On Saturday, Oaklawn has one of the biggest days of their season. The Arkansas based racetrack runs the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap and the Grade 1 Apple Blossom. One of the best fillies and mares to ever race, Monomoy Girl, will step onto the Oaklawn dirt for the Apple Blossom. Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds for the Top Stakes Races of the Week from Saturday, April 17th to Sunday, April 18th. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.
Horse Racing Odds & Picks for April 17th & 18th Races
Top Stakes Races of the Week
- When: Saturday, April 17 – Sunday, April 18
Keeneland Racecourse – Saturday, April 17th
- Grade 2 Elkhorn Stakes – 1 ½ miles turf – $200,000
Five horses have said they will run in the Grade 2 Elkhorn at Keeneland on Saturday. Phil D’Amato puts the saddle on Say the Word, Shug McGaughey will run North Dakota, Ignacio Correas plans on starting Fantasioso, and Kenny McPeek will send five-year-old gelding Crafty Daddy to the starting gate. The fifth runner is the Bill Mott trained Red Knight. Horseplayers should make either Red Knight or North Dakota the favorite.
Santa Anita Park – Saturday, April 17th
- Grade 2 Californian Stakes – 1 1/8 miles dirt – $200,000
At least eight horses will run in the Grade 2 California on Saturday. Among the eight are 2020 Pacific Classic third-place finisher Midcourt and Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes winner Express Train. Roadster will also run. Independence Hall, Growth Engine, and Brown Storm have upset potential.
Oaklawn Park – Saturday, April 17th
- Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap – 1 1/8 miles dirt – $1,000,000
With a purse of $1,000,000, it’s no surprise the Oaklawn Handicap will attract some heavy hitters. Owendale, Warrior’s Charge, and Fearless are all scheduled to run. So will 3 in a row winner Silver State and another Steve Asmussen trained runner, Silver Prospector. The second-place finisher in the Grade 3 Razorback in his last, Silver Prospector is the only horse that hung with eventual Dubai World Cup winner Mystic Guide. Expect Silver Prospector and Owendale to fight for favoritism.
- Grade 1 Apple Blossom – 1 1/16 miles dirt – $1,000,000
Can anyone beat Monomoy Girl? Probably not, but 2020 Preakness Stakes winner Swiss Skydiver will give it another go. The Kenny McPeek trained four-year-old filly won the Beholder Mile Stakes in March. Skydiver beat some decent horses in that race, including As Time Goes By, Harvest Moon, and Golden Principal. Can she turn the tables on her older rival? We shall see.
Santa Anita Park – Sunday, April 18th
- Grade 3 Tokyo City Handicap – 1 ½ miles dirt – $100,000
Zestful, Tizamagician, Multiplier, and Lure Him In are the four horses with connections that have said they will contest the 1 ½ mile Tokyo City Handicap on Sunday. Of the four, Richard Mandella trained Tizamagician figures to go off the chalk.
- Grade 3 Kona Gold Stakes – 6 ½ furlongs dirt – $100,000
Kona Gold was one of the greatest sprinters in history. The gelding won the 2000 Breeders’ Cup Sprint, No equine running in this race has talent close to Kona Gold’s. But Cistron, Fight On, and Brickyard Ride are decent horses. Expect more sprinters to join those three in the starting gate in what’s sure to be a super competitive race.
