Keeneland & Oaklawn Park Picks & Best Bets For 04/18/26

Keeneland Race 9 Ben Ali Stakes Grade 3

4 British Isles was last seen winning the Grade 1 San Anita Handicap by nearly 5-lengths. With the 2 huge scratches in that Grade 1, the race was more like a Grade 3. Still, I believe son of Justify has a solid shot in here at a price. He was overmatched in the G1 Pegasus World Cup two starts back but his dirt form is solid, finishing second to Nevada Beach while running a career top 105 dirt Bris number a few races back. Win Contender 

6 Batton Down has good chance to take this group gate-to-wire today as this Grade 3 lacks early speed types. This Roan likes to wing it on the front end which will likely by the plan today. If he can set some tepid fractions early, he’ll be tough to run down late. Win Contender 

1 Stars and Stripes has only one bad race in 6 career starts and that was against Stakes types. I’m going to forgive that effort, the race was at a mile with only 4 participants, 3 of whom were Graded Stakes winners. Colt is better suited for this distance today and likely will be a player at the wire today. Don’t Ignore 

Selections 4-6-1-8

Keeneland Race 10 Elkhorn Stakes Grade 2

12 Anegada is an intriguing Longshot in here worth considering.  He exits from a sharp third place finish in the Grade 2 Macdairmid.  Gelding has been competitive in all of his last 5 races, while winning 3 of them. He gets the services of Superstar turf rider Flavien Prat which will knock this ones 15-1 morning line down to about 8-1. Still he’s offers an incredible value. Win Contender 

6 Burnham Square has two very solid second place finishes since switching surfaces to the blades. He nearly won the Grade 3 Nashville Derby at Kentucky Downs two starts back, losing by just a head. Gelding then came back off a 6 month layoff and ran another second in freshener for this race. He drops 5 lbs off that race and appears to be sitting on a big effort today. Win Contender 

7 Truly Quality has yet to get a W in 2026 but has run well, cashing checks in 2 back-to-back Grade 3 events. I like that his Trainer slaps the eye cups back on. Major Threat

Selections 12-6-7-2

Oaklawn Park Race 9 Valley of the Vapors Stakes 

4 Miss Call looks like the best value in this evenly matched edition of the Valley of the Vapors Stakes. He enters here off a resounding over 6 length score versus weaker in the slop at Keeneland. I’m going to forgive this ones effort 2 back when she finished a well beaten 6th. She had bad trip that day was racing wide on a track that was favoring the inside. Filly has shown she can close into a tepid pace upfront. She likely gets the hot pace early that she should relish. I love her chances in here at 9-2 morning line. Win Contender 

6 Sticker Shock couldn’t handle the Grade 2 competition last out but fits well here. Win Contender 

8 Knickleandime is the controlling speed in here a must be considered to take this bunch wire to wire. Major Player

Selections 4-6-8-5

Oaklawn Park Race 11 Oaklawn Handicap Grade 2

3 Sovereignty is the reigning horse of the year and a absolute beast winning his last 4 races including the G1 Kentucky Derby and Prestigious Travers. He’s simply the best horse in here and even if he’s not 100%, I still believe he gets the job done today. TOP PICK 

5 Journalism hasn’t been able to get the aforementioned but he’s a he’ll of a horse whose been facing the best 3 year olds in the world last year. If anyone in here could pull the upset, it would be this Mike McCarthy trainee. Win Contender 

1 White Abbarrio just seems a cut below the top 2. Use Underneath 

Selections 3-5-1-6

Best Bets

TODAY’S MOST LIKELY WINNER 

Oaklawn Park Race 11

#3 Sovereignty (4-5)

Top Value Play of the Day

Keeneland Race 9

#4 British Isles (6-1)

LONGSHOT PLAY OF THE DAY 

Keeneland Race 10

#12 Anegada (15-1)