Two of three co-features have solid favorite

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Freeze warnings for much of this week in Lexington had everyone talking about the weather, but that’ll be enough of that. A warming trend is in the local forecast starting Friday, just in time for another terrific card at Keeneland amid ideal conditions.

Stakes action as the 17-day fall meet winds to its Oct. 29 close is limited this week to Saturday and Sunday, but who would know in view of the six-figure purses they’re doling out on a regular basis on this circuit? Including bonuses from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund, six of the 10 Friday races are worth $100,000 or more, with a trio of allowances ranging from $120,000 to $130,000.

It should all meld together for another enjoyable afternoon of racing at the highest level. First post is 1 p.m. Eastern, with temperatures maxing out around 70 under mostly sunny skies.

Here’s a quick rundown of the three co-features:

Race 5: One need look no further than Eyes On Target in post 1 to find the deserving favorite for this $120,000, second-level race going “about” 1 1/16 miles on turf. The 4-year-old ridgling has been posting Beyer Speed Figures in the low 90s on a regular basis since Mike Maker claimed him over the winter, and with bettors presuming that Tyler Gaffalione will give him the right kind of stalking trip, he’ll be the one to beat in an oversubscribed lineup of 3-year-olds and upward.

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Samburu, a British-bred making his North American debut for owner-breeder Juddmonte Farms, is the wild card of the group following a series of Churchill Downs workouts for Bill Mott and assistant Kenny McCarthy. Other upset possibilities include Yamato, Creed, and the comebacking Easy Time.

Race 8: There’s also an obvious favorite in this $130,000, third-level turf route for fillies and mares in Scotish Star, whose last-out romp over the Saratoga turf could make her a decisive choice in another overflow field. Trained by Todd Pletcher, who began this week as the meet’s leading conditioner, the Argentine-bred mare was stretching out from dirt sprints following a layoff of nearly 11 months when earning a 91 Beyer in her grass debut in that Saratoga breakthrough. Luis Saez has the mount from post 6.

Among her top threats is Arm Candy, who is 2 for 4 over the Keeneland turf but 1 for 12 in all other races, while Saranya, Poca Mucha, Bellagamba, and Princess Fawzia can also contend.

Race 9: Another Pletcher trainee, Falconet, looks like a lukewarm choice in a well-matched field of 10 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/16 miles on the main track for a $120,000 purse under a second-level condition. Falconet, a speedy Uncle Mo filly with Gaffalione to ride, earned an 86 Beyer when beaten just a neck as the runner-up in the Sept. 24 Seneca at Churchill in her most recent out.

Cocktail Moments, who got a field-high 89 Beyer in a two-back victory over the Saratoga slop, looms the main foe, while Skratch Kat, Ice Orchid, and Hoodooland also could figure somewhere in the mix.

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