Bewitch Stakes 2026 Analysis at Keeneland (4-24-26)

I’m diving into the Grade 3 Bewitch Stakes at Keeneland, a $350,000 event for fillies and mares going 1 1/2 miles on the turf. This is a classic stamina test, and races at this distance often come down to pace dynamics, positioning, and which runners can sustain their finish over the final quarter mile.

Using the past performance data from Today’s Racing Digest, I’ve broken down each contender’s profile, speed figures, and projected trip to find the best betting opportunities.

Field Overview & Pace Scenario

This race lacks a clear-cut front-runner, which makes tactical speed extremely important. Horses that can sit forward or just off the pace should have a significant advantage, especially if the tempo turns moderate early.

Closers will need help up front—and based on the field, that help may not arrive.

Top Contenders

9 – Speed Shopper (5-2)

This is the most logical winner in the field. She brings strong Final Time Ratings, including multiple 149 figures at the graded stakes level going this distance. Her Fire Numbers—a pair of 98s—show she can sustain speed throughout the race.

What really makes her dangerous here is her tactical versatility. From the outside post, she can either take control or sit just off the lead and get first run turning for home.

My Betting Takeaway: She’s the most likely winner based on pace, consistency, and proven ability at 1 1/2 miles.

6 – Mrs. Astor (4-1)

A model of consistency, Mrs. Astor has finished in the top three in nine straight starts. She fits this field on both class and numbers, typically running in the 130–140 range.

The added distance works in her favor, and she has multiple wins at this trip. She can adapt to different race shapes, giving her jockey flexibility depending on how the pace unfolds.

The main concern? She’s still winless at Keeneland.

My Betting Takeaway: A must-use contender with a high floor, but not quite as appealing as the top choice.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest 

Kentucky Derby 2026 Video Update (4-20-26)

In this Kentucky Derby & Oaks 2026 video, I update the points leaderboard and share the latest Kentucky Derby & Oaks news, workouts, and contenders. 

I covered all of the Kentucky Derby 2026 points races on my channel. Road to Derby video record (37 13-4-7).

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.   

Kentucky Oaks 2026 Report (4-20-26)

The Kentucky Oaks 2026 horses are starting to assemble at Churchill Downs and in this report, I will take a look at the latest workouts, update the points standings, and share my top Oaks contenders.

Lorelei Lee, 15th on the Oaks points list, breezed a half-mile in 48.20 (11/32) at Churchill Downs on April 20.

I covered all of the Kentucky Oaks 2026 preps on my Runaway Horse YouTube channel, and after 31 points races, my top choices had 14 wins, 7 runner-up finishes, and 5 show finishes. My top choices showed a flat bet profit in this series.

Kentucky Oaks 2026 Points Race Results (Top Choice Winners Bolded)

Pocahontas (10-5-3-2-1) – Sep. 13 – Winner: Taken by the Wind ($14.10)

Alcibiades (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 3 – Winner: Tommy Jo ($2.88)

Frizette (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 4 – Winner: Iron Orchard ($6.90)

Oak Leaf (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 4 – Winner: Explora ($2.80)

Rags to Riches (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 26 – Winner: Life of Joy ($3.68)

BC Juvenile Fillies (30-15-9-6-3) – Oct. 31 – Winner: Super Corredora ($19.60)

Golden Rod (10-5-3-2-1) – Nov. 29 – Winner: Bella Ballerina ($10.28)

Demoiselle (10-5-3-2-1) – Dec. 6 – Winner: Zany ($3.50)

Starlet (10-5-3-2-1) – Dec. 6 – Winner: Consequent ($7.60)

Untapable (10-5-3-2-1) – Dec. 20 – Winner: Hit Parade ($6.60)

Busanda (20-10-6-4-2) – Jan. 3 – Winner: Dazzling Dame ($6.24)

Santa Ynez (10-5-3-2-1) – Jan. 10 – Winner: Explora ($2.10)

Silverbulletday (20-10-6-4-2) – Jan. 17 – Winner: Taken by the Wind ($10.80)

Forward Gal (20-10-6-4-2) – Jan. 31 – Winner: On Time Girl ($4.20)

Martha Washington (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 6 – Winner: Search Party ($10.20)

Suncoast (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 7 – Winner: Zany ($2.40)

Las Virgenes (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 8 – Winner: Meaning ($7.80)

Rachel Alexandra (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 14 – Bella Ballerina ($3.60)

Sunland Park Oaks (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 15 – Bottle of Rouge ($2.80)

Cincinnati Trophy (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 20 – Winner: Resplendence ($25.42)

UAE Oaks (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 21 – Winner: Labwah

Busher (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 28 – Winner: Paradise ($4.72)

Davona Dale (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 28 – Winner: She Be Smooth ($13.60)

Honeybee (50-25-15-10-5) – March 1 – Winner: Explora ($4.00)

Santa Ysabel (50-25-15-10-5) – March 8 – Winner: Forced Entry ($7.60)

Virginia Oaks (50-25-15-10-5) – March 14 – Winner: Bottle of Rouge ($3.60)

Bourbonette Oaks (50-25-15-10-5) – March 21 – Winner: Lorelei Lee ($23.98)

FG Oaks (100-50-25-15-10) – March 21 – Winner: Life of Joy ($9.40)

Fantasy (100-50-25-15-10) – March 27 – Winner: Counting Stars ($3.80)

GP Oaks (100-50-25-15-10) – March 28 – Winner: Prom Queen ($8.20)

Ashland (100-50-25-15-10) – April 3 – Winner: Percy’s Bar ($7.12)

Gazelle (100-50-25-15-10) – April 4 – Winner: Always a Runner ($11.38)

SA Oaks (100-50-25-15-10) – April 4 – Winner: Meaning ($3.80)

Read more at The Runaway Horse

Santa Anita Park Handicapping Report (April 17-19)

Santa Anita Recap for Friday (4-17-26)

Fast main track and firm turf course. Three front running winners on dirt (8f, 6.5f, 8f). On the turf course, a closing favorite graduated in the flat mile opener, a 4-1 shot closed from last of 5 to win at 6f, a 6-1 stalker tallied from the inside post at 6f, a 9-2 stalker scored from the inside post at 6.5f, and a 6-1 stalker won the 6.5f finale (rail at 30 feet).

Armando Ayuso guided home a pair of turf sprint winners. Peter Miller saddled two winners.

The $2 Pick 6 pool was $83,734 and there were no tickets with six winners. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $2,738.80. There will be a Pick 6 carryover of $44,734 when live racing resumes on Saturday, April 18.

April 17 Claims: Race 3 – Cyprus Moon ($30k, Leonard Powell). Race 4 – Joey Ten ($20k, Bill McLean). Race 5 – Long Mayshe Reign ($25k, George Papaprodromou), Oveta’s Hobby ($25k, Sergio Morfin), Shangrilama ($25k, Peter Miller). Race 8 – Mighty Kai ($8k, Doug O’Neill). Race 9 – Tom Seaver ($20k, Andy Mathis).

Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Friday (4-17-26)
SA 2 BLAME IT ON JACK ($3.80)
Double (races 1-2, $8.40)
Double (races 2-3, $38.00)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $66.60)
SA 4 SOI NGERN ($4.80), Exacta ($17.40), Trifecta ($54.60)
Double (races 3-4, $17.40)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $56.20)
Double (races 4-5, $44.40)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $165.20)
Early Pick 4 (races 2-5, $447.20)
SA 8 MIGHTY KAI ($4.40), Exacta ($9.60)
Bonus Stakes:
AQU 7 And One More Time/Oversubscribed Exacta ($15.80)
KEE 9 ALPINE PRINCESS ($6.10)

*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.

Read more at The Runaway Horse

Kentucky Derby 2026 Report (4-19-26)

The horses are starting to arrive at Churchill Downs as we inch closer to Kentucky Derby. In this report, I will take a look at the latest news, update the points standings, and share my exceptional eleven Derby contenders.

Ottinho dropped out of the Derby field yesterday and that allowed Chief Wallabee to jump into the body of the race. Grittiness was removed from Derby consideration on Saturday as well.

On Sunday, Nearly and Bravaro were dropped from consideration. The former will go to Centennial Farms for some rest and relaxation after training unsatisfactorily in recent weeks. Bravaro is targeting the Mike Lee Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-olds at Saratoga on June 3.

Chip Honcho, 21st on the points list, breezed 5f in 59.80 (6/39) at CD on April 18. He galloped out 6f in 1:12.72 and 7f in 1:25.73. He worked in company with last-out New Orleans Classic (G2) runner-up Corporate Power. Steve Asmussen’s colt has early-pressing speed and could play a big pace role if he gets into the Derby field.

Intrepido, currently 22nd on the points list, worked a half-mile in 47.20 (2/97) at Santa Anita on April 19. Hector Berrios will ride if he makes the 20-horse field.

Read more at The Runaway Horse

Kentucky Derby 2026 Top 20 Contenders (4-19-26)

 In this Kentucky Derby 2026 video, I update the points leaderboard and share my Top 20 contenders. 

I covered all of the Kentucky Derby 2026 points races on my channel. Road to Derby video record (37 13-4-7).

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.   

Kentucky Derby & Oaks 2026 Video Update (4-18-26)

In this Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks 2026 video, I share the latest Derby and Oaks news (4-18-26). Ottinho will not run in the Derby and Chief Wallabee is the newest addition to the field. 

I covered all of the Kentucky Derby 2026 points races on my channel. Road to Derby video record (37 13-4-7).

I also covered all of the Kentucky Oaks 2026 points races on my channel. Road to Kentucky Oaks 2026 video record (31 14-7-5).

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.