Keeneland Picks: Grade 2 Raven Run Stakes (10/17/2026)

Written by: Chris Adams
Published: Sat Oct 17, 2026, 8:00 am ET
Read Time: 7 minutes

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Keeneland picks are here for a 10-race card topped by the Grade 2 Raven Run Stakes. Below you will find full Keeneland picks and analysis for every race on the October 17, 2026 program, including a best bet, a live longshot and suggested wagers for each event.
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Keeneland Full Card Analysis

Keeneland Picks: Grade 2 Raven Run Stakes (10/17/2026)
Keeneland Picks – Race 1
Post Time: 12:00 PM CT; Claiming $20k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 11 runners.

- #8 TROUBLE TIME (5-2): Best Bet of the Card. Improving with each start. Consistently runs above the level it faces. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
- #11 KEEPINITREAL (10-1): Major Player. Numbers grade out better than the raw figures suggest. Outruns the class par more often than not.
- #7 L RANKIN (6-1): Contender. Runs better than the bare figures indicate once class is factored in. Has been exceeding what the level demands.
- #5 HODL HARD (5-1): Contender. Ran at this level last out. Figures fit comfortably at this level.
Selections: 8 – 11 – 7 – 5
The Plays
Win: #8 at 8-5
Pick 3 (Races 1-3): #8 with #3,10 with #6,7,8
Exacta: 8 / 11,7
Keeneland Picks – Race 2
Post Time: 12:32 PM CT; Maiden Claiming $30k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 16 runners.
- #3 ABSOLUTE LEA W (5-1): Contender. The 69 speed rating is among the top in the group. Speed numbers are right there with the top group.
- #10 VALENTINE EVE (12-1): Contender. Recent form lines measure up to these. Has the numbers to be involved late.
- #9 AVOS ROSE (20-1): Contender. Figures have climbed in three straight. Quick enough to matter in the closing stages.
- #12 SAILOR'S DREAM (7-2): Contender. Competitive in the same class recently. Top connections on the circuit with Velazquez and Ward.
Selections: 3 – 10 – 9 – 12
The Plays
Win: #3 at 7-2
Trifecta: 3,10 / 3,10,9,12 / 3,10,9,12
Keeneland Picks – Race 3
Post Time: 1:04 PM CT; Starter Allowance $13k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

- #6 LORD MAJESTY (6-1): Longshot Play of the Day. Has been facing this kind and holding its own. Barn has been solid with this exact move. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
- #8 SWIRVIN (3-1): Major Player. Proven competitor at this configuration. Joseph and Ortiz team up, and that combination wins its share.
- #7 DANCIN FOR GOLD (5-2): Contender. Record over this surface and trip stands out. A 89 is plenty fast for this spot.
- #2 DR. STORM (15-1): Contender. May be able to take advantage of the pace. Best late pace figure in the field at 101.
Selections: 6 – 8 – 7 – 2
The Plays
Win: #6 at 7-2
Trifecta: 6,8 / 6,8,7,2 / 6,8,7,2
Keeneland Picks – Race 4
Post Time: 1:36 PM CT; Maiden Special Weight $110k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 16 runners.
- #14 MAJORBROWNIEPOINTS (3-1): Major Player. Meaningful class relief today. Form lines read well against this group.
- #1 TOCO DANCER (5-1): Major Player. Numbers are competitive with anything else entered. No class question at this level.
- #3 CANDY PANCAKES (7-2): Contender. Belongs on class and should be in the mix. Strong connections with Cox sending out Ortiz.
- #13 EMMA'S JUSTICE (15-1): Contender. The work tab reads like a horse ready to run, not one being educated. Bred to be effective on this surface right away.
Selections: 14 – 1 – 3 – 13
The Plays
Win: #14 at 5-2
Trifecta: 14,1 / 14,1,3,13 / 14,1,3,13
Keeneland Picks – Race 5
Post Time: 2:08 PM CT; Claiming $80k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.
- #10 SHIP SHIP HOORAY (8-1): Major Player. Clearly moving forward off the last two.
- #5 CLASSIC TIME (15-1): Major Player. Has been knocking on the door in similar spots. Casse has the barn rolling and keeps Saez aboard.
- #2 JEFFERSON STREET (9-2): Contender. Consistent enough to be a factor at this level. The Mott barn strikes at a healthy clip in this spot.
- #6 RAYMOND (12-1): Contender. Ran at this level last out.
Selections: 10 – 5 – 2 – 6
The Plays
Win: #10 at 5-2
Exacta: 10 / 5,2
Keeneland Picks – Race 6
Post Time: 2:40 PM CT; Maiden Special Weight $110k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 16 runners.
- #3 DECIMATION (4-1): Major Player. On a steady upward trend.
- #11 CAPITOLA (7-2): Major Player. Has been drilling steadily into the debut. Ortiz takes the mount for Cox, which is worth noting.
- #5 START THE PARTY (8-1): Contender. Serious work pattern behind this first start. Connections are as strong as any in the race.
- #9 PRATEEN (15-1): Contender. The morning line of works shows a horse wound up for the opener. Enough recorded works to trust the fitness.
Selections: 3 – 11 – 5 – 9
The Plays
Win: #3 at 5-2
Trifecta: 3,11 / 3,11,5,9 / 3,11,5,9
Keeneland Picks – Race 7
Post Time: 3:12 PM CT; Grade 3 Perryville Stakes $350k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 12 runners.
- #11 OBLITERATION (9-2): Major Player. Has handled this exact setup before.
- #12 DEEP FLAME (7-5): Major Player. Owns the fastest recent figure in the field at 108.
- #1 SOLITUDE DUDE (6-1): Contender. Competitive in the same class recently.
- #10 DOUBLECENTS (10-1): Contender. Improving with each start.
Selections: 11 – 12 – 1 – 10
The Plays
Win: #11 at 5-2
Exacta: 11 / 12,1
Keeneland Picks – Race 8
Post Time: 3:44 PM CT; Allowance $140k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 10 runners.
- #10 BOJACA BLESSING (7-2): Major Player. Figures have climbed in three straight.
- #2 ONTARIO (6-1): Major Player. Figures fit comfortably at this level.
- #3 HEAR THE QUEEN (7-2): Contender. Has been facing this kind and holding its own.
- #1 CAVIAR BREAKFAST (8-1): Contender. No class question at this level. Closing kick is the strongest of this group.
Selections: 10 – 2 – 3 – 1
The Plays
Win: #10 at 5-2
Trifecta: 10,2 / 10,2,3,1 / 10,2,3,1
Keeneland Picks – Race 9
Post Time: 4:16 PM CT; Grade 2 Raven Run Stakes $400k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 12 runners.
- #6 PERCY'S BAR (6-1): Major Player. Has won at a higher level than this. Finishes better than anything else entered.
- #9 MASHALLAH (8-5): Major Player. Course and distance record is the strongest here.
- #8 CONCEIT (4-1): Contender. The 98 speed rating is among the top in the group.
- #11 MOVIE NIGHT (9-2): Contender. Belongs on class and should be in the mix.
Selections: 6 – 9 – 8 – 11
The Plays
Win: #6 at 5-2
Exacta: 6 / 9,8
Keeneland Picks – Race 10
Post Time: 4:48 PM CT; Allowance $120k; 5 1/2 F Turf; Field of 16 runners.
- #11 SHIRLEY ANN (6-1): Major Player. Drops to a level that should suit.
- #5 EPIC LADY LUCK (7-2): Major Player. Faced tougher last time and gets relief here.
- #1 MECHAYA (6-1): Contender. Clearly moving forward off the last two. Could wear these ones down late.
- #2 CACTUS CAIRO (30-1): Contender. Sets up well if the front end folds. Will be running when the early speed comes back.
Selections: 11 – 5 – 1 – 2
The Plays
Win: #11 at 5-2
Trifecta: 11,5 / 11,5,1,2 / 11,5,1,2
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Chris first got introduced to horse racing in 2009 at Canterbury Park (Shakopee, MN). Along with handicapping and betting, Chris has worked as a teller at his local track and participated in ownership partnerships. He now enjoys sharing his passion with his wife and two young daughters who love going out to the track each and every summer.
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