Fall Saturdays at Keeneland are almost always fun. I particularly enjoyed attending, and of course, wagering on this card headlined by a pair of underrated graded stake sprints for 3YOs. The Perryville (G3) drew a compact field this year led by the second and third place finishers in the H. Allen Jerkens (G1) in late August, while the Raven Run (G2) attracted an oversubscribed group of sophomore fillies going 7-furlongs over the main track. I am chalky in the Perryville, so I will save you my selection of Captain Cook, but here are a few horses that should provide a lot better value on Saturday in the Bluegrass State.

Race 2:

My first play of the afternoon comes in this wide-open restricted MSW at 1 1/16-miles over the main track where I landed on second-time starter #4 Flat Rock Road. The Woodford Thoroughbreds homebred debuted at Churchill Downs going the tricky 6.5-furlong distance and made a solid account of himself for trainer Will Walden. The Street Sense colt was caught wide throughout in his first start and still battled on to finish third to a class dropper for Mark Casse that got a much better trip. Walden stretches this guy out to two-turns, protects him this time, and legs up hot riding John Velazquez. An improved effort should be expected.

Play: #4 Flat Rock Road (10-1 ML)


Race 8:

There is a noticeable lack of serious speed signed on in this third-level allowance over the Keeneland lawn. #3 This Is Uscar projects to be forward assuming he stays in to try the grass for his second time, but is not a need the lead type. #9 Genius Jimmy could be sent aggressively in his first local try, but either way #1 Theismann should benefit. The $1.15M Keeneland September 2021 purchase has not panned out thus far, but appears to have found a home going two-turns on the grass. Two-back at Ellis Park in his first turf route effort he took advantage of a favorable inside trip when posting a career best effort. Then the C R K Stable gelding avoided regression five weeks later when holding off a stronger group in Louisville and did so while stalking just off the pace. Luis Saez was aboard that day and returns to ride this son of Quality Road that should get a great trip along the inside either on the lead or in the pocket. Hopefully, the Peter Eurton trainee can make it three in a row!

Play: #1 Theismann (8-1 ML)


Race 9: Raven Run (G2)

The featured event for 3YO fillies as always came up salty led by Godolphin homebred #9 Ragtime. The Union Rags filly has done very little wrong through four starts with her lone defeat coming by a neck two-back in the Test (G1). She is a serious sprinter, but her lack of gate speed certainly could present some challenges in this full field 7-furlong affair making her 3-1-ML price tough to swallow.

I landed on a filly with the opposite running style in #1 Delightful Claire. The Rigney Racing runner has been well meant from the start based on the amount of money she took in each of her first three starts. She enters her first start at Keeneland off a better than looks third to Ragtime in the Dogwood (G3). Ragtime and #3 Strong State came from well out of it early to finish one-two last month in Louisville, while Delightful Claire was on the lead throughout. She was no match late for the top two, but did run far better than any others prominently placed. #7 Maida could be a thorn in her side early, but if not she could have things her way early at a very playable price.

Play: #1 Delightful Claire (10-1 ML)