Keeneland Saturday Early Pick 3

Race 1:
3. Hooper - Second off the layoff. Showed speed on the TP poly before throwing in the towel. Blinks on should have this one on the lead.

10. Renvyle - Second off a short layoff. Showed good speed on the TP poly before fading slightly down the stretch. Lanerie comes back to ride for the HOFamer Lukas. Catch him if you can.

Race 2:
3. Flank Drive - Seemed to like the Poly this past winter at TP, albeit against weaker. Also like the fact that Jacinto knows the horse. Could be the upsetter in a contentious field.

8. Uncle Walter - Winner last out at TP boasts a very impressive record on the poly. Leparoux and Bindner should have this one on the muscle. Strictly the one to beat.

10. G P's Black Knight - Class of the field showed signs of life last out at Ellis in his 3rd start off a long layoff. Decent work over the track on Oct1 and Borel on board for round 2. Watch out.

12. Jaguar Joe - Michigan bred had two good trips over the poly at TP this past winter in much classier fields. Loves to run first or second 41-10-10-9. Would be a fool to leave this one out.

Race 3:
2. Student Council - Ran lights out over the poly last out at TP and tied highest beyer(93) last out with Champ Safi. Brilliant work Oct3 on the local strip points to a likely repeat performance.

5. Scipion - I don't want to use him but feel the need to do so due to the connections and their performance on Friday. $1.9 million purchase hasn't seen the winners circle in 18 months (Risen Star) but meets a somewhat weaker field than what he's been facing in the northeast. Biancone is strong off the 31-60 day layoff 23%

6. Hatch - Oliver won the first race on friday with Lordly, who had only 3 races on the monmouth turf and never hit the board. On the shelf since 2004, Hatch returns from a short break (Last out Aug. 19, btw Lordly last out was Aug. 16) where he had 3 decent races over the monmouth turf. Too much deja vu for me to pass up.

2-4-3 = $24

Good luck!