Handicapper's Corner: Dixiana Elkhorn Stakes (G2)

Hunting for Longshots in the Dixiana Elkhorn Stakes

By: Dylan Jarmulowicz, Wireplayers.com

The spring meet at Keeneland is short, but also intense in stakes races as well as in rich tradition. It really is one of the best meets of the year and that is for many reasons, my favorite being the diverse race cards. Keeneland is one of the few tracks that cards races anywhere from 4 furlongs to this Grade II Dixiana Elkhorn Stakes at a mile and a half over the lawn. This race is interesting as the field is strong as well as horses coming off extended layoffs and almost everyone is shipping into Kentucky from various locations. Time to find those overlays and checkmark winners!

Advance Weather: Partly Cloudy, 60s

This race is tough to decipher due to so many variables. Horses are shipping in from all over the country; combine that with a few of the top contenders coming off a long winter layoff. Starting with the morning line favorite #10 ITSINTHEPOST (5/2), all he has done is won three consecutive races, all Grade II s. He has that stalker running style which is perfect for turf racing but he ships in from Santa Anita and the turf course in California is vastly different from this one in Kentucky. He was also well bet in the last three races and he could be well backed at the windows again. I prefer others more but leaving him out is dangerous.

#3 CALL PROVISION (5-1) maybe the most interesting in this race. He is one game race horse but most of it has been against lesser competition and he is coming off a five-month layoff. He has run well off the layoff before and has been working out all winter long. He may need a race, he may not be as good as some others in this race, but, he is interesting at a bit of a price.

My top play is #12 HAYABUSA ONE (9/2). He has never run a bad race, has that stalker, versatile running style that is key in turf racing but most importantly, he has won here at Keeneland before. The distance should be no problem and while he has been running well at Santa Anita, I’d argue that a softer turf course would only move him up a few notches. If we can get anything around 9/2 he maybe the steal of this racing Saturday!

My Plays:

WIN: 12

EX: 12/2,3,8,9,10

Good Luck!