Keeneland’s opening Saturday was an enjoyable one. COMMENTATE ($6.02) made a hellacious late run to mow down the leaders in the opener, much in the same style as his workmate Golden Tempo does in his races. CHANCERY ($3.02) got the pocket trip we hoped for to win the second. Trainer Graham Motion stayed hot, winning the third race at a bonus price with SIOUXSE ($14.58). Tulip ran second for a $61.58 exacta. The early Pick 3 came back $38.33. The fourth event went to C K WONDER ($6.52) and then WHO DEY ($5.46) annexed the fifth, with Bullard second for a $17.82 exacta. The early Pick 5 returned $174.79. EVANESCENCE ($7.98) won the Thoroughbred Club of America (G2), keeping her 14-race, “never out of the money” streak alive! Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez is in top form and won the First Lady (G1) on CLASSIC Q ($20.08). A perfect stalking trip allowed AMERICAN HISTORY ($12.00) to win the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) with Coach Pope second for a $24.44 exacta. RHETORICAL ($5.72) retained his Coolmore Turf Mile (G1) crown with a popular victory capping the day.
