st-3rd by salting in some other possibilities, like this: 6/9 w 6/9 w 2/3/8/10/12 and 6/9 w 2/3/8/10/12 w 6/9, and other preferred variations thereof.

Spot Play

Even though it was a 1 1/2 mile race, CAROLINE THOMAS (#10, 10-1) was hurt by a slow start in the Orchid, as the race was lacking pace and that cost her position; she can improve upon that running line given a better race flow today. -Kenny Peck

Closer Looks >>

Race 9

Spot Play

BERGMAN (#12, 3-1) This one ran up to the opposition as if he was going right on by, but the way he flattened out in the final furlong strongly suggests he needed the race after 3 1/2 months away. With that race under his belt, in addition to the Sat. breeze, look for him to get a confident stalk-and-see trip under HOF jock when smartly staying put for the $10k. – Marty McGee

Vulnerable Favorite

BERGMAN (#12, 3-1) may have too much to do late, as he's a stone closer and there's not a whole lot of pace in this finale; "bounce" theorists would also argue he could be a candidate to regress in his 2nd start off the layoff. -Kenny Peck

Closer Looks >>