Keeneland • Race 6 • AOC NW2 • Fillies & Mares 3YO+ • 3:40 EST What an interesting bunch going 6 furlongs on the dirt we have here today. I’m a sucker for a race that looks like it could set up for closers, and there’s plenty of early speed here to believe the latecomers have a legitimate shot. There are two entered here that I believe will be a factor. 1 Compelling Smile out of the Dale Romans barn has underwhelmed this year and will need to get back to her form of a year ago to be competitive in this spot. It’s no secret that I’ve got a soft spot for jockey Joe Talamo, who is aboard again today. A more likely winner is 3 Zainalarab, a former Chad Brown trainee who gets back to dirt racing following a switch to Brendan Walsh. Irad Ortiz, Jr. reunites with this filly, having ridden her three and four back.
Picks: 3-2-1-8
Best of luck!