Thursday, April 24 recap Coming off a runner-up finish in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf, the classy Romantica merited favoritism Thursday’s Bewitch at Keeneland – but at odds of around 5-2 or 3-1, since she was returning from a long layoff and racing a 1 1/2-mile distance over which she had faltered previously. But she never deserved to be 7-10, and when she ran out of the money, finishing fourth, the odds board blew up. Inimitable Romanee, despite being an accomplished turf marathoner, went off at 14-1 and scored a narrow victory over 20-1 shot Aigue Marine, with 10-1 outsider Caroline Thomas in third. This result led to a $263.80 exacta, a $1778.40 trifecta, and a $5,061.40 superfecta – with all the listed payoffs for a $2 wager. A bridesmaid for much of her career, Inimitable Romanee has turned the corner in recent months, winning three of her last four, all in graded company. She was a deserving winner of the Bewitch. Breaking from post 12, a disadvantageous post with a short run to the first of three turns in the Bewitch, she and jockey Alan Garcia had to work to gain position, and then leaving the final turn, to find running room in the sprint for home. Aigue Marine got the jump on her, and appeared headed on her way to victory, but Inimitable Romanee, closing down the middle of the track, got up in the closing strides and won by a neck. In other action on the Thursday card at Keeneland, Spanish Pipedream took the opener for 2-year-old fillies for trainer Wesley Ward, returning $8.60 to win, a larger-than-usual price on a Ward baby. This was in part because the public focused on Ward’s other first timer, Beauty Sisters, who had the fastest works at Keeneland and went off at even-money. Spanish Pipedream was impressive, and being by Scat Daddy, has a turf pedigree. It will be interesting if Ward opts to send her to Royal Ascot to run this summer, as he has done with other juveniles in recent years. Trainer Ken McPeek won back-to-back races, first with Olympic Avenue in race 3 and then with Stroll to Victory in race 4 – briefly giving him the lead in the training standings. But Mark Casse tied it up when Command Force took race 5. They head into closing day deadlocked with nine victories at the top of the standings, with Ward one back with eight wins. Ken and Sarah Ramsey also won a race with Charming Kitten, putting them in a four-way tie for first in the owner standings. Horse to Watch Blarp Trainer: Bill Mott Last race: April 24, 4th Finish: 5th by 4 1/4 Beyer: 69 He got hung wide throughout on the turf. Making things worse, he moved early on the second turn into a quickening pace, and as a result had little left for the stretch run. His performance was better than his running line will suggest.