Keeneland Race 10 - Castle & Key Bourbon S. Stakes
POPCORN (6) Was eating up the ground late to win last time at Colonial Downs but competing at a higher level of competition. Up to these. HERACLES (4) Hit the line well when 3rd beaten by 4L last start at Colonial Downs but competing in a more challenging class. Has good tactical speed and will be nicely positioned. Respect. HEMINGWAY (8) Set the pace to win by over 8L last time at Kentucky Downs but challenged by more formidable competitors. Will be pushing for a forward position early. Good prospects. BOLD LEADERSHIP (3) Right up there last time at Saratoga and challenged by less formidable competitors. Irad Ortiz Jr is a smart booking. Been in the money 2 from 2 attempts this preparation. Should go close
Jockey: Danny Sheehy
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Odds of $28.00 and didn't stay in touch when 5th last run at Kentucky Downs and stepping down to a lower level. Should come to hand quickly. Better to look elsewhere.
Last Starts 23 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/12 | 09/09/2026 | - | Stakes 95 | $0.00 | Kentucky Downs | 1609m | FM | Alex Achard | 54.5kg | - | 4-4-4-4 | 9 |
| 11.5L | $0.00 |
| 3/9 | 29/08/2026 | - | Allowance 88 | $0.00 | Kentucky Downs | 1308m | FM | Alex Achard | 54.5kg | - | 2-2-2 | 2 |
| 6.8L | $0.00 |
| 1/7 | 25/07/2026 | - | 02 | $0.00 | Colonial Downs | 1609m | SOFT | Johan Rosado | 53.55kg | - | 1-1-1-1 | 2 |
| 3L | $0.00 |
| 3/7 | 19/06/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 86 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 1006m | FT | Tyler Gaffalione | 54kg | - | 2-2-2 | 4 |
| 1.5L | $0.00 |
| 2/7 | 28/05/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 86 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 1006m | FT | Tyler Gaffalione | 54kg | - | 3-3-3 | 6 |
| 0.8L | $0.00 |
| 9/10 | 16/04/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 85 | $0.00 | Keeneland | 905m | FT | Edgar Morales | 54kg | - | 6-10 | 8 |
| - | $0.00 |
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Strong effort to run into 3rd beaten by just over 6L last start at Kentucky Downs and lining up against easier rivals. Honest performer putting a tidy record together. Not at all out of this race.
Last Starts 23 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/12 | 09/09/2026 | - | Stakes 95 | $0.00 | Kentucky Downs | 1609m | FM | Umberto Rispoli | 54.5kg | - | 9-10-8-3 | 3 |
| 6.3L | $0.00 |
| 1/11 | 05/07/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 75 | $0.00 | Ellis Park | 1609m | FM | Umberto Rispoli | 54kg | - | 2-1-1-1 | 4 |
| 4.5L | $0.00 |
| 6/10 | 21/05/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 85 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 1006m | FM | Adam Beschizza | 54kg | - | 10-7-5 | 2 |
| 8.7L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Was agonizingly close last time at Saratoga and challenged by weaker competitors. Irad Ortiz Jr is a pivotal booking. Has not missed the money this preparation in 2 attempts. Can win this.
Last Starts 27 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/3 | 05/09/2026 | - | Stakes 86 | $0.00 | Saratoga | 1710m | FM | Manuel Franco | 54.5kg | - | 3-3-3-2 | 2 |
| 0.3L | $0.00 |
| 2/9 | 08/08/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 80 | $0.00 | Saratoga | 1710m | FM | Jose L Ortiz | 56kg | - | 5-7-6-3 | 9 |
| 0.1L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Luis Saez
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Displayed good finishing speed when 3rd last start at Colonial Downs but matched against tougher rivals. Should be going forward early. Gets a chance against these.
Last Starts 25 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/7 | 07/09/2026 | - | Stakes 79 | $0.00 | Colonial Downs | 1710m | FM | Paco Lopez | 53.5kg | - | 4-5-6-3 | 5 |
| 4L | $0.00 |
| 1/7 | 04/07/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 79 | $0.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1509m | FM | Miguel Angel Vasquez | 54.5kg | - | 3-3-1 | 2 |
| 1.8L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Started at $11.00 and finished 4th last start at Churchill Downs but facing a weaker grade. Should muster plenty of early speed. Lines up against a competitive field.
Last Starts 20 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/7 | 12/09/2026 | - | Stakes 97 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 1609m | FT | Emmanuel Esquivel | 55.5kg | - | 3-3-2-4 | 4 |
| 4.5L | $0.00 |
| 1/12 | 10/07/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 68 | $0.00 | Colonial Downs | 1609m | FM | Horacio Karamanos | 54kg | - | 3-2-1-1 | 11 |
| 3.5L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Axel Concepcion
Weight: 54.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Finished well when winning last time at Colonial Downs but facing a stronger grade. Very tidy this campaign winning 2 from as many starts. Has claims.
Last Starts 25 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/7 | 07/09/2026 | - | Stakes 79 | $0.00 | Colonial Downs | 1710m | FM | Axel Concepcion | 53.5kg | - | 5-6-5-1 | 3 |
| 2L | $0.00 |
| 1/7 | 14/07/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 65 | $0.00 | Horseshoe Indianapolis | 1509m | FM | Emmanuel Esquivel | 54.5kg | - | 5-4-3 | 6 |
| 0.5L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Alex Achard
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Found another gear when winning by just short of 7L last time at Horseshoe Indianapolis but matched against a stronger field. Showing improvement in recent outings. Looking elsewhere.
Last Starts 38 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/11 | 25/08/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 70 | $0.00 | Horseshoe Indianapolis | 1609m | GD | Alex Achard | 54.5kg | - | 3-2-2-1 | 8 |
| 6.5L | $0.00 |
| 2/10 | 04/08/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 67 | $0.00 | Horseshoe Indianapolis | 1509m | FM | Alex Achard | 54.5kg | - | 4-4-1 | 10 |
| 0.8L | $0.00 |
| 8/11 | 05/07/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 75 | $0.00 | Ellis Park | 1609m | FM | Danny Sheehy | 54kg | - | 8-11-11-11 | 8 |
| 17.3L | $0.00 |
| 7/8 | 12/06/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 86 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 1006m | FT | Alex Achard | 54kg | - | 8-8-8 | 2 |
| 23.4L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Led from start to finish to win by a margin of just over 8L last time at Kentucky Downs but racing in stronger company. Competitive type.
Last Starts 26 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8 | 06/09/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 72 | $0.00 | Kentucky Downs | 1609m | FM | Flavien Prat | 54kg | - | 1-1-1-1 | 5 |
| 8.3L | $0.00 |
| 8/8 | 08/08/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 80 | $0.00 | Saratoga | 1308m | FT | Irad Ortiz Jr | 56kg | - | 3-6-6 | 8 |
| 20.3L | $0.00 |
Jockey: John R. Velazquez
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Finished well when winning last start at Kentucky Downs and was a debutant last start. Jockey John R Velazquez and trainer Michael J Maker are a formidable team. Has some claims.
Last Starts 23 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/10 | 09/09/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 74 | $0.00 | Kentucky Downs | 1308m | FM | Flavien Prat | 54kg | - | 9-9-5 | 8 |
| 2.8L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Jareth Loveberry
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Started $23.00 and didn't attack the line when 5th last time at Woodbine but up against a less competitive field. Would need to step up.
Last Starts 20 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/8 | 12/09/2026 | - | Stakes 110 | $0.00 | Woodbine | 1609m | FM | Edgard J Zayas | 55.5kg | - | 3-3-4-5 | 2 |
| 3.4L | $26.00 |
| 1/11 | 16/08/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 80 | $0.00 | Saratoga | 1710m | FM | Edgard J Zayas | 56kg | - | 4-4-3-1 | 9 |
| 0.1L | $0.00 |
| 6/6 | 18/07/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 81 | $0.00 | Saratoga | 1207m | FT | John R Velazquez | 56kg | - | 6-5-6 | 5 |
| 14.8L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Jaime A. Torres
Weight: 54.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Stormed home to win last start at Kentucky Downs and facing less formidable opponents. On a winning streak the last 2 runs and solid career start. Respect the betting.
Last Starts 34 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/11 | 29/08/2026 | - | Stakes 89 | $0.00 | Kentucky Downs | 1308m | FM | Jaime A Torres | 54.5kg | - | 5-5-1 | 6 |
| 0.8L | $0.00 |
| 1/12 | 09/08/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 78 | $0.00 | Ellis Park | 1106m | FM | Jaime A Torres | 54kg | - | 3-3-2 | 1 |
| 3.3L | $0.00 |
| 7/9 | 17/07/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 81 | $0.00 | Ellis Park | 1308m | FT | Yedsit Hazlewood | 54kg | - | 5-4-6 | 6 |
| 11.8L | $0.00 |