Keeneland: Spot Plays for April 10

Friday's card at Keeneland is highlighted by a tremendous renewal of the Maker's Mark Mile (G1). However, if Notable Speech is anywhere near ready to roll, he should win. Perhaps not by a lot, given the quality of the opposition, but win nonetheless.

I won't be trying to beat him, but there are several other grass races on the card, potentially ripe for bigger win payoffs. Here are the ones I'll be focusing on.

Race 3: Allowance, 2:04 p.m. ET

With stablemate Touch of Fire potentially taking more money, the Brad Cox-trained #12 Doctrine (6-1) might offer a touch of value. Nothing wrong with either of his first two starts at Gulfstream, a debut win in early January followed by a good showing in an entry-level allowance. The latter was won by Immortalised, who came back to land the Cutler Bay S. on Florida Derby Day.

Doctrine has had to handle some adversity in both starts to date and might need to again in this congested field. He remains with a high ceiling.

Race 5: Allowance, 3:08 p.m. ET

#12 Lady Ilze (8-1) began her career in Poland, and last May captured the German 1000 Guineas (G2). Granted, that wasn't a particularly strong edition by that race's standards, at least judged by the next two under the wire. However, she was hardly embarrassed as a 50-1 chance in the Falmouth (G1) next time.

Although she didn't make much noise in her U.S. debut, that Ladies Turf (G3) at Kentucky Downs was absolutely loaded. Special Wan was indeed special, and the next across later finished one-two in the Matriarch (G1). Lady Ilze faces a good but lesser field here, and may have appreciated the additional time to acclimate for Mark Casse.

Race 7: Limestone (G3), 4:12 p.m. ET

Daring to take a stand against Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) winner Cy Fair and four-time stakes winner Lennilu, I'll take #4 Quiet Street (10-1) to mow them down late. Those who saw her win at Kentucky Downs in the Untapable S. last fall could not help but walk away impressed, another budding star for the Sovereignty connections.

She wasn't quite so effective in the Miss Grillo (G2), clearly a prep for a potential start in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1). Turning back to one turn looks like the right move for the time being, and the price will be right.