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April is here and so is the Keeneland spring meet. The boutique meeting in the Lexington area began with two of their biggest days of the year and now kicks in to the 5-day schedule we are accustomed to. To celebrate a meeting that horseplayers clearly love, we have a new promotion involving the late Pick 4 that will run five times through Wednesday, April 22. Head to the promotional landing page to register, then simply connect on the late Pick 4 for any of the eligible racing days, and share 2 Million 1/ST Rewards Points with other customers able to do similar. Here are my thoughts on Wednesday's late Pick 4.
Grade Descriptions: Grade A=Highest degree of confidence; Grade B=Solid Play. Grade C=Least preferred or pass; Grade X=probable winner but likely at odds too short to play.
Race 5:
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 1 Andthewinneris; 5 Integration
Backups: None
Forecast: The sequence kicks off with a $150k allowance event at two-turns over the sod where it appears the pace should be honest at the very least. This bodes well for the class of the field #5 Integration. The son of Quality Road drops out of Grade 1 company for the first time since 2024 off the layoff for Shug McGaughey. He has been a horse I have faded in those races regularly, but obviously will be a tough customer in this spot if he is ready to fire off the 6-month break. He is the likeliest winner, but probably will be an underlay. #1 Andthewinneris is the better bet at their ML offerings. The son of Oscar Performance made his first start off a lengthy break at Turfway Park in late February. I like that he shook off the rust prior to this spot and returns to a turf course he has run well over throughout his career. He is likely to be in the back early, but is capable of running them all down late with the right setup.
Race 6:
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 6 Flash of Freedom; 3 Shestallthatsall
Backups: 5 East Bay
Forecast: I will try to beat the two ML favorites in this MSW for 3YO fillies at 1 1/16-miles over the main track. I am most intrigued by longshot #6 Flash of Freedom. Trainer Matthew Sims has solid numbers in most applicable categories, including horses returning off 90+ day breaks. The Kentucky based conditioner has given this daughter of Constitution time after a pair of races going one-turn last fall. The female family points to this gal getting better as the distances get longer, so hopefully her first two-turn journey leads to a career best effort. The price should be right to gamble. #3 Shestallthatsall is more obvious, but should move forward off a decent debut at big odds for Ian Wilkes. Wilkes legs up Brian Hernandez, Jr. in her first start in the Blue Grass state.
Race 7:
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 2 Icona; 4 J N J Heartandsoul; 1 Love You Anyway
Backups: None
Forecast: The pace should be quick in this first-level allowance at 1 1/16-miles over the grass given the presence of California shipper #6 Miss Kitty Boom. The Maclean’s Music filly has been prominent in sprints out west and now stretches out to a route of ground for the first time. With others that enjoy being involved early, the race is likely to set up for a runner that can settle, save ground, and finish. #1 Love You Anyway is obvious and will probably get first run, but a pair of others should get favorable inside voyages from off the pace as well. #2 Icona did not have things her way in her first start in the States, but got a great ride from Tyler Gaffalione to break her maiden last out. She does not finish like a world beater, but projects to get the exact trip I want. #4 J N J Heartandsoul is a bomb I will include. The daughter of Heart to Heart showed a solid turn of foot in her last two starts over the grass in 2025 and attracts Julien Leparoux. Leparoux and trainer Thomas Molloy have won 4 of the 5 times they have worked together and she very well could be making the final move at huge odds.
Race 8:
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 1 General Graham; 8 Sharons Beach; 9 Kid Twist; 11 Perfect Attitude; 4 High Go
Backups: None
Forecast: I was impressed with #1 General Graham’s win relatively speaking, but not enough to trust him in this starter allowance at 7-furlongs. The Eddie Kenneally trainee is my lukewarm top choice in the finale, but as you can see. I do not trust anyone, including ML favorite #8 Sharons Beach. The So Cal import showed some grit last time to win, but was all out at odds of 3-10. #9 Kid Twist and #11 Perfect Attitude are the prices I give the best chance to spring the upset. If this race is to produce a price, it is probably going to be because they went too fast early. Both of these colts have the right running style to perhaps take advantage of that scenario.
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