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Keeneland’s 16-day Spring Meet opens Friday, April 6, and runs through Friday, April 27,
with racing Wednesdays through Sundays. Post time for the first race each day is 1:05 p.m. ET.

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Click here for the Toyota Blue Grass (G2) Weekend microsite dedicated to Keeneland’s April 6-8 opening weekend stakes. See biographies of the connections of horses expected to compete
in the 94^th running of the $1 million Toyota Blue Grass on opening Saturday, April 7; history and statistics for the race; and charts and replays. Also includes history, statistics and charts for the $500,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1) on April 7, along with complete lists of nominees and past performances for the other stakes on opening weekend.

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Click here for a link to the lists of nominations and past performances
for Keeneland’s April 13-14 stakes.

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• Posted by Carie Beard in Blog, Horse Racing & Betting News, Player News | 0 comments

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ARAWAK JOINS PROSPECTIVE FIELD FOR TOYOTA BLUE GRASS

Jack Sisterson, assistant to trainer Doug O’Neill, said Monday morning that plans are to enter R3 Racing, Steven Keh and CTR Stables’ Arawak on Tuesday for Saturday’s 94^th running of the $1 million Toyota Blue Grass (G2).

“It looks like we are going to enter both,” Sisterson said, referring to Arawak and Greg Hall and SAYJAY Racing’s Blended Citizen.

Blended Citizen and Arawak finished first and third, respectively, in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park on March 17. The two colts arrived at Keeneland on March 26 and worked 5 furlongs together here Saturday, with Blended Citizen being clocked in 1:01 and Arawak in 1:01.20.

Both colts returned to the track Monday morning, jogging over surface rated as “good” with exercise rider Jonny Garcia aboard each.

A full gate of 14 is expected for the Toyota Blue Grass, which carries 170 points toward the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) on a 100-40-20-10 basis for the first four finishers.

Other probables include California Night, Determinant, Flameaway, Free Drop Billy, Good Magic, Gotta Go, Heartfullofstars, Machismo, Quip, Sporting Chance, Tiz Mischief and Zing Zang. Kanthaka is considered as a possible starter.

On Monday...

Today’s “Lock” is at Northfield Park on race 11 with the #9-SASS-Class dropper in great form and retains Arron Merriman in the bike.

Last “Lock” was a late scratch. Record now stands at:  Record now stands at: 200 of 333 wins with 60 seconds and 23 thirds.

Good luck today and thank you for choosing IdaBet.com!

Northfield Track Announcer Ayers Ratliff’s free handicapping tips are provided for our IdaBet.com players.

Remember, due to their draw schedule, picks are made in advance and do not account for scratches or late driver changes.

From the “Ayers Above MONDAY EVENING, APRIL 2
Race 1: 3- This Baby Rocks – Drops in class and could prevail in tonight’s opener. 5- Lucky King – Another that looks to have
a big shot in here. 2- Warp Factor Three – Made the ticket in all four of his most recent races and looks to be right there again
tonight. 6- Yes Your Mattjesty – Could grab a piece of the action.

Race 2: 1- Big Bad Bossman – Draws the inside advantage and could use that advantage to be successful in here. 7- Gotta
Go B B – Could do well in here despite the poor post draw. 3- Valiente Stride – Could add value to the ticket. 2- Action Metro
Max – Could add further value to the exotics.

Race 3: 7- Wind Of The North – Won two of his last three races and could strike again tonight to start the Pick 5. 6- Lady’s
Dude – Another that looks to have a big shot in here. 5- Honey B – Should not be overlooked as a solid contender.

Race 4: 1- Tsunami Seelster – Won his most recent effort and could roll again tonight. 4- Hupomone – Could do well if he
minds his manners. 7- Timeless Utah – One of several in here that could make the ticket. 8- Major Count – Has as good of a
shot as any in here to complete the Superfecta.

Race 5: 4- River’s Crest – Won his most recent effort and could strike again. 7- Turbo Mach – Has been doing well and that
trend looks to continue. 2- Magic Manny – Draws well and looks to be tough with the right trip. 5- Sanattle Slew – Should be
able to grab a share of the action.

Race 6: 7- Southwind Amazon – Won four of his last five races and could score again. 3- Dalhousie Dave – Has been second
in...

Monday’s picks for Monticello are posted below for our IdaBet.com players:

1ST RACE: 3-1-2-4

2ND RACE: 4-2-1-5

3RD RACE: 5-3-1-2

4TH RACE: 3-5-1-4

5TH RACE: 3-2-7-1

6TH RACE: 1-6-3-2

7TH RACE: 8-7-5-4

8TH RACE: 3-4-1-2

Thank you and good luck today!

Apr 2, 2018

Keeneland Welcomes 2018 Spring Race Meet

Opening weekend features eight graded stakes, anchored by $1 million Toyota Blue Grass

 Keeneland’s 2018 Spring Meet, which kicks off Friday, April 6, promises 16 days of spectacular racing highlighted by 16 stakes worth a season-record $4.4 million. The meet gets off to a fast start as opening weekend will showcase many of racing’s stars competing in eight graded stakes, led by the $1 million Toyota Blue Grass (G2) and $500,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1), nationally prominent prep races on the 2018 Roads to the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1), respectively.

 The Spring Meet runs April 6-27, with racing Wednesdays through Sundays. Gates open at 11 a.m. ET, with post time for the first race set for 1:05 p.m.

 Lucrative Purses Attract Racing’s Top Stables

 This spring, Keeneland will offer average daily purse money of $731,365, among the highest in North America. The rich purse schedule and idyllic surroundings attract the nation’s top owners, trainers and jockeys, who come to Keeneland to compete with the best in Thoroughbred racing.

 Keeneland welcomes Kentucky Utilities as the new sponsor of the $150,000 Transylvania (G3) on opening day. The Transylvania is a 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds over the turf course.

 Opening Saturday, April 7, features 11 races, including five graded stakes led by the Toyota Blue Grass for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles and the Central Bank Ashland for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles. Each is worth 100 points to the winners on the Roads to the Derby and Oaks, respectively. The post position draw for both classic preps will be held Tuesday,...