Richest Race of the Keeneland Fall Meet is Saturday's Shadwell Turf Mile

Rob Gregorka

Las Vegas, NV -- It is a great weekend of racing at Keeneland, highlighted by five stakes races on Saturday including the $600,000 Shadwell Turf Mile featuring Gio Ponti. The 6-year old will try to win the race for the second consecutive year but it won't be easy as the field is perhaps the strongest in the history of the race. This should make the payoffs generous.

Gio Ponti has not won in five races but the level of competition the horse has faced has been stiff. Trainer Christophe Clement said that Gio Ponti is still running well and that nothing is wrong. "I think he is as solid as he has ever been," said Clement. "He runs the same kind of numbers as he always does. So for me, he seems to be as good, even if he has not won, which is just what we call a lack of racing luck."

Gio Ponti figures to be challenged by Sidney's Candy and Get Stormy in this "Win and You're In" race for the Breeders Cup on Saturday at Keeneland. Todd Pletcher is now training Sidney's Candy and the horse gets Joel Rosario in the irons. Get Stormy should be right with Sidney's Candy for the early lead under jockey Garrett Gomez. The potential speed duel might set the race up very well for Gio Ponti, who will be ridden by Ramon Dominguez.

Keeneland Horse Race betting at Off Track Betting

Not to be forgotten as betting threats are Aidan O'Brien's Zoffany and local horse Wise Dan. Gio Ponti is the 5-2 favorite in off-track betting in the field of eight while Sidney's Candy and Zoffany are listed at 3-1 with Get Stormy at 5-1.

There are four other stakes races on Saturday at Keeneland: the Grade 3 Woodford, the Grade 2 Thoroughbred Club of America, the Grade 1 First Lady and the Grade 1 Breeders' Futurity.

The Breeders' Futurity is expected to be a battle between graded stakes winners Majestic City and Shared Property. Majestic City won his first three starts before finishing third last time out in the Del Mar Futurity while Shared Property is unbeaten in two starts. Majestic City is a lukewarm 7-2 morning line favorite while Shared Property is the second choice at 4-1.

Post time for the Shadwell is set for 5:45 pm Eastern and the race will be televised on the Versus network along with the Breeders' Futurity. So be sure to make a wager at OffTrackBetting.com and sit back and enjoy the excitement.