Keeneland Race 5

Allowance Optional Claiming

Prize Money: $237,069

MERIT BADGE (5) brings the strongest winning profile after stringing together dominant victories, most recently a CG Open at Canterbury Park where he was a short odds-on favourite and scored by over 14 lengths. The move to 1408m is new, but his record of two wins and one placing from three starts gives him the right platform. YACHT MASTER (1) was professional enough to score on debut at Churchill Downs, albeit narrowly, and barrier one gives him every chance to build on that early promise. KINGSIDE (2) has already done it at this venue, putting away a 1207m Mdn by just over two lengths, and he looks the other progressive runner capable of taking the next step. DORMIE (10) has been placed at all three starts, was second at this track last time and adds blinkers, so he appeals as the reliable danger with place strength and some upside if the gear sharpens him. Something for the Multiples: TAKE A PICTURE (9)

Distance: 1408m
Track: Firm
Weather: Fine
Surface: Dirt
Class: ALLOW OCLM

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Kingside (1) 1
Trainer: Brendan P Walsh(Tomhaggard, Co Wexford)
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Weight: 55.5kg
Prize Money: $91,865
Win / Place: 100% / 100%

2 yo Dark Bay/Brown Colt

Sire: UPSTART (USA)

Dam: MITIGATE (USA)

Dam's Sire: Exaggerator

Rating

Stats

Career

1: 1-0-0

Track

1: 1-0-0

Season

1: 1-0-0

1st Up

1: 1-0-0

Metro

1: 1-0-0

Dirt

1: 1-0-0

Firm

1: 1-0-0

Anti-Clockwise

1: 1-0-0

Jockey Stats

Horse

1: 1-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1207m

Comments

Made an immediate impact at this track, winning a 1207m Mdn by just over two lengths after tracking the speed and putting the race away quickly. That fast-ground debut had substance, and the winning rider stays with him. He has not raced around 1408m, but he looked strong through the line and profiles as a genuine winning threat again.

Expected Settling Position: Backmarker

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 10	2/10/26	Keeneland	1207m	MDN 2	3	Tyler Gaffalione	54kg	Fast	1:11.61	60.7 km/h	2.3L	9-3	$7.78	-	$158,046	$91,865	1. Kingside 2. Overtime Bonus 3. Knicks Diamonds

Place

Date

Track

Distance

Class

Barrier

Jockey

Weight

Cond.

Race Time

Avg. Speed

Margin

800/400

Days

Prize

Prize Won

Result

1st of 10

2/10/26

Keeneland

1207m

MDN 2

Tyler Gaffalione

54kg

Fast

1:11.61

60.7 km/h

2.3L

9-3

$7.78

$158,046

$91,865

1. Kingside

2. Overtime Bonus

3. Knicks Diamonds

Bet On Silver (2) 4210
Trainer: Brendan P Walsh(Tomhaggard, Co Wexford)
Jockey: Ben Curtis
Weight: 55.5kg
Prize Money: $137,486
Win / Place: 25% / 50%

2 yo Grey/Roan Colt

Sire: VEKOMA (USA)

Dam: TABLE THREE TEN (USA)

Dam's Sire: El Prado

Rating

Stats

Career

4: 1-1-0

Season

4: 1-1-0

1st Up

1: 0-0-0

2nd Up

1: 0-1-0

3rd Up

1: 1-0-0

4th Up

1: 0-0-0

Metro

4: 1-1-0

Turf

1: 0-0-0

Dirt

3: 1-1-0

Fast

1: 0-0-0

Firm

3: 1-0-0

Anti-Clockwise

4: 1-1-0

Jockey Stats

Horse

2: 1-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1106m - 1609m

Comments

Returns from a two-month freshening after finishing second last in an Open at Kentucky, beaten a long way at long odds and making no late impression. He had won a 1207m Mdn at Ellis Park by three lengths the run prior, so there is ability there, and Ben Curtis has won on him. Even so, that latest figure leaves him with plenty to turn around.

Expected Settling Position: Off Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
11th of 12	9/9/26	Kentucky	1609m	LR OPEN 2	12	Joel Rosario	53.5kg	FM	1:34.84	61.1 km/h	27.5L	10-12	$23	45	$1,041,667	$9,271	1. How's Al Today 2. Jas 3. Agate
45 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 9	26/7/26	Ellis Park	1207m	MDN 2	6	Ben Curtis	54kg	Fast	1:11.69	60.6 km/h	3.0L	3-1	$3.09f	29	$145,138	$86,374	1. Bet On Silver 2. Just Vote 3. Ali's Glory
2nd of 7	27/6/26	Churchill Downs	1207m	MDN 2	1	Joel Rosario	54kg	SP	1:10.63	61.5 km/h	6.3L	2-2	$5.76	23	$167,364	$33,473	1. Twinkle Town 2. Bet On Silver 3. Charlie's Clock
4th of 11	4/6/26	Churchill Downs	1106m	MDN 2	11	Ben Curtis	54kg	Fast	1:05.26	61.0 km/h	7.3L	5-5	$10	-	$167,364	$8,368	1. How's Al Today 2. Rock Havoc 3. Bardstown Road

Merit Badge (3) 311
Trainer: Anna Meah()
Jockey: Danny Sheehy
Weight: 55.5kg
Prize Money: $102,772
Win / Place: 66% / 100%

Going for the Hat-Trick

2 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: MITOLE (USA)

Dam: BADGE OF HONOR (USA)

Dam's Sire: Badge Of Silver

100

Rating

Stats

Career

3: 2-0-1

Season

3: 2-0-1

1st Up

1: 0-0-1

2nd Up

1: 1-0-0

3rd Up

1: 1-0-0

Metro

3: 2-0-1

Dirt

3: 2-0-1

Firm

3: 2-0-1

Anti-Clockwise

3: 2-0-1

Jockey Stats

Horse

1: 1-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1006m - 1207m

Comments

Returns from a two-month freshening in outstanding form, having won a CG Open at Canterbury Park by over 14 lengths as a short odds-on favourite. That followed a four-length Mdn win at Horseshoe Indianapolis, so his upward curve is clear. The 1408m trip is new, but two wins and one placing from three starts make him the horse they all have to beat.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 9	5/9/26	Canterbury Park	1207m	LR OPEN CG 2	1	Manuel Americano	54.5kg	Fast	1:11.30	60.9 km/h	14.5L	4-1	$1.50f	31	$114,123	$68,474	1. Merit Badge 2. Blazin Spirit 3. Strike One More
31 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 11	5/8/26	Indiana Downs	1006m	MDN 2	9	Danny Sheehy	54.5kg	Fast	0:58.24	62.2 km/h	4.0L	3-1	$3.10f	27	$45,649	$27,389	1. Merit Badge 2. C R Sultan 3. Uncle With Money
3rd of 9	9/7/26	Ellis Park	1106m	MDN 2	8	Antongeorgi Iii William	54kg	Fast	1:05.44	60.8 km/h	4.1L	8-3	$26	-	$145,138	$6,909	1. Talleyrand 2. Town Man 3. Merit Badge

Fusta (4) 1
Trainer: William D Cowans(USA)
Jockey: Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
Weight: 54.5kg
Prize Money: $58,817
Win / Place: 100% / 100%

2 yo Dark Bay/Brown Colt

Sire: HARD SPUN (USA)

Dam: BLIP N' TH BYE (USA)

Dam's Sire: Tale Of Ekati

Rating

Stats

Career

1: 1-0-0

Season

1: 1-0-0

1st Up

1: 1-0-0

Metro

1: 1-0-0

Dirt

1: 1-0-0

Firm

1: 1-0-0

Anti-Clockwise

1: 1-0-0

Jockey Stats

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1207m

Comments

Returns from a five-week freshening after a powerful debut win at Churchill Downs, where he came from well back and made up many lengths to beat Borax by just over three lengths. That was a good first impression and he was respected in betting. This is a sharper assignment, with 1408m still untried, so he has to confirm that closing burst at the higher level.

Expected Settling Position: Off Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 9	24/9/26	Churchill Downs	1207m	MDN CLM 2	5	Tyler Gaffalione	54kg	Fast	1:11.18	61.0 km/h	3.3L	3-2	$3.75	-	$104,167	$58,817	1. Fusta 2. Borax 3. Nashville Cowboy

Place

Date

Track

Distance

Class

Barrier

Jockey

Weight

Cond.

Race Time

Avg. Speed

Margin

800/400

Days

Prize

Prize Won

Result

1st of 9

24/9/26

Churchill Downs

1207m

MDN CLM 2

Tyler Gaffalione

54kg

Fast

1:11.18

61.0 km/h

3.3L

3-2

$3.75

$104,167

$58,817

1. Fusta

2. Borax

3. Nashville Cowboy

Take A Picture (5) 31x
Trainer: Raymond C Bryner()
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Weight: 55.5kg
Prize Money: $99,845
Win / Place: 50% / 100%

2 yo Dark Bay/Brown Colt

Sire: GOLDEN PAL (USA)

Dam: MALIBU GEM (USA)

Dam's Sire: Malibu Moon

Rating

Stats

Career

2: 1-0-1

Season

2: 1-0-1

1st Up

1: 0-0-1

2nd Up

1: 1-0-0

Metro

2: 1-0-1

Dirt

2: 1-0-1

Anti-Clockwise

2: 1-0-1

Jockey Stats

Horse

1: 1-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1106m - 1609m

Comments

Returns from a three-month break after finishing last campaign with a Del Mar Mdn win, scoring by just over a length in a small field after travelling close and finishing with something in hand. He had earlier run third at Ellis Park when unwanted in betting. The form is tidy at the lower level, but this return demands more depth than he has shown so far.

Expected Settling Position: Off Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 5	22/8/26	Del Mar	1609m	MDN 2	4	Joel Rosario	55.5kg	Fast	1:39.15	58.4 km/h	1.3L	5-1	$3.30	42	$142,653	$85,592	1. Take A Picture 2. Will Do One 3. Boss Man Bolt
42 Day Freshen-Up
3rd of 8	11/7/26	Ellis Park	1106m	MDN 2	6	Abel Cedillo	54kg	SP	1:04.72	61.5 km/h	2.1L	5-3	$19	-	$145,138	$14,253	1. Admiral's Order 2. Mahogany Dream 3. Take A Picture

Dormie (6) 122
Trainer: Chris M Block()
Jockey: Luis Saez
Weight: 55.5kg
Prize Money: $87,260
Win / Place: 33% / 100%

2 yo Bay Colt

Sire: SHARP AZTECA (USA)

Dam: GO LADY JAY (USA)

Dam's Sire: Run Away And Hide

Rating

Stats

Career

3: 1-2-0

Track

1: 0-1-0

Season

3: 1-2-0

1st Up

1: 1-0-0

2nd Up

1: 0-1-0

3rd Up

1: 0-1-0

Metro

2: 0-2-0

Non-Metro

1: 1-0-0

Dirt

3: 1-2-0

Firm

2: 0-2-0

Anti-Clockwise

3: 1-2-0

Jockey Stats

Horse

1: 0-1-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

905m - 1207m

Gear Changes

Blinkers On

Comments

Has built a very consistent record, placing at all three starts and running second at this track last time when beaten just over three lengths in an ALLOW. The run prior was a one-length second in an Open at Prairie Meadows as favourite, which reads well enough for this. Blinkers go on, and while 1408m is new, he has the reliability to be right in the minor money.

Expected Settling Position: Off Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
2nd of 6	3/10/26	Keeneland	1207m	ALLOW 2	5	Luis Saez	55.5kg	Fast	1:11.28	61.0 km/h	3.3L	5-4	$10	49	$172,414	$34,052	1. Chancery 2. Dormie 3. Game Sayayin
49 Day Freshen-Up
2nd of 9	15/8/26	Prairie Meadows	1207m	LR OPEN 2	2	Julio Felix	53.5kg	Fast	1:10.19	61.9 km/h	1.0L	4-3	$3.00f	55	$142,653	$28,103	1. Dial It Down 2. Dormie 3. A P Score
55 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 5	21/6/26	Hawthorne	905m	MDN 2	1	Julio Felix	54kg	M	0:51.63	63.1 km/h	1.3L	1-1	$4.90	-	$41,841	$25,105	1. Dormie 2. Cut Throat 3. Indigo Mo

Mccoy (7) 1
Trainer: Cherie Devaux()
Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz
Weight: 55.5kg
Prize Money: $83,333
Win / Place: 100% / 100%

2 yo Bay Colt

Sire: VEKOMA (USA)

Dam: FAT KAT (USA)

Dam's Sire: Weigelia

Rating

Stats

Career

1: 1-0-0

Season

1: 1-0-0

1st Up

1: 1-0-0

Metro

1: 1-0-0

Dirt

1: 1-0-0

Firm

1: 1-0-0

Anti-Clockwise

1: 1-0-0

Jockey Stats

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1308m

Comments

Returns from a six-week freshening after winning on debut at Parx, where he was a well-supported favourite and finished strongly to beat Midnight Ride by just under two lengths in a 13-runner Mdn. A US$175,000 buy, he has the right early profile and brings a clean one-from-one record, though the wide draw makes this a tougher second-up assignment.

Expected Settling Position: Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 13	19/9/26	Parx	1308m	MDN 2	4	Jorge A Vargas Jr	54kg	Fast	1:17.67	60.6 km/h	1.8L	3-1	$2.60f	-	$138,889	$83,333	1. Mccoy 2. Midnight Ride 3. After The Beep

Place

Date

Track

Distance

Class

Barrier

Jockey

Weight

Cond.

Race Time

Avg. Speed

Margin

800/400

Days

Prize

Prize Won

Result

1st of 13

19/9/26

Parx

1308m

MDN 2

Jorge A Vargas Jr

54kg

Fast

1:17.67

60.6 km/h

1.8L

3-1

$2.60f

$138,889

$83,333

1. Mccoy

2. Midnight Ride

3. After The Beep

Race Review Abbreviations

3WNC: Three wide no cover, Awk: Awkwardly away, Bk: Back, Blkd: Blocked, Btld: Battled, Chal: Challenged, Chkd: Checked, Cvr: Cover, Fdd: Faded, Fght: Fought, Fin: Finish, Hdd: Headed, Hld up: Held up, Hmprd: Hampered, Hndy: Handy, Kikd: Kicked, Kn: Keen, Ld: Led/Lead, Midf: Midfield, Mod pc: Moderate pace, Otf: On the Fence, ROS: Ran on strongly, Slow: Slow away, Snagd: Snagged, Stld: Settled, Tn: Turn, Trld: Trailed, Under pres: Under pressure, Under rd: Under riding, Urgd: Urged, Wd: Wide, Wdr: Wider, Weavd: Weaved, Wknd: Weakened, Wrkd: Worked

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