Spring 2026: Week 4

 April 22-26

The much anticipated Keeneland Spring Meet came to a close on Friday and Churchill Downs opened on Saturday afternoon.  I played Gulfstream on Saturday as well as they had one of the very few cards between Florida Derby Day and December with some quality racing.  There were six FHBPA stakes events featuring some quality thoroughbreds on tap.

Wednesday and Thursday I found eight races I liked.  Won the Wednesday opener with Get Her Number in a seven furlong allowance.  Then ran second in four of the next seven with two thirds.  Booo.

Get Her Number WIRES the Wednesday Opener at Keeneland

Friday was closing day at Keeneland.  I had four races I liked.  In the second Shining Moment went off as the prohibitive 2/5 favorite.....second, again.  WOW.  I then rattled off three in a row to close the Spring meet on a high note!

Speed Skater DRAWS OFF by more than a pole in a two-turn maiden claimer

Speed Shopper RUNS OFF In The Grade 3 Bewitch as easily best

Pretty Picture edges clear late to WIN the finale as the Friday BEST BET

It was a good spring at Keeneland as I played every live race card

My original plan was to go to Gulfstream on Saturday as it was one of the few days between Florida Derby Day and Opening Day around Thanksgiving that there was quality racing.  But there was very little to choose from on the national scene; even the opening day card at Churchill was weak.  When rains came to our area Friday I was sure there would be scratches and off-the-turf races so I opted to play at home with several big time gaps between races.  Turns out all my runners stayed in....races stayed on the turf.....AND I had a very good day locally.  Should have gone, oh well.

Pure Joy Wins the mile and a quarter opener at Churchill

When my top choice scratched, Nic's Style was an EASY winner in the first GP stakes

Tank SPRINGS THE UPSET going wire-to-wire in the Turf 

The BET of the DAY Mythical romps in the Soph Filly Sprint

Damon's Mound Outclasses his rivals in the Sprint

Super Zenda wraps a FIVE WIN STAKES day at GP in the F&M Turf

Sunday I only won two of six but one paid $10 and change!  Next week, DERBY WEEK!