The Grass is Green, But...

The only bad thing about Keeneland’s opening day was that I wasn’t there. Going to Churchill in 4 weeks, is keeping me from making the annual pilgrimage this year. None the less, I had a good first day, catching Wise Dan in the Phoenix. One has to wonder if he and Here Comes Ben have ever worked together in the a.m.? Anyway, it's always a good feeling to cash on the first day of the meet.

Read an interesting quote from the track super about the turf course.

Just one Friday race, the seventh, was scheduled for the turf course, which was looking particularly green and lush – especially in contrast to the Keeneland infield, where the grass has been burned to a premature brown by the exceedingly dry conditions that have marked the summer and early fall in this Bluegrass region.

“We’ve watered the heck out of this course,” said Mike Young, the longtime track superintendent at Keeneland. “As dry as it’s been, I don’t know how much of a root system we’ve got left under there right now. The grass has just been growing straight up. If we get some nasty weather, I hope it doesn’t get too torn up.”

The seventh, was an allowance race for f & m, who had not won $7500 twice, other than, or which had never won three, and it was run in a very quick 1.34.02. To put this in perspective, in the 22 runnings of the Grade l Shadwell Mile, there have been 5 horses that have run faster.

Keeneland and Mother Nature have given us a very firm turf course for the Fall meet. Turf players take note!

Don’t forget the dime supers at Keeneland, there were some good payouts yesterday. In addition to the dime supers, Keeneland is also offering 50 cent trifectas,  and 50 cent Pick 3’s and Pick 4’s. With those types of bets, you can bet a little and win a lot!