Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, October 18

Check out VSiN At The Track to catch up on the latest horse racing news and picks in all the major stakes this weekend! Subscribe on Apple or Spotify to make sure you don’t miss an episode!

Now let’s head out to Keeneland for some action!

140k N3X Allowance, Keeneland, Race #8

Let’s start with an interesting turf race to kick off the bets. I’m going to zero in on a bit of a price here with #1 Theismann, who has been a new horse once switching over to the turf. The race two back was a great first effort, going two turns on the turf. It was followed up by a nice win at Churchill while improving the numbers. The trip should be ideal here, saving ground and sitting right behind the pace. The 8-1 price is the cherry on top. 

#6 Green Light was on a nice run before heading to Kentucky Downs last time out after trouble two back. Brisset has had this one dialed in when running over a mile. Jose Ortiz has been dynamite with this horse. 

Embed from Getty Images

#3 This Is Uscar is going to try to turf for the first time in a while, but he’s got speed on his side. He should make the lead, and that is dangerous over the Keeneland turf right now. If he clears, he will be up front turning for home. 

#7 Siege of Boston has the most back class in the field with a handful of graded stakes, but has not won a race in a while. The pace should also be an issue as well. He’s going to be rolling late, but could have a lot of ground to make up. 

Top 4: 1-6-3-7
The Bets: $50 Win #1 

Ravens Run Stakes, Keeneland, Race #9

There is a boatload of speed signed up for this seven-furlong sprint, and that should set it up well for a couple of horses in here. #9 Ragtime is the favorite at 3-1 and is one that should benefit. She will sit mid-pack and make her move on a turn, a trip that has worked in every race in her career. I was very close to putting her on top, but the price led me elsewhere. 

That’s going to be the #2 Vixen, who has never touched the dirt. That being said, she has been running against the best her turf class has to offer in Lush Lips, Nitrogen, and Fionn. She is bred to be able to handle either surface, and the cut back here means she has the stamina edge on this field at seven furlongs. If she takes to the surface, she’s live and she is 20-1. 

#11 Quietside was great early in her career sprinting and now cuts back to one turn. She is returning to the track for the first time after the Kentucky Oaks, so the layoff is an issue, but she fired on her debut, so she can be a player here. As long as she does not get caught up in a pace battle, she should be live at the end of this race. 

#3 Strong State ran second to Ragtime in the Dogwood last time out from off the pace. That was first off the layoff, so you could make the logical argument she will be better here. She’s one I will be using underneath at a juicy 15-1 price.Top 4: 2-9-11-3
The Bets: $25 Win #2 – $5 Tri 2,9 / 2,3,9,11 / 2,3,9,11

The post Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, October 18 from Mike Somich appeared first on VSiN.