Pick 3 of the Week: Keeneland Saturday

A massive day of high-quality racing will take place on the opening Saturday at Keeneland with a handful of fantastic graded races leading the way. I’d love to build my bankroll early to take some swings in the deep features later in the card, so I will come fast out of the gate with an early Pick 3. 

Keeneland, Race 1, Pick 3 Wagers

• $3 Pick 3: 1,4 with 1,2,11,12 with 6 ($24)
• $3 Pick 3: 1,4 with 11,12 with 6 ($12)

Race 1 – Maiden Special Weight

Fillies and mares will travel one turn to get things started on the huge afternoon of action. Seven will go postward in the opener, and I think that I can advance to the next segment by going two deep in the affair. Mark Casse’s #1 Quick to Charm (6-5) is the one to beat while placing in each of her trio of outings this campaign. The Goldencents homebred gets the rail and also retains Irad. 

Spendthrift homebred #4 Get Back Loretta (4-1) showed early interest despite a poor break in a turf dash at Saratoga on debut for Al Stall. The dark bay daughter of Bolt d’Oro moves to the main strip today and could find herself on the front end in a field lacking pace. She could potentially offer some value. 

Race 2 – Maiden Special Weight

A full field of two-year-olds will sprint six furlongs in the middle leg, and I will go four-deep with debuters in the competitive tilt. #1 Mesquite (6-1), #2 Commandment (7-2), #11 Astound (15-1), and #12 Local Knowledge (4-1) are the ones that will get me through to the closing piece, with a preference to the outer pair.  

Race 3 – Allowance

A field of seven juveniles will sprint six furlongs in the final leg of the wager. With the expected scratch of #7 Outfielder, the race looks to be a great spot for last-out maiden winner #6 Oscar’s Hope (7-5). The Tom Amoss pupil came home with excellent energy at Saratoga in his second assignment, and the son of Twirling Candy also received an ideal outer post slot for his local debut. Jose Ortiz will be in the silks once again.