Thoughts on the All-Stakes Pick 5 at Keeneland

Saturday's All-Stakes Pick 5 at Keeneland is seemingly as tough and competitive a sequence as you'll find anywhere. We'll sprinkle some longer shots in among logical contenders in several of the races.

Race 6 -- Woodford (G2)

#10 WILL CALL (4-1) tends to bounce back from uninspiring tries, which his last at Ellis Park definitely was. Still, poor showing over this course in April gives cause for pause as similar conditions may exist here. #11 ANGASTON (6-1) is only three, but gave Will Call plenty to handle as early as late June over at Churchill. Encountered interference in his lone disappointing effort since joining the Wiggins barn. Also meeting trouble recently was #6 ROCKET HEAT (8-1), who is capable of far better than what was seen last time. Early foot and ability to handle testing conditions a plus given how forward placement often helped on the course opening day.

Race 7 -- Thoroughbred Club of America (G2)

#3 MISS SUNSET (3-1) won the Raven Run (G2) and narrowly missed in the Madison (G1) in lone outings over this track, and only recent losses have been to a couple of the leading sprinting mares in the country. #9 CHALON (4-1) was second in both the TCA and Raven Run at three last year and has done little wrong in an abbreviated campaign this term. Enters fresh for dangerous barn. #5 AWESTRUCK (15-1) concedes something in the way of relative class, but loves this track and backing up to one turn should help a lot.

Race 8 -- First Lady (G1)

#3 QUIDURA (2-1) handles this track and wet conditions just fine, and is far from a need-the-lead type. Back to her very best form since joining the Chad Brown stable. Godolphin homebred #4 CROWN WALK (4-1) enters with solid French form, including a Group 3 score at Chantilly and a second in the Prix Rothschild (G1) at Deauville last time.

Race 9 -- Breeders' Futurity (G1)

#5 DREAM MAKER (5-1) looked a strong prospect winning first out by three lengths going five furlongs in June. Decent fifth in the Hopeful (G1) after two-month spell and bred to get a lot better around two turns. #3 FLUMINENSE (10-1), third to Dream Maker first out after a rough trip, came back to win handsomely next out and might not have been in preferred conditions trying turf at Woodbine last out. Adds blinkers and bred to get the extended trip. #1 SIGNALMAN (15-1) is another who debuted early in the season at Churchill. Battle tested winning Spa maiden narrowly and has same trainer-jockey combo as Alcibiades (G1) heroine Restless Rider. General Quarters colt showing fast breezes here.

Race 10 -- Shadwell Turf Mile (G1)

Chad Brown has a capable pair in #11 ALMANAAR (9-2) and the three-year-old #9 ANALYZE IT (9-2). The former, narrowly second in the Arlington Million (G1), hasn't run this short in awhile but appears one of the leading lights in the division despite just two starts this season. Analyze It gave up the ghost twice to Catholic Boy and to the outsider Carrick in three consecutive efforts. Can he avoid waiting on (older) rivals this time? New jock Johnny V might have the answers.

Here's the 50-cent ticket:

6,10,11 with 3,5,9 with 3,4 with 1,3,5 with 9,11 = $54

Good luck!

(Coady Photography)