Updated With Comments: McLean’s Selections for Keeneland on Wednesday, Oct. 8

(Stats to be updated)

Here’s our looks on the “Hump Day’ card at Keeneland, one of the world’s most beautiful arcs of oval that is home to Thoroughbred racing. The beauty is in the land and the air. In the view and in the smell. In the vista that is Central Kentucky, rich in so many natural beauties that words cannot hold or tell. But it is my home. Yesterday. Until tomorrow.

1st: 8-4-1/3-6/7…Protective (8) gets the nod in the ole’ lid-lifter. The 4YO gelded son of Medaglia d’Oro has only one win in 11 starts, but has earned over $250,000 in purses. Was previous trained by Todd Pletcher and now goes for a new trainer for just the 2nd time. Big drop in class here. Ran against Seize the Grey in the 2024 G1 Pennsylvania Derby. Didn’t fare well then and has not been close since. But looks formidable in this spot. Handsome Pants (4) is capable of an upset if the previous pick is not up to the task today. This one drops considerably in class, as well. Had a good run over the slop at Saratoga against better. That effort probably wins this one. Cool Andy (1) was claimed last time out and the new barn operator wins with .20% of the last 185 to make the first start after a purchase. Same barn has the #8, as well. This one will show the speed. Can they catch him? I bet the 1 — take note — across the board. I will box the top 3 numbers in the exactas. I will key the 1 over/under the 8-4-3-6 in two smaller units.

2nd: 5-7/8-9-10/5…Volatile Nite (5) drops in class off the debut run and moves to the dirt, as well. Barn wins with .22% when shifting from a MSW to a MCL rank. May fare better with a better break from the gate here. Rider has gone 2-1-0 in the last 7 for the dad/trainer. Didn’t It Rain (7) is the ML favorite and will stay on the dirt here, after trying sod in three of he first 5 outings. Only time this one has hit the board was over the main track — when 2nd at Churchill Downs in April. If she can repeat that performance? Lights out. I bet the 7 — take note — to win/place/show and then box the 5-7 in the exactas. I will key the 5-7 over/under the 8-9-10 in two smaller units. 

3rd: 3-7-2/6-8-5-4/1…Laughnowcrylater (3) is a favorite and should garner a lot of support at the betting windows. Ran huge in a Starter 30,000 last time out and just missed as the post time favorite. Barn wins wit .36% of the last 73 to come back as a beaten fan’s choice. I like this one. A lot. I bet the 3 across the board and double down on the win bet. I box the top 3 in one exacta combo and then key the 3 over/under the 7-2-6-8-5-4 in two smaller units. 

4th: (13)-7/6-5-9-12-(14)-1/11…Consequential (13) must get a little luck just to make the starting gate, as an Also Eligible listing here. But this one could be a real threat if he can scratch into the race. Gets Irad Ortiz, Jr. up and this one did run huge at this level over the dirt at Churchill Downs last time out. Could really benefit from that exercise that day. If not in, I revert to Tingus Pingus (7). This one ran behind our top pick in the last race, and picks up a huge rider switch for this one. Rider has gone 2-1-0 in the last 6 for this barn. I bet either the 13 or the 7 across the board and double down on the win bet for either one. If both are in? I bet them both and then box them in the exactas. I key either or both over/under the 6-5-9-12-14-1 in two softer versions.

5th: 7-6/5-2-3/8…Castle Island (7) has raced this distance four times in the career, so far. Has won two of them. Has not taken to an off track so much. Let out made the lead all the way and then faltered late in the Saratoga slop. But gets a little class relief here and picks up a huge rider switch, too. Could be a nice play. Magnolia Midnight (6) is the ML favorite and should be. Another speedster and could burn up the 7, if they get into an early duel. So? Maybe take a look at Trident Hit (5). Although this one is 0-0-2 in 7 trips over an “off track,” this one has 2 seconds in 2 tries here. Drops for this one, as well. However…The best “mudder” is Outlier (2). Has run over an “off track” on 18 occasions. Has gone 4-2-2 and won over $220,000 in purses on wet surfaces. Has gone 0-2-1 in 4 tries here, too. So? I bet the 2 — take note — and the 7 across the board. I box the 7-6-2 in the exactas. I will key this trio over/under the 5-3 in two smaller units. 

6th: 4-7-3/6/9-10-11-8…Gold Sovereign (4) will be a tough out if this one stays on the sod, for some miracle of a reason. Goes for the U.S.’s best grass trainer and ran huge at KY Downs in the last outing. Looks like he will fit here perfectly. Founders (7) is another who will like the soggy sod, if it holds here. Ran a big one last out over a “good” turf course at Saratoga to break the maiden. Blast Furnace (3) could be OK here, but Abbi Fede (6) moves way, way up on a sloppy track. Must use if it is off the sod. I bet the 4-7 if it stays on. I bet the 6 if it comes off. I box a combo of the first four numbers in the exactas. 

7th: 6-3/4/5-7-1-8…Lady Go Go (6) goes for one of the best young trainers in the game today and comes in off a very impressive race at Ellis Park. If she an improve a smidge off that race, she could be a good bet here at a square price. I’m in. No What Ifs (3) is likely to be the favorite by post time. This one has a 2nd here and has gone 1-1-0 in 2 races over an “off track.” Hard not to like. Pretty Sure (4) is a filly that I will definitely use, too. Toss the last one. So many troubles. Could be a force late. I bet the 6 across the board and double down on the win wager. I box the top 3 numbers in the exactas. 

8th: 7-8/5-6/9-2/11-4-3/1-10…This is another one that is supposed to be run over the grass. Is it? Take a look. If it is, I go with Cameo Performance (7). This one has a win in only previous try here and has gone 2-0-2 in 8 grass races. Likes this distance, too. Lots to like here and will close well. Mountain Bear (8) is another experienced grass runner and has been over a “giving” surface many times. Experience edge here for a top trainer. Must use, if on grass. Sardis (5) at 20-1 in the ML and Gilded Craken (6) are both worth looking at, if it comes off the sod. The former is 1-1-1 in 4 “off track” races, so far. Won over the slop at Ellis Park just two back. The latter is 1-1-0 in 3 “off track” efforts. Has speed. May not get much mud splash back. I bet the 7-8 if it stays on. If off, I look at the 5-6. Bet them accordingly.

Good Luck & All the Best / Gene