Both Keeneland and Belmont Park are back in action on Thursday. Belmont Park was dark on Wednesday, leaving us with just Keeneland and a slow day of action, but we did have a couple of nice scores.

Nurture got home as my top pick in the fourth race, returning a hefty $23.40. We knocked down a generous recommended exacta paying $215.40, and the $1 trifecta that returned $884.10.

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We capped off the day with a $72.20 recommended exacta and the $1 trifecta that paid $187.90.

Pre entries for the Breeders’ Cup will be announced today, and by mid afternoon we will have the ability to download the past performances.

With the expanded Breeders’ Cup that now encompasses 14 races, we’ll need the eight days to get all of our handicapping in.

Sleep is overrated anyway.

There is a $61,245 Pick 6 carryover at Keeneland today.

To purchase my full card reports for Belmont Park and Keeneland that includes analysis, selections, fair odds, recommendations for today click here.

Here is the opening race from Keeneland to get our day off to a good start:

KEE Race 1 Md $15,000 (1:10 et)

#8 Ski Ensign   15/1

#2 Gilded Memory   4/1

#9 Tinker Bell Glory   9/2

#10 Suzie Moon   15/1

Analysis: #8 Ski Ensign came up the inside with a good late rally to finish third last out over the poly at Arlington, beaten 3 3/4 lengths for the top spot. The filly was a god second three back on the main track Ellis earning a speed fig that fits here. Two back tried turf, checking in seventh in a highly graded race that produced a pair of next out winners. The filly has two sibs, both winners, top earner Big Blackhawk ($21K). The extra furlong may suit and she is sitting at a generous 15/1 on the morning line.

#2 Gilded Memory finished ahead of our top pick in her last start in that key race on 8/14, coming with a  four wide run to finish in the runner up spot. The winner was Lone Survivor, who beat $15K non winners of two in her next outing on 9/12 at Turfway. Two back she made a good late run to finish in the runner up spot behind another repeat winner. The winner Affair to Remember came back to beat $30K non winners of two in her next start. She cuts back to one turn and returns to poly. She has had a few too many chances to break her maiden but this appears to be about as soft a group as she has faced and this is her third start since January and has a couple of good breezes over the poly here since her last start.

Wagering

WIN: #8 to win at 8/1 or better.

EX: 2,8 / 2,8,9,10

TRI: 2,8 / 2,8,9,10 / 2,3,6,8,9,10

Today’s Featured Race From Belmont Park:

BEL Race 7 Clm $60,000 (4:12 et)

#9 Mister Triester   4/1

#3 Temporary Saint   7/2

#6 Temecula Creek   6/1

#5 Diamond Isle   3/1

Analysis: #9 Mister Triester set the early fractions and faded to finish a well beaten fifth last out at Del Park. The gelding has not run that well in three starts on wet tracks so we'll toss it. He may have been due to bounce anyway coming off back to back career tops. Two back he was a very impressive winner versus Alw-3 optional claimers. The gelding owns the edge in early and mid pace numbers and is 6 for 9 in his career at the distance. Bounces back with a better effort here.

#3 Temporary Saint was beaten just a nose last out, drifting out in deep stretch after setting the early fractions. The gelding was claimed out of the race by the Jacobson barn that is 14% winners first off the claim. The gelding nearly earned a career top last out and his two best figs are at nine furlongs although he has won 3 of 7 at today's D/S.

Wagering

WIN: #9 to win at 3/1 or better.

EX: 3,9 / 3,5,6,9

TRI: 3,9 / 3,5,6,9 / 3,5,6,8,9

Today’s Featured Race From Keeneland:

KEE Race 8 OClm $80,000N1Y (4:40 et)

#6 Misty Lady   3/1

#3 School Girl   5/2

#5 Miss A. Bomb   7/2

#4 Sweet Ambition   4/1

Analysis: #6 Misty Lady makes her U.S. debut here for the Asmussen barn. The filly is a Group 1 winner in Argentina on turf and a Group 2 winner on dirt. She has had a couple of decent looking works over the poly here and goes for the Asmussen barn that is 16% winners with horses coming back off a +180 day layoff. Barn has a pair in here and with main man Bridgemohan on this gal she figures to be live in this spot.

#3 School Girl is coming off a sharp win last out at Presque Isle versus Alw-4L foes going five furlongs. The runner up in the race was Bob's Dylan, who beat Alw-4L foes in her next outing at Finger Lakes on 10/13. She owns a solid pace profile throughout with the edge in late pace numbers.

Wagering

WIN: #6 to win at 2/1 or better.

EX: 3,6 / 3,5,6

TRI: no play

Live Longshots:

These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.

Keeneland

R1: #8 Ski Ensign   15/1

R1: #10 Suzie Moon   15/1

R2: #9 Do Drop In   8/1

R4: #3 Chief Commander   8/1

R4: #4 Buddha Calling   10/1

R7: #5 Rcuandry   8/1

R7: #1 Our Dahlia   8/1

Belmont Park

R1: #3 Quick and Easy   10/1

R2: #4 Call of the Sea   15/1

R4: #3 Apocalyptical   10/1

R5: #3 Absolute Return   10/1

R5: #9 Lord Kipling   10/1

R6: #9 Nicki Blue   15/1

R9: #6 Carnita   12/1

R9: #9 French Kissin   8/1

R9: #12 Charlie’s Diva   12/1

Good luck today!