God's Tipster's Friday Keeneland Pick is an under-appreciated miler in the Grade 1 Maker's Mark, the 9th race

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Thursday’s Race Recap from Keeneland:

(All odds US)

Replays for yesterday’s races from Keeneland can be found here:

Keeneland:

Race 7: 7th@ 23.10/1

Race 8: 2nd@ 1.20/1

A sunny day at Keeneland began in Race 7 where we had 23/1 longshot - Whatstheconnection who went to the early lead from the rail but was unable to sustain his speed eventually fading to last. In Race 8, Fluffy Socks had a stalking trip off a slow early pace and made a nice run off the layoff to get second but was unable to catch Curly Ruth who got the early jump on her with the way the pace shaped up.

We’re back at Keeneland for Friday’s race card. We’re expecting cloudy skies with a fast main track and a firm turf course with another Grade 1 on a Friday - The Maker’s Mark Mile on tap. Let’s get to work!

Friday at Keeneland:

Race 9: Ivar - 1 pt win (US Morning Line Odds: 6/1)

The Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Mile attracted a stellar field of turf milers. Ivar’s the one I want here as there appears there’ll be plenty of pace to run at with the presence of 2/1 morning line favorite Smooth Like Strait, Somelikeithotbrown and British invader Masen, who’s been running in Ireland. Ivar stamped himself as a dangerous turf miler back in October 2020 when he won the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile right here at Keeneland at 14/1 odds. He exited that race to finish a strong 4th in the Breeder’s Cup mile losing by 2 lengths to the very best milers the world has to offer. After an ill-advised trip to Churchill Downs for the turf classic at 1 1/8 miles, Ivar ran a bang-up fourth again in the Grade 1 Keeneland Turf Mile while being bumped around. He followed that up as our selection in last year’s Breeder’s Cup Mile with an outstanding performance to finish third while slowly gaining at 24/1 odds from post 14. Ivar doesn’t get the respect he deserves but this massive runner will be motoring in the lane and it’ll take a very good horse to beat him if he’s on his game.

Best of luck to everyone playing Friday’s races from Keeneland!