Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, April 18
Make sure to check out VSiN At The Track to catch up on the latest horse racing news and picks in all the major stakes this weekend! Subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you don’t miss an episode!
Ben Ali Stakes, Keeneland, Race #9
Older males kick off the stakes schedule at Keeneland this weekend, and Bill Mott has aces in the whole. The favorite is #6 Batten Down will try to gate to wire for the Hall of Fame trainer. He’s won a grade 3 race in the past, so company shouldn’t be the issue here. He needs the lead to be at his best and that looks good without much speed signed on.
#1 Stars and Stripes is the other Mott entry here and the one I am more interested in. The price is right at 4-1, and the talent is there. He’s struggled without Lasix, but those races were the first of his career and a terrible spot. This will tell us if that is the issue.
#4 British Isles ships in off a Big Cap win at Santa Anita. He is likely to be the second quickest out of the gate and should sit a good trip because of it. He will need to improve to win, and I’d want longer odds than 6-1 to assume that.
#3 Tennessee Lamb will also like to take a step forward from just off the pace. He needs to get better, but the price is right for the improvement. At 12-1, he’s the price I am interested.
Top 4: 1-6-4-3
The Bets: $50 Win #1
Elkhorn Stakes, Keeneland, Race #10
Past Kentucky Derby runner, #6 Burnham Square, will hit the turf second off the layoff after a successful 3-year-old season. He handled it well at Kentucky Downs and should take a big step forward second off the layoff. The pace should set up well for him as well to be rolling late.
#4 Grand Sonata fits well at the level and should fire an improved effort second off the layoff for Pletcher. He has run well at Keeneland in the past, and the trip should be advantageous.
#2 Desvio is one of the attractive prices in this spot. He draws the services of John Velazquez, who was aboard when he won here last year. He will be flying late, but that has been the best style over this turf.
#3 Utah Beach won this race last year off of the same prep, but the form is not quite the same. Last year, he ran races that would have him favored in this spot. He is worth a shot at this price.
Top 4: 6-4-2-3
The Bets: $50 Win #6
