Keeneland Horse Racing Picks Including Kentucky Oaks Prep Ashland Stakes for Friday 4/7/23

The three-week Keeneland Spring Meet starts today, April 7. Two of the 15 graded stakes races are one's to watch Friday including a Road to the Kentucky Oaks race - the $600,000 Ashland Stakes for 3-year-old fillies. The big races continue Saturday with a huge card including the Road to the Kentucky Derby Championship Series race - $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes.

As always, check the program for scratches and changes, monitor the weather and keep an eye on the track conditions.

(I will reference Equibase's Speed Figure in selected races, which tells you how fast a horse has been running in each of its races after adjusting for track, distances, and conditions).

Keeneland Betting Picks

According to numberFire horse racing projections and Guaranteed Tip Sheet, these are some of the best bets to make at FanDuel Racing today.

1. Corona Bold and Hejazi, Race 7

FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/2 and 8/5
Bet Now at TVG | Bet Now at FanDuel

Race 7 is the Lafayette Stakes for 3-year-olds at 7 furlongs. The numberFire data and Guaranteed Tip Sheet (GTS) project Brad Cox-trained Corona Bolt (5/2) and Bob Baffert-trained Hejazi (8/5) to decide the race along with Gulfport (7/2), who breaks from the rail with Tyler Gaffalione riding for trainer Steve Asmussen. Corona Bolt has only lost once in four starts and that was in the slop. Hejazi has Johnny Velazquez riding and he's faced tougher competition. Gulfport drops in class and comes in fresh. Lugan Knight (8/1) could add value to your exotics.

2. Dude N Colorado and Mo Stash, Race 8

FanDuel Racing Odds: 9/2 and 6/1
Bet Now at TVG | Bet Now at FanDuel

Race 8 is the $400,000 Grade 3 Kentucky Utilities Transylvania Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on the turf. Carl Spackler (3/1) is the favorite in post 11, but Nagirroc (8/1) is projected to pull the upset, according to numberFire's algorith. Guaranteed Tip Sheet (GTS) picks Dude N Colorado (9/2) with leading jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. riding for top trainer Todd Pletcher.
Dude N Colorado has speed from the outside post No. 12 and has never been out of the money in four career starts. Mo Stash (6/1) can finish in the money per numberFire's data and challenge for the win in his second start off a layoff. Webslinger (5/1) will be closing into the potentially fast pace, and Candidate (10/1) loves the turf and this distance, and has top jockey Joel Rosario riding.

3. Wonder Wheel and Julia Shining, Race 9

FanDuel Racing Odds: 8/5 and 3/1
Bet Now at TVG | Bet Now at FanDuel

Race 9 is the $600,000 Grade 1 Ashland Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles. This is a major prep/points race for the Kentucky Oaks. The top pick of numberFire and Guaranteed Tip Sheet is the favorite Wonder Wheel (8/5). She's the only horse in the field with multiple wins at Keeneland, and is 4-for-6 with a pair of Grade 1 wins. Tyler Gaffalione rides her again for trainer Marc Casse after she finished runner-up at Tampa Bay in her 2023 debut. Julia Shining (3/1) adds blinkers and has a ton of talent to get the job done, according to GTS. Punchbowl (2/1) is 2-for-2 with high 90's speed figures and makes her stakes debut. Defining Purpose (15/1) and Pride of the Nile (12/1) could add value to your exotic bets.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.