One of my favorite wagers of the Keeneland Spring Meet is their $3 Turf Pick 3. I have spoken about these bets a number of times already this year at both Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita Park and Keeneland offers its own version. The 15% player friendly wager takes place over the last three turf events on a given card and is one of the better options throughout the boutique meet. Here are my thoughts on Friday’s sequence that begins in Race 5 and concludes with a salty edition of the featured Maker’s Mark Mile (G1).

Grade Descriptions: Grade A=Highest degree of confidence; Grade B=Solid Play. Grade C=Least preferred or pass; Grade X=probable winner but likely at odds too short to play.

Race 5:
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 1 Goats On a Tree; 6 Wind Flower; 10 Onemoredance
Backups: None

Forecast: Friday’s Turf 3 gets started with this second-level allowance at 1 1/16 miles and appears to have a lack of early speed signed on. #6 Wind Flower is one of those likely to be prominently placed after breaking her maiden in gate-to-wire fashion in February at Gulfstream Park. The task is taller against this group, but she is dangerous if Junior Alvarado is able to control the early tempo. I will use her and a couple of others, including top choice #1 Goats On a Tree. The 5YO mare has taken on softer competition throughout most of her career, but has 6 wins in 19 starts to show for it. The Mike Maker trainee drew favorably along the inside, which should allow jockey Juan Hernandez to find favorable forward position early. She offers solid value at her 12-1-ML offering. #10 Onemoredance is the wild card. The Qatar Racing filly makes her first start in the States. Her races in Ireland put her squarely in the mix.


Race 7: Limestone (G3)
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 8 Lennilu
Backups: 1 Sapphire Beach

Forecast: This 5.5-furlong dash over the grass marks the return of Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner #9 Cy Fair. The Not This Time filly was a neck away from going undefeated in her 2YO campaign and retains the services of Irad Ortiz Jr. for her start of 2026. She is no doubt the filly to beat and deserving 9-5-ML choice, but a tough one for me to get excited about wagering on off the layoff. There is really no reason to know whether she will pick up where she left off last year or if the crop will catch up to her, but at her price taking a shot against is a must.

I will try to get the jump on her with #8 Lennilu. The daughter of Leinster holds the recency edge having raced once since getting beaten by Cy Fair in the Breeders’ Cup. She did what she needed to in her return race in Florida and should be a significantly better price. #1 Sapphire Beach is also slightly intriguing. The Three Diamonds Farm filly moves inside for the first time, which may lead to an aggressive ride out of the gate by jockey Jose Ortiz. Her price is good enough to include as a backup.


Race 9: Maker’s Mark Mile (G1)
Grade: X
Main Ticket: 4 Notable Speech
Backups: None

Forecast: The Maker’s Mark Mile came up strong this year, but I still think the chalk is a bit of a standout. #4 Notable Speech also makes his first start since a victory at Del Mar in the Breeders’ Cup. The star Godolphin miler got a better trip than #1 Rhetorical that day, but is also just a better finisher. He has the strongest turn of foot in the field and one of the best riders in the world shipping in to ride him once again. With William Buick aboard, the Charles Appleby trainee should be a handful to hold off late in the Keeneland stretch.