Keeneland Daily Notebook

KEENELAND DAILY NOTEBOOK

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2006

by Brian P. Turner

A field of seven went to the post for Wednesday's 8TH race, an

allowance/optional claiming event for three-year-olds and up going 1 1/16 miles

over the Polytrack. IRENE'S MON (Maria's Mon) was sent to the gate as the

favorite off of his effort last out at Turfway where he pressed the pace

throughout on his way to a solid 1 1/2 length victory. It probably also didn't

hurt that he had the red-hot Julien Leparoux in the saddle.

When the gates sprang open, Irene's Mon dropped back off the pace, content to

lay five lengths off the lead through opening fractions of :24 1/5 and :48 1/5.

Once the field hit the stretch, the dark bay made a six wide move before taking

the lead and cruising home to an easy two-length victory under nothing more than

a hand ride.

Long shot Dynagold (Gold Case) put in a tremendous effort as he was bumped at

the start before vying for the lead throughout. The dark bay actually took

command in the stretch but could not hold off the late charge of the favorite

and was forced to settle for second, 1 1/4 lengths clear of Buckeye Buddy (Horse

Chestnut [SAf]) in third.

Four sprints were contested over the Polytrack on Wednesday, with horses

closing from off the pace winning three of them. All three main track routes and

both turf routes were also won by closers.

Leparoux booted home two winners on the day and Rafael Bejarano one,

leaving the pair in a tie atop the jockey standings with eight winners each.

Garrett Gomez, who did not ride today, is third with six.

Patrick Biancone saddled an impressive European import winner on Wednesday and

continues to show the way in the trainer standings with five for the meet. Eddie Kenneally added one to his total today, moving him into a tie for the second

spot with Christophe Clement, with three winners apiece. Steve Flint

saddled his first two winners of the meet today, moving him into a tie for the

fourth spot with Dale Romans and Wayne Catalano.

Horses to Watch

1ST - BUDDY GOT EVEN (Stephen Got Even) found the drop in class to be exactly

what he needed to get into the winner's circle in this maiden claiming event.

The bay was content to lay last through an opening quarter that went in :22 1/5

before mounting a slow and steady six wide drive that saw him take command in

the stretch and pull away late for an easy 2 3/4-length victory.

6TH - LADY JOANNE (Orientate) put in a visually impressive performance in

this seven-furlong maiden special event to easily clear the condition in her

second career start. The two-year-old filly rated off the pace

early through an opening quarter that went in :22 4/5 before moving up to

challenge in a half that went in :45 4/5. Once the field hit the stretch, the

bay left the field in her wake and hit the finish line 6 1/2 lengths in front.

Trainer Carl Nafzger may have a very talented filly on his hands.

7TH - GRANDE MELODY (Ire) (Grand Lodge) turned in an outstanding North American

debut for the red-hot Biancone. The dark bay showed little enthusiasm early as

she trailed the field through an opening quarter that went in :22 3/5 and had

only slightly improved her position through a half that went in :46 1/5.

Gradually, the three-year-old filly began to make up ground along the rail

before switching to the outside for the stretch drive in the 1 1/16-mile turf

affair. From there, Grande Melody

absolutely engulfed the field and continued with good energy to the wire for an

impressive 4 1/2-length score. It wouldn't be surprising if her next start came

against stakes competition.

Tomorrow's Outlook - Thursday, October 12

Thursday's 8TH race is an allowance/optional claiming event for fillies and

mares, three-years-old and up, going 6 1/2 furlongs over the Polytrack. INDIAN

FLARE (Cherokee Run) will be taking a big class drop for trainer Bobby Frankel.

The bay is coming off of a sixth-place effort, beaten seven lengths, in the

Floral Park H. (G3) at Belmont. Prior to tackling graded stakes company, the

four-year-old filly had been extremely competitive against the level she is

facing today, including a 6 3/4-length victory against allowance/optional

claiming company at Saratoga back in early August. The drop in class may be just

enough to get her back to her winning ways.

R FAST LADY (Artax) stands a solid chance here at what should be a square

price. The chestnut does her best running from off the pace and more than 70 percent

of the Polytrack sprints thus far have been won by horses coming from off of it.

The four-year-old filly is coming off of a respectable second-place effort at Turfway where she closed from 8 1/2 lengths off the early pace to miss by only a

length at the wire. Her best definitely puts her in the hunt. PLATINEE (Gulch)

ended 2005 with three impressive victories in a row. The four-year-old has yet to find the

winner's circle in three starts in 2006, but she has been on the

board in each. Two starts ago, the bay finished second, beaten by 6 3/4 lengths,

to Indian Fire, but she could be capable of turning the tables here with her best. Plaintee won her lone start over the Polytrack,

pressing the early pace before drawing off to a 3 1/2-length score at Turfway last September.

Thursday's forecast calls for partly cloudy skies and a high near 50

Thursday's Best Plays

5TH - WHEATON HOME (Wheaton) appears to stand a solid chance in this six-furlong claiming event. The chestnut is coming off of a solid third-place effort

against allowance-company at Mountaineer where he stalked the pace early and

finished evenly late to miss by 2 1/4 lengths. The four-year-old colt is near

the top of the field in BRIS Prime Power and tops the field in BRIS Class

rating. Wheaton Home's recent BRIS Speed ratings are at the top of the field,

making the 6-1 morning line extremely generous.

6TH - RUTLEDGE CAT (Tale of the Cat) will be stretching out in this 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight event, but he should be able to handle it just fine.

The bay is coming off of a solid third-place effort at Delaware going six

furlongs, finishing third, and he was still moving

with good energy at the end. The two-year-old colt tops the field in BRIS Prime

Power and BRIS Class rating among those that have started and his last race BRIS

Speed rating towers over the field. Rutledge Cat's BRIS Pace ratings indicate

that he should be laying just off the pace early and still have plenty left in

the tank for the run to the finish line.