Horse Racing – Wonder Wheel Headlines Keeneland Betting Odds
$500,000 Feature on Opening Day
The opening day of the Keeneland fall schedule kicks off with the Grade I Alcibiades on Friday and Keeneland betting odds are available.
It’s a wide-open field for the $500,000 feature that includes the well-regarded Wonder Wheel and Fun and Fiesty.
Racing at Keeneland always provides the action and the Alcibiades is a race to watch.
Wonder Wheel Leads the Pack
Beating a field of 14 is never easy, especially for a 2-year-old filly, but Wonder Wheel could be above average.
The Mark Casse-trained daughter of Into Mischief won her first two starts at Churchill Downs before running a gallant second placing in the Grade I Spinaway at Saratoga.
Prior to the placing, Casse believed she could be something special.
“From the beginning, she has always been ahead of the class, and her two performances have been super. I’ll be nervous because when you think you have a good one, you get nervous,” he said.
Keeneland betting odds should have her well-favored to score. Bettors should get value odds with the big field and she’s the one they have to beat.
Fun and Fiesty Shoot for Three
Fun and Fiesty is gunning for her third consecutive victory after taking out the Pocahontas Stakes at Churchill Downs last start.
Ken McPeek has a good record in the Alcibiades and she looks like a promising type who could score at the top level. Rising in distance shouldn’t worry the daughter of Midshipman.
“She’s been begging to go longer,” McPeek said. “I was pleasantly surprised when she won going short. We kind of did anticipate that she would want more ground. She ate it up when she did run further. I think the Alcibiades is a great next stop for her.”
She’s likely to try to find cover from barrier nine, which should give her a nice drag into the race with Julien R. Leparoux in the saddle.
The Keeneland race schedule could be favorable to Fun and Fiesty, who could pay each-way odds at the sportsbook.
Chop Chop to Slice Through
The form of Chop Chop can’t be overlooked and for those who bet on horse races, she could be the one to upset them.
The daughter of City of Light won her maiden at Ellis Park before beating a solid field in the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies last month.
Having a Brad Cox-trained unbeaten runner in the field creates plenty of interest and Keeneland betting odds should have her at value odds.
Having a Brad Cox-trained unbeaten runner in the field creates plenty of interest and Keeneland betting odds should have her at value odds.
That’s mostly because of the strong opposition, but Chop Chop is worth including, and seeing a betting push on race day wouldn’t go amiss.
She has plenty of upside and she could mature into a grade I-winning filly this year. She’s bred to show early toe and we’re not leaving her out of selections.
