Expert Picks

Kim Nelson

Kim Nelson has worked with horses all her life. She rode hunter jumpers as a child and teenager. She then moved on to work for North Ridge Farm learning the basics with mares, foals and yearlings. She has worked through the years for Carl Nafzger, Adena Springs, The Daily Racing Form and Marylou Whitney Stables. Keeneland has always been the home track for Kim and this will be her 14 year anniversary handicapping the spring and fall meets.

Wednesday, April 08, 2026

Early Pick 5 begins Race 1

Late Pick 5 begins Race 4

$3 Late Pick 3 begins Race 6

Enjoy!!

 

1st Race

Top Picks #6, #4 and #7

#6 Waggley is a sharp looking firster by Life Is Good for the Wesley Ward barn. Not going to try to beat her here. #4 Frontline Fury has been training well over the Keeneland surface. Sharp filly could be competitive down the lane. #7 Smoke looks to be an interesting firster. She comes over with top connections. 

2nd Race

Top Picks #11, #12 and #6

#11 Mischief Mania has an early turn of foot and is dropping slightly in class. He is 3rd off the layoff here and like him at this distance. #12 Sully posted a big Beyer number for this field in his last out. He took his time getting the maiden win but this level looks like the company he has been asking for. #6 Nassau Circle smoked the field in his last start and should be sharp for this one. 

3rd Race

Top Picks #2, #4 and #1

#2 Liam in the Dust is first off the layoff so she comes in fresh and is getting a bit of a class relief from past form. She gets Lasix again here and she is proven at this distance. She brings the back class. #4 Kapoor is the early 4-5 favorite coming off 3 wins in a row and bringing sharp Beyer numbers. Pedigree suits the distance and may prove tough to catch. #1 Sudden Switch is the horse for the course with 2 wins over the Keeneland main track and is a winner at the distance. She is 3rd off the layoff and wouldn't leave out. 

4th Race

Top Picks #9, #7 and #5

This a tough race to pick could be anybody's game here but did land on #9 Oath for the win. She showed some early speed and turned in good effort to stay for 2nd in her debut. If she improves off her first she is a player here. #7 Cuvee Creed turned in her best effort last out finishing a good 2nd in her first off a brief freshening. She can boast the best last Beyer Speed figure. #5 Fresh Out looks good for part. 

5th Race

Top Picks #1, #5 and #6

#2 Dresden Row is coming in off a winter vacation and has moved to the Pletcher barn for his return. This guy has not been off the board in 15 starts and has faced some tough company. This looks like a good spot for his return and to get his legs back under him. #5 Integration is a racehorse with over $1.7 million in earnings. He can boast several triple digit Beyers in past form and deserves to be the 6-5 early favorite. #6 First Strike comes over with a 3 race win streak and has proven he is fast out of the gates. Keep on the ticket. 

6th Race

Top Picks #3, #6 and #9

#3 Shestallthatsall turned in a good effort in her debut and the slight added distance should move her forward. She has the top Beyer of this field and like her for the win. #6 Flash of Freedom has been working well over the local going and gets her first Lasix. This distance should suit her. #9 Answered Prayers comes over with top connections and adds blinkers for her 2nd start. 

7th Race

Top Picks #1, #2 and #4

#1 Love You Anyway is a Graded Stakes placed talent that has been showing solid works for her return to the races. She is capable of early foot to take advantage of the inside draw. She is proven over the Keeneland grass. #5 Princess Attitude is first off the layoff and has the back class to suggest this is a good spot for her return. She broke her maiden over the Keeneland lawn and like her to land a share. #7 J N J Heartandsoul can boast the top turf Beyer of the field and although she faded in her last look for her to boost exotics here. 

8th Race

Top Picks #8, #1 and #4

#8 Sharons Beach has been sharp his last 2 races breaking his maiden last out. This distance should suit him and like that top jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr lands here. #1 General Graham's only start was a winning one and like him to show up with a big run here. #4 High Go is 2nd off the layoff and while thinking he may prefer the grass he finds a good spot here to pick up a check.  

Wednesday, April 08, 2026