King's preview: Pirate's Trove in Raven Run
Saturday, Oct. 18, preview
With much of the country focusing on statebred stakes Saturday, Keeneland is the lone track to offer a graded stakes race. And it is a good one – the Grade 2 Raven Run, a $250,000, seven-furlong contest for 3-year-old fillies that drew both depth and quality. Thirteen fillies are entered, and seemingly at least five of them have about the same chance of winning.
The choice of this handicapper is PIRATE'S TROVE (#4, 8-1), a two-time stakes winner who is perfect in three starts. And though she has yet to race on dirt, having made all of her starts on Polytrack, her works on the Keeneland main track have been excellent, giving every indication that she should take to the surface.
THANK YOU MARYLOU (#2, 5-1) returned to form in winning the Dogwood last out at Churchill and has very good sprint form. She might have been the choice with more of an outside post – her connections have said she has gotten intimidated at times when inside.
MISS BEHAVIOUR (#11, 7-2) was sensational in winning the Charles Town Oaks by nearly 10 lengths following runner-up finishes in the Prioress and Test. She is as honest and legitimate as they come, but if she sticks to her morning line, she is no bargain in a closely matched group.
Others worth a look include TARIS (#5, 8-1), who has won all three of her sprint tests and sports a last-race 102 Beyer Speed Figure, and SWEET WHISKEY (#12, 8-1), a battle-tested filly from the Todd Pletcher barn who was second to Sweet Reason in the Grade 1 Acorn in June.
Spot Plays
Race 1: PRAYER BELL (#6, 3-1) makes her third start off a layoff, is dropped in for a tag, and adds blinkers. She also is returned to dirt, the surface on which she ran a career-best 66 Beyer in the spring at Churchill.
Race 3: ETRUSCAN (#3, 7-2) likely gained much-needed experience and fitness in his debut, taking dirt in his face when stalking the pace and tiring to fifth late. Expect a forward move the second time out.
Race 6: EDDY GOURMET (#11, 5-1) is among the most consistent and versatile fillies in the race, having performed well on turf and dirt. Her tactical speed is another plus, and coming from Laurel, the price should be right.