McGee: Keeneland pick four play for Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019

Okay, I’ll bite. There might actually be something behind all the hype surrounding the next Todd Pletcher “freak” on deck, Gouverneur Morris, so I’ll build an all-graded-stakes pick-four ticket around him Saturday at Keeneland.

The subject races are all Win and You’re In events toward the Breeders’ Cup next month at Santa Anita, so there’s a lot on the line for everyone involved.

Here’s the layout:

Race 7: There’s plenty of speed in the Grade 2 Thoroughbred Club of America to set things up for a stalking type along the lines of Spiced Perfection (3) or Chalon (8), although Mia Mischief (6) could get out best among the early goers with her favorable outer draw.

Race 8: A double dose of Chad in the Grade 1 First Lady ought to be enough to stay alive halfway through, with the complementary styles of the late-running Uni (4) and the speedy Rushing Fall (11) making them a formidable pair.

Race 9: “They” can’t say enough good things about the potential being shown by Gouverneur Morris (10) in the mornings for Pletcher, and a hint of that ability was on display in his maiden romp on closing day of the Saratoga meet. The outer post should allow him to get away cleanly, and he should have clear sailing from there.

Race 10: This virtually inscrutable renewal of the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile is where it really gets hairy. Spreading liberally seems mandatory, with a big price the obvious root. With fingers crossed, let’s give a try to all of the following: Next Shares (1), Valid Point (4), Bowies Hero (5), Admission Office (6), Vintager (8), First Premio (9), Divisidero (13), and Real Story (14).

Here’s the straight-A ticket:

R7: 3, 6, 8

R8: 4, 11

R9: 10

R10: 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 13, 14

50-cent ticket = $24