Venue: Keeneland Race Course, 4201 Versailles Road, Lexington, Kentucky 40588.
Race: Race 7 – The 29th Running of the Giant’s Causeway S. Presented by Keeneland Select (Grade II) – for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and upward
Distance/Surface: 5½ furlongs on turf
Purse: $400,000 (includes $100,000 from KTDF)
Scheduled Post Time: 4:12 PM ET
Expected Weather Conditions: Mostly cloudy with a daytime high near 79–84°F and lows in the mid-50s to low 60s°F by early evening. Winds southwest 10–14 mph. Precipitation chance around 9% with no significant rain expected; mild spring conditions ideal for turf racing.
Track Conditions: Turf firm. Recent maintenance (harrowed/sealed with low moisture) and no precipitation forecast support a firm, fast turf course typical for Keeneland’s spring meet.
This upgraded Grade II turf sprint drew a large, competitive 12-horse main field (plus four also-eligibles) featuring graded stakes winners, recent Franklin S. performers, and sharp shippers. The 5½-furlong distance on firm turf rewards tactical speed, early position, and proven grass sprint form. Time to Dazzle, the 2025 Franklin (G2) winner, returns as a logical favorite, but the overflow field includes several live longshots and multiple entrants from top barns.
Post Position & Full Field Analysis (Main Track – 12 Horses)
PP 1 – Movin’ On Up (Accelerate – Stifle Yourself by Cairo Prince) – ML Odds: 12/1
Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz
Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.
Age/Sex: 5-year-old mare
Key Recent Finishes: Competitive in allowance/optional claiming company on turf; tactical closer with upside at this trip.
Analysis: Consistent mare from a hot Joseph barn. Draws inside and should get a clean trip stalking the pace under Ortiz. Live at double-digit odds if the top contenders overperform early. Solid exotic filler.
PP 2 – Charlene’s Dream (Qurbaan – Clara Kelly by Street Sense) – ML Odds: 6/1
Jockey: Juan J. Hernandez
Trainer: Ed Moger, Jr.
Age/Sex: 5-year-old mare
Key Recent Finishes: Strong recent turf sprint form with a high speed figure (131 rating).
Analysis: Sharp California shipper with excellent early speed. Hernandez knows her well. The firm turf and short trip suit perfectly; expect her to press or lead and be very dangerous. Strong contender.
PP 3 – Twirling Queen (Twirling Candy – Adventurous Lady by Street Sense) – ML Odds: 15/1
Jockey: Luis Saez
Trainer: Jose Francisco D’Angelo
Age/Sex: 5-year-old mare
Key Recent Finishes: Mixed stakes/allowance results but capable on firm turf.
Analysis: Longshot with closing kick. Saez can save ground from post 3. Needs a hot pace to come running late but offers value in multi-horse exotics.
PP 4 – Egyptian Mau (SAF) (Fire Away – Savannah Cat (SAF) by Jukebox Jury) – ML Odds: 20/1
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Trainer: Neil D. Drysdale
Age/Sex: 6-year-old mare
Key Recent Finishes: Veteran with international experience; competitive in U.S. turf sprints.
Analysis: Drysdale/Geroux combo adds class. Veteran speed type who could surprise if she finds her best on firm going. Use underneath at big odds.
PP 5 – Gratefully (Laoban – Selflessly by Street Sense) – ML Odds: 4/1
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Trainer: Robert N. Falcone, Jr.
Age/Sex: 4-year-old filly
Key Recent Finishes: Unbeaten or near-unbeaten streak in recent starts; high-class sprint form.
Analysis: One of the top choices. Falcone and Irad Ortiz, Jr. team is dangerous. Tactical versatility and recent dominance make her a major threat to wire or sit just off the pace on firm turf.
PP 6 – Pondering (Hard Spun – Always Thinking by Street Sense) – ML Odds: 10/1
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Trainer: Brendan P. Walsh
Age/Sex: 4-year-old filly
Key Recent Finishes: Third in the Franklin S.; returning to turf after a strong grass effort.
Analysis: Walsh trainee with proven stakes form at Keeneland. Gaffalione should have her in a perfect mid-pack trip. Live closer who could pounce if the leaders duel.
PP 7 – In Our Time (Not This Time – Laura’s Pleasure by Stroll) – ML Odds: 5/1
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.
Age/Sex: 5-year-old mare
Key Recent Finishes: Franklin S. runner-up; returning to sprinting distance.
Analysis: Joseph barn again (double threat). Runner-up to Time to Dazzle last out at this track. Prat is elite; expect her to sit a perfect trip and challenge late. Co-favorite contender.
PP 8 – Big Trouble (Kantharos – Into Trouble by Into Mischief) – ML Odds: 15/1
Jockey: Declan Cannon
Trainer: Gregory D. Foley
Age/Sex: 5-year-old mare
Key Recent Finishes: Strong speed figure (128 rating) in recent turf sprints.
Analysis: Foley/Cannon local combo with early speed. Could steal a share if the pace melts in front. Value longshot.
PP 9 – Love Crvere (Into Mischief – Panther Strike by Ghostzapper) – ML Odds: 10/1
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Trainer: Miguel Clement
Age/Sex: 4-year-old filly
Key Recent Finishes: In-the-money recently; solid turf sprint pedigree.
Analysis: Clement trainee with tactical speed. Alvarado can position her forwardly. Live at 10/1 with room to improve.
PP 10 – Saturday Flirt (Mendelssohn – Dragic by Street Sense) – ML Odds: 8/1
Jockey: Walter A. Rodriguez
Trainer: Wesley A. Ward
Age/Sex: 4-year-old filly
Key Recent Finishes: Ward sprint specialist with recent sharp efforts.
Analysis: Ward is a turf sprint maestro. Expect her to be forwardly placed and in the mix throughout. Solid mid-tier contender.
PP 11 – Time to Dazzle (Not This Time – Staria by Medaglia d’Oro) – ML Odds: 6/1
Jockey: John R. Velazquez
Trainer: Mark E. Casse
Age/Sex: 5-year-old mare
Key Recent Finishes: Daylight winner of 2025 Franklin (G2) here; fourth in Saudi G2 turf sprint (second start back).
Analysis: The headliner and defending track specialist. Casse/Velazquez send her out fresh and sharp. Proven at Keeneland over this exact trip; the one to beat if she fires her best.
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PP 12 – Creed’s Gold (Jimmy Creed – Foxyfromfairbanks by Fairbanks) – ML Odds: 10/1
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Trainer: Mark E. Casse
Age/Sex: 5-year-old mare
Key Recent Finishes: Consistent stakes-level performer.
Analysis: Second Casse runner with Castellano aboard. Speedy type who could contest the early pace. Dangerous barn mate to Time to Dazzle.
Also-Eligibles (if any scratches)
PP 13 – Shining Star (CHI) (3/1) – Brad H. Cox / Jose L. Ortiz: High-rated (148) Chilean import; serious threat if she draws in.
PP 14 – Me Governor (20/1)
PP 15 – Saratoga Special (IRE) (9/2)
PP 16 – Tempting Eve (15/1)
Race Summary & Betting Angles
Contenders: Time to Dazzle (proven Keeneland specialist), Gratefully (in-form), In Our Time (Franklin runner-up), Charlene’s Dream (sharp shipper).
Value/Underdog: Pondering, Saturday Flirt, and any AE like Shining Star if they get in.
Key Factors: Firm turf favors speed and inside posts. Expect a contested pace with several early types (Charlene’s Dream, Big Trouble, Creed’s Gold).
Predicted Order of Finish: 11-5-7-2 (Time to Dazzle – Gratefully – In Our Time – Charlene’s Dream).
Exotics: Exacta box 11-5-7-2; Trifecta key 11 with 5/7/2/10 underneath; Superfecta include the Joseph and Casse runners.
