Keeneland Picks: Beaumont S. takes center stage on April 10

Keeneland finishes off its Opening Weekend with a stellar Sunday card ... hopefully all will go smoothly with the weather and the betting! Free picks and analysis below.

Keeneland Picks - Sunday, April 10, 2022

Race 1: 1-7-2-8
Race 2: 8-2-5-9
Race 3: 4-1-8-10
Race 4: 5-2-4-6
Race 5: 7-3-1/1A-10
Race 6: 11-5-4-9
Race 7: 7-2-5-8
Race 8: 2-1-7-6
Race 9: 5-2-7-11
**Most Likely: Highest Honors #7 (Race 5)**
**Best Value: Sweet As Pie #11 (Race 6)**

Keeneland ... oh, Keeneland ... their 1st weekend is already coming to a close, and it is already moving too fast ... Keeneland's Spring Meet is rolling! With the Blue Grass Stakes (G2) now in the books, it is time for yet another "graded" contest ... the Beaumont (G3) for 3-yr-old fillies. Turfwriter J.N. Campbell has your free picks, so let's go!

At Horseracing.net/us we have you covered, including all of the action! It is a good time for some of the best that North American racing has to offer. Stay tuned! If you're looking for picks elsewhere around the country this Sunday be sure to check out our free Horse Racing Picks via the gold button below. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter ... Horseracing_USA !!!

Horse Racing Picks

Most Likely Winner: (Race 5: Highest Honors #7, 4/1):

It has already been an “on fire” weekend for both Chad Brown and Tyler Gaffalione. The pair come together with this 6-yr-old by Tapit, and Bill Farish has a fine-looking turfer on his hands. This one is peaking at the right time, and let’s face it, Brown is set to have a highly-successful April, as he proved on Saturday. I always like Tyler Gaffalione’s attitude and level of patience in the saddle. He finds that spot within the pack, and knows how to reserve enough for that late turn-of-foot. With loads of OC experience under his saddle, the gold chevrons should be headed to the winner’s circle.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #7

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 6: Sweet as Pie #11, 6/1):

Here is a well-rested filly for Todd Pletcher that should be ready to fire off-the-shelf. Pletcher is good that way … it is what he does … Getting Luis Saez aboard sounds like a plan to me, especially since he was the pilot when this Tapit filly broke her maiden on debut. I am not sure if the 1st time Lasix will help, but what I am hopeful about is that she will be around 6/1 come post time.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #11 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 8: Dirt, 7F, Beaumont S. (G3), $400k, 3F):

The fillies were on display in the G1 Ashland Stakes on Friday, and now a different group returns to the MT at Keeneland for this shortened affair. This Grade 3 pits 7 runners against one another as they contest the 1-turn distance. As far as a race time favorite, I am sure Brad Cox’s entry will be considered … seriously. Matareya #7 was awfully sharp in late February at Cox’s southern base in New Orleans. She took over the lead in an ALLW Co. contest, and ran off with the prize. It was a 5+ length score, and I am guessing that her expert conditioner will have her primed to take the step-up in class. Flavien Prat teamed with Cox starting on Friday, and they make a formidable pair. In case this on-the-engine-type cannot get the job done, then you could toss your support behind Mike Maker’s Lady Scarlet #1. Owned partly by Paradise Farms, this daughter of Union Rags that was claimed from Cox rattled off 2 wins in succession. She was stellar at Oaklawn Park in a tough OC80kn1x in late February (18/1), and then Maker shipped her to Aqueduct, and she promptly won the Cicada S. $100k against a good field of NY-based horses. Coming to Maker’s hometown, the filly gets Jose Ortiz in the irons. I would not be surprised one bit if this one scores at Keeneland. When it comes to a top selection, I am particularly keen on Shug McGaughey’s own NYRA runner … by Gun Runner, a 3-yr-old named Radio Days #2. She is cutting back a touch after ending up 4th in the Busher Invitational at Aqueduct in early March. She ran poorly because she did not have any pace to run into … That could change significantly here, if the speed sets some stiff fractions. There is a chance that Wesley Ward’s Chi Town Lady #6 might shift tactics with John Velazquez aboard, and use her gate ability to try and steal this thing. If that happens, then Joel Rosario (aboard Shug’s entry) needs to be ready to pounce. What a race this is going to be on Sunday! Let’s go racing …

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Trifecta Wheel, 2 w 1/6/7 w 1/6/7

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Enjoy another fab Sunday trackside! Best of luck on another run at Keeneland! Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter … Horseracing_USA !!!