Keeneland Picks: Grade 2 Eklhorn Stakes (04/18/2026)

Published: Sat Apr 18, 2026, 7:00 am ET

Read Time: 8 minutes

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The racing action from Keeneland on Saturday features the VisitLEX Elkhorn Stakes. @HandicappingT3 has all the Keeneland picks for the entire card!

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Keeneland Full Card Analysis

Keeneland Picks: Grade 2 Eklhorn Stakes (04/18/2026)

Keeneland Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 1:00 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $110k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 6 runners.

Best Bet of the Card

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#4 RAGHBA (3-1): Best bet of the card. Should be able to work out a trip. Love the heart this one shows in a fight.
#6 SONHADOR (4-1): Contender. Gaffalione and Murphy team up on this one. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch.
#3 REALITY STAR (6-1): Contender. Could jump up in the figures and be dangerous. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race.
#5 BABYSITTER (9-2): Fringe Contender. Saez puts this one in with a chance.

Selections: 4 – 6 – 3 – 5

The Plays

Win: #4 at 1-1

Exacta: 4 / 6

Pick 3 (races 1-3): #4 with #9,1 with #7,8,10,16

Keeneland Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 1:32 PM ET; Claiming $49k; 1 1/8 M Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

#9 TIZ FREEDOM (3-1): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Saez puts this one in with a chance.
#1 D DAY SKY (9-2): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet.
#3 STONEMONT REUNION (8-1): Contender. Previous success in similar race types. Saez and Rider team up on this one.
#4 BONAFIDE (20-1): Fringe Contender. Race conditions fit this one well. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 9 – 1 – 3 – 4

The Plays

Win: #9 at 3-1

Exacta: 9 / 1,3

Keeneland Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 2:04 PM ET; Allowance $120k; 5 1/2 F Turf; Field of 16 runners.

#7 CAPTURING (8-1): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Fits well with this group.
#8 PERFECT FIGURE (5-1): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
#10 HOT MASH (3-1): Major Player. Likely to maintain its stamina reserves for a strong finish. Barn has been sending out runners.
#16 PILLAR OF BEAUTY (6-1): Major Player. Fast enough on paper to compete. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 7 – 8 – 10 – 16

The Plays

Win: #7 at 4-1

Exacta Box: 7,8,10

Keeneland Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 2:36 PM ET; Starter Allowance $55k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

Longshot Play of the Day

#7 PROTECTIVE (12-1): Longshot play of the day. Comes in with solid form. Favorable class relief in this spot. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
#3 MORUNNING (2-1): Contender. Trainer is having a great meet. Should still be running strong in the closing stages.
#2 ASKARI (6-1): Underneath. Barn has been sending out runners. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race.
#6 ARMED N DANGEROUS (10-1): Underneath. Race shape gives this one an edge.

Selections: 7 – 3 – 2 – 6

The Plays

Win: #7 at 4-1

Exacta Box: 7,3

Keeneland Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 3:08 PM ET; Maiden Claiming $55k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 12 runners.

#7 DISCOTHEQUE (6-1): Top pick. Race sets up perfectly.
#6 MONEY MAN (8-1): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet.
#3 SUSAN'S BOY (4-1): Major Player. Hard to argue with the recent races. Barn has been sending out runners.
#10 STREET PARTY (5-1): Major Player. Should still have enough if the reserves if there in the final furlong. Race shape gives this one an edge.

Selections: 7 – 6 – 3 – 10

The Plays

Win: #7 at 3-1

Exacta Box: 7,6,3

Keeneland Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 3:40 PM ET; Allowance $120k; 1 3/16 M Turf; Field of 10 runners.

#7 SURPRISE ENDING (7-2): Top pick. Looks good based on the 86 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Barn has been solid.
#9 KENTUCKY BELLE (8-5): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Trainer is having a great meet.
#8 CANDY ROCKETTE (9-2): Major Player. Previous success in similar race types. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race.
#4 DAGMARA (8-1): Contender. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 7 – 9 – 8 – 4

The Plays

Win: #7 at 3-1

Exacta: 7 / 9,8

Keeneland Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 4:12 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $130k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

#7 WHATCHATALKINABOUT (8-5): Top pick. Fits well with this group. Race sets up perfectly.
#6 MODUS BESTIA (6-1): Major Player. Likely to get forward position. Trainer is having a great meet.
#1 FLOODLITES (3-1): Major Player. May be able find the right setup. Could wear these ones down late.
#3 KALAHARI DREAMS (7-2): Fringe Contender. Saez and Bauer team up on this one. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 7 – 6 – 1 – 3

The Plays

Win: #7 at 2-1

Exacta: 7 / 6,1

Keeneland Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 4:44 PM ET; Allowance $140k; 5 1/2 F Turf; Field of 11 runners.

#11 ARREST ME RED (3-1): Top pick. Stamina to outlast the competition. Comes in with solid form.
#6 WORKS FOR ME (4-1): Major Player. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch. Trainer is having a great meet.
#1 TROUBLESHOOTING (6-1): Major Player. The 98 speed rating is among the best in the field. Previous success in similar race types.
#3 DHABAB (8-1): Contender. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 11 – 6 – 1 – 3

The Plays

Win: #11 at 3-1

Exacta Box: 11,6,1

Keeneland Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 5:16 PM ET; Ben Ali Stakes $350k; 1 3/16 M Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

#4 BRITISH ISLES (6-1): Top pick. Velazquez and Baltas team up on this one. Proven competitor at this configuration.
#2 AWESOME AARON (15-1): Major Player. Stamina to be in the mix late. Trainer is having a great meet.
#8 RATTLE N ROLL (3-1): Contender. Barn has been sending out runners. Likely to maintain its stamina reserves for a strong finish.
#9 HONOR MARIE (10-1): Contender. Ran at this level last out. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 4 – 2 – 8 – 9

The Plays

Win: #4 at 4-1

Exacta Box: 4,2,8

Keeneland Picks – Race 10

Post Time: 5:48 PM ET; VisitLEX Elkhorn Stakes $400k; 1 1/2 M Turf; Field of 13 runners.

#7 TRULY QUALITY (5-1): Top pick. Comes in with solid form. Races competitive with the top contenders.
#8 TAWNY PORT (9-2): Major Player. Comes home strong. Seems to be up against the right competition.
#13 DANCIN IN DA'NILE (10-1): Major Player. Likely to maintain its stamina reserves for a strong finish. Potentially ready to hit a top number.
#2 DESVIO (8-1): Major Player. Race conditions fit this one well. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 7 – 8 – 13 – 2

The Plays

Win: #7 at 3-1

Exacta Box: 7,8,13

Keeneland Picks – Race 11

Post Time: 6:20 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $110k; About 7 F Dirt; Field of 12 runners.

#10 BE THE LIGHT (3-1): Top pick. Top connections on the circuit with Saez and Cox. Should still have something in the tank late.
#3 FAST GUN (6-1): Major Player. Looks to get a bit easier group here. Should take a liking to the race shape.
#6 ARMY'S MARAUDER (10-1): Major Player. Barn has been sending out runners. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race.
#12 MISS COMPLICATED (5-1): Major Player. May be getting a weaker field than last out. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 10 – 3 – 6 – 12

The Plays

Win: #10 at 3-1

Exacta Box: 10,3,6

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Chris Adams

Chris first got introduced to horse racing in 2009 at Canterbury Park (Shakopee, MN). Along with handicapping and betting, Chris has worked as a teller at his local track and participated in ownership partnerships. He now enjoys sharing his passion with his wife and two young daughters who love going out to the track each and every summer.

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