Horse Racing picks for Keeneland race track on Saturday, April 23: Warrant warrants a bet

1:00 pm Keeneland (Race 1) – Copper Town 2/1

The winner of two of his last three starts the veteran delivered a two-and-three-quarter-length victory over this course and distance in a $40,000 claiming contest last October. Tackles a similar contest here and a draw in six should prove no inconvenience given he raced wide when winning here last time out. Has shown good form in the mornings in recent times and looks up to helping trainer Wesley Ward improve on his 26% strike-rate (7/27) at this meeting.

2:36 pm Keeneland (Race 4) – Salit 5/2

Showed ability in maiden special weight races including when finishing on the board at Gulfstream Park on her first two starts but appeared to appreciate the drop to a $75,000 maiden claimer when finishing runner-up over a mile-and-one-sixteenth on turf at Saratoga last August. Raced from off the pace that day and while she disappointed in a main track maiden special weight in February she is taken to get off the mark dropping to a $50,000 maiden claiming contest.

3:08 pm Keeneland (Race 5) – Nevisian Sunrise 9/5

Lightly-raced for one her age given she’s had just the four starts to date she delivered a good second place finish over an extended mile at Belmont Park in an allowance race in May last year when making her first appearance outside of maiden company. Beaten a length third in a Listed stakes at the same venue the following month and having demonstrated improved form in the mornings in recent times she is selected to make a winning seasonal debut.

4:44 pm Keeneland (Race 8) – Warrant 2/1

A winner at this level when taking the Oklahoma Derby over a mile-and-one-eighth at Remington Park back in September the four-year-old proved that that success was no fluke when twice placing in Graded events this year. Delivered a career best when runner-up in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap over a mile-and-a-quarter at Santa Anita early last month and with Flavien Prat up looks up to delivering a victory in the first of two Graded stakes race on the card.

5:16 pm Keeneland (Race 9) – Channel Maker 2/1

Demonstrated good form in Grade 1 company in 2020 when finishing runner-up in the Breeders Cup Turf over this course and distance. Below that form last time around but did acquit himself well at the top level on his final two starts of 2021 including when fifth at the Breeders Cup in November. Has shown good form in the mornings of late with his most recent timed breeze being a 37.20 three furlong work at Churchill Downs.

Exotic

Early Pick 3