Mid-level claimers clash for the $20,000 level in this 6-furlong dirt sprint. Favorites are a respectable 6-19 in claiming races this meeting with 17 winners in single-digit odds, including. Turfway has produced 7 winners (5 for Fair Grounds, 3 for Oaklawn). We’ve had 11 previous Spring Meet claiming sprints in the $16K-$25K range at this same distance, and the average winner is merely a neck off the lead after the first half-mile. Nine of 11 winners were essentially on the lead at that point. All 11 winners exited sprint preps, something Billy the Greek will try to buck.This race is loaded with speed types, including Molto Vivace and Uncashed perhaps fleetest. Uncashed makes a big class drop for high-percentage trainer Larry Rivelli, who has had some luck with jockey Walter Rodriguez in limited pairings over the years.

Entry-level (N1X) allowance sprinters battle the about 7-furlong distance as the late pick 5 starts here. Fair Grounds preppers have won 7 dirt allowance races this meet from 19 offered (Gulfstream next-best with 5). Seven of the 9 dirt ALW sprints this meet have been won by horses 2-1 or less. We’ve had 19 of these N1X ALW sprints at 7F in Spring Meets on dirt overall, and only 4 have been won by horses turning back from a 2-turn prep like Zadorsky and Central Avenue bid. I like the latter a lot on paper and may still try to buck the trend if the price is right (6-1 morning line feels like reasonable value). Sam’s Treasure and Roman Grace both have run credible races over this track and the former will be one of Wesley Ward’s final arrows to pull in his chase for the leading trainer title.

The final stakes of the Spring Meet is featured with the Grade 3 $350,000 Bewitch Stakes at 1-1/2 miles on grass. It’s the middle leg in Friday’s Keeneland Turf Pick 3. We have 17 years of the Bewitch in our database, a race won the last 6 years by horses 9-2 or less. In fact, 14 of the 17 have been 5-1 or less. Gulfstream preppers lead with 9 wins, which puts Immensitude, Forever After All and Youknownothing on center stage. Brendan Walsh doesn’t get Irad Ortiz Jr. to ride often at Keeneland, but they’re a remarkable 6-for-8 in tandem and pair with Forever After All. That mare missed by a nose in the Dowager Stakes, the Fall Meet’s sister race to the Bewitch and will be big factor. Immensitude gets Thursday’s hot rider Flavien Prat aboard after finishing a touch ahead of Forever After All at Gulfstream in the The Very One Stakes. Her trainer Bill Mott won this race in 2021-’22-’23 with the great War Like Goddess.

The curtain closes on the Spring Meet with this 1-1/16 miles turf maiden special weight for 3-year-olds and older. It’s the closeout race in the Keeneland Turf Pick 3 as well. Gulfstream preppers have won 4 of the 8 turf route MSW races at the meet and a commanding 51 of the 117 offered since 2011. GP reps here include only Sardis and also-eligible Its Bourbon Thirty. First-time starters have won just 10 of those 117, something Operation Sunrise will try to buck. Brendan Walsh won a trio such races during the ’24 Spring Meet and has 1 so far this meet as he pursues the leading trainer title. He’ll send out regally bred Sumood via a Turfway debut second. Sumood is by Kitten’s Joy and out of Breeders’ Cup F&M Turf winner Lahudood. Also-eligibles Vivaldi and Sully are high on my radar here if they can draw into the field, so keep an eye on scratches and changes. Luis Saez has won the final race on the card in 5 of the last 6 Keeneland programs, so don’t be surprised if he turns out the lights aboard Sardis.