Horse Racing Graded Stakes Analysis – 4/17/2021
by: Ed Meyer
Keeneland
Race #9 – The G-2 Elkhorn – 1 1/2 on the turf – 5:30 pm
BetPTC.com Selections / #10 – Red Knight / #2 – Say the Word / #7 – North Dakota
#10 Red Knight hails from the Bill Mott barn with James Graham in the saddle. He’s been away from the races for 4 months and Mott scores 16% with layoff runners. He is 4 for 5 ITM going the distance and two for two ITM over the oval. With the early speed keeping the pace manageable, look for this son of PurePrize to get involved when the fan out turning for home. #2 Say the Word is a late runner for trainer Phil D’Amato and the red hot Luis Saez in the irons. 2nd time off the shelf with a bullet work shows good signs, and Saez wins 19% with late runners turning for home. #7 North Dakota is a late runner for Shug McGaughey and exits the G1 Pegasus Turf at GP. He picks up John Velasquez and could complete your exotics with a lane run in the lane to brighten up trifecta and superfecta tickets. He beat the top choice in here and should be considered a player.
Oaklawn Park
Race #9 – The G-2 Oaklawn Hcp- 1 1/8 – 5:49 pm
BetPTC.com Selections / #6-Owendale / #2- Express Train / #1 – Silver Slate
#6 Owendale comes from the Brad Cox barn with Florent Geroux in the saddle. 3rd off the layoff yields a 28% win clip for the barn and is 5 for 6 ITM going the distance. He’ll come running late and Geroux wins 30% with the connections. He was a beaten favorite last out and sports a bullet work coming into the race. #2 Express Train is a stalker coming from the John Sheriffs’ barn. They cut back in distance and take a class drop going in the starting gate. Juan Hernandez makes the trip to Hot Springs and has finished 2 for 2 ITM aboard this son of Union Rags. #1 Silver Slate is a son of Hard Spun for Steve Asmussen and Ricardo Santana going for his 5th straight win moving up in class. Drawing the rail and 2 for 2 with wins at OP make him hard to overlook.
Race #11 – The G-1Apple Blossom – 1 1/16 miles dirt – 7:09 pm
BetPTC.com Selections / #6-Monmoy Girl / #2 – Swiss Skydiver / #3 -Letruska
#6 Monomoy Girl is making her second start of the year and looks to keep her winning record going for the Brad Cox barn. She is a versatile gal who can stalk or jump right to the front with a lack of pace. Florent Geroux fits her like a glove and will break close on the outside staying out of traffic. She should on the lead or just on the outside keeping the leader in sight. #2 Swiss Skydiver is a stalker as well and has faced Monomoy in the past. She gets a good post draw for Kenny McPeek and Robby Albarado. She is 1 for 1 at OP making her second start of the year. #3 Letruska is a speedy daughter of Super Saver and should go right to the front to steal the race by slowing down the fractions under Irad Ortiz. She is game but will have her hands full trying to slow the pace down against the top two. Major player to complete exotics.