Opening weekend at Keeneland Race Course featured some fantastic action in the world of Thoroughbred racing. Stakes races galore produced some exciting finishes. There was one runner that even offered up an educational session. That is said because Golden Pal was textbook to say the very least in more ways than one.
For those that had doubts about trainer Wesley Ward’s two-time Breeders’ Cup winner (2020 Juvenile Turf Sprint, 2021 Turf Sprint), Golden Pal aced the test in the grade 2 Shakertown Stakes on April 9. Always thought to be brilliantly fast, this son of Uncle Mo put on a five and a half furlong display of dominance. Blasting from the gate like a rocket, he ran a mercurial opening quarter-mile (20.94), and never had another runner closer than two and a half lengths. His four and three-quarters of a length win in this sprint could have been greater if jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. had asked.
In picking up his sixth career win from nine-lifetime starts, this Florida-bred four-year-old was impressive to say the very least. In schooling nine other runners in the turf sprint, Golden Pal demonstrated a doctorate. There was, however, another lesson learned in this one.
The day before heading to the heart of horse country, a lovely young lady provided some advice. She said one of her relatives frequented Oaklawn Park back in the day and provided a little betting advice. “Take the horse with the big hiney because that means they are really fast”, she proclaimed.
Standing in the paddock before the Shakertown I recalled this nugget. As a hillbilly handicapper that’s always looking for an angle, I thought what better race to try out the theory than a turf sprint. As the runners paraded around the paddock, the horses walked by, and BAM!!! There it was…the biggest booty in the race belonged to Golden Pal.
So while Wesley Ward’s Pal turned in this Golden scholastic masterpiece on the turf, a hillbilly enjoyed a session of handicapping 101. The answers to our pop quiz were yes Golden Pal is that fast and yes bet the big booty.
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