KEENELAND NOTEBOOK
OCTOBER 23, 2009
by Frank Cotolo
The first full week of Keeneland’s 2009 autumn season brought 47 races from
October 14 through October 18. We will, until the end of this meet, provide
weekly stats for all the programs. The five recent programs continued with some
stats familiar to the first three cards on the October 9 weekend.
For one, the first full week continued to favor winners shipping from
Arlington’s recent meet. Horses from Arlington races won a dozen of the 47 races
this past week. Next were horses exiting a start at Turfway Park, accounting for
seven wins so far. Kentucky Downs horses scored six times,
not all on turf, either. And Saratoga shippers continued to flash their class
with six victories.
Favorites have not run to par in the first 77 races, with the public picking
winners at only a 25-percent clip. They did slightly better in the first full
week, with 17 more races, with favorites visiting the winner’s circle at a 28 percent
clip.
Trainers
Ken McPeek had four winners in the first full week of racing, but what could
be more significant is that two of them were first-time starters. McPeek is winning at a 19-percent clip for the eight days of racing
and at a 100 percent
with debuters, so watch out. Todd Pletcher also sent a first-time starter to
the winner’s circle, among his three winners..
Hugh Robertson had a trio of victories and there were doubles from Tom
Proctor, Dale Romans, Phil Sims, Graham Motion, George Arnold, Dale Bennett,
Michael Maker and Merrill Scherer.
But Bret Calhoun has returned to Keeneland and look out because his few and
far-between students gave him a 60-percent tally in eight days. Percentage-wise,
he is followed by Robertson (36 percent), Proctor (30 percent), Arnold (24
percent) and McPeek (19 percent).
Horses to Watch
Wednesday (10/14)
3RD — SMARTEN DESTINY (Smart Strike) at 6-1 was very quick to get going but hampered three
wide into the second turn.
6TH — FORGOTTEN TALES (Tale of the Cat) got to the top from a 9-hole start, dueled as the
leader into the stretch but tired at 33-1.
7TH — SQUANDER (Stravinsky) was 9-1 but racing like a favorite, getting the pace going and
holding well into the stretch.
Thursday (10/15)
1ST — HAKAMIAH (Came Home) pressured the early pace two wide into the final turn but was
beaten late.
4TH — IT’S NEVER TOO LATE (Ire) (Peintre Celebre) fought very hard for the early lead on the rail and
was used by the stretch.
6TH — SYLVAN SAINT (Forest Camp) debuted with sparkling notes, showing speed enough to lead
and duel at 16-1.
Friday (10/16)
2ND — GREENHOUSE BANKER (During) raced well out of the 11 spot, flashing speed to the
top early and holding it until the stretch.
6TH — PAPA JIGGS (Yes It’s True) put in a fast first quarter
at 34-1, holding third past the half.
10TH — LOOK OUT MAN (Van Nistelrooy) likes the track, coming from Presque Isle.
He led to the quarter at 8-1 with an wide early rush and was impressive.
Saturday (10/17)
4TH — HIDDEN VALUE (Value Plus) showed good early speed at 7-1, leading at the half but
losing a strenuous duel.
Sunday (10/18)
6TH — KARACUDA (Candy Ride [Arg]) tossed in a clunker here as the obvious choice coming from
Arlington, and is deserving of another chance.