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KEENELAND NOTEBOOK APRIL 17, 2010 by Frank Cotolo Here is the second report from the Keeneland spring meet, covering April 9 through April 15 , with two dark days, April 12-13, in between. This unusual collection of racing days is due to our deadline and the fact that we want a reasonable sampling for our stats. This gives us five racing programs to calculate. Polytrack offered 37 races out of the 48 run during these days. The public's rate of winners decreased slightly from 29 percent to 27 percent, a cumulative 28 percent for the nine days recorded. On Polytrack, speed has performed much better than usual. On April 9, there were five wire-to-wire wins on Polytrack, an unheard of phenomenon in past meets on the synthetic surface. Three wire-to-wire scores were seen on both April 14 and 15, and two were produced on April 10. Only one winner led all the way on April 11. On the grass it was better to be a bit off or far off the pace. Only 18 percent of the races, all routes, were won on the lead. Trainers This week, the top number posted by any trainer in the win column was three. Eric Reed managed a triple, including a first-time starter. Conditioners other than Reed with first-time starter wins were John Hancock, John Terranova, Neil Howard and Ken McPeek. Doubling were Tom Amoss, Todd Pletcher, George Arnold, Chris Clement, Kiaran McLaughlin, Charles Lopresti, McPeek, Howard and Graham Motion. McLaughlin and Clement share the overall lead with four wins apiece this meet. Stakes The short meet presents three stakes over the next three days, including Saturday's high-profile Lexington S. (G2) for sophomores. The Kentucky Derby (G1) prep is not expected to play a big role in the field at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May. On the Lexington undercard, fillies and mares will battle in the Giant's Causeway S. On April 18, older horses will travel 1 1/8 miles on Polytrack in the Doubledogdare S. (G3) HORSES TO WATCH Friday (4/9) 3RD -- AMARGA (Come Home) is a bet back, breaking maiden in a claimer with impressive speed, claimed for Wayne Catalano. 7TH -- AFTERNOON STROLL (Stroll) led well to three-quarters on the turf, dueling two rivals at 45-1. Saturday (4/10) 1ST -- MUFFIN TOP (Brahms) was not embarrassed first time out; second time around should be a charm for her. 5TH -- GALIENTOS (More Than Ready) made two moves which were costly and finished third to a 23-1 shot. Sunday (4/11) 3RD -- HAWAIIAN SKY (Parker's Storm Cat) got the lead in the stretch at 5-1 and finished third as a 14-1 shot won with an easy trip. 7TH -- BONITA DONITA (Fusaichi Pegasus) is a Kenny McPeek-handled Turfway gal that loves Polytrack and should awaken if she comes back here or elsewhere on artificial, though she was dull here at 20-1. Thursday (4/15) 4TH -- EXECUTIVE SWEET (Harlan's Holiday) was forced to take on two most of the way and tired to sixth. 7TH -- BK'S OTHER BROTHER (Cryptoclearance) dueled throughout the race and could not shake free, costing him four positions. 8TH -- ROSE CATHERINE (Speightstown) dueled for two calls to spoil her chances in a spot where she looked best.
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