Three turf allowances on tap Thursday

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The second half of a Keeneland race meet isn’t nearly as busy as the first, at least when it comes to stakes action. This spring has been typical: There were 13 stakes during the first seven days, leaving only three stakes for the last eight days.

Still, allowance and open maiden races filled with potential stakes material tend to abound as the string plays out. A nine-race Thursday card is a good example: Three allowances are on tap, with another four maiden special weight races thrown in.

The richest of the allowances is the seventh race, a $76,000, third-level turf mile. Conquest Babayaga, a winner at Gulfstream Park last out for trainer Chad Brown, is the probable favorite when coming well drawn in post 2 with Joel Rosario to ride. Among the 11 fillies and mares entered, she is one of only three with the benefit of a start in 2017, so fitness figures at a premium.

The other allowances are a $74,000, second-level turf route for fillies and mares (race 3) and a $72,000, first-level turf sprint for 3-year-olds (race 5).

First post is 1:05 p.m. Eastern. The three remaining stakes at the meet are the Grade 3 Doubledogdare on Friday, the Grade 2 Elkhorn on Saturday, and the Grade 3 Bewitch on closing day, April 28.

◗ Both Rosario and Brown were among the leaders in their respective categories as the 15-day spring meet approached its midpoint Wednesday. Rosario held a 9-8 lead over Julien Leparoux atop the jockey standings, while Brown and Mark Casse (5 wins each) were tied for third behind Wesley Ward and Kiaran McLaughlin (6 each) among trainers.

KEY CONTENDERS (race 7)

Conquest Babayaga, by Uncle Mo
Last 3 Beyers: 85-79-59

◗ Four-year-old purchased last fall out of the Conquest Stables dispersal gave notice that she could become a stakes performer when capturing a Feb. 19 race at Gulfstream Park in easier fashion than the one-length margin suggests.

Rachel Wall, by Blame
Last 3 Beyers: 21-87-87

◗ One of the many layoff horses in here, she shows a steady work slate for Graham Motion and will be looking to return to the excellent form she held prior to a poor showing here last fall in the Dowager Stakes.

Queen Caroline, by Blame
Last 3 Beyers: 75-87-81

◗ Already a winner of three non-graded stakes for trainer Michael Matz, this Virginia-bred 4-year-old also makes her first start since the fall meet, where she was overmatched in Grade 1 company.