Keeneland: 2022 Fayette Stakes Exotics Plays

A compact field of six will go postward in Saturday’s $350,000 Fayette S. (G2) at Keeneland. The 1 1/8-mile contest on the main surface features a well-matched cast lacking a true pacesetter, which leads to me believe that #1 West Will Power (4-1) will be the one to catch turning for home from his rail post.

Trained by Brad Cox, the five-year-old son of Bernardini was a dominant allowance winner in his lone try on the surface. He comes off a fine tally with similar types at Churchill Downs last time out when leading at every call en route to securing a sharp victory, registering a hefty 108 Brisnet Late Pace number in the process.

West Will Power has decent early foot and could easily inherit the early advantage in a race lacking pace. He is relatively lightly raced, with just 11 career outings under his belt, and has finished first or second on nine occasions. He fired a bullet morning breeze in advance of his second Keeneland assignment, and if Joel Rosario clears the field in the early stages, then he will be tough to run down inside the final furlong.

Shug McGaughey’s #4 First Captain (6-5) has put in a trio of very good runs following his lone unplaced showing when well back in the Carter H. (G1) in April. By Curlin, the $1.5 million purchase just missed in the Suburban S. (G2) two back, which preceded a solid third-place result in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) behind two excellent ones most recently.

The four-year-old cuts back after a trio of extended voyages in succession, and he still has obvious room for improvement going forward boasting just nine career tries to date. The chestnut colt will be doing his best work late with Luis Saez in the stirrups.

Multiple Grade 3 victor #3 Fulsome (3-1) ran evenly at the one-mile distance between the Twin Spires last time out and will appreciate the added ground in this spot. The Into Mischief four-year-old is one-for-one locally and possesses arguably the best turn of foot in the field. Also from the Cox shedrow, the Juddmonte homebred has trained forwardly in anticipation of this race and will be coming from the back early on with Florent Geroux in the controls. 

Fayette Exotics Wagers

• $12 exacta: 1 with 3, 4 ($24)
• $10 trifecta: key 1 with 3, 4 ($20)
• $2 superfecta: 1 with 3, 4 with 3, 4 with all ($12)
• $1 superfecta: 1 with 3, 4 with all with 3, 4 ($6)