King's preview: Last card before rain arrives
LEXINGTON, Ky. – With rain, rain, and more rain in the forecast for the coming days in this region, Thursday’s races at Keeneland might be the last run on a fast track this week. And for that matter, some of the scheduled turf races from Friday to Sunday could be in jeopardy, too.
So let’s enjoy this one. And although there are no stakes are on the card, there is the stakes-quality allowance that goes as the seventh, at 1 1/8 miles on turf.
My thoughts on that race are below.
Race 7, Third-level allowance, 4:11 p.m. Eastern
This race goes minus one of the major players after the morning scratch of JOHA (#6).
The selection is COALPORT (#7, 3-1), a horse who is 6 for 16 on grass, and he would be 7 for 16 if he had not been disqualified for interference last out after crossing the wire on top in a stakes race at Louisiana Downs. Adding to his appeal is the fact that he has a win and a second in two starts on Keeneland turf course.
BAD DEBT (#8, 4-1) seemingly has the best chance to challenge, even though he ran poorly last out when claimed from a race for $62,500. He is an old, classy veteran turf horse with 12 wins and more than $693,000 in earnings on grass.
SET THE SAIL (#1, 7-1) is also worthy of attention having just run well at Saratoga. He also has back class, having run second in the Grade 3 River City last fall at Churchill.
Spot Plays
Race 1: OMARVELOUS (#5, 3-1) gamely won a maiden $20,000 claimer Sept. 21 at Churchill, earning a 63 Beyer, easily the top-last figure in the race; repeat likely.
Race 3: POWER NAP (#3, 5-1) was well-backed in his debut but never got involved when experiencing a rough trip at Churchill vs. straight maidens. He should benefit from that start and from a class drop to maiden $40,000 company.
Race 6: RUN HIDE GIRL (#7, 5-1) has compiled a 6-2-0-2 record on dirt and drops in class to $20,000 claiming after rallying for third in a starter $30,000 race at Churchill. She is also back running 1 1/16 miles, a distance than suits her better than the seven-eighths of her last race.
Early Changes
Race: 1
#1 Bagpipes Scratched
#2 Gotit Todo Scratched
#4 No Supervision First Start Since Reported as Gelding
Race: 3
#1 Artemusmailcarrier Scratched
#1A Mariano Intheninth No longer a coupled entry
#7 Grand Slam Larry Scratched
Race: 5
#4 Parabens Scratched
Race: 6
#5 Harlan's Affair Scratched
Race: 7
#6 Joha Scratched
Race: 8
#5 Rocket Time First start since reported as gelding
Race: 9
#12 Classic Fusion Scratched