The SPINSTER STAKES from KEENELAND offers a massive purse of $500k, but more importantly it will grant the winner a free trip to the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic. Let’s break down the race.
DISPOSABLEPLEASURE has shown she is capable of running a race that is almost good enough to win this race. The Todd Pletcher trained gray filly will need to move up off her Mother Goose effort that saw her finish ¾ lengths behind Zo Impressive. This is her first time stepping on synthetic, but she is bred to handle the stuff. If she moves up because of the surface switch then she could make noise. Anna Napravnik is listed to ride.
JUANITA scored both of her Grade 2 wins racing off the shelf, but her first and only try on a synthetic surface was a disaster. With so many good runners in this spot, it is hard to back her. Shaun Bridgmahon rides for Mike Maker.
Graham Motion’s ARUNA is the defending champ of the Spinster Stakes. Last year saw her make a bold seven wide bid to grab victory from the jaws of defeat as she bested Pachattack by a ½ length. That was and is her only try on a synthetic surface. Her last race, the Beverley D, was a horrid experience as she stumbled at the break and clipped heels turning for home. Draw a line through that race. This mare looks as good as she has ever looked and will impact this race under Ramon Dominguez.
SUMMER SOIREE figures to scratch in favor of the First Lady on Saturday, but if she goes here she rates a chance to win. Her only try on a synthetic surface saw her win the Bourbonette Stakes in emphatic fashion. She won that Turfway Park race by 10 ¾ lengths. Gabe Saez will ride for Graham Motion.
Todd Pletcher brings IN LINGERIE to the races. Like Summer Soiree, she is a winner of the Bourbonette Stakes. She is two for two on synthetic surfaces with both wins coming at Turfway. She was last seen finishing a well beaten second behind Questing in the Alabama Stakes. John Velazquez will ride.
TIZ MIZ SUE is exiting a key race in the form of the Personal Ensign Handicap. The first two finishers, Love and Pride and Royal Delta both returned to take Grade 1 races. Will this girl be the next one from that race to do so? She seems to handle the synthetic just fine and her form is as good as anyone horse in the race. Joe Rocco Jr rides for Steve Hobby.
UPPERLINE has won five of 10 synthetic starts and has a win over this track. Her affinity for synthetic surfaces makes her dangerous. The stakes filly has two Grade 3 wins this year. James Graham should have her midpack. Michael Stidham is the trainer.
Alan Goldberg, a very underrated trainer, brings NEFERTINI to this race. She has won half of her eight starts and has only been off the board once. She can pass horses and likes to rally from behind. Elvis Trujillo will pilot the daughter of Empire Maker. This one figures to offer great value to bettors.
SMART STING’S only try on a synthetic surface saw her win the Selene Stakes over Queen’s Plate victor Inglorious. However, that was last year and her recent form is shaky at best. Approach the Roger Attfield pupil with caution. Paco Lopez is listed to ride.
STARFORMER has several things going in her favor. First, her trainer Bill Mott, is one of the best ever. Second, Julien Leparoux dominates at Keeneland. Third, she is only a race removed from her best career effort in Grade 3 company at Delaware. This will be her first try on a synthetic track.
MYSTICAL STAR is a perfect two for two at Keeneland as well as at the distance. She is a Grade 2 winner on turf for trainer Christophe Clement. She is versatile enough to race on or off the pace, but jockey Jose Lezcano is likely to try and make a run late in the race
KARLOVY VARY is a Grade 1 winner over this track as she won the Ashland Stakes in the spring. She hasn’t been quite the same since, but could reverse her form as she steps back on Poly Track. Corey Lanerie will have her near the front for trainer George Arnold.
KITTY IN A TIZZY hasn’t excelled in route races, but has the pedigree to stretch out. She has done very well sprinting and is two races removed from a win in the seven furlongs Chicago Handicap. Francisco Torres is in to ride for Harold James Bond.
Upperline looks like a good play at 12-1. She loves this track and is working bullets. The price is right on a talented filly racing for top connections.