The hotly-fancied Aunt Pearl features among the best bets at Keeneland on Future Stars Friday, according to Man On The Spot.
7.30 - Click here for full racecard
Wesley Ward sent out last year’s winner and is mob-handed this time represented by four guaranteed runners and all three reserves. But GOLDEN PAL stands out from the rest having been beaten a neck in the Norfolk at Ascot before making every yard in a prep race at Saratoga. He has the early pace to overcome a wide draw and winning partner Irad Ortiz stays loyal. Stablemate After Five was only caught close home by Second Of July in a Grade 3 at Belmont while Bodenheimer beat Cowan to land a Listed sprint here last month. Aidan O’Brien sends over Doncaster Listed winner Lipizzaner but Ubettabelieveit is preferred having also scored at Doncaster when landing the Group 2 Flying Childers. Mighty Gurkha has won twice on the all-weather for Archie Watson and is fitted with blinkers for this.
8.10 - Click here for full racecard
Aidan O’Brien has won this four times since 2011 and relies on Battleground. The latter won the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood in good style and this extra distance shouldn’t be a problem. He’s preferred to compatriot and Group 2 winner Cadillac, who will appreciate the return to a mile having come up short in the Dewhurst last time when behind fourth-placed Devilwala. The latter’s stablemate New Mandate continued his good progress with victory in the Royal Lodge at Newmarket and makes more appeal than The Lir Jet and Go Athletico while it was bottomless ground when Sealiway romped home in a Group 1 at Longchamp on Arc day. Mutasaabeq won a Grade 2 here on his first outing on Turf while Gretzky The Great landed a Grade 1 at Woodbine in good style and makes more appeal than Outadore. Fire At Will led at a crawl in the Pilgrim Stakes at Belmont and it paid off when beating the odds-on PUBLIC SECTOR. But a fast pace is more likely today and, having followed the same path here as last year’s winner, Chad Brown’s colt is fancied to reverse running and go close.
8.50 - Click here for full racecard
Four of these fillies arrive unbeaten including Princess Noor. But the strength of her Grade 1 victory at Del Mar is open to question and SIMPLY RAVISHING (NAP) makes more appeal. She beat Crazy Beautiful over six lengths in the Grade 1 Alcibiades Stakes here last month and the latter had earlier finished a couple of lengths behind Girl Daddy in a Grade 2 at Churchill Downs. That form should see Kenneth McPeek’s filly make a bold bid though Dayoutoftheoffice is another to consider having won the Frizette at Belmont in fine style from the re-opposing Vequist. Thoughtfully looks up against it on her latest effort behind the selection.
9.30 - Click here for full racecard
Lowther Stakes winner and Cheveley Park runner-up Miss Amulet steps up in trip but Mother Earth posted her best effort so far when third in the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket and is preferred to stablemate Snowfall and another Irish filly in Oodnadatta. Roger Varian’s Nazuna needs to improve on her second in the Rockfel and this prize can stay at home. Chad Brown has won four of the last six renewals but Editor At Large was beaten by the undefeated Plum Ali at Belmont last time. Frankie steered Campanelle to victory in the Prix Morny over 6f at Deauville though she will have her stamina to prove. Madone is unbeaten in lesser company in Southern California and Alda represents last year’s winning yard but AUNT PEARL has won both outings in the manner of a smart filly, including a defeat of Spanish Loveaffair in a Grade 2 here last time, and Brad Cox’ charge looks worth sticking with.
10.15 - Click here for full racecard
Jackie's Warrior is a deserved favourite having landed a couple of Grade 1 contests, including the Champagne Stakes at Belmont last month, to remain unbeaten. That may still be the case after today though he’s yet to race around two turns and that’s not a question ESSENTIAL QUALITY has to answer. Brad Cox’ Godolphin colt won the Grade 1 Futurity Stakes over track and trip in impressive style and will set the likely favourite his toughest task so far with more to come from him. Reinvestment Risk has plenty to find with Jackie's Warrior while Grade 3 winner Sittin On Go and Grade 1 runner-up Rombauer face stiffer tasks today as do the debut maiden winners Classier, Likeable and Camp Hope.
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