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KEENELAND NOTEBOOK APRIL 10, 20110 by Frank Cotolo Spring racing at Keeneland is in full motion. This report will cover April 2 through April 8, the first four programs of the 15-day meet. With horses coming from all over the country and from dirt and artificial surfaces, the 38 events on both Keeneland turf and Polytrack were kind to horses arriving to perform on either type. In fact, there were 27-percent winners going wire to wire and 40 percent won being close to the pace. Oddly enough, the usual tactic on Polytrack was not as successful as speed, with only 33 percent won by closing from a decent position behind a leader. Perhaps that is why the public only chose 29 percent of the winners in the first four programs? Not much of a theory this early in the meet, even though it is short. There is barely enough time to trace a major pattern before the majority of horses embark for the Churchill Downs meet. One horse that came from behind and won was HITCH YOUR WAGON (Wagon Limit), from the Horses-to-Watch list at Fair Grounds. He liked Polytrack but the public shied from him, setting off a win price of $44.20. Trainers Keeneland's trainer community includes some local favorites like Wayne Catalano and Shug McGaughey. Each of those two had a winner in a long list of second-placers. Six conditioners doubled. Merrill Scherer, off a good meet at Fair Grounds, had two, as did Tom Proctor, Kiaran McLaughlin, Bill Mott, Wesley Ward and Steve Asmussen. One of Asmussen's was a first-time starter; Ward also had one. Stakes Continuing with the $3-million-plus stakes in this brief meet, this weekend includes the Maker's Mark Mile-Blue Grass Double. Players will go after the winners in both Grade 1 races on Friday and Saturday, respectively. That means being correct with a race on the turf and another on Polytrack. Also on Saturday, the $250,000 Commonwealth S. (G2) tests three-year-olds and up at seven panels; the Jenny Wiley S. (G2) is for four-and-up fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles; and three-year-olds and up go in the Shakertown S. (G3) at 5 1/2 furlongs. HORSES TO WATCH Friday (4/2) 4TH -- CONDITION RED (Red Bullet) likes Polytrack, coming from Turfway, and was a sharp third at 30-1 with a good late move. 5TH -- WICKED RAVNINA (Wild and Wicked) was anxious early, extremely wide dueling and left with nothing late. Saturday (4/3) 3RD -- TRIBECKY (Saint Liam) finished third at 7-1 with good stamina after getting the lead and being caught. 4TH -- PISCES POEM (Vision and Verse) was great to the front ones until challenged late and his two moves cost him in the end. Wednesday (4/7) 3RD -- COMMANDER JOHN (Pine Bluff), another from Turfway, was game from post 10 to get the lead to the half before losing a duel. Races much like his Preakness-winning sire, though I don't recall him ever being 67-1. 6TH -- SPECTACULAR KID (Mizzen Mast) had a giant lead at the half, racing far better than his 19-1 status; held on tight to the stretch. Thursday (4/8) 6TH -- MOBILIZER (Motivator) was an impressive first-time starter in this route, getting third at 41-1.
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