Saturday 4/18/26 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-14-2026, 08:03 AM

Meet the Contenders: Saturday’s Oaklawn Handicap

April 13, 2026 | By 1/ST BET

Saturday’s $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap promises to be America’s race of the year so far in 2026. Last year’s sensational sophomores Sovereignty and Journalism are all grown up for their 4-year-old debuts. Veteran White Abarrio already has won some of the sport’s biggest races for older horses and braces for the new challengers over 1-1/8 miles.

Horseplayers with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet take advantage of up to a $3,000 Exacta-Thon promotion for Saturday’s Oaklawn card. Hit exactas on 5 or more races on the program to earn your share of the $3,000 in bonus money ($2 wager minimum per exacta).

Let’s meet the contenders for the Oaklawn Handicap (Race 11):

#1-White Abarrio: The 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic and 2025 Pegasus World Cup winner has banked $7.7 million in his career with 10 wins, both tops among the Oaklawn Handicap field. Now age 7, White Abarrio comes off a runner-up in the Jan. 24 Pegasus World Cup in his only start since August. Saffie Joseph Jr. stablemate Skippylongstocking won this race in 2024. Regular rider Irad Ortiz Jr. looks for his first win in this race and notably won Oaklawn’s Arkansas Derby a few weeks back with Renegade.

#2-Liberal Arts: Sold for $120,000 in the Fasig-Tipton digital sale in December, this 5-year-old makes his first start for new owner Osmel Nunez and trainer Heather Irion. Liberal Arts raced prior for trainers Robbie Medina and Brad Cox, last seen winning May’s Knicks Go overnight stakes at Churchill on Kentucky Derby Day – 8 races prior to Sovereignty and Journalism’s 1-2 finish in the Run for the Roses. Liberal Arts finished third in Oaklawn’s Southwest and Fifth Season Stakes and he brings local experience. Trainer Irion and jockey Reynier Arrieta both came into this racing week seeking their first victories of 2026.

#3-Sovereignty: The reigning Horse of the Year makes his long-awaited return to the races. The Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes and Travers winner has been away since last August and aims to continue his 4-race winning streak. The Bill Mott trainee has earned $5.8 million and partners once again with Junior Alvarado. Mott won back-to-back Oaklawn Handicap editions with Cigar and Geri in 1995-’96. Sovereignty’s winter was spent at Payson Park in Florida and he’s had the customary, 6-workout plan toward his comeback. The Oaklawn Handicap will be his first trip to Hot Springs, but his 6 career wins have come over 3 different tracks (Churchill, Saratoga, Aqueduct).

#4-Duke of Duval: First of 2 entered here for trainer Steve Asmussen, who won the 2021 Oaklawn Handicap with Silver State. The local allowance winner since has cashed minor checks in the Mineshaft at Fair Grounds and Oaklawn’s local prep, the Essex. Keith Asmussen has the rider on this son of Arrogate.

#5-Journalism: The 2025 Preakness and Haskell winner makes his first start since a fourth-place finish in November’s Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar. Trainer Michael McCarthy’s Santa Anita-based son of Arkansas Derby winner Curlin has 6 workouts in tow for the return. Journalism was runner-up in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes to Sovereignty and aims to defeat that rival for the first time. Two-time Oaklawn Handicap winner Jose Ortiz replaced Umberto Rispoli for last year’s Breeders’ Cup and has the return call. Journalism has earned $4.3 million with 6 wins coming at 5 different venues. McCarthy brought City of Light from California to win the 2018 Oaklawn Handicap.

#6-Publisher: Last year’s most famous maiden has found his groove at age 4, winning 3 straight races at Oaklawn since mid-February. The Steve Asmussen trainee’s runner-up effort in Oaklawn’s Arkansas Derby last March punched his ticket to the Kentucky Derby and a non-threatening, 14th-place finish, part of 12 straight losses to open his career. Sire American Pharoah won the Rebel Stakes and Arkansas Derby here en route to his 2015 Triple Crown sweep. Erik Asmussen has been aboard for the win streak and will be again Saturday.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-16-2026, 11:38 AM

Race of the Week: Saturday's Elkhorn at Keeneland

April 15, 2026 | By Jeremy Plonk

The Lead:
Keeneland's final Saturday of the Spring Meet, which concludes a week from Friday, co-features the Grade 2 Elkhorn and the Grade 3 Ben Ali. They go back-to-back in Races 9-10, the Elkhorn the latter of the pair and a fantastic betting race. This Spring Meet stakes has averaged an 8-1 winner over the past 18 years with favorites losing 7 straight and just succeeding 3-18 during that time. The 13-runner field includes a defending champion, a Sycamore winner, a Lexington winner and a Blue Grass winner, spanning Keeneland's stakes gamut.

Field Depth:
BURNHAM SQUARE is a Grade 1 winner on dirt. Grade 2 turf winners include DESVIO, UTAH BEACH, GRAND SONATA, TRULY QUALITY, while TAWNY PORT is Grade 1-placed and ANEGADA is Grade 2-placed. Any among these are of similar class and difficult to separate on strength of schedule.

Pace:
PRESIDER, NAVY SEAL and FREEDOM'S WAY likely vie for what should be a modest pace. These turf marathons at Keeneland typically end up a finisher's game regardless of the pace, so don't be afraid of a closer.

Our Eyes:
Here are my horse-by-horse notes.

#1-PADIDDLE: Late-running marathoner has been competitive in Gulfstream’s distance series, but has failed to win in his last 10. Not without some races on the ledger that could impact the exotics. Jose Morelos comes north to ride for Elizabeth Dobles.

#2-DESVIO: 34-1 Sycamore Stakes stunner over this course and trip during the Fall Meet, this seems like a very aggressive placement for Maryland-based Madison Meyers. They run the Henry Clark at Laurel on Saturday, a race they used to prep for the Preakness-day Dinner Party. Confident to take this return Keeneland trip with those races in the back yard. Beware under John Velazquez again.

#3-UTAH BEACH: Defending Elkhorn champ was 11-1 last year and the form held up one more start before starting to slip. Upon retirement of trainer Ignacio Correas, Brendan Walsh took over this winter and nothing went right in the Kentucky Cup Classic in March’s return on synthetic. Admire the Keeneland record but going to make this one beat me in the title defense.

#4-GRAND SONATA: Steady on turf and sometimes that’s good enough to win, but there are few remarkable performances. Won’t embarrass himself, but beaten 3-3/4 lengths in this last year and should be somewhere in the hunt looking for breaks. Prefer a few others.

#5-FLEETFOOT: Bouncing around between the flats and jumps, he returns from a November layoff in the Red Smith at Aqueduct that puts him on the fringe discussion off that fourth-place finish. Doesn’t have a lot of layoff experience, but his one bid was poor, so he’ll have to prove it.

#6-BURNHAM SQUARE: The 2025 Blue Grass winner makes a plot twist in his Keeneland return, converted to turf late in his sophomore season. Has plenty of grass on the damside of the pedigree, and his Nashville Derby narrow second and Gulfstream return allowance runner-up on Feb. 28 are encouraging for the surface. Expect Brian Hernandez Jr. to save ground on the 3 turns.

#7-TRULY QUALITY: Back-to-back winner of Del Mar’s Hollywood Turf Cup over this 12-furlong trip, he returns to Keeneland for the first time in 2 years. Firmer conditions the better as he’s become a top-of-ground specialist. Jonathon Thomas adds blinkers back on after 4 starts without them, a move that’s 1-for-13 for the barn. Luan Machado takes the mount for the first time.

#8-TAWNY PORT: 7-year-old multi-millionaire returns from an overmatched appearance in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. He’s lost 16 straight going back to the Saratoga 2024 summer and hasn’t factored in 2 local appearance during the Fall Meet’s Sycamore. Pass on Miguel Clement trainee for now.

#9-NAVY SEAL: Wesley Ward 5-year-old hasn’t faced elder stakes horses in his career and picks a tough spot for his first start since November. Distance no issue based on pedigree and past performances, but class hurdle here is legitimately high.

#10-PRESIDER: Speedster nearly wired the Connally Turf at Sam Houston over this trip 2 starts back and all of his best work has come on the front end. Joe Sharp trainee has run 2 of his worst races over the Keeneland course, so even if he isn’t challenged, there’s no assurance he’ll benefit from the pace.

#11-FREEDOM’S WAY: Career allowance-type takes a class rise off a July layoff curiously for Eddie Kenneally. Should be part of the early, pressing flight and will have to be used early by Luis Saez as that first turn comes up quickly over this alignment. Hard to see this 7-year-old with 3 wins adding a fourth vs. this group.

#12-ANEGADA: Mike Maker once dominated races like this in Kentucky, winning the Elkhorn in 2013, 2016 and 2019. With a good trip under Flavien Prat, there’s no reason this 4-year-old can’t add to that. With speed just to his inside 2 spots in the gate, that could help open up some early real estate to avoid excessive ground loss. This one continues to get better and at an age where improvement can still be projected.

#13-DANCIN IN DA’NILE: Woodbine distance veteran wintered in Florida and makes a pitstop in Kentucky before returning home. Will need a scratch to draw in off the also-eligible list. He’s won just 1 of his last 12 and didn’t offer much off the layoff in his seasonal return a year ago, needing a few races.

Most Likely Exotics Contender:
No obvious answer here, but I’m solidly behind DESVIO and the confident return to Keeneland.

Best Longshot Contender:
ANEGADA at 15-1 morning line, is in excellent form, right within his form cycle and connections more than capable in these kind of races.

Sending it in ($100 bankroll):
$60 Win DESVIO. $10 Exacta key-box DESVIO with ANEGADA and BURNHAM SQUARE ($40).

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-17-2026, 07:37 AM

Jeremy Plonk: Woodbine Opening Day Saturday Pick 5 Hit & Spli

April 16, 2026 | By Jeremy Plonk

Woodbine welcomes Thoroughbred racing back for opening day of the 2026 season on Saturday. To celebrate, the 20-cent base bet early pick 5 boasts a $1,000 Hit & Split promotion when you bet with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet. First post will be 1:20 pm ET and note the initial 3 weeks of the season schedule feature Saturday-Sunday weekend racing.

Let’s get to work.

Race 1: claiming

#5 Haley’s Honor broke her maiden immediately following the winter break a year ago and has trained in sharp times for a Steven Chircop barn that won 32% off 160-day or more layoffs at Woodbine in April / May over the last 5 years. #2 Rarified ran a good second off the layoff to open 2025 and closed the campaign with a dominant win when last seen in late November. She gets Rafael Hernandez to ride and note he won 24% locally over the last 5 years in dash races 5 furlongs or shorter. I’ll use that pair but deeper tickets consider #3 Saucy Name and #4 Rocket Riley, who both won their ’25 seasonal returns off the bench.

Race 2: claiming

#7 Mi Tormenta (5 wins) and #5 Summer Snow (6 wins) were blanked from the winner’s circle last year but catch a race condition favorable to them in that they’re facing essentially a group of non-winners of 3 lifetime races. Summer Snow has excellent gate speed to apply over the 4-1/2 furlong dash trip. Mi Tormenta ran a strong third vs. a much tougher claiming condition to open her ’25 season off a similar break. Her trainer Ross Armata is 7: 3-1-1 with limited April starters at Woodbine in recent years.

Race 3: allowance/optional claiming

#1 Minimum Forty looked like the goods in her November 22 debut when the Bobby Tiller trainee drew off to score by more than 5 lengths. That barn is a strong 19: 4-2-1 in April starts at Woodbine the last 5 years and the Tiller-Fukumoto combo wins 28% with a $3.29 ROI for every $1 bet. I’ll single while considering #2 Barbara Joan and #5 Lady Virago the primary challengers.

Race 4: claiming

This looks like the best potential spread race in the sequence as #5 Dedos figures to be well-backed off 6-5 and 4-5 play at Turfway for Wesley Ward. Her modest maiden breaker Feb. 27 saw the runner-up take 3 more starts to break his maiden and have to venture to Mountaineer to do so. I’m not sure she has any decided edge though Ward is 12: 3-4-0 at Woodbine in April the last 5 years and might have caught the right field. I’ll toss the #2 and #3 who are 2-for-37 collectively and both broke their maidens at the basement $9,500 level. Use the other 5 runners in this 7-horse affair.

Race 5: maiden special weight

Mark Casse’s pair of #2 Will Win and #1 Smokin Empire wintered in Florida and have some training fitness edge on the locals. #4 Justine exits the Wesley Ward barn and joined Dale Desruisseaux in March. Her local works and Churchill fall form give her a massive shot even against the boys as a 4-year-old vs. inexperienced 3-year-olds. Deeper tickets may consider #6 Delta Force, but with only 2 works on the tab, he may be short of his best and I’ll stick with using the leading trio.

The Ticket:

2,5 with 7,5 with 1 with 1,4,5,6,7 with 2,1,4 = $12 for each $.20 play

**HandyAndy** · 04-18-2026, 09:57 AM

SUNRAY PARK TIPS - SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2026
Historically our BEST BETS have finished in the money 61% of the time at this track.

RACE #1 SUNRAY PARK $10,800 Maiden Claiming 6 1/2 Furlongs ON THE Dirt - POST TIME: 3:15 PM ET

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	5-2	3	Spoonin Shuga	L A Valenzuela
PLACE	9-2	4	Charlizeangelbaby	F Amparan
SHOW	3-1	2	Danjerus Cloud	E P Gomez
WILD CARD	6-1	7	Tormenta G G	O Andrade Jr.

ALTERNATE 1	7-2	5	Pleasin N Teasin	L R Rodriguez
ALTERNATE 2	8-1	6	Haddonfield	A Arboleda

* EXACTA: 3-4 BOX, 4-2 BOX, 2-7 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 2/3/4 BOX, 2/4/7 BOX

RACE #2 SUNRAY PARK $21,900 Claiming 6 1/2 Furlongs ON THE Dirt - POST TIME: 3:40 PM ET

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	4-1	1	Friday Nite Fancy	A Medellin
PLACE	10-1	3	Sapello City Girl	E P Gomez
SHOW	3-1	5	Runaway Goddess	F Amparan
WILD CARD	9-2	6	Sapello Sweetee	E Medellin

ALTERNATE 1	6-1	8	Bonified Wildcat	A Arboleda
ALTERNATE 2	7-1	7	Trump Dance	L A Valenzuela

* EXACTA: 1-3 BOX, 3-5 BOX, 5-6 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 1/3/5 BOX, 3/5/6 BOX

RACE #3 SUNRAY PARK $30,300 Maiden Special Weight 4 1/2 Furlongs ON THE Dirt - POST TIME: 4:05 PM ET

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	12-1	1	La Chanca	E P Gomez
PLACE	20-1	7	Taco Five	O Andrade Jr.
SHOW	5-2	3	Gypsy Wildcat	L A Valenzuela
WILD CARD	3-1	5	Whitney Jayne	F Amparan

ALTERNATE 1	7-2	8	Texas Tech Legs	A Sigala
ALTERNATE 2	9-2	2	Tuning the Spirits	K Purcell

* EXACTA: 1-7 BOX, 7-3 BOX, 3-5 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 1/3/7 BOX, 3/5/7 BOX

RACE #4 SUNRAY PARK $13,390 Claiming 4 1/2 Furlongs ON THE Dirt - POST TIME: 4:30 PM ET
#4 JOLIE CANDY

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	5-2	4	Jolie Candy	F Amparan
PLACE	7-2	2	Pops Party	E P Gomez
SHOW	3-1	6	Regals Charm	K Purcell
WILD CARD	6-1	1	Kaelys Candy	A Medellin

ALTERNATE 1	9-2	3	Lookout Pass	B Nunnally
ALTERNATE 2	15-1	5	Annie Get Ur Guns	J L Torres

* EXACTA: 4-2 BOX, 2-6 BOX, 6-1 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 2/4/6 BOX, 1/2/6 BOX

RACE #5 SUNRAY PARK $10,800 Maiden Claiming 6 1/2 Furlongs ON THE Dirt - POST TIME: 4:55 PM ET

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	3-1	5	Another Juanito	E P Gomez
PLACE	5-2	6	Karaoke Hero	F Amparan
SHOW	9-2	4	American Secrets	A Medellin
WILD CARD	7-2	8	Cinco Taco	C Figueroa

ALTERNATE 1	20-1	1	Smarty Mischief	E Medellin
ALTERNATE 2	12-1	2	Dynamic Saga	L A Valenzuela

* EXACTA: 5-6 BOX, 6-4 BOX, 4-8 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 4/5/6 BOX, 4/6/8 BOX

RACE #6 SUNRAY PARK $17,800 Claiming 6 1/2 Furlongs ON THE Dirt - POST TIME: 5:20 PM ET

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	6-5	6	Roll Penny Roll	L A Valenzuela
PLACE	3-1	2	Z Marks the Spot	A Arboleda
SHOW	4-1	3	Luck in My Eyes	E P Gomez
WILD CARD	12-1	5	Indys Song	F Amparan

ALTERNATE 1	8-1	1	Deck Humor	L R Rodriguez
ALTERNATE 2	5-1	8	La Bella Bella	O Andrade Jr.

* EXACTA: 6-2 BOX, 2-3 BOX, 3-5 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 2/3/6 BOX, 2/3/5 BOX

RACE #7 SUNRAY PARK $21,600 Claiming 4 1/2 Furlongs ON THE Dirt - POST TIME: 5:45 PM ET
#9 TRACEYS KITCHEN

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	8-1	9	Traceys Kitchen	L R Rodriguez
PLACE	6-1	2	Eye for an Eye	M A Perez
SHOW	9-2	3	Waning Crecent	E P Gomez
WILD CARD	12-1	8	Blameitonblantons	J M Vazquez

ALTERNATE 1	8-1	7	What Do You Mean	O Andrade Jr.
ALTERNATE 2	15-1	6	Malibu Sangria	A Arboleda

* EXACTA: 9-2 BOX, 2-3 BOX, 3-8 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 2/3/9 BOX, 2/3/8 BOX

RACE #8 SUNRAY PARK $24,300 Claiming 6 1/2 Furlongs ON THE Dirt - POST TIME: 6:10 PM ET

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	10-1	9	Ivory Moon	A Sigala
PLACE	4-1	6	Maga Kai	E P Gomez
SHOW	9-2	4	Whimsical Heir	A Medellin
WILD CARD	7-2	1	Street Mark	C Figueroa

ALTERNATE 1	9-2	2	Forty Five	A Arboleda
ALTERNATE 2	9-2	3	Hurricane Saylor	O Andrade Jr.

* EXACTA: 9-6 BOX, 6-4 BOX, 4-1 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 4/6/9 BOX, 1/4/6 BOX

RACE #9 SUNRAY PARK $18,660 Starter Optional Claiming 6 1/2 Furlongs ON THE Dirt - POST TIME: 6:35 PM ET
#7 BLOCKED

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	3-1	7	Blocked	L A Valenzuela
PLACE	9-2	2	Hail State	B Nunnally
SHOW	7-2	8	Rocks a Black Suit	E P Gomez
WILD CARD	6-1	4	Lovesunfair	O Andrade Jr.

ALTERNATE 1	8-1	9	Mississippi Man	A Arboleda
ALTERNATE 2	15-1	3	Best Choice Baby	C Figueroa

* EXACTA: 7-2 BOX, 2-8 BOX, 8-4 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 2/7/8 BOX, 2/4/8 BOX

RACE #10 SUNRAY PARK $12,310 Claiming 6 1/2 Furlongs ON THE Dirt - POST TIME: 7:00 PM ET

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	5-2	3	Crossrighthands	O Andrade Jr.
PLACE	3-1	2	Taz Marking	E P Gomez
SHOW	10-1	4	Whiskey Rye	L A Valenzuela
WILD CARD	15-1	6	Tiger by the Tail	J M Vazquez

ALTERNATE 1	6-1	8	Snow Boots	L Marquez
ALTERNATE 2	8-1	1	Diablo Rosso	T J Hebert

* EXACTA: 3-2 BOX, 2-4 BOX, 4-6 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 2/3/4 BOX, 2/4/6 BOX

Saturday 4/18/26 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Saturday 4/18/26 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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