King's review: Praia benefits from good turf trip

About getting trip on turf

With turf races typically having less separation among the top finishers than those on dirt, trips often prove the key to victory, with the ideal ones being those in which horses can save ground for much of the race before finding a clear run for at least the final quarter-mile.

That is the journey Praia took to victory Saturday in the Keertana Stakes at Churchill Downs. Fourth early, saving ground, she was angled out for the stretch run to pass the tiring leaders under Chris Landeros and lasted for a head victory over Gulsary.

Runner-up Gulsary also got a favorable run. She followed the winner, then dove to her inside in the stretch to try to pass her. She looked like she might, but Praia was game and refused to let her pass.

The top two finishers in the Keertana both received 87 Beyer Speed Figures.

Lanerie, Leparoux have rewarding days

Corey Lanerie and Julien Leparoux each won two races Saturday. Lanerie took the sixth aboard Liberal Spin and eighth aboard Bitty Kitty, while Leparoux guided Twin Engine and Treasury Bill to scores in the first and ninth, respectively.

With his two wins Saturday, Lanerie extended his lead in the jockey standings. He is ahead in victories 16-12 over Rosie Napravnik.
Leparoux is fourth in the standings with 10 victories, just behind Robby Albarado with 11.

Longshot strikes in fourth

Maid On a Mission pulled off a surprising upset in the fifth race, winning at odds of more than 40-1. Credit goes to the mare but also to her jockey, Marcelino Pedroza, who hustled her early and stole the race on the lead.

Maid On a Mission was able to set soft splits of 25.19 seconds and 49.92 in the fifth, a 1 1/16-mile turf race, and had plenty left in reserve as a result.

Horse to Watch

Honey Lake
Trainer: Vicky Oliver
Last race: May 17, 10th
Finish: 5th by 4 1/2
Beyer: 79

Drawn poorly in post 11 in the Keertana, she was not able to get near the front and ended up racing in fifth place early and as the field hit the wire. Still eligible for second-level allowances, she will be tough next out if dropped into such a race.