Mr. K's Best Bet of the Day for Friday - April 28, 2023 Race 7: This one goes 7 furlongs on the main track. Wes Ward is crushing it this meet winning at 28%. Turfway shipper Gold Ghost comes down 1-75 for his second start. This Uncle Mo 3-year-old looked well-conditioned to win today under new jock Johnny V.
The Bet: Race 7: $100 to win on #10-GOLD GHOST
Results:
Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Friday - April 28, 2023 Race 4: My longshot today is going 1-1/16th miles on the main track. Kenny McPeek has been winning with some bombers this meet and Mayfield Strong is dropping in class from his Allowance $103K at Oaklawn to this $50K Claimer. He finished 7th in that Allowance but stumbled badly at the break. I look for this Will Take Charge colt to redeem himself in this second start of the year.
The Bet: Race 4: $20 across the board on MAYFIELD STRONG
Results:
Mr. K's Early PK5 and PK4 for Friday - April 28, 2023 50-cent part-wheel:
Mr. K's Best Bet of the Day for Thursday - April 27, 2023 Race 9: The finale today goes 1-1/16th miles on the grass. We have a little rain coming today so I'm hoping it stays on the turf. Christophe Clement is bringing Missionaire up from Florida where he last got caught at the wire going 1-1/8th. Now he cuts back a bit and retains jockey Joel Rosario who is the best grass-rider in the business.
The Bet: Race 9: $100 to win on #10-MISSIONAIRE
Results: Lost $100
Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Thursday - April 27, 2023 Race 4: This goes 6 furlongs on the main track. Kellyn Gorder brings his first Keeneland-starter of the meet here. Spiritcatcher broke his maiden two back going 6-1/2 furlongs then finished 7th going a mile against winners. Now he drops back to 6 furlongs as well as a class-drop to a Claiming price of $20K. I like his chances at 15-1 morning-line.
The Bet: Race 4: $20 across the board on #1-SPIRITCATCHER
Results: Lost $60
Mr. K's Early PK5 and PK4 for Thursday - April 27, 2023 50-cent part-wheel:
Mr. K's Best Bet of the Day for Wednesday - April 26, 2023 Race 4: This one goes a mile on the turf. Trainer Michael Stidham brings Catnip off the bench where he last ran 4th at Keeneland back in October. This son of Kitten's Joy has since been gelded and cuts back to a more preferred distance. Brian Hernandez returns in the saddle.
The Bet: Race 4: $100 to win on #9-CATNIP
Results: WINNER! Cashed for $487
Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Wednesday - April 26, 2023 Race 7: This $50K Claimer goes 6-furlongs on the main track. Turfway runners have been doing will transferring their Tapeta form to Keeneland. Stephen Lyster brings the recently gelded Vassar's Boy down from Florence where he makes a step up in class after the January layoff. Jockey Rey Gutierrez has been heating up these last two weeks with 5 wins. I like him at 10-1 morning-line odds.
The Bet Race 7: $20 across on #3-VASSAR'S BOY
Results: Never involved. Lost $60
Mr. K's Early PK5 and PK4 for Wednesday - April 26, 2023 50-cent part-wheel:
Mr. K's Late PK5 and PK4 for Wednesday - April 26, 2023 50-cent part-wheel: Pick-5 Pick-4 Ticket #1 Ticket #1 Race 4: 2-7-9 Race 5: 1-2-11 1-2-11 Race 6: 4-7-9 4-7-9 Race 7: 2-3-5 2-3-5 Race 8: 5-6-7 5-6-7 Total: $121.50 $40.50 Conso: $46.92 Results: ($121.50) ($40.50) ______________________________________________
SUNDAY - APRIL 23, 2023
Mr. K's Best Bet of the Day for Sunday - April 23, 2023 Race 7: This one goes 1-1/8th miles on the grass. Shug McGaughey starts Limited Liability after a winter-layoff where he came off four straight Graded races finishing no better than 3rd in two of them. This son of Kitten's Joy should get better with age and gets Irad Ortiz. He simply outclasses this field and although the layoff is a question, this jockey/trainer combo wins at 30%. He'll fire fresh.
The Bet: Race 7: $100 to win on #6-LIMITED LIABILITY
Results: Winner! Cashed for $207
Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Sunday - April 23, 2023 Race 9: This turf-mile features a full field of 12. Astrila ships up from Florida for Bill Mott where he ran 7th after being steadied into the turn. This daughter of Mendelssohn looks to rebound on the stretch-out and gets the best turf-rider in the business in Joel Rosario. I look for the typical stretch drive from Joel to win it at 12-1 morning-line odds.
The Bet: Race 9: $20 across the board on #3-ASTRILA
Results: Lost $60
Mr. K's Early PK5 and PK4 for Sunday - April 23, 2023 50-cent part-wheel:
Mr. K's Best Bet of the Day for Saturday - April 22, 2023 Race 7: This one is a 6-furlong sprint on what should be a damp main track Saturday. Bill Mott ships Socially Selective over from Oaklawn where this filly last ran 2nd to Key of Life by 3 lengths. Irad Ortiz jumps in the saddle and I'm hoping she goes off in the neighborhood of 3/5-4/5.
The Bet: Race 7: $200 to win on #7-SOCIALLY SELECTIVE
Results: Ran 2nd. Loss of $200
Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Saturday - April 22, 2023 Race 8: The Elkhorn goes 1-1/2 miles on the grass and features a field of 10. This should be an ALL button on most horizontal tickets but I'm going to narrow you ticket down with Howe Street for Jorge Abreu. This 4-year-old has improved in each of his three races which culminated in a 4-length romp last out going 1-3/8 miles at Gulfstream posting a 92 Beyer. Look for this one to relish the additional distance at nice odds of 10-1.
The Bet: Race 8: $20 across the board on #7-HOWE STREET
Results: Ran 4th. Loss of $60 Mr. K's Early PK5 and PK4 for Saturday - April 22, 2023 50-cent part-wheel:
Mr. K's Late PK5 and PK4 for Saturday - April 22, 2023 50-cent part-wheel: Pick-5 Pick-4 Ticket #1 Ticket #1 Race 6: 4-8-11 Race 7: 4-7 4-7 Race 8: 1-3-7 1-3-7 Race 9: 4-6-7 4-6-7 Race 10: 6-7 6-7 Total: $54 $18
Results: ($54) ($18) ______________________________________________ FRIDAY - APRIL 21, 2023
Mr. K's Best Bet of the Day for Friday - April 21, 2023 Race 8: This race goes 1-1/16th miles on the grass. Juddmonte Farm sends Juncture across the pond from Ireland to the Brad Cox barn for his first start in the States. This 4-year-old filly has a steady work pattern starting down at Fair Grounds then vanning up to Churchill for her last two. She has 3 win in 9 career starts against quality company. I look for Florent Geroux to have a ground-saving rail trip and finish with a flourish for the win.
The Bet: Race 8: $100 to win on #1-JUNCTURE
Results: Lost $100
Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Friday - April 21, 2023 Race 7: This race goes 6-1/2 furlongs on the main track for maidens. Trainer Brendan Walsh starts two in this race but I am leaning toward Sister Woman. This Bolt d'Oro filly will have to overcome the outside post but I'll take my chances that Johnny V will break sharply at 12-1 morning-line odds.
The Bet: Race 7: $20 across the board on #11-SISTER WOMAN
Results: Lost $60
Mr. K's Early PK5 and PK4 for Friday - April 21, 2023 50-cent part-wheel:
Mr. K's Best Bet of the Day for Thursday - April 20, 2023 Race 7: This one goes 1-1/16th miles on the grass. My Best Bet today draws the one-hole and has a juicy morning-line of 12-1. Dominican Pioneer comes off the bench for trainer Wes Ward. He was last seen in October winning at Keeneland at this exact distance. Now he returns making his 4-year-old debut and gets a very cold Johnny V who has yet to enter the winner's circle this meet. That changes today.
The Bet: Race 7: $100 to win on #1-DOMINICAN PIONEER
Results: Lost $100
Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Thursday - April 20, 2023 Race 8: This one goes 1-1/8 miles on the main track. Kenny McPeek only has two wins this meet but both were upset winners. Creative Minister returns second off the layoff to a track where he broke his maiden a year ago. His last win came on the Derby undercard in 2022 and Kenny has been looking for a spot to get a win for owner Fern Circle Stables. His morning-line is 15-1 but I expect he'll go off single digits.
The Bet: Race 8: $20 across the board on #7-CREATIVE MINISTER
Results: Ran 2nd. Cashed for $80.12
Mr. K's Early PK5 and PK4 for Thursday - April 20, 2023 50-cent part-wheel:
Mr. K's Late PK5 and PK4 for Thursday - April 20, 2023 50-cent part-wheel: Pick-5 Pick-4 Ticket #1 Ticket #1 Race 5: 1-5-11-12 Race 6: 1-2-4-8 1-2-4-8 Race 7: 1-2-5-11 1-2-5-11 Race 8: 1-4-7 1-4-7 Race 9: 7-8 4-5-6-7-8 Total: $192 $120
Results: ($192) ($120) ______________________________________________ WEDNESDAY - APRIL 19, 2023
Mr. K's Best Bet of the Day for Wednesday - April 19, 2023 Race 8: This one goes a mile on the grass for Maidens. I'm looking at the Irish-bred Reconsider Me for Graham Motion. Even though Motion's record is not so good for North American firsters, this filly ran a strong second at Newmarket last fall against a field of 13 in her debut. She's been in Motion's barn for several months and the work pattern suggests she'll be ready to roll under Johnny V.
The Bet: Race 8: $100 to win on #9-RECONSIDER ME
Results: Lost $100
Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Wednesday - April 19, 2023 Race 6: I typically stay far far away from 1-1/2 mile grass races, but the Norm Casse trained C Falls intrigues me in this spot. The grass routes have been slightly speed favoring this meet, so I'm going with the clear frontrunner here. The best front-end jock in the business takes the reigns in Luis Saez. I look for him to get this gelding to relax and dogwalk this field at 12-1 morning-line odds.
The Bet: Race 6: $20 across the board on #5-C FALLS
Results: SCRATCHED
Mr. K's Early PK5 and PK4 for Wednesday - April 19, 2023 50-cent part-wheel:
Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Sunday - April 16, 2023 Race 6: This Maiden Special goes 6 furlongs on the main track. Joe Sharp has yet to have success this meet but Sunday will be his day. Briterdayzahead draws the open air outside box 10-hole this afternoon. This 3-year-old colt made his debut back in September at Saratoga and ran fifth to black type winner Instant Coffee. His work pattern suggests that he will be ready to fire in his second time out. He's had plenty of rest and gets Tyler Gaffalione in the irons.
The Bet: Race 6: $100 to win on #10-BRITERDAYZAHEAD
Results: Lost, ran 3rd
Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Sunday - April 16, 2023 Race 7: The Palisades Stakes goes 5-1/2 furlongs on the lawn. George Weaver brings Chiringo up from Florida where he ran last of 12 in his most recent outing after being ping-ponged early in the race. Now he cuts back in distance and adds Irad Ortiz with morning-line odds of 20-1. He is crushing it in the mornings and I feel he's been pointing to this race for a month.
The Bet: Race 7: $20 across the board on #2-CHIRINGO
Results: Ran Third, cashed for $110.46
Mr. K's Early PK5 and PK4 for Sunday - April 16, 2023 50-cent part-wheel:
Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Saturday - April 15, 2023 Race 7: This one goes 1-1/16th miles on the main track. Todd Pletcher brings Principe d'Oro up from Florida where he was the beaten favorite last out finishing 3rd going only a mile. What most won't notice is that this was his first start after almost an 11-month layoff. Now leading jock Irad Ortiz gets the leg up which will surely put a dent in those early 6-1 morning-line odds.
The Bet: Race 7: $100 to win on #4-PRINCIPE D'ORO
Results: Ran 2nd. Loss of $100.
Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Saturday - April 15, 2023 Race 5: This 110K Allowance goes 1-1/8th miles on the grass. Baby Billy was last scene running up the track in the Jeff Ruby Steaks. Now trainer Jack Sisterson returns this 3-year-old to the turf where he is 1-for-1. The blinks come off and he gets Lasix back which can only help. But the most appealing change is to jockey Flavien Prat who is making the most of his mounts at Keeneland in addition to doing well when paired with Sisterson. I like his morning-line odds of 10-1.
The Bet: Race 5: $20 across the board on #6-BABY BILLY
Results: Never involved. Loss of $60
Mr. K's Early PK5 and PK4 for Saturday - April 15, 2023 50-cent part-wheel:
Mr. K's Late PK5 and PK4 for Saturday - April 15, 2023 50-cent part-wheel: Pick-5 Pick-4 Ticket #1 Ticket #1 Race 7: 1-4-7 Race 8: 4-5-7 4-5-7 Race 9: 5-6-9 5-6-9 Race 10: 2-3-9 2-3-9 Race 11: 2-9-12 2-9-12 Total: $121.50 $40.50 Conso: $11.19 Results: ($121.50) ($40.50)
___________________________________________ FRIDAY - APRIL 14, 2023
Mr. K's Play of the Day for Friday - April 14, 2023 Race 5: This one goes 1-1/8th miles on the grass. Runnymeade Farm shipped Wonderfull Lady over from France in the fall and obtained the services of trainer Brendan Walsh who was 2-for-2 at the Meet as of this writing. I point to the August race at Deauville where she broke her maiden by 3 lengths on solid footing. She should have the same firm ground on the Keeneland turf on Friday.
The Bet: Race 5: $100 to win on #6-WONDERFULL LADY
Results: Loss of $100
Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Friday - April 14, 2023 Race 9: This is the Grade I - Maker's Mark Mile and features a solid field of 8. The star of the show will be Modern Games who won the Breeders' Cup Mile at this very track last November. She may very well go off at 1-5 but I am looking at some value in Chez Pierre who is 2-for-2 at this distance in the States for trainer Arnaud Delacour. The work pattern seems to suggest the connections have been pointing to this race. Delacour is giving a leg up to Flavien Prat instead of regular rider Daniel Centeno. I look for this to be the extra needed to put in a winning run today at 12-1 morning-line odds.
The Bet: $20 across the board on #3-CHEZ PIERRE
Results: WINNER! Cashed for $313
Mr. K's Early PK5 and PK4 for Friday - April 14, 2023 50-cent part-wheel:
Mr. K's Late PK5 and PK4 for Friday - April 14, 2023 50-cent part-wheel: Pick-5 Pick-4 Ticket #1 Ticket #1 Race 6: 1-4-5 Race 7: 2-3 2-3 Race 8: 2-7-9 2-7-9 Race 9: 3-5-7 3-5-7 Race 10: 2-3-7 2-3-7 Total: $81 $27
Results: ($81) ($27)
_____________________________________________ THURSDAY - APRIL 13, 2023
Mr. K's Play of the Day for Thursday - April 13, 2023 Race 6: This 1-1/8th mile Allowance on the grass gates a full field of 12. Graham Motion took over training duties for Eidikos when she was shipped over to the States earlier this year by owner Andy Stone. The steady and uninterrupted work pattern suggests she's ready to roll in her U.S. debut. You will get fair odds on her even though foreign shippers are typically overbite in turf races. Johnny V gets a leg up which only adds to the appeal.
The Bet: Race 6: $100 to win on #2-EIDIKOS
Results: Loss of $100
Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Thursday - April 13, 2023 Race 5: This one goes 6-1/2 furlongs on the main track. Trainer Neil Pessin ships Mo Time At All up from Fair Grounds where this gelding has had two trouble lines in his first two lifetime races. He was single-digit odds in those races which happened to both be turf routes. Now he makes a surface switch and a cutback in distance. I am licking my chops over the 20-1 morning-line.
The Bet: Race 5: $20 across the board on #7-MO TIME AT ALL
Results: Loss of $60
Mr. K's Early PK5 and PK4 for Thursday - April 13, 2023 50-cent part-wheel:
Mr. K's Late PK5 and PK4 for Thursday - April 13, 2023 50-cent part-wheel: Pick-5 Pick-4 Ticket #1 Ticket #1 Race 5: 1-3-7 Race 6: 2-4-11 2-4-11 Race 7: 5-10-11 5-10-11 Race 8: 1-7-11 1-7-11 Race 9: 2-6-7 2-6-7 Total: $121.50 $40.50
Results: ($121.50) ($40.50)
_____________________________________________
WEDNESDAY - APRIL 12, 2023
Mr. K's Play of the Day for Wednesday - April 12, 2023 Race 7: This Allowance $120K is a good substitute for a no-stakes Wednesday and features a field of 12 going 1-1/16 miles on the lawn. Flirting Bridge makes her 5-year-old debut for trainer Brendan Walsh. You would think the connections don't care much about winning this contest with future goals in mind. However, Walsh puts Gaffalione in the saddle who is new to this mare, but it indicates to me that they are going after this purse money off the layoff. She shouldn't go below even money so I'll bet the house.
The Bet: Race 7: $300 to win on #11-FLIRTING BRIDGE
Results: WINNER! Cashed for $561
Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Wednesday - April 12, 2023 Race 5; Money Bag time in this 1-1/8th mile turf race. Bill Mott brings Iconic Adventure up from Gulfstream where this freshly gelded son of Ghostzapper is 0-for-2 as a 4-year-old. This Goldolphin homebred is making his grass-debut. Mott rarely switches surfaces with his runners so I believe something is afoot here with this move from dirt-to-turf. Ghostzapper's run well on all surfaces so there is value here at 12-1 morning-line odds.
The Bet: Race 5: $20 across the board on #10-ICONIC ADVENTURE
Results: Lost $60
Mr. K's Early PK5 and PK4 for Wednesday - April 12, 2023 50-cent part-wheel:
Mr. K's Play of the Day for Saturday - April 8, 2023 Race 5: The Commonwealth Stakes kicks off the All-Stakes PK5 and goes 7 furlongs on the main. Mr. B and Mr. K both conflict with best bets in this race. Mr. B is going with the morning-line favorite Nakatomi who is 3-for-3 at Keeneland. I am looking in another direction at Bret Calhoun's Run Classic. This 5-year-old has run in four straight routes and is not cutting back in distance. I urge you to look back at the October race here at Keeneland at the same 7-furlong distance where Run Classic ran them off their feet winning by over 8 lengths. I see a repeat effort today with Run Classic edging this tough field of 10.
The Bet: $100 to win on #7-RUN CLASSIC
Results: Loss of $100
Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Saturday - April 8, 2023 Race 1: I'm coming right out of the gate with my longshot play today in the 1st that goes 6 furlongs on the main track. Trainer Michael Reavis claimed this filly for $15,000 after a 9-length romp at Churchill last November. Now with four months rest, she makes her 4-year-old debut in Lexington and gets Tyler Gaffalione. I like her at 15-1 morning-line odds.
The Bet: Race 1: $20 across the board on #11-LUCY JANE
Results: Loss of $60
Mr. K's Early PK5 and PK4 for Saturday - April 8, 2023 50-cent part-wheel:
Mr. K's Play of the Day for Friday - April 7, 2023 Race 9: Today's feature Ashland Stakes is a prep for the Kentucky Oaks and features 7 runners going 1-1/16th on the main track. Most eyes are going to be on the Brad Cox-trained Punchbowl who may just go off around even money or less. But my eyes are focused on Todd Pletcher's filly Julia Shining. This daughter of Curlin ran a ho-hum 3rd in her 3-year-old debut at Tampa in February. Everyone knew that the Tampa race was a simple leg-stretcher and that this race was the target with the Oaks being the ultimate goal. Look for Luis Saez to be patient and make his move as they straighten out in the stretch. Everything hinges on having Wonder Wheel and Punchbowl breaking well and creating a pace she can run into. Her price will be just right.
The Bet: Race 9: $100 to win on #4-JULIA SHINING
Results: Ran 3rd. Loss of $100.
Mr. K's Longshot of the Day for Friday - April 7, 2023 Race 4: This one goes 1-1/6th miles on the lawn which should have some give to it since the week in Lexington has been rainy combined with the cool temps on opening day. This full field of 12 has a potential to produce a bomb so I'm going with Rudy Brisset's Hozier. This gelding makes his 5-year-old debut after a December stop on the synth at TP where he finished 9th in the Prairie Bayou Stakes. Now with three months rest and a return to a favorable surface, jockey Florent Geroux will likely put him on the lead and try to steal the race on the front end. I like him at juicy 15-1 morning-line odds.
The Bet: Race 4: $20 across the board on #10-HOZIER
Results: Ran out. Loss of $60.
Mr. K's Early PK5 and PK4 for Friday - April 7, 2023 50-cent part-wheel: