More thrilling action from Keeneland is set for this weekend. All attention may be turning to the exciting Breeders’ Cup next weekend from Del Mar, but for this weekend, there are two very interesting looking races that gamblers will be looking to find the winner in with the leading horse racing betting sites.
Fayette Stakes (Grade 2)
The only graded action that we will see at Keeneland on Saturday will be the Fayette Stakes. This is run over a mile and an eighth, and is open to horses that are three and older. A competitive field has been assembled for the race this weekend, and there could be value in the market.
King Fury has been a horse that we have liked since his G2 Lexington win back in April. Connections seemed to be a bit lost when it came to what came next, as he bypassed all Triple Crown races. There was a failed attempt on the turf, as he finished tenth in the Saratoga Derby, but returned to a glimmer of form when fifth in the G1 Travers. His best run of the season could have came in his last race, as he romped home to win the Bourbon Trail. We will be giving him one more chance this weekend.
There are a number of other interesting contenders involved this weekend, including Sleepy Eyes Todd, who started the season just outside the places in both the G1 Pegasus World Cup and G1 Saudi Cup. His return run when second in the G2 Charles Town Classic was a good indicator. Night Ops has retained support throughout the season, despite specialising in second place. The most recent of his seconds was in the Alydar. However, the class is clear for all to see.
Major Fed would be our pick for second in this race, as he has been kept under wraps since a tenth place finish in the Kentucky Derby last year. He has looked back to his best on two runs this season, and won on both occasions.
Pick: 1/ King Fury 2/ Major Fed
Bryan Station Stakes
The other featured race at Keeneland for the older horses this weekend is the Bryan Station Stakes, which is run over a mile on turf. Three year old horses are involved here, and there is a very open field about the renewal.
Scarlett Sky will be a difficult contender to avoid, as she was ever so impressive on her last run at Keeneland when she won the G3 Transylvania. That run was so impressive that it is worth forgetting about her most recent run, as she was ninth in the G2 American Turf Stakes. However, this will be her first start since earlier in the year, which is an interesting factor to bear in mind.
Point Me By would be our outside play here. He was disappointing when seventh in the G2 Franklin-Simpson last time we saw him, but we have very impressive when winning in Grade 1 company in the Bruce D. Stakes before that. Like The King is another that we like, as he is very consistent in graded company.
He won the G3 Jeff Ruby earlier in the year, before not getting any kind of run in the Kentucky Derby. His graded form remains though, as he has finished in the places in both the G3 Kent and G3 Saranac on recent starts. His experience in bigger fields could be a huge factor in his favour.
Pick: Like The King