Raven Run Stakes Quick Picks
The $250,000 Raven Run Stakes (G2) drew a large field of 13 3-year-old fillies that will race seven furlongs over Keeneland’s main track on Saturday. The event is billed as race 9 of 10, with post time scheduled for 5:16 p.m. EDT.
Let’s take a quick look at the horses most likely to hit the board.
#13 Obligatory (3-1)
Obligatory is the leading money earner in the field and appears to have a class edge on the other fillies. She is cutting back in distance from the 1 1/16 mile Grade 1 Cotillion Stakes, where she finished a distant second. Previously Obligatory was a half-length shy of becoming a Grade 1 winner in the one-mile Acorn Stakes (G1). Although she drew the far outside post, Obligatory has tactical speed, and the Bill Mott trainee posted a pre-race bullet work. Win contender.
#7 Cilla (8-1)
Cilla enters with a three-race win streak, including a hard-fought battle with Souper Sensational in the Prioress Stakes (G2) at Saratoga. Cilla had the better trip that day and didn’t have to go as wide around the turn. The Brett Brinkman trainee has tactical speed and has won at five different tracks. The meet’s leading rider Tyler Gaffalione retains the mount. Win contender.
#3 Souper Sensational (4-1)
Souper Sensational has two wins and a second-place finish in four starts at seven furlongs. In the six-furlong Prioress Stakes (G2), she fought hard on the outside of Cilla down the stretch to miss the victory by a half-length. However, the Mark Casse trainee draws inside of her rival, and with a good trip, Souper Sensational could turn the tables. Win contender.
#8 Caramel Swirl (7-2)
Caramel Swirl was a ten-length winner in her sole start at Keeneland last year. She has won twice and placed third once at seven furlongs, but she is unplaced in two graded starts and had to race without Lasix in both. The Bill Mott trainee returns from a 57-day layoff and has been training well. Exotics.
#9 Zainalarab (6-1)
The lightly raced Zainalarab has won two of three starts, including a seven-furlong contest against allowance class runners at Saratoga. That was sixty-three days ago, and although she’s training well at Keeneland, the Chad Brown trainee is getting a class test against a tough group. Exotics.
11. Miss Speedy (6-1)
Miss Speedy ships in from Woodbine, where she won three out of four career starts, including a two-length victory in the seven-furlong Duchess Stakes. Trainer Mark Casse won the 2018 edition of the Raven Run after shipping a stakes winner from Woodbine, although that filly was more accomplished and had previously shipped. On the plus side, Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr., the meet’s second-leading rider, will be aboard Miss Speedy. Exotics.
Raven Run Stakes Analysis
There is a lot of early speed in the Raven Run; however, pacesetters have won only twice in the last ten years. Runners exiting outside posts do surprisingly well and usually hit the board.
- #7 Cilla (8-1)
- #13 Obligatory (3-1)
- #3 Souper Sensational (4-1)
- #9 Zainalarab (6-1)
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