Today is an important day for horse racing. Today is the opening day of the Keeneland fall meet, one of the most prestigous meets in all of racing.
Two stakes races are to be run there today --- the grade I Darley Alcibiades Stakes and the grade III Phoenix Stakes. Both have drawn excellent fields and should turn out one or two top Breeders' Cup contenders.
The Phoenix Stakes, a six furlong main track prep for the Breeders' Cup Sprint one month from now, has drawn a field of eleven, led by Carter Handicap winner Warrior's Reward. The four year old son of Medaglia d'Oro comes off of a fast-closing fourth place finish in the Forego Stakes (gr. I). He has run here at Keeneland only once before, running fifth in the Perryville Stakes (gr. III) last October. However, he had the early lead in that race, and it's apparent now that he is much more effective when coming from well off the pace.
Six furlongs may be just a bit too short for this colt, however, as he has proven best at seven furlongs.
The morning line second choice is Hollywood Hit. The four year old gelding by Cactus Ridge is coming off of a half length win in the six furlong King Corie Stakes just sixteen days ago. However, in that race, he closed his final furlong in a pedestrian 13.50 seconds. It is unlikely that he could hold off Warrior's Reward if he turns in a similar effort today.
On the other hand, he set a seven furlong track record of 1:20.07 earlier this year at Woodbine, defeating favored Fatal Bullet by three lengths.
Despite the presence of these very fine horses, my pick is Wise Dan. The three year old gelding by Wiseman's Ferry has not raced since May, but has won two of his three starts. He has proven effective while racing on the lead and just off of it, so he should be able to adapt to any pace scenario.
So my picks are. . .
1 Wise Dan
2 Warrior's Reward
3 Moralist
I shall be back later today with my picks for the Alcibiades.
-Keelerman
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