Keeneland Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, April 18, 2026

Below is a table for each race of the day. The table is ordered by our algorythmically calculated expected order of finish. Our program takes into account past performances, workout times, speed ratings, recency, and breeder/jockey data amoung other data points.

Using the “Expected” column, the lower number is better. When there is a clear lowest value, we like that horse best to win. In situations where many horses share low numbers, we like those horses equally well. If no horse is under 3, the results are less clear to us and bettors should examine the race more closely.

Using the “Value” column, we present the minimum payout we would recommend betting the particular horse. Look for higher-paying odds than those listed if you like that horse.

Scratches are notated and will be updated as available.

RACE NUMBER 1 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Song of Sarah 2.00 1 2-1
4 4 Raghba 3.00 1.8 3-1
6 6 Sonhador 4.00 2.7 5-1
5 5 Babysitter 4.50 3.1 6-1
3 3 Reality Star 6.00 4.3 8-1
1 1 Miss Milky Way 8.00 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Whiskey Shot 1.80 1 2-1
9 9 Tiz Freedom 3.00 1.5 3-1
1 1 D Day Sky 4.50 2.2 4-1
3 3 Stonemont Reunion 8.00 3.7 7-1
2 2 Romantic Lead 10.00 4.6 9-1
5 5 Consolidated 12.00 5.5 10-1
7 7 Ryu Mo 15.00 6.8 13-1
6 6 Phraseologism 20.00 9 17-1
4 4 Bonafide 20.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
10 10 Hot Mash 3.00 1 2-1
12 12 Stepping Stones 4.50 2.3 4-1
8 8 Perfect Figure 5.00 2.8 5-1
9 9 Bourbon Notes 6.00 3.7 7-1
16 16 Pillar of Beauty 6.00 3.7 7-1
7 7 Capturing 8.00 5.4 10-1
15 15 Trust Fund Philly 8.00 5.4 10-1
13 13 Something Stronger 10.00 7.2 14-1
4 4 Betty’s Dance 10.00 7.2 14-1
11 11 Family 12.00 8.9 17-1
3 3 Glean 15.00 11.6 22-1
1 1 Bolt Dior 15.00 11.6 22-1
14 14 J Z’s Last Schance 20.00 16 30-1
5 5 Miss Lonelle 20.00 16 30-1
2 2 Viva Vienne 20.00 16 30-1
6 6 Valala 20.00 16 30-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Morunning 2.00 1 2-1
5 5 Mary’s Boy Bolt 3.00 1.3 2-1
4 4 Baytown Bruiser 4.00 1.6 3-1
2 2 Askari 6.00 2.1 4-1
8 8 Ice Shot 8.00 2.7 5-1
6 6 Armed N Dangerous 10.00 3.3 6-1
7 7 Protective 12.00 3.9 7-1
9 9 Truly Legit 15.00 4.7 9-1
1 1 Mountain Wolf 30.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Susan’s Boy 4.00 1 2-1
10 10 Street Party 5.00 1.7 3-1
7 7 Discotheque 6.00 2.4 4-1
6 6 Money Man 8.00 3.8 7-1
11 11 Tremendously 8.00 3.8 7-1
4 4 Blue Mountains 8.00 3.8 7-1
1 1 Good Willie 10.00 5.1 10-1
9 9 Road Trippin 12.00 6.5 12-1
2 2 Dare Defying 12.00 6.5 12-1
8 8 Syntagma 15.00 8.6 16-1
12 12 Pelican Bay 20.00 12 23-1
5 5 Stop the Nonsense 20.00 12 23-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 Kentucky Belle 1.60 1 2-1
7 7 Surprise Ending 3.50 1.6 3-1
8 8 Candy Rockette 4.50 1.9 4-1
3 3 Bless Her 6.00 2.4 5-1
4 4 Dagmara 8.00 3 6-1
5 5 Ring Rights 12.00 4.3 8-1
2 2 Classic Glide 15.00 5.3 10-1
1 1 Bright Star 30.00 10 19-1
10 10 Temple Goddess 30.00 10 19-1
6 6 Unlimited Gold 30.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 7 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Whatchatalkinabout 1.60 1 2-1
1 1 Floodlites 3.00 1.6 3-1
3 3 Kalahari Dreams 3.50 1.9 3-1
6 6 Modus Bestia 6.00 3 6-1
4 4 Keep It Easy 6.00 3 6-1
2 2 Can Do Andrew 12.00 5.7 11-1
5 5 Politicallycorrect 15.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
11 11 Arrest Me Red 3.00 1 2-1
6 6 Works for Me 4.00 1.4 3-1
8 8 My Own 4.50 1.6 3-1
1 1 Troubleshooting 6.00 2.1 4-1
3 3 Dhabab (IRE) 8.00 2.9 5-1
7 7 Silent Heart 10.00 3.6 7-1
4 4 Run Carson 10.00 3.6 7-1
2 2 Full Disclosure 12.00 4.3 8-1
9 9 Seminole Chief 15.00 5.4 10-1
10 10 Runnin’ Rocket 20.00 7.3 14-1
5 5 Coming in Hot 30.00 11 21-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Ben Ali S.) – Ben Ali S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Batten Down 2.00 1 2-1
8 8 Rattle N Roll 3.00 1.2 2-1
1 1 Stars and Stripes 4.00 1.3 3-1
4 4 British Isles 6.00 1.7 3-1
5 5 San Siro 8.00 2 4-1
9 9 Honor Marie 10.00 2.3 4-1
3 3 Tennessee Lamb 12.00 2.7 5-1
2 2 Awesome Aaron 15.00 3.2 6-1
7 7 Guns and Glory 50.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 10 (Visitlex Elkhorn S.) – Visitlex Elkhorn S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Burnham Square 4.00 1 2-1
8 8 Tawny Port 4.50 1.4 3-1
7 7 Truly Quality 5.00 1.8 3-1
4 4 Grand Sonata 6.00 2.5 5-1
3 3 Utah Beach 8.00 4 8-1
2 2 Desvio 8.00 4 8-1
13 13 Dancin in Da’nile 10.00 5.5 10-1
5 5 Fleetfoot (IRE) 12.00 7 13-1
1 1 Padiddle 15.00 9.3 17-1
12 12 Anegada 15.00 9.3 17-1
9 9 Navy Seal (IRE) 15.00 9.3 17-1
11 11 Freedom’s Way 20.00 13 25-1
10 10 Presider 20.00 13 25-1

RACE NUMBER 11 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
10 10 Be the Light 3.00 1 2-1
8 8 Island Flower 4.00 1.4 3-1
12 12 Miss Complicated 5.00 1.8 3-1
3 3 Fast Gun 6.00 2.2 4-1
9 9 Govern 10.00 3.9 7-1
7 7 She’s Our Girl 10.00 3.9 7-1
6 6 Army’s Marauder 10.00 3.9 7-1
5 5 West of Lex 12.00 4.7 9-1
4 4 Full Dolly 15.00 5.9 11-1
1 1 Thesewallshaveears 20.00 7.9 15-1
2 2 River Rise 30.00 12 23-1
11 11 Rhapsody in Blue 30.00 12 23-1

Picks are based on historical performance and match-up. Keep up to date on late scratches and other changes – those are not taken into consideration. Sports from the Basement provides no warranty on these suggestions and readers should make picks at their own risk.