Keeneland Friday: Maker’s Mark Turf Analysis, Selections

Ahead of the final Derby prep, Keeneland will run the Maker’s Mark Turf Mile. The infamous Modern Games looks to tower over the field.

Modern Games

Modern Games is without question one of the most talented turf horses America has seen in quite some time. He maintains an undefeated record on American soil and boast 7 wins in 13 career starts in some of the world’s most prestigious races.

Despite his talent, many American fans will always remember him for his famed win in the 2021 Breeder’s Cup. In the race he entered as the favorite and was announced as a scratch following a gate incident. However, the stewards corrected and stated that he should not have been scratched.

Due to betting integrity rules the horse ran for purse money only. All those backing the horse ended up with refunds or tickets on the post time favorite, a horse who didn’t even hit the board. Meanwhile, Modern Games romped to an easy victory.

There doesn’t appear to be anyone who classes up with him in the 2023 renewal of the Maker’s Cup Turf Mile, but fans of the game should make sure to tune in to watch one of the superstars of the game.

Friday Full Card Selections

Keeneland- Race 1

Post: 1:00 PM ET; $100k Maiden Special Weight going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 8

• #5 CAPE TRAFALGAR (3-1) gets the top selection. He has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #3 REDEMPTION TIME (4-1) could be in with a shot in this race. He projects to sit mid pack and come with one run. This one has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed.
• #8 GLOBAL STAGE (1-1) should improve off the first start and isn't without hope. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Cox and Prat. This one should be part of the early pace in this spot.
• #2 SWEET CHERRY PIE (8-1) ran well enough on debut to merit consideration in this spot. It wouldn’t take much of a step forward on the speed figures to be a player here.

Selections: 5 – 3 – 8 – 2

Keeneland- Race 2

Post: 1:32 PM ET; $54k Maiden Claiming going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 12

• #8 TALKIN PHAROAH (6-1) is the top pick. He goes out for the Ward barn and gets Rodriguez in the irons.
• #6 INSOLITO (15-1) is a price horse and feels like a fringe contender in this spot. He seems to fit well enough here. This one has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #12 MASK PATROL (9-2) makes sense on speed figures and has the pedigree to suggest suggest at this level. He’s definitely worth a look.
• #1 ST. ELMO (12-1) is a price horse that feels like the kind that could dink up into the vertical payouts.

Selections: 8 – 6 – 12- 1

Keeneland- Race 3

Post: 2:04 PM ET; $57k Starter Allowance going 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 10

• #1 FRIGID LADY (4-1) looks best here. She should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders. This one has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #8 KEY TO SUCCESS (6-1) will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done here.
• #3 MARGOINABUBBLEBATH (3-1) isn't without hope. She could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #10 TELL ME WHEN (9-2) makes sense on speed figures. This one likes to be forwardly placed which will be a huge benefit based on the projected pace.

Selections: 1 – 8 – 3 – 10

Keeneland- Race 4

Post: 2:36 PM ET; $47k Maiden Claiming going 1 1/16 miles on dirt; Entries: 12

• #6 BON BUENO (5-2) gets the top selection. He shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/16 mile distance. This one has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #9 HARDMONEYMUCHACHOS (10-1) is a price horse and could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #2 COACH PETRO (3-1) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #4 ELECTROMAGNETIC (30-1) seems to be running for the minor placings in this contest. He has been running against some decent horses and looks poised to outrun the odds here.

Selections: 6 – 9 – 2 – 4

Keeneland- Race 5

Post: 3:08 PM ET; $110k Allowance going 1 1/8 miles on turf; Entries: 16

• #10 MALLEYMOO (3-1) is the top pick. She seems to fit well enough here. This one will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
• #1 MRS. ASTOR (6-1) appears to be a major player in this race. She has races good enough to beat this group. This one goes out for the Thomas barn and gets Velazquez in the irons.
• #8 KNOCKYOURSOCKSOFF (4-1) should be competitive in this spot. She has to be respected going out for the combination of Block and Geroux. This one looks to be the class of the field.
• #3 SAFEEN (15-1) is a price horse and looks to be in the mix here. She has races good enough to beat this group.

Selections: 10- 1 – 8 – 3

Keeneland- Race 6

Post: 3:40 PM ET; $110k Allowance going 1 1/16 miles on dirt; Entries: 6

• #5 INVENTING (8-5) looks best here. She has to be respected going out for the combination of Pletcher and Saez. This one will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
• #1 DISTINCTLYPOSSIBLE (5-2) appears to be a major player in this race. She has the top overall power rating in the group. This one could get the right setup in this race.
• #2 BEACHFRONT BID (8-1) is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. This one looks to benefit from the pace scenario of this race.
• #3 SHE'S KEEN (7-2) feels like the type that will get a favorable race shape here. This one is under definite consideration.

Selections: 5 – 1 – 2 – 3

Keeneland- Race 7

Post: 4:12 PM ET; $250k BetOnline Limestone S. going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 12

• #11 LADY HOLLYWOOD (15-1) gets the top selection at a big number. She has to be respected going out for the combination of Ward and Velazquez. Johnny V doesn’t ride just any horse these days, so him legging up here is a positive.
• #3 LOVE REIGNS (7-2) appears to be a major player in this race. She comes into the race in really good form. This one has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #1 SASSY NATURE (5-1) should be competitive in this spot. She has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts. This one should be part of the early pace in this spot.
• #12 DANSE MACABRE (4-1) should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders.

Selections: 11- 3 – 1 – 12

Keeneland- Race 8

Post: 4:44 PM ET; $130k Allowance Optional Claiming going 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 9

• #9 CHI TOWN LADY (9-5) is the top pick. She has races good enough to beat this group. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #2 TRAVEL COLUMN (3-1) appears to be a major player in this race. She looks to be the class of the field. This one has races good enough to beat this group.
• #7 CHEETARA (12-1) could be in with a shot in this race. She has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #5 NOVEL SQUALL (6-1) looks to be the class of the field. The recent form makes this one really hard to totally overlook.

Selections: 9 – 2 – 7 – 5

Keeneland- Race 9

Post: 5:16 PM ET; $600k Maker's Mark Mile S. going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 8

• #7 MODERN GAMES (3-5) looks best here. He looks to be the class of the field. This one has the top overall power rating in the group. There just isn’t anyone in this race that even remotely stacks up against him.
• #2 UP TO THE MARK (10-1) isn't without hope. He seems to fit well enough here. This one has to be respected going out for the combination of Pletcher and Ortiz.
• #3 CHEZ PIERRE (12-1) is a price horse and is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. He goes out for the combination of Delacour and Prat.
• #8 CABO SPIRIT (20-1) shouldn't have trouble with the 1 mil distance.

Selections: 7 – 2 – 3 – 8

Keeneland- Race 10

Post: 5:48 PM ET; $100k Maiden Special Weight going 1 1/16 miles on dirt; Entries: 14

• #8 BOURBON RESOLVE (5-2) gets the top selection. He shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/16 mile distance. This one has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #10 TSHIEBWE (3-1) could be in with a shot in this race. He makes sense on speed figures. This one has to be respected going out for the combination of Pletcher and Ortiz.
• #13 SOUTHERN SUNSET (4-1) looks to be a player here. He has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #14 ARTWELL (6-1) should improve off the first start and isn't without hope. He should be one that relishes the distance. This one has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.

Selections: 8 – 10- 13- 14

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