The last Saturday of the Keeneland Spring Meet is nearly upon us with Opening Day at Churchill Downs right around the corner a week away. The 11-race card is headlined by the Ben Ali (G3) on the main track and the Elkhorn (G2) over the grass. Here are a few horses I like most on the April 18 Keeneland slate.


Race 7:
In a shocking development trainer Wesley Ward holds a strong hand in this second level allowance over the main track. Ward has 8-5-favorite #7 Whatchatalkinabout, who makes his first start since the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) and 3-1-second choice #1 Floodlites. One of them is likely to win the race, but I prefer the longer price of the two. Sure, Whatchatalkinabout holds the class edge, but I like the trip Floodlites should get more. The son of City of Light attracts veteran John Velazquez. Johnny V. should be able to sit a comfortable voyage along the inside not too far off of likely pacesetter #6 Modus Bestia. Floodlites has won 2 in a row against lesser before a winter break and appears poised to continue his run to kickoff the late Pick 5.

Play: #1 Floodlites (3-1 ML)


Race 8:
This $140,000 allowance turf sprint has a lack of serious early speed signed on. This could make life difficult on those that are likely to be off-the-pace early. I will take a swing with a gelding I am hopeful can make the lead and dictate pace. #2 Full Disclosure ships in from Florida after a pair of runs against stakes foes going 5-furlongs over the Gulfstream Park sod. The son of Cajun Breeze was a huge price in both races, but did not disgrace in either effort. Two-back in the Janus at odds of 41-1 he had traffic issues when losing to the talented Reef Runner and then in his last start on January 24 he missed beating Litigation by a neck at odds of 96-1. Full Disclosure did not make the lead in either of those races, but they went in under 21 seconds in the first quarter. Given the inside draw and lack of speed to his outside, I expect jockey Adam Beschizza to get aggressive in this one’s first start over this course. Hopefully, he can control things early or perhaps stalk just off #8 My Own. Either way I am expecting him to outrun his odds once again.

Play: #2 Full Disclosure (12-1 ML)


Race 11:
Trainer Brad Cox had a fantastic Triple Crown prep season and has had an even better Keeneland spring thus far. The Louisville native is 9 for 23 overall and 4 for 5 this week heading into Friday afternoon’s card. Cox sends out second-time starter #10 Be the Light in this MSW for 3YO fillies over the main track. The Godolphin homebred debuted down at Fair Grounds in what was likely treated as somewhat of a prep. The daughter of Medaglia d’Oro broke a bit slow allowing the winner to get the jump and ended up finishing an underwhelming third. Expect a big move forward from Be the Light on Saturday given the experience gained at first asking and a significant rider upgrade to Luis Saez. A single for me in the late horizontals.

Play: #10 Blue Light (3-1 ML)