April 23, 2024

How to Bet Keeneland Opening Day 2017 Fall

Live racing returns to Keeneland Race Course, and as a Pick 3 and Pick 4 player it’s a meet I enjoy playing not only because of its full fields but also because its takeout on those bets is lower than at both New York Racing Association and Southern California tracks.

My strongest opinions on who the most likely winners are bookend the field with my single “A” tabs in races 1 & 10 my strongest leans. Unfortunately race 1 is not a part of any pick 4 or pick 5, but race 10 ends those two wagers, so we’ll be playing to get live to #8 St. Louie who has been competitive against better and we know has no issue with the 1 1/2-mile distance.

My best bet is #5 Richard the Great in race 8, the Phoenix Stakes. There are some known names in here like Limousine Liberal and Whitmore, and while neither would surprise the truth is neither is all that fast either. I mean, they’re fast, but these aren’t “one of these has to win this race” type horses. Richard the Great has looked great in his last two, and Stanley Gold isn’t at Keeneland for the burgoo.

My ABC grid is below along with my record with top picks on grids since the Churchill Downs homecoming meeting began last month.