Keeneland FULLCARD Hotlist - April 9

Today’s Keeneland Hot List fullcard selections
Saturday, April 9, 2022
Toyota Blue Grass Stakes Day

By Bob Ehalt and Matt Shifman

Hot List Key:
 A: A preferred horse to watch  B: Secondary horse to watch
*C: Went down 2 or more betting notches and finished 1st through 3rd
*D: Went down 2 or more betting notches and finished 4^th or worst
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.

1^st race – (4) Scotland Yard set the pace at Fair Grounds in his debut but settled for second. Should appreciate the short stretch here. (11) Pioneering Spirit just missed with a wide rally. Will be a force if he can overcome an outside post. (7) Magia Nera missed by a neck last time and deserves respect here. (12) Enough Already has talent but landed a tough post.

2^nd race – (10) Jeeper was an improved second last time and should graduate here. (6) Bourbon Heist adds blinkers and should fare better than a fifth-place finish last time. (9) Civics Class could be a threat in his debut. (5) Emirates Road might be better suited on a fast track.

3^rd race - (5) Nevisian Sunrise can start her 2022 campaign on a winning note after closing last year with a third in a stakes. (8) Millefeuille was second after a long layoff and should be the main rival. (3) Longpants Required will appreciate a return to turf. (4) Pentagon had a useful prep for this at Tampa.

4^th race – (9) Macallan was a sharp winner at Tampa for Pletcher and looks best in this spot. (5) Naval Aviator missed by a head last time and will be a main contender. (10) Iron Works is working nicely for this start and should be formidable. (3) American Sanctuary may appreciate the stretchout.

5^th race – The Commonwealth Stakes, G3 - (5) Nashville finally returned to top form last time and looks best here. (7) South Bend could be a menace in the stretch. (10) Prevalence seems razor sharp and should be a prime threat. (1) Manny Wah may work out a good trip from the rail.

6^h race – The Appalachian Stakes Presented by Japan Racing Association -  (4) Dolce Zel rallied nicely to win her U.S. debut and can make it two in a row here. (3) Spendarella looks like the one to catch in the stretch. (2) An Agent Mistake was second in a Santa Anita stakes and merits consideration here. (7) Ouraika should handle the added ground with aplomb.

7^th race – The Madison Stakes, G1 - (5) Bell’s the One is now 6 but still looks best in this field and should be hard to fend off in the stretch. (8) Club Car was second to the top pick on a couple of occasions last year and can complete the exacta here. (9) Kalypso makes her first start since being moved from Baffert and seems ready for a sharp try for Asmussen. (3) Lady Rocket has keen early speed and should be tough to reel in.

8^th race – The Shakertown Stakes, G2 - (10) Golden Pal makes his first start since winning the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint and seems on edge for a big effort. (9) Filo Di Arianna hasn’t raced since June but looked good enough in his North American debut to be a factor here. (8) Johnny Unleashed might figure in the exotics here. (5) Gear Jockey could be dangerous on his best try.

9^th race – The Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, G1 - (4) Zandon had a rough trip when third in the Risen Star to start his 3-year-old campaign. With a smooth trip here, he should be able to reach the winner’s circle. (10) Smile Happy rallied for second in the Risen Star but had a better trip than the top pick and must overcome a difficult post here. (1) Commandperformance may be a maiden but he was second in the Grade 1 Champagne and fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. He should be able to make his presence felt from the rail. (8) Ethereal Road could make things interesting in the final furlong.

10^th race – (11) Into Vanishing wasn’t helped by the post position draw, but has the most talent and gets the nod in this spot. (9) Tabor Hall has been away since June but is working quickly for her return. (12) Semble Juste gets Lasix again and is worth a long look. (4) Illiogami broke her maiden here and should be in the mix.

11^th race – (10) Momos has plenty of speed and may not look back from an outside post. (11) Artemus Citylimits has been no worse than third in his last 10 starts and definitely belongs in the exotics. (4) Infinite has been away for a year but Ward excels off the layoff. (7) Souper Dormy looms a stretch threat here.