Race Preview: Shakertown Stakes - Keeneland, April 13, 2013

One of the key races on Saturday at Keeneland is not the Jenny Wiley or Blue Grass, it is the Grade 3 Shakertown. Why is it a key race? Because it is the opening leg of the all-stakes pick-4.

A field of nine will line up for the five and one-half furlong turf sprint with Perfect Officer the lukewarm 3-1 morning line favorite. Perfect Officer is the defending champion in the Shakertown, winning last years race by a dirty nose over the speedy Great Mills. It's hard to knock the favorite because he always shows up, but it's a tough race to take the favorite when there are other good options in the race.

Havelock and Regally Ready are both 4-1 and both look good to upset. Regally Ready won the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint two years ago, but is winless in four starts since. He is making his first start on the Keeneland turf while Havelock has thrived over the surface. The six-year-old gelding was fourth in the race last year, his only loss in three starts over the course. In 2011 he won the Grade 3 Woodford, a length in front of Perfect Officer.

Something Extra, Next Question, Hogy and Berlino Di Tiger rate next and all have races that would be good enough to win. Hogy get the class test on Saturday, but is undefeated in three starts on the turf. Something Extra is a Grade 2 winner on the turf and Next Question is a Grade 1 winner on turf while Berlino Di Tiger won a Grade 1 on turf in Brazil.

Perhaps is time for everyone's favorite race winner, all.

Post time for the Shakertown is 4:05 ET.