Track: Keeneland Race Course — Lexington, Kentucky
Distance: 1½ miles (Turf) Purse: $400,000 Age/Sex: 4‑year‑olds & up Scheduled Post Time: 5:48 PM ET
Expected Weather Conditions
No weather information was provided in the sourced material. Inference: Keeneland in mid‑April typically features mild spring temperatures (50s–70s°F) with light winds and variable cloud cover. Turf conditions often range from firm to good depending on rainfall.
FIELD & HORSE‑BY‑HORSE ANALYSIS
Below is a complete breakdown of all 12 main entrants plus the also‑eligible horse, using verified entries from BloodHorse.
POST 1 — Padiddle
Pedigree: Empire Maker – Belle Chaussee
Age/Sex: 6‑year‑old Gelding
Weight: 118 lbs
Jockey: Jose E. Morelos
Trainer: Elizabeth L. Dobles
Owner: Imaginary Stables
Breeder: Frankfort Park Farm
Analysis: A durable long‑distance turf runner with grinding style. Needs pace to close into. A fringe exotics player.
POST 2 — Desvio
Pedigree: Yoshida (JPN) – Fitzrovia
Age/Sex: 5‑year‑old Gelding
Weight: 120 lbs
Jockey: John R. Velazquez
Trainer: Madison F. Meyers
Owner: Stonelea Stables & Bonnie Rye Stable
Breeder: Eliza St George & Lee Mauberret
Analysis: Lightly raced but talented. Velazquez is a major upgrade. Could sit a perfect stalking trip.
POST 3 — Utah Beach
Pedigree: English Channel – My Own Story
Age/Sex: 6‑year‑old Gelding
Weight: 118 lbs
Jockey: Ben Curtis
Trainer: Brendan P. Walsh
Owner: Amling & Merriebelle Stable
Breeder: J. Amling & Merriefield Farm
Analysis: Proven marathon turf performer. English Channel progeny excel at 12 furlongs. A live contender.
POST 4 — Grand Sonata
Pedigree: Medaglia d’Oro – A.P. Sonata
Age/Sex: 7‑year‑old Horse
Weight: 120 lbs
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher
Owner: Whisper Hill Farm
Breeder: Whisper Hill Farm
Analysis: Classy veteran with tactical speed. Gaffalione rides Keeneland exceptionally well. Major win threat.
POST 5 — Fleetfoot (IRE)
Pedigree: Teofilo (IRE) – Fleeting Smile
Age/Sex: 6‑year‑old Gelding
Weight: 118 lbs
Jockey: Danny Sheehy
Trainer: Barry Foley
Owner: Molly & Paul Willis
Breeder: Shadwell Estate
Analysis: European‑bred stamina type. Strong late kick but needs firm turf to show best.
POST 6 — Burnham Square
Pedigree: Liam’s Map – Linda
Age/Sex: 4‑year‑old Gelding
Weight: 118 lbs
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.
Trainer: Ian R. Wilkes
Owner/Breeder: Whitham Thoroughbreds
Analysis: Lightly raced and improving. Pedigree suggests stamina. A potential longshot with upside.
POST 7 — Truly Quality
Pedigree: Quality Road – Truly Together
Age/Sex: 6‑year‑old Gelding
Weight: 120 lbs
Jockey: Luan Machado
Trainer: Jonathan Thomas
Owner: Augustin Stable
Breeder: George Strawbridge Jr.
Analysis: Consistent and classy. Should sit mid‑pack and make a sustained run. Reliable exotics horse.
POST 8 — Tawny Port
Pedigree: Pioneerof the Nile – Livi Makenzie
Age/Sex: 7‑year‑old Horse
Weight: 118 lbs
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Trainer: Miguel Clement
Owner: Peachtree Stable
Breeder: WinStar Farm
Analysis: Former dirt star now thriving on turf. Rosario’s patient style fits perfectly. A major contender.
POST 9 — Navy Seal (IRE)
Pedigree: Dubawi (IRE) – Athena (IRE)
Age/Sex: 5‑year‑old Gelding
Weight: 118 lbs
Jockey: Gerardo Corrales
Trainer: Wesley A. Ward
Owner: Mrs. Fitriani Hay
Breeder: Coolmore
Analysis: Elite European pedigree. Ward excels with turf runners. Dangerous if he handles the distance.
POST 10 — Presider
Pedigree: Connect – Lawless Miss
Age/Sex: 6‑year‑old Gelding
Weight: 118 lbs
Jockey: Axel Concepcion
Trainer: Joe Sharp
Owner: Carl R. Moore Management
Breeder: Colts Neck Stables
Analysis: Honest type but may be outclassed at this level. Needs a career‑best effort.
POST 11 — Freedom’s Way
Pedigree: Declaration of War – Wonderfuladventure
Age/Sex: 7‑year‑old Gelding
Weight: 118 lbs
Jockey: Luis Saez
Trainer: Eddie Kenneally
Owner: Richard & Connie Snyder
Breeder: Cove Springs Farm
Analysis: Veteran marathoner with tactical speed. Saez is aggressive and may send early.
POST 12 — Anegada
Pedigree: Midshipman – Love Cove
Age/Sex: 4‑year‑old Gelding
Weight: 118 lbs
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Trainer: Michael J. Maker
Owner: Three Diamonds Farm
Breeder: Leonard Supchak
Analysis: Maker is elite with turf stayers. Prat is one of the best turf riders in America. A major sleeper.
ALSO ELIGIBLE — POST 13 — Dancin in Da’nile
Pedigree: Pioneerof the Nile – Dance Again
Age/Sex: 7‑year‑old Gelding
Weight: 118 lbs
Jockey: Mario Gutierrez
Trainer: Gail Cox
Owner: Murray Stable & Partners
Breeder: Sam‑Son Farm
Analysis: Needs a scratch to draw in. If he does, he brings deep stamina and experience.
TRACK CONDITIONS
Timeform lists the going as Good (Turf) for Keeneland on April 18, 2026.
PACE & RACE SHAPE (Inference)
Likely front‑runners: Freedom’s Way, Navy Seal
Pressers: Grand Sonata, Desvio
Mid‑pack stalkers: Utah Beach, Fleetfoot, Anegada
Closers: Tawny Port, Truly Quality, Padiddle
Expect a moderate early pace, with the race decided in the long Keeneland stretch.
