Market Magic has consistency on her side for turf-route feature
LEXINGTON, Ky. – From a fan’s race-going perspective, do four allowance races equal one stakes? Or does it even matter?
Thursday at Keeneland is one of those days when horseplayers will have enough quality racing on their plates that they might not even notice that the nine-race program lacks a stakes. Four allowances, each worth a minimum of $60,000, serve as the highlights, with the eighth race the nominal feature.
The eighth is a $62,000, second-level turf route for older fillies and mares, and the usual suspects are well represented, with Bill Mott, Christophe Clement, and Graham Motion having the top contenders in a field of 11. First post is 1:05 p.m. Eastern, with the eighth set for 4:42.
The other Thursday allowances are races 4, 5, and 7.
Two stakes are on tap for the coming weekend: the Grade 3 Doubledogdare on Friday and the Grade 2 Elkhorn on Saturday. After that, just one stakes remains at this 15-day spring meet: the Grade 3 Bewitch on closing day, April 24.
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KEY CONTENDERS
Market Magic (Last 3 Beyers: 88-86-83)
◗ This filly, who popped at a $92.60 mutuel in her first career start, has proven that that wasn’t a fluke at all, as she continues to work her way through conditions for Mott with a useful running style and consistency.
◗ She was second as the favorite for this same condition in her Gulfstream farewell and figures squarely in the mix given her favorable rail draw with turf-savvy Jose Lezcano taking the call.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 1 Market Magic. Trainer Bill Mott is 37-9-6-4 with a $2.54 ROI over the past six months in turf routes with 30 days or fewer since the previous start. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Magic of Reality (Last 3 Beyers: 81-83-83)
◗ This French-bred Niarchos homebred mare was a tad disappointing in her two starts at Gulfstream for Motion this winter but sure fits well with this brand and might well be favored to get through this condition given a decent-enough trip under Rajiv Maragh.
Share the Sugar (Last 3 Beyers: 71-82-82)
◗ This stretch-running 4-year-old showed glimpses of brilliance last year for Ken McPeek, who has taken his time getting her ready for what he hopes will be a productive grass campaign again this year.
Indian Rainbow (Beyer: 77)
◗ Her lone stateside attempt wasn’t much, as she failed to be a factor in the Pebbles at Belmont last fall, but six months later, Clement has had plenty of time to get her right, and it would be no surprise if she runs much better with all that Payson Park prep under her.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 2 Easton Arch. Trainer Shug McGaughey is 17-6-3-1 with a $3.64 ROI over the past two years in turf routes with Javier Castellano aboard following a layoff of between 61 and 180 days. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan