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Horse Racing Picks: $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Saturday April 16th 2011

With twelve talented 3-year-olds entered and a Kentucky Derby (G1) berth likely on the line, this year’s running of the 87th Blue Grass Stakes (G1) is an amazing betting race. Throw in the fact that several runners are trying synth for the first time, and you’ve got a veritable head-scratcher of a race.

THE RACE
$750,000 Toyota Blue Grass (G1)
Keeneland
Race 9 (Saturday, April 16, 2011: post time: 5:45 p.m./EDT; 2:45 p.m./PDT)
1-1/8 miles on the Polytrack (3-year-olds)

#3 SANTIVA should go postward as a modest favorite based on his 91 Beyer and second-place finish in the Risen Star (G2). His lone Keeneland effort in last year’s Breeders’ Futurity (G1) is much better than it looks, as he closed well to run second despite a dawdling pace. He attracts Julien Leparoux, and he has been training steadily for this race. Horse Racing Odds 3-1.

#2 KING CONGIE would be looking to make it four in a row if not for a disqualification in the Hallandale Beach on the turf. He crossed the wire first, but was placed third for drifting out badly in the stretch. He’s been a bad actor before, but there’s no denying his talent and ability to make up a lot of ground late. Can he transfer that turf turn of foot to the synth? That’s the big question. Horse Racing Odds 5-1.

The same can be said for his stablemate, #5 BRILLIANT SPEED, who was only a neck away from victory in the Hallandale Beach. His turf form is solid, but can he fire on synth?

#11 CRIMSON CHINA will have to deal with the eleven-hole, which is no picnic, but he’s one of the few runners proven on synth, and his trainer, Graham Motion, has been going great guns lately.

#12 QUEEN’SPLATEKITTEN will also have to deal with a wide journey, but his Woodbine Polytrack win and his recent wide-trip second in the Palm Beach (G3) on turf make him one of three solid contenders for trainer Todd Pletcher (who also sends out #6 SENSATIONAL SLAM and #10 PRAETEREO).

#8 WILCOX INN finished behind #3 SANTIVA in last year’s Breeders’ Futurity (G1) here at Keeneland, where he came from off the pace to finish third. He also finished third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G2), so you know he’s run against some pretty stiff competition. His last race was a useful prep, and I expect him to run a good one today.

#7 TWINSPIRED has synthetic experience, and he ran a solid third last time on Polytrack in the Spiral (G3) at Turfway Park, despite a six-wide journey. He should get a better trip today, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he contended for a minor award.

#9 WILKINSON finished second in his debut race at Keeneland, and even though he’s been running on dirt, he does bring that experience to the table. His last effort can be forgiven due to a wide journey, and he could step up second off the bench.

#1 NEWSDAD and #4 JOES BLAZING AARON have done their best work on turf, but their trainers, Bill Mott and Mike Maker, respectively, are no strangers to Keeneland success.

Continued on the BLOG