Keeneland: Shmooz Talker steps up off claim in Thursday feature

LEXINGTON, Ky. – A race card at Keeneland without a stakes isn’t quite as unusual as a White Castle without a pickle chip, but it might be close. Six of the first seven dates at the 17-day fall meet will showcase at least one stakes race, with Thursday being that lone exception.

In lieu of watching graded-caliber runners, Keeneland horseplayers will just have to entertain themselves with the interesting variety of handicapping quandaries contained therein, such as whether the good form Shmooz Talker has been showing in “beaten” claiming company in New York is good enough to win on a substantial class hike after being taken by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, or whether Circle Unbroken, a once-promising graded stakes winner, can be competitive when making his first start in nearly six months.

Shmooz Talker and Circle Unbroken are two of the 10 3-year-olds and up entered in the nominal Thursday feature, a $60,000, second-level Polytrack sprint carded as the seventh of nine races.

Shmooz Talker will take his share of wagering action, if only because of the new connections. It is just a few days into the meet, and already the Ramseys appear well on their way to another owners’ title. Shmooz Talker, a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred gelding, has held form since early spring and actually fits well in this spot, despite what would seem to be a very demanding raise.

Circle Unbroken, winner of the Grade 3 Bashford Manor at Churchill Downs last summer at 2, is still seeking his first win since then. The dark bay colt had been hindered by bone bruising in his hind end, said trainer Garry Simms, but has been given sufficient time to recover.

“We gave him a break because he got a little tore up down there in New Orleans over the winter,” Simms said. “I’d say he’s maybe 90 percent now and wanting to run.”

Other possibilities in a wide-open 6 1/2-furlong heat include a trio in from Chicago – Muppet Man, Tell All You Know, and Razzo Succo – along with the uncoupled Mark Casse pair of Dynamical and Cummings Road, as well as yet one more 3-year-old returning from a lengthy layoff, Doc Almon.

One other allowance directly follows the feature. It’s a $58,000, first-level Polytrack sprint that drew an extremely well-matched field of 12 fillies and mares, with any of a number rating a fair chance, including Anusara, Lady Raven, Evandear, Noun, and Spun Silky.

Thursday is Make-A-Wish day, with local Thoroughbred farms teaming with Keeneland to sponsor a VIP day at the races for nine children and their families. Trophy presentations will be made by the families after each race. First post is 1:05 p.m. Eastern.