Horse Racing picks for Keeneland race track on Sunday, April 24: Abscond with a profit on these plays

1:00 pm Keeneland (Race 1) – John’s Protege 2/1

Made a promising debut for trainer Wesley Ward when finishing runner-up  in a $40,000 maiden claiming contest over five-and-one-half-furlongs at Saratoga last August. Missed the rest of his two-year-old campaign and while he could finish only fifth in a six furlong maiden special weight at Turfway Park first up this year he showed improved form when clocking 1:00.60 in breezing five furlongs here earlier this month and can get off the mark at the third time of asking.

2:04 pm Keeneland (Race 3) – Jarreau 5/2

Finished on the board on two of his three starts this year including when five lengths third in an allowance optional claimer over an extended one-and-a-half-miles at Gulfstream Park on his penultimate start. Subsequently finished fourth dropping in distance in a similar contest at Fair Grounds. Comes into this contest on the back of a solid 48 second four furlong breeze here recently is taken to help jockey Tyler Gaffalione improve on his 25% strike-rate (13/53) at this meeting.

5:16 pm Keeneland (Race 9) – Abscond 2/1

Has been performing with credit in much stronger races in recent times and was beaten as little as three lengths when contesting the Grade 1 First Lady Stakes over an extended mile here as recently as October. Built on a below par effort at Fair Grounds first up when finishing half-a-length third in a Listed stakes over this trip at the same venue subsequently and the daughter of Blame is taken to return to winning ways dropping to allowance company.

Exotic

Early Pick 3