Keeneland Turf Mile Stakes Quick Picks
A full field of thirteen older horses will travel two turns over the Haggan Course in Saturday’s $750,000 Keeneland Turf Mile (G1) (formerly known as the Shadwell Turf Mile). The winner receives an invite to the 2021 Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile (G1) at Del Mar.
Carded as race 10, post time for the Turf Mile is 5:46 PM ET. There has been rain during the week, so there may be some “give” to the course.
Let’s take a quick look at the horses most likely to hit the board.
Keeneland Turf Favorites
#10 Order of Australia (7-2)
Order of Australia won the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Keeneland last November at long odds, but this year, the Aidan O’Brien trainee has found the winner’s circle only once, in the Romanised Minstrel Stakes (Gr.2). His regular jockey Ryan Moore stays home, and veteran John Velazquez picks up the mount. Order of Australia isn’t a lock to win the Turf Mile, but he deserves respect. Win contender.
#7 Pixelate (9-2)
Pixelate returns after winning at Kentucky Downs in the one-mile Mint Million Stakes (G3), where he bested Somelikeithotbrown and Monarchs Glen. The Mike Stidham trainee is jumping up in class, but he has been in the money in all seven starts at a mile, and last November, he just missed a victory over this course by a length. Pixelate has a swift late kick, and Tyler Gaffalione is one of the top turf jockeys in the country. Win contender.
#4 Space Traveller (6-1)
Since relocating to the U.S., Space Traveller has recorded two excellent back-to-back efforts in Grade 1 competition despite having trouble both times. The Brendan Walsh trainee has tactical speed, and he has the class to handle most of his competitors. On the downside, Space Traveller hasn’t visited the winner’s circle since winning a minor handicap race at York in Great Britain. Exotics.
#6 Ivar (5-1)
Ivar returns to the scene of his last victory to defend his title in the Turf Mile. In May, the Paulo Lobo trainee was last seen finishing a close sixth, bested two lengths in the nine-furlong Turf Classic (G1) at Churchill. Ivar cuts back in distance, and with the addition of blinkers, he may show the early turn of foot that was on display earlier in his career. Exotics.
#11 Diamond Oops (15-1)
Diamond Oops missed the victory in the 2019 Turf mile by three-quarters length. Since then, he’s been on a steady diet of turf and dirt sprints with hit-and-miss results. However, he tuned up for the Turf Mile with a fast closing second-place finish in the six-furlong Turf Sprint (G2) at Kentucky Downs, and this Patrick Biancone trainee has an established history of winning his second start off the layoff. Live longshot.
Analysis
There’s plenty of early speed in the Turf Mile, and one-run closers won the last four editions of this race, so focusing on these types will be your best bet.
#7 Pixelate (9-2)
#10 Order of Australia (7-2)
#4 Space Traveller (6-1)
#11 Diamond Oops (15-1)
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