Keeneland Horse Racing Picks and Predictions for Thursday, April 9

Veteran handicapper Ed Sehon (aka Mr. Ed) provides his Keeneland picks for Thursday, April 9.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:08am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting a horse race, with jockeys and spectators broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in vibrant colors, conveying the dynamic energy of the event.A cubist interpretation of the energy and excitement of a Keeneland horse race captures the thrill of the sport through a fragmented, geometric lens.Lexington Today

Veteran handicapper Ed Sehon, also known as Mr. Ed, provides his Keeneland horse racing picks and predictions for Thursday, April 9. The nine-race card at Keeneland features several maiden and allowance races, with Mr. Ed sharing his top selections and wager recommendations for the day's races.

Why it matters

Keeneland is one of the premier horse racing venues in the United States, known for its high-quality racing and competitive fields. Mr. Ed's expert analysis and betting advice can help horseplayers make informed decisions and potentially find value in the Keeneland races.

The details

Mr. Ed's top picks for the day include several horses trained by leading conditioners like Bill Mott, Chad Brown, and Wesley Ward. He's particularly high on horses like #2 CROSSFIRE, #5 SHARING WISDOM, #8 SWEET SCORECARD, and #7 KOKOMOTION. Mr. Ed also provides multi-race wager suggestions, including a $36 Pick 4 ticket covering Races 6-9.

  • The nine-race card at Keeneland goes to post at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT on Thursday, April 9.
  • Race 2 is scheduled for 1:32 p.m. ET/10:32 a.m. PT.
  • Race 3 is scheduled for 2:04 p.m. ET/11:04 a.m. PT.
  • Race 4 is scheduled for 2:36 p.m. ET/11:26 a.m. PT.
  • Race 5 is scheduled for 3:08 p.m. ET/12:08 p.m. PT.
  • Race 6 is scheduled for 3:40 p.m. ET/12:40 p.m. PT.
  • Race 8 is scheduled for 4:44 p.m. ET/1:44 p.m. PT.

The players

Bill Mott

A leading horse trainer who had a pair of winners on Wednesday at Keeneland.

Junior Alvarado

A jockey who also had a pair of wins on Wednesday at Keeneland.

Jose Ortiz

A jockey who had a pair of wins on Wednesday at Keeneland.

Luis Saez

A jockey who had a pair of wins on Wednesday at Keeneland.

Tyler Gaffalione

A popular jockey who is currently in a deep slump and looking to break out.

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What they’re saying

“GOOD NEWS, SAD NEWS: Mr. Ed is halfway to Keeneland. His Wednesday picks were not worth the drive. Those who did well on Wednesday included trainer Bill Mott and jockeys Junior Alvarado, Jose Ortiz and Luis Saez — all with a pair of wins apiece.”

— Ed Sehon, Veteran Handicapper

“JOCK WATCH: Popular Tyler Gaffalione is mired in a deep slump. Look for him to break out, the sooner the better.”

— Ed Sehon, Veteran Handicapper

What’s next

On Friday, April 10, Keeneland will host an excellent 10-race program, featuring the $650K Grade 1 Maker's Mark Mile for 4-year-olds and up on the turf. The first race on Friday's card goes to post at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT, and Mr. Ed will be at the track to compete in the annual $400 Spring Betting Challenge and offer his exclusive VSiN selections.

The takeaway

Mr. Ed's Keeneland picks and predictions provide valuable insight for horseplayers looking to find value in the competitive Keeneland race card on Thursday. His analysis of the top trainers and jockeys, as well as his specific wager recommendations, can help bettors make informed decisions and potentially cash winning tickets.