Skip to main content

Keeneland Select

Keeneland Select Derby Prep Hotlist - Holy Bull Stakes - February 4

By Bob Ehalt and Matt Shifman

The $250,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3), Gulfstream Park, Race 12, 5:43 p.m. ET

(8) Rocket Can comes off a nice effort in a Churchill Downs allowance race last fall and has been training in solid fashion. Trainer Bill Mott is having a fine GP meet, as evidenced by last weekend’s Pegasus World Cup, and this 3-year-old should have enough tactical speed to offset the outside post. In a field that seems more like an allowance race than a stakes, he’s an intriguing possibility. (4) Cyclone Mischief ran a huge race last time and if he duplicates that effort, he’ll breeze to victory. But he’s likely to bounce and that could make him vulnerable here. (1) Lord Miles rallied strongly while racing wide and missed by less than a length in the mile Mucho Macho Man. The added distance here and a ground-saving trip should suit him. (6) Legacy Isle won the Mucho Macho Man but was disqualified and placed second. His early speed makes him a dangerous here, but he figures to receive plenty of pressure in this field and will need a superb effort to hang on. Betting strategy: 8 to win. Exacta and trifecta box: 1-4-6-8.