Keeneland Race 5 - Race 5 - Allowance Optional Claiming
MERIT BADGE (5) brings the strongest winning profile after stringing together dominant victories, most recently a CG Open at Canterbury Park where he was a short odds-on favourite and scored by over 14 lengths. The move to 1408m is new, but his record of two wins and one placing from three starts gives him the right platform. YACHT MASTER (1) was professional enough to score on debut at Churchill Downs, albeit narrowly, and barrier one gives him every chance to build on that early promise. KINGSIDE (2) has already done it at this venue, putting away a 1207m Mdn by just over two lengths, and he looks the other progressive runner capable of taking the next step. DORMIE (10) has been placed at all three starts, was second at this track last time and adds blinkers, so he appeals as the reliable danger with place strength and some upside if the gear sharpens him. Something for the Multiples: TAKE A PICTURE (9)
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Made an immediate impact at this track, winning a 1207m Mdn by just over two lengths after tracking the speed and putting the race away quickly. That fast-ground debut had substance, and the winning rider stays with him. He has not raced around 1408m, but he looked strong through the line and profiles as a genuine winning threat again.
Last Starts 29 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 | 02/10/2026 | - | MDN 2 | $158,046.00 | Keeneland | 1207m | Fast | Tyler Gaffalione | 54kg | 1:11.61 | 9-3-1 | 3 |
| 2.3L | $7.78 |
Jockey: Ben Curtis
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Returns from a two-month freshening after finishing second last in an Open at Kentucky, beaten a long way at long odds and making no late impression. He had won a 1207m Mdn at Ellis Park by three lengths the run prior, so there is ability there, and Ben Curtis has won on him. Even so, that latest figure leaves him with plenty to turn around.
Last Starts 52 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/12 | 09/09/2026 | 45 | LR OPEN 2 | $1,041,667.00 | Kentucky | 1609m | FM | Joel Rosario | 53.5kg | 1:34.84 | 10-12-11 | 12 |
| 27.5L | $23.32 |
| 1/9 | 26/07/2026 | 29 | MDN 2 | $145,138.00 | Ellis Park | 1207m | Fast | Ben Curtis | 54kg | 1:11.69 | 3-1-1 | 6 |
| 3.0L | $3.09 |
| 2/7 | 27/06/2026 | 23 | MDN 2 | $167,364.00 | Churchill Downs | 1207m | SP | Joel Rosario | 54kg | 1:10.63 | 2-2-2 | 1 |
| 6.3L | $5.76 |
| 4/11 | 04/06/2026 | - | MDN 2 | $167,364.00 | Churchill Downs | 1106m | Fast | Ben Curtis | 54kg | 1:05.26 | 5-5-4 | 11 |
| 7.3L | $10.41 |
Jockey: Danny Sheehy
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Returns from a two-month freshening in outstanding form, having won a CG Open at Canterbury Park by over 14 lengths as a short odds-on favourite. That followed a four-length Mdn win at Horseshoe Indianapolis, so his upward curve is clear. The 1408m trip is new, but two wins and one placing from three starts make him the horse they all have to beat.
Last Starts 56 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/9 | 05/09/2026 | 31 | LR OPEN CG 2 | $114,123.00 | Canterbury Park | 1207m | Fast | Manuel Americano | 54.5kg | 1:11.30 | 4-1-1 | 1 |
| 14.5L | $1.50 |
| 1/11 | 05/08/2026 | 27 | MDN 2 | $45,649.00 | Indiana Downs | 1006m | Fast | Danny Sheehy | 54.5kg | 0:58.24 | 3-1-1 | 9 |
| 4.0L | $3.10 |
| 3/9 | 09/07/2026 | - | MDN 2 | $145,138.00 | Ellis Park | 1106m | Fast | Antongeorgi Iii William | 54kg | 1:05.44 | 8-3-3 | 8 |
| 4.1L | $25.76 |
Jockey: Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
Weight: 54.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Returns from a five-week freshening after a powerful debut win at Churchill Downs, where he came from well back and made up many lengths to beat Borax by just over three lengths. That was a good first impression and he was respected in betting. This is a sharper assignment, with 1408m still untried, so he has to confirm that closing burst at the higher level.
Last Starts 37 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/9 | 24/09/2026 | - | MDN CLM 2 | $104,167.00 | Churchill Downs | 1207m | Fast | Tyler Gaffalione | 54kg | 1:11.18 | 3-2-1 | 5 |
| 3.3L | $3.75 |
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Returns from a three-month break after finishing last campaign with a Del Mar Mdn win, scoring by just over a length in a small field after travelling close and finishing with something in hand. He had earlier run third at Ellis Park when unwanted in betting. The form is tidy at the lower level, but this return demands more depth than he has shown so far.
Last Starts 70 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/5 | 22/08/2026 | 42 | MDN 2 | $142,653.00 | Del Mar | 1609m | Fast | Joel Rosario | 55.5kg | 1:39.15 | 5-1-1 | 4 |
| 1.3L | $3.30 |
| 3/8 | 11/07/2026 | - | MDN 2 | $145,138.00 | Ellis Park | 1106m | SP | Abel Cedillo | 54kg | 1:04.72 | 5-3-3 | 6 |
| 2.1L | $18.57 |
Jockey: Luis Saez
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Has built a very consistent record, placing at all three starts and running second at this track last time when beaten just over three lengths in an ALLOW. The run prior was a one-length second in an Open at Prairie Meadows as favourite, which reads well enough for this. Blinkers go on, and while 1408m is new, he has the reliability to be right in the minor money.
Last Starts 28 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/6 | 03/10/2026 | 49 | ALLOW 2 | $172,414.00 | Keeneland | 1207m | Fast | Luis Saez | 55.5kg | 1:11.28 | 5-4-2 | 5 |
| 3.3L | $10.15 |
| 2/9 | 15/08/2026 | 55 | LR OPEN 2 | $142,653.00 | Prairie Meadows | 1207m | Fast | Julio Felix | 53.5kg | 1:10.19 | 4-3-2 | 2 |
| 1.0L | $3.00 |
| 1/5 | 21/06/2026 | - | MDN 2 | $41,841.00 | Hawthorne | 905m | M | Julio Felix | 54kg | 0:51.63 | 1-1-1 | 1 |
| 1.3L | $4.90 |
Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Returns from a six-week freshening after winning on debut at Parx, where he was a well-supported favourite and finished strongly to beat Midnight Ride by just under two lengths in a 13-runner Mdn. A US$175,000 buy, he has the right early profile and brings a clean one-from-one record, though the wide draw makes this a tougher second-up assignment.
Last Starts 42 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/13 | 19/09/2026 | - | MDN 2 | $138,889.00 | Parx | 1308m | Fast | Jorge A Vargas Jr | 54kg | 1:17.67 | 3-1-1 | 4 |
| 1.8L | $2.60 |