Friday's Best Bet: Gulfstream Way can surge ahead in Phoenix
Friday’s seventh race at Keeneland is the Grade 2 Phoenix Stakes for 3-year-olds and up dashing six furlongs on the main track. The scheduled post time is 4:12 p.m. EDT.
Click here for Keeneland entries and results.
No. 4 Gulfstream Way (8-1) has been very good since Norm Casse claimed him for $40k on May 26. He gave Bango a scare at Churchill last time, and he should work out a decent stalking trip under Ricardo Santana Jr.
No. 7 Bango (5-2) has not finished out of the exacta since July 2022. Tyler Gaffalione was aboard for his last six wins and an outer tactical trip is expected. He is 0-for-2 at Keeneland.
No. 9 Doctor Oscar (7-2) wired the field in his last three dirt sprints at Canterbury. The sharp Shackleford colt is fast enough to win this.
No. 8 Nakatomi (4-1) got back on the beam in an extended sprint in the slop at Saratoga on July 16. He is 3-for-4 at Keeneland and can make some noise if the pace heats up. Tyler Gaffalione opted for Bango in this spot. Irad Ortiz Jr. takes the call and he is 2-for-2 with Wesley Ward recently.
No. 1 Hoist the Gold (8-1) may not have cared for the Del Mar oval in his last two stakes starts, so I will give him a pass for those efforts. He hit the board in multiple stakes including the Perryville, Malibu, Commonwealth (G3), and Churchill Downs Stakes. He can stalk or close and might spice up the exotics.
No. 2 Manny Wah (6-1) upset this race at 17-1 last fall. He has been off his game in a trio of starts this year but fits with these on his best day.
Wagers
No. 4 to win
Exacta box 4-7
Exacta 4-7/1-8
Trifecta 4-7-9/1-2-4-7-8-9/1-8
Recent Best Bet winners
Sept. 19 – Dewey Doit ($8.80), trifecta ($91.40)
Sept. 20 – Giant Mischief ($4.80)
Sept. 21 – Mariachi ($9)
Sept. 24 – Honor D Lady/Ancient Peace exacta ($104.60)
Sept. 25 – Rosa ($9), exacta ($32)
Sept. 27 - Tiger Moon ($5.70)
Last Friday - Kirstenbosch ($15)
Wednesday - Agate Road ($6.90), exacta ($63), trifecta ($119.48)
Thursday - Portage ($7.30)