Track: Keeneland Race Course — Lexington, Kentucky
Distance: 1 3/16 miles (Dirt) Purse: $350,000 Age/Sex: 4‑year‑olds & up Scheduled Post Time: 5:16 PM ET
Expected Weather Conditions
No weather data was provided in the sourced material. Inference: Keeneland in mid‑April typically features mild spring conditions (50s–70s°F) with a chance of light wind or scattered clouds. This is an inference only — not sourced.
FIELD ANALYSIS — HORSE‑BY‑HORSE BREAKDOWN
Below is a complete analysis of all nine entrants, using verified entries and recent‑form data.
POST 1 — Stars and Stripes
Sire: Not This Time
Age/Sex: 4‑year‑old Colt
Weight: 118 lbs
Jockey: Luis Saez
Trainer: William I. Mott
Owner: Frassetto Stables LLC
Breeder: Pam & Martin Wygod
Recent Finish: 1st in Oaklawn Park Allowance Optional Claiming (3/8/26)
Morning Line Odds: Not provided in sources
Analysis: A lightly raced but improving colt with tactical speed. Saez fits his forward running style well. Mott’s horses typically move forward second off the layoff, making him a major contender.
POST 2 — Awesome Aaron
Sire: Practical Joke
Age/Sex: 7‑year‑old Gelding
Weight: 118 lbs
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Trainer: Norm W. Casse
Owner: Turman Racing Stable LLC, AJ Suited Racing Stable LLC & Mark Blieden
Breeder: Lester Kwok & Dr. Naoya Yoshida
Recent Finish: 7th in 2026 Oaklawn Mile (G3)
Analysis: A veteran with back‑class but inconsistent recent form. Rosario may try to settle and make one run, but he must improve significantly to threaten.
POST 3 — Tennessee Lamb
Sire: Tonalist
Age/Sex: 5‑year‑old Horse
Weight: 118 lbs
Jockey: Axel Concepcion
Trainer: George R. Arnold II
Owner/Breeder: Calumet Farm
Recent Finish: 3rd in Gulfstream Park AOC (3/1/26)
Analysis: A grinding type who prefers longer distances. Reliable but lacks a sharp turn of foot. Could clunk up for a piece if pace collapses.
POST 4 — British Isles
Sire: Justify
Age/Sex: 5‑year‑old Gelding
Weight: 123 lbs (Highweight)
Jockey: John R. Velazquez
Trainer: Richard Baltas
Owner: Slam Dunk Racing, Deborah Baltas & Cynthia McClanahan
Breeder: Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt
Recent Finish: 1st in 2026 Santa Anita Handicap (G1)
Analysis: The class of the field. Comes off a Grade I victory, showing tactical speed and stamina. Velazquez is elite in big‑money routes. The one to beat.
POST 5 — San Siro
Sire: Classic Empire
Age/Sex: 5‑year‑old Gelding
Weight: 118 lbs
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Trainer: Brendan P. Walsh
Owners: Andrew Farm, Mountmellick Farm, Ocean Reef Racing, White Mountain Stables & Stonecrest Farm
Breeder: Frankfort Park Farm et al.
Recent Finish: 3rd in 2026 Essex Handicap (G3)
Analysis: Consistent graded‑stakes performer. Gaffalione rides Keeneland extremely well. A logical underneath play.
POST 6 — Batten Down
Sire: Tapit
Age/Sex: 5‑year‑old Ridgling
Weight: 118 lbs
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Trainer: William I. Mott
Owner/Breeder: Juddmonte
Recent Finish: 1st in Pig Trail Overnight Stakes (2026)
Analysis: Lightly raced and improving. Prat is a master at timing late runs. A live longshot with upside.
POST 7 — Guns and Glory
Sire: Gun Runner
Age/Sex: 5‑year‑old Gelding
Weight: 118 lbs
Jockey: Danny Sheehy
Trainer: Anna M. Meah
Owner: Starry Night Racing
Breeder: Stud TNT LLC
Recent Finish: 8th in Turfway AOC (3/28/26)
Analysis: Outclassed on paper. Would need a major turnaround to contend.
POST 8 — Rattle N Roll
Sire: Connect
Age/Sex: 7‑year‑old Horse
Weight: 118 lbs
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.
Trainer: Kenneth G. McPeek
Owners: Lucky Seven Stable & Sharaf Mohamad Alhariri
Breeder: St. Simon Place
Recent Finish: 9th in 2026 Saudi Cup (G1)
Analysis: A proven graded‑stakes competitor with deep stamina. The Saudi Cup effort was against world‑class competition. Major rebound candidate.
POST 9 — Honor Marie
Sire: Honor Code
Age/Sex: 5‑year‑old Gelding
Weight: 118 lbs
Jockey: Joseph D. Ramos
Trainer: D. Whitworth Beckman
Owners: Ribble Farms LLC & Lighthouse Racing
Breeder: Royce Pulliam
Recent Finish: 3rd in 2026 Kentucky Cup Classic (G3)
Analysis: A steady grinder who fits well at this distance. Not flashy, but always tries. A good value play for trifectas.
PACE & RACE SHAPE ANALYSIS
Early Speed: Stars and Stripes, British Isles Pressers: San Siro, Batten Down Closers: Rattle N Roll, Honor Marie, Tennessee Lamb
British Isles projects to sit just off Stars and Stripes before making a decisive move on the far turn.
