Mr. K's Best Bet of the Day for Thursday - April 25, 2024 Race 8: This one goes 1-3/16th miles on the lawn. Trainer Graham Motion has an unspectacular record this meet of 0-for-10. Today he brings Royal Winter up from Gulfstream for her third lifetime start. This 3-year-old has been in town training for this and is bred to go a bit longer. I like her chances at nice odds of 4-1 morning-line.
The Bet: Race 8: $100 across the board on #5-ROYAL WINTOUR
Results:
Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Thursday - April 25, 2024 Race 7: This one goes 7 furlongs on the main track. Trainer Phil Bauer has two entered in this event. Angkor looks to be his number 1 and is priced at 9-5 morning-line, however, I like his B-horse Warrior Johny who is coming off a November layoff. He puts Tyler Gaffalione on this son of Cairo Prince who sires high caliber sprinters. I like him at 10-1 morning-line odds.
The Bet: $20 across the board on #1-Warrior Johny
Results:
Mr. K's Early PK5 and PK4 for Thursday - April 25, 2024 50-cent part-wheel:
Mr. K's Best Bet of the Day for Wednesday - April 24, 2024 Race 3: This one goes 1-1/16th miles on the main track for maidens. Trainer Brendan Walsh has been heating up and is winning at 27% this meet. Drury Lane is a Godolphin homebred that is coming off a February layoff where he last ran 5th in an Allowance at Turfway. Now he drops in the claiming ranks, add blinks, and Luis Saez. This son of Ghostzapper wins today.
The Bet: Race 3: $100 across the board on #2-DRURY LANE
Results: Ran out. Loss of $300
Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Wednesday - April 24, 2024 Race 5: This one goes 6 furlongs on the main track for maiden claimers. Trainer Eddie Kenneally only wins at 8% off the layoff but Air Force Cruising is going turf to dirt along with a huge class drop after running 5th in a turf sprint at Fair Grounds. He rebounds today with jockey Luis Saez getting the leg up at 12-1 morning-line odds.
The Bet: Race 5: $20 across the board on #8-AIR FORCE CRUISING
Results: Ran out. Loss of $60
Mr. K's Early PK5 and PK4 for Wednesday - April 24, 2024 50-cent part-wheel:
Mr. K's Late PK5 and PK4 for Wednesday - April 24, 2024 50-cent part-wheel: Pick-5 Pick-4 Ticket #1 Ticket #1 Race 4: 7-8-10 Race 5: 5-6-7-8 5-6-7-8 Race 6: 2-5-6-8-9 2-5-6-8-9 Race 7: 1- 2-3-8 1-2-3-8 Race 8: 5-9 5-9-11 Total: $120 $120
Results: ($120) ($120)
________________________________________ SUNDAY - April 21, 2024
Mr. K's Best Bet of the Day for Sunday - April 21, 2024 Race 6: This one goes 7 furlongs on the main track for maidens. Trainer Brad Cox is winning at an astounding 36% this meet and today brings Dragoon Guard off the bench where we saw him last September get necked out for the win at first asking at Churchill going the same distance of 7 furlongs. This 3-year-old son of Arrogate is a Juddmonte homebred with big expectations. He romps today looking forward to bigger things in the future.
The Bet: Race 6: $100 across the board on #7-DRAGOON GUARD
Results: WINNER! Cashed for $397 Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Sunday - April 21, 2024 Race 4: This one goes 1-1/16th miles on the main track for maidens. Trainer Dallas Stewart has only had one runner this meet and today he brings 4-year-old filly Song Bridge up from Fair Grounds where she ran on turf for the first time. She finished 9th showing that this grass experiment did not work. After taking two months to regroup, she shows up here fresh and ready for another dirt try. Stewart adds blinks as well as his main man James Graham in the saddle. I like her chances to break her maiden today at 15-1 morning-line odds.
The Bet: Race 4: $20 across the board on #5-SONG BRIDGE
Results: Ran out. Loss of $60
Mr. K's Early PK5 and PK4 for Sunday - April 21, 2024 50-cent part-wheel:
Mr. K's Late PK5 and PK4 for Sunday - April 21, 2024 50-cent part-wheel: Pick-5 Pick-4 Ticket #1 Ticket #1 Race 5: 2-3-7-10-12 Race 6: 7 7 Race 7: 1-4-6-8 1-4-6-8 Race 8: 1-4-5-9 1-4-5-9 Race 9: 2-4-6 2-4-6 Total: $120 $24
Results: Conso: $118.32 ($24) _________________________________________ SATURDAY - April 20, 2024
Mr. K's Best Bet of the Day for Saturday - April 20, 2024 Race 7: This one goes 7-furlongs on the main track for maidens. When trainer Wes Ward asks HOF'er Johnny V to take the mount it means that he's got a serious runner. Today, Sarir comes off a February layoff where she last faded from 1st to 6th as the beaten favorite. Since that poor effort, Ward has put four 5-furlong works into Sarir to improve her stamina. Now this daughter of American Pharoah will try to manage her speed for a longer distance against this full field of nine.
The Bet: Race 7: $100 across the board on #8-SARIR
Results: WINNER! Cashed for $807
Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Saturday - April 20, 2024 Race 10: This finale is a 5-1/2 furlong turf sprint. Trainer Nacho Correas brings All I Want Is You down from Florence where she last finished 6th in her 4-year-old debut at Turfway in a 6-1/2 furlong race on the Tapeta. Now she cuts back in distance and should improve greatly second off the layoff at 10-1 morning-line odds and more importantly with jockey Flavien Prat in the saddle.
The Bet: Race 10: $20 across the board on #11-ALL I WANT IS YOU
Results: WINNER! Cashed for $237.40
Mr. K's Early PK5 and PK4 for Saturday - April 20, 2024 50-cent part-wheel:
Mr. K's Late PK5 and PK4 for Saturday - April 20, 2024 50-cent part-wheel: Pick-5 Pick-4 Ticket #1 Ticket #1 Race 6: 8-10-11-12 Race 7: 3-7-8 3-7-8 Race 8: 1-3-4-11 1-3-4-11 Race 9: 3-7-9 3-7-9 Race 10: 7-11 2-7-11 Total: $144 $54
Results: ( $144) ($54)
FRIDAY - April 19, 2024
Mr. K's Best Bet of the Day for Friday - April 19, 2024 Race 8: This is an Allowance $110K going 1-1/16th on the main track and features the 4-year-old debut of Dreamlike off his 8th place finish behind White Abarrio in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita. I am going in another direction with Cagliostro for trainer Cherie DeVaux. This Upstart colt is making his 4-year-old debut as well where he ran 5th in a contentious Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park. Now he'll add blinkers as well as jockey Jose Ortiz who has been heating up in the last several days in addition to the jockey/trainer combo winning at 31%.
The Bet: Race 8: $100 across the board on #10-CAGLIOSTRO
Results: WINNER! Cashed for $649.
Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Friday - April 19, 2024 Race 7: This 5-1/2 furlong turf sprint features a full field of 12 and looks to be one of the more exciting races on the card. Mark of the Z has hit the board in 5 of 6 races here at Keeneland and makes his 8-year-old debut Friday. He has also hit the board in 15 of 18 races lifetime at this distance with 6 wins including 2 here at Keeneland. I'm on board with him at 12-1 morning-line odds thinking that he'll float up even higher when they break from the gate.
The Bet: Race 7: $20 across the board on #9-MARK OF THE Z
Results: Ran out. Loss of $60
Mr. K's Early PK5 and PK4 for Friday - April 19, 2024 50-cent part-wheel:
Mr. K's Late PK5 and PK4 for Friday - April 19, 2024 50-cent part-wheel: Pick-5 Pick-4 Ticket #1 Ticket #1 Race 6: 2-3-4-6 Race 7: 1-9-10-11 1-9-10-11 Race 8: 3-4-10 3-4-10 Race 9: 1-3-6 1-3-6 Race 10: 3-6 3-6-11 Total: $144 $54
Results: Conso: $8.20 $197.58
__________________________ THURSDAY - April 18, 2024
Mr. K's Best Bet of the Day for Thursday - April 18, 2024 Race 5: This one goes 1-1/16th on the lawn for expensive maidens. Trainer Dale Romans is O'fer from five starters this meet but today changes that. Centuria made her 3-year-old filly debut on the Gulfstream synthetic in March where she rallied from last of 11 to finish 4th by 2 lengths. Today she gets a turf course with some moisture in it where this daughter of Advertise will take hold and pass tiring rivals for the win under jockey Martin Garcia.
The Bet: Race 5: $100 across the board on #4-CENTURIA
Results: Ran out. Loss of $300
Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Thursday - April 18, 2024 Race 7: This 5-1/2 furlong turf sprint is a $130K Allowance for fillies and mares. Trainer Wes Ward has been heating up winning at 29%.Daring Do is coming off an October layoff where he ran a disappointing 5th here at Keeneland getting bet down to 5-1. Today,, Ward brings her back for a chance at a similar purse where she'll reward her backers at 10-1 morning-line odds.
The Bet: Race 7: $20 across the board on #8-DARING DO
Results: Ran 5th. Loss of $60
Mr. K's Early PK5 and PK4 for Thursday - April 18, 2024 50-cent part-wheel:
Mr. K's Late PK5 and PK4 for Thursday - April 18, 2024 50-cent part-wheel: Pick-5 Pick-4 Ticket #1 Ticket #1 Race 5: 1-4-7 Race 6: 2-4-6-7 2-4-6-7 Race 7: 3-8-13-14 3-8-13-14 Race 8: 2-4-7-9 2-4-7-9 Race 9: 8 1-4-8 Total: $96 $96
Results: ($96) ($96) ______________________________________ WEDNESDAY - April 17, 2024
Mr. K's Best Bet of the Day for Wednesday - April 17, 2024 Race: 4: Yet another 4-1/2 furlong sprint out of the 10 o'clock chute. Trainer Wes Ward is back to being on-fire with his 2-year-old sprinters. Bostonian has been lighting-up his gate works in preparation for this one. He was scratched a few days back after drawing outside. Now he pops up in the perfect 4-hole. He wins for fun.
The Bet: Race 4: $100 across the board on #4-BOSTONIAN
Results: SCRATCHED
Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Wednesday - April 17, 2024 Race 5: This $30K Claimer goes 7-furlongs on the main track. Trainer Phil Sims last ran 4th with Crystal Symphony in a January $50K Allowance at Turfway. Now this Mendelssohn filly goes Tapeta-to-Dirt where she'll thrive off the two month layoff under jockey Alex Achard at 10-1 morning-line odds.
The Bet: Race 5: $20 across the board on #7-CRYSTAL SYMPHONY
Results: Ran 3rd. Cashed for $41
Mr. K's Early PK5 and PK4 for Wednesday - April 17, 2024 50-cent part-wheel:
Mr. K's Late PK5 and PK4 for Wednesday - April 17, 2024 50-cent part-wheel: Pick-5 Pick-4 Ticket #1 Ticket #1 Race 4: 2-9 Race 5: 2-4-7 2-4-7 Race 6: 1-2-5 1-2-5 Race 7: 2-3 2-3 Race 8: 6-8 6-8 Total: $36 $18
Results: Winner! $255.70 $93.28 ___________________________________ SUNDAY - April 14, 2024
Mr. K's Best Bet of the Day for Sunday - April 14, 2024 Race 9: This mile-and-a-half turf route is for 4-year-olds and up. Trainer Todd Pletcher brings Calycanthus up from Gulfstream where he finished a dismal 9th after a December layoff. Now this son of English Channel stretches out and gets a jockey switch to Irad Ortiz, Jr. who has won 23% of his Keeneland mounts. I like him at fair odds of 6-1.
The Bet: Race 9: $100 across the board on #2-CALYCANTHUS
Results: SCRATCHED
Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Sunday - April 14, 2024 Race 8: This one is a lower-level Allowance sprint going 7 furlongs on the main track. Lunar Module comes off a February layoff where he last ran 4th at Fair Grounds after being blocked down on the inside for much of his stretch run. Yet another jockey switch to Irad Ortiz, Jr which will be enough to get him home at morning-line odds of 10-1.
The Bet: Race 8: $20 across the board on #2-LUNAR MODULE
Results: Ran 2nd. Cashed for $87.80
Mr. K's Early PK5 and PK4 for Sunday - April 14, 2024 50-cent part-wheel:
Mr. K's Late PK5 and PK4 for Sunday - April 14, 2024 50-cent part-wheel: Pick-5 Pick-4 Ticket #1 Ticket #1 Race 5: 1-2-5 Race 6: 3-8-9 3-8-9 Race 7: 8-7-12 8-7-12 Race 8: 2-3-5 2-3-5 Race 9: 1-7-8 1-7-8 Total: $121.50 $40.50
Results: ($121.50) ($40.50)
________________________________________ SATURDAY - April 13, 2024
Mr. K's Best Bet of the Day for Saturday - April 13, 2024 Race 7: The Giant's Causeway Stakes goes 5-1/2 furlongs on the grass. Trainer Vickie Oliver only had one win opening weekend but I believe she's saved her best runner for today's turf sprint. 4-year-old American Pharoah filly Bling is making her first start after a December layoff. She showed her best at this distance as she is 2-for-2 with one of those wins being here at Keeneland last October. Her workout pattern looks like she's been targeting this Stakes for the past three months. She'll be coming late under jockey John Velazquez at fair odds of 6-1 or better.
The Bet: Race 7: $100 across the board on #2-BLING
Results: Never got going. Loss of $300
Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Saturday - April 13, 2024 Race 8: This $100K Optional Claimer goes 1-1/16th on the main track. Trainer Kenny McPeek Ships Hayes Strike up from Fair Grounds where this 4-year-old colt had little success. He shows 0-for-2 at Keeneland but in one of those tries he stumbled and the other was last year's Blue Grass Stakes where he was simply over his head. Today is back to a level where he can win and McPeek gives a leg up to his main man Brian Hernandez for a peak effort at morning-line odds of 8-1.
The Bet: Race 8: $20 across the board on #5-HAYES STRIKE
Results: Ran a close 2nd. Cashed for $107.40
Mr. K's Early PK5 and PK4 for Saturday - April 13, 2024 50-cent part-wheel:
Mr. K's Late PK5 and PK4 for Saturday - April 13, 2024 50-cent part-wheel: Pick-5 Pick-4 Ticket #1 Ticket #1 Race 7: 2-4-6-8 Race 8: 2-4-5 2-4-5 Race 9: 3-5-6-7-10 3-5-6-7-10 Race 10: 5-8-10 5-8-10 Race 11: 5-9 5-9 Total: $180 $45
Results: Conso: $127.80 ($45)
_______________________________________ FRIDAY - April 12, 2024
Mr. K's Best Bet of the Day for Friday - April 12, 2024 Race 6: This 6-1/2 furlong sprint is for maidens on the main track. Trainer Wes Ward is back on track with his youngsters winning at 29% so far this meet. Kehoe Beach was the beaten favorite last out at TP fading to 4th in the final strides. Making her second start, this Omaha Beach filly should rebound with a top effort under jockey John Velazquez where this jockey/trainer combo wins at more than 50% when favored at Keeneland. They'll go favored today and win once again.
The Bet: Race 6: $100 across the board on #2-KEHOE BEACH
Results: WINNER! Cashed for $578
Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Friday - April 12, 2024 Race 9: The Maker's Mark Mile on the Keeneland lawn is the Feature on Friday. Trainer Charlie Appleby has two solid runners in Master of the Seas and longer shot Navel Power. I am going with the Chad Brown-trained Irish-bred Kubrick who will be making his second North American start for Brown. The turf will be soft after two days of rain and this Dubawi colt will relish the softer ground and nip Master of the Seas in a late running stretch duel under jockey Flavien Prat. I like him at 20-1 morning-line odds.
The Bet: Race 9: $20 across the board on #5-KUBRICK
Results: Ran out. Loss of $60
Mr. K's Early PK5 and PK4 for Friday - April 12, 2024 50-cent part-wheel:
Mr. K's Late PK5 and PK4 for Friday - April 12, 2024 50-cent part-wheel: Pick-5 Pick-4 Ticket #1 Ticket #1 Race 6: 2-3-4-5-9-12 Race 7: 3-4-5-6-9-14 3-4-5-6-9-14 Race 8: 3-4-11 3-4-11 Race 9: 3-4-5 3-4-5 Race 10: 10 10 Total: $162 $27
Results: ($162) ($27)
_______________________________________ THURSDAY - April 11, 2024
Mr. K's Best Bet of the Day for Thursday - April 11, 2024 Race 3: This one goes 1-1/8th miles on the main track for maidens. Trainer Joe Sharp brings Blue Vortex up from Louisiana where this filly finished no better than 2nd in four tries at Fair Grounds. Today she drops down in class for a $20,000 tag and gets leading rider Tyler Gaffalione in a desperate attempt at a winner's circle photo. She finally gets her pic taken today.
The Bet: Race 3: $100 across the board on #6-BLUE VORTEX
Results: Ran Out. Head-scratcher. Loss of $300.
Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Thursday - April 11, 2024 Race 9: Today's finale goes 1-1/16th on the main track for non winners of two. Trainer Mike Maker brings Rock Star Doctor back to Keeneland where she broke her maiden by 4 lengths back in October under jockey Tyler Gaffalione. Not only does she drop down to this $20K claiming level, Maker gives Tyler a leg up again hoping for a return to the winner's circle. I like her return to Lexington at 15-1 morning-line odds.
The Bet: Race 9: $20 across the board on #9-ROCK STAR DOCTOR
Results: WINNER! Cashed for $221.40
Mr. K's Early PK5 and PK4 for Thursday - April 11, 2024 50-cent part-wheel:
Mr. K's Late PK5 and PK4 for Thursday - April 11, 2024 50-cent part-wheel: Pick-5 Pick-4 Ticket #1 Ticket #1 Race 5: 2-4-10 Race 6: 3 3 Race 7: 6-10 6-10 Race 8: 12 12 Race 9: 7-9 7-9 Total: $6 $2
Results: ($6) ($2)
______________________________________________ WEDNESDAY - April 10, 2024
Mr. K's Best Bet of the Day for Wednesday - April 10, 2024 Race 3: This 6-furlong sprint will likely be on a wet surface Wednesday afternoon with rain in the forecast. Trainer George Weaver brings 3-year-old filly Anna's Wish down from New York for today's contest against a field of eight. She has had three straight in-the-money finishes in her three starts this year and today she takes a bit of a drop in class while picking up opening weekend's hot jockey Tyler Gaffalione who won six races with 24 mounts. I like her on top today.
The Bet: Race 3: $100 across the board on #7-ANNA'S WISH
Results: SCRATCHED
Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Wednesday - April 10, 2024 Race 4: This one goes 1-1/8 miles on the main track for lower level maidens. Wauhatchie starts for trainer John Ennis and is coming off two horrible finishes on the Turfway Tapeta surface. Now this gelding goes back to the dirt, albeit wet, where he should put in a much better performance at the low-low claiming price of $20,000. I like his chances on the drop-down at 15-1 morning-line odds.
The Bet: Race 4: $20 across the board on #7-WAUHATCHIE
Results: Ran out. Loss of $60
Mr. K's Early PK5 and PK4 for Wednesday - April 10, 2024 50-cent part-wheel:
Mr. K's Late PK5 and PK4 for Wednesday - April 10, 2024 50-cent part-wheel: Pick-5 Pick-4 Ticket #1 Ticket #1 Race 4: 2-7-12 Race 5: 1-3-10 1-3-10 Race 6: 4 4 Race 7: 2-8 2-8 Race 8: 6-7 6-7 Total: $18 $6
Results: $167.89 $69.62 __________________________________________ SUNDAY - April 7, 2024
Mr. K's Best Bet of the Day for Sunday - April 7, 2024 Race 6: This one goes 1-1/16th miles on the main track for maidens. Trainer Bill Mott enters a 3-year-old daughter of Arrogate named Sidamara who is coming off a 2nd place finish in her first start at Gulfstream on a sloppy track. Watching the replay, she has good smooth action and should relish the extra distance on what will be a fast Keeneland track.
The Bet: Race 6: $100 across the board on #5-SIDAMARA
Results: WINNER! Cashed for $544
Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Sunday - April 7, 2024 Race 7: The Palisades Stakes goes 5-1/2 furlongs on the grass for 3-year-olds. I'm going with another Bill Mott trained colt here in Irish-bred Mansa Musa. Mott does not take too many foreign runners in his barn but this one may be something special in the turf sprint department. His morning works look like he's taken to change in continents with issue. I like his chances on springing the upset at 15-1 morning-line odds.
The Bet: Race 7: $20 across the board on #3-MANSA MUSA
Results: WINNER! Ran 2nd. Cashed for $233
Mr. K's Early PK5 and PK4 for Sunday - April 7, 2024 50-cent part-wheel:
Mr. K's Best Bet of the Day for Saturday - April 6, 2024 Race 5: This one goes 1-3/16 miles on the lawn for 3-year-old maidens. Trainer Brian Lynch brings Tapit colt Tapakena up from Gulfstream where he finished 5th in two straight dull efforts. But were they really dull? Watching the replay of his last, Tapakena was bumped hard at the start and never really got involved after that incident. Now Lynch puts Luis Saez in the irons where the jockey/trainer combo wins at an outstanding 38%. I look for him to win at fair odds of 9-2 or better.
The Bet: Race 5: $100 across the board on #11-TAPAKENA
Results: Off the board. Loss of $300
Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Saturday - April 6, 2024 Race 9: This is a loaded full field of 12 in this 5-1/2 furlong turf sprint. Our Shot has finished in the money 6 of 7 times going this distance for trainer John Terranova. He shipped down from New York to make his 5-year-old debut at Turfway where he finished a good 4th off a four month layoff in the Big Daddy Stakes. Today he'll return to the winner's circle second off the layoff at decent odds of 10-1.
The Bet: Race 9: $20 across the board on #10-OUR SHOT
Results: Finished 4th. Loss of $60
Mr. K's Early PK5 and PK4 for Saturday - April 6, 2024 50-cent part-wheel:
Mr. K's Late PK5 and PK4 for Saturday - April 6, 2024 50-cent part-wheel: Pick-5 Pick-4 Ticket #1 Ticket #1 Race 6: 2-4-6-9 Race 7: 1-3-5-9-10 1-3-5-9-10 Race 8: 2-3-7 2-3-7 Race 9: 7-8-10-11 7-8-10-11 Race 10: 6 6-10 Total: $120 $60
Results: ($120) ($60) __________________________________________ FRIDAY - April 5, 2024 - OPENING DAY
Mr. K's Best Bet of the Day for Friday - April 5, 2024 Race 9: Today's Feature is the Ashland Stakes for 3-year-old fillies prepping for the Kentucky Oaks a month from now. A nice field of 8 go to post and I'm going to key Impel trained by Brad Cox. This Juddmonte homebred has toyed with the competition in her only two starts winning by a combined 10 lengths. She won't be the only one getting money as she'll have some formidable foes in Leslie's Rose and Just F Y I takin money as well. She'll shrug them off today under the guidance of jockey Florent Geroux.
The Bet: Race 9: $100 across the board on #7-IMPEL
Results: Impel never could strike the lead finishing 3rd. Cashed for $164.
Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Friday - April 5, 2024 Race 7: This full field of 12 goes 6-1/2 furlongs on the main track. I like Bourbon Breeze who draws the outside post where the air is fresh and clean. This Omaha Beach filly ran her first three races at three different tracks at age two before taking a two month break. In her 3-year-old debut, trainer Riley Mott ran her in a mile turf race on the grass going a mile. This is old school fitness training likely instilled by his father Bill Mott to prep this filly for the cutback in distance. Jockey Irad Ortiz gets the leg up which only adds to the appeal at morning-line odds of 20-1.
The Bet: Race 7: $20 across the board on #12-BOURBON BREEZE
Results: Finished 5th. Loss of $60
Mr. K's Early PK5 and PK4 for Friday - April 5, 2024 50-cent part-wheel: