McGee: How I'd play Keeneland for Saturday, April 18
Race 1
Obviously she has nowhere near the talent as her older full sister, the great Rachel Alexandra, but SAMANTHA NICOLE (No. 6) should have enough to win a maiden race – especially against this small, non-descript group, and with the hometown Stonestreet folks on hand to enjoy it. Her latest, which came at Gulfstream, comes with an obvious excuse, and she could very well be in front every step here. I’ll single her to start the early pick three:
R1 – 6
R2 – 4, 6
R3 – 3, 4, 5, 6
Race 2
Am particularly interested in ROUS (6) on the turn-back for underrated trainer Bill Connelly; matches up well class-wise with the rest.
Race 3
Am particularly in interested in the Tevis Q. McCauley first-timer MARGATE GARDENS (5); last week, he had a well-meant firster.
Race 4
HOOTENANNY (1A) is probably best going short, although 1-5 or so obviously isn’t an allure. Shouldn’t mind using him, however, as a free space in multi-race plays; advance at your own peril into R5, which is extremely wide open.
Race 6
Trifecta part-wheel: 4 with 5 with 1/2/6, which calls for ROCK FALL (4) to pull the minor upset over DELAUNAY, whohas been known to go down to defeat at short odds. I’m expecting Todd Pletcher to have Rock Fall razor-sharp again.
Race 8
With 2-1 M/L fave WARRIORSCMOUTOPLAY (9) already having had enough chances, I give the Bret Calhoun-trained MAYLA (2) a huge shot to improve with blinkers off in her second start, and the works for the royally bred Humphreys/Arnold first-timer SPINNING WHEEL (7) suggest she could pop at first asking. I’ll start a late pick three using only that pair and spreading with a smattering of logical plays and longer prices in the final two races:
R8 – 2, 7
R9 – 3, 4, 6, 10
R10 – 2, 4, 6, 8