Keeneland Late Pick 5 Friday 4/17/26 - Jackson Muniz and Ryan Petrunyak

Jackson Muniz and Ryan Petrunyak join Mike on the In The Money Players Podcast to break down the Keeneland Late Pick 5 for Friday, April 17, 2026. The duo offers detailed analysis across 10 races, focusing on key contenders, potential upsets, and strategic betting approaches. They emphasize the importance of identifying horses that can handle pace, draw advantages, and translate form across surfaces—especially from synthetic to dirt. Both players lean into a lean, single-focused Pick 5 strategy, with heavy confidence in horses like Kentucky Down (race 8), Alpine Princess (race 9), and Twirling Claire (race 10), while treating others as backups or long shots. They express skepticism toward overbet favorites like Jinjin and Beer Run, and highlight the value in under-the-radar long shots like Lord Beth and Sheer Jazz. The episode builds toward a high-stakes, high-conviction betting mindset, especially for the final race, where they see potential for a blowout and big payouts. Both guests agree that Keeneland’s competitive depth makes it ideal for sharp, disciplined play. Key takeaways include: (1) Prioritize horses with proven ability to handle pace and rail draws; (2) Be wary of overbet favorites, especially those with poor recent form; (3) Use the late pick three and single races as high-conviction plays; (4) Look for horses that have shown improvement or have been overlooked due to past trouble; (5) Trust form across surfaces when it’s consistent, especially from synthetic to dirt; (6) Consider long shots with strong late figures and favorable post positions; (7) Avoid horses with inconsistent training or poor works; (8) Be ready to adjust if a top horse scratches—especially in a Wesley Ward or Brad Cox entry. The overall sentiment is upbeat and confident, with both guests excited for the Keeneland meet and the upcoming Derby season.