HORSE RACING

Keeneland picks for Sunday, April 12

Jonathan Lintner
@JonathanLintner
Mike Battaglia reads his picks at Keeneland.

Two graded stakes, the Appalachian and Beaumont, highlight Sunday's card at Keeneland. Get in the know with odds maker Mike Battaglia's handicapping below.

Also, see full entries as well (http://cjky.it/1I2Y7qN) and follow The C-J Tip Sheet (http://cjky.it/1Iy1Jko) for more Keeneland analysis and updates.

1st

MAGICAL MOMENT regained his winning form last out in impressive fashion. He rates the slight edge over One More Night in a close call. ONE MORE NIGHT has won two in a row since being claimed by Joe Sharp and will be hard to beat. SAINT OF SAINTS looks best of the rest.

2nd

NUN THE LESS has never run a bad race. He has been idle since February when he closed well in a turf sprint at Gulfstream. He has been training well for Chris Block since that one and will like today's added distance. WATCHYOUROWNBOBBER was basically eased after pressing a fast pace in the Spiral. He looks like the controlling speed in here and can be expected to run much better in his return to the grass. INSTANT REPLAY is bred to like the turf and is a contender.

3rd

MISS HOOCHIE COOCHIE drops back in for a tag and moves back to the main track today. She appears to be in a good spot to pick up the win for Jeff Thornbury with Leparoux picking up the mount. GRACEE GOO has the speed to be on or near the lead and figures to be the one to catch. TOUGH BUSINESS fits in here.

4th

EYE OF THE MOON drops in for a tag and Johnny V. picks up the mount. He posted a solid work here on Monday and may like the move back to the dirt. Give him the edge. COSMO BLUE figures to be the one to beat. BIRD PRINCE takes on the older runners but is a solid threat.

5th

Undefeated LADY ELI and SUNSET GLOW, the one-two finishers Br. Cup Juv. Fillies Turf make their 3 year old debuts today in the Appalachian. Both fillies have been training well for top connections but give the edge to Lady Eli in a close call. TIGER RIDE will be running at the end.

6th

MONEY CHANGER was third in his first race back after a six month layoff. He figures to move forward off of that one and looks like a winner for Pletcher and Velazquez. FLASHY JEWEL exits the same race as the top pick and has to be considered. LEMON DROP TITLE was second in a tough race at Fair Grounds and can't be overlooked.

7th

RETURN TO GRACE was fourth behind Tapitry who came back to run very well in a tough allowance race here on Friday. Give her a slight edge in what appears to be a very well matched maiden race. LADY DYNA has had trouble at the start in both of her races and a clean break will make her hard to beat in here. ROBILLARD should like the added distance and move to the turf.

8th

HARLAN'S DESTINY finished a non threatening fourth in the Bourbonette at Turfway but will love the move back to the dirt where she is a perfect 4 for 4. She posted a bullet work here on Wednesday and Catalano should have her ready for a big effort. FANTASTIC STYLE is a speedy Baffert runner who comes off of back to back wins at Santa Anita. She is the one to catch. DELIGHTFUL JOY won a key maiden race at Gulfstream back in February and is a solid contender in a tough renewal of the Gr. 2 Beaumont.

9th

COSTENIA was third behind Dancing House last out and that one came back to win impressively here on Friday. Give her the slight edge in a wide open allowance race. RECEPTA comes back after a long layoff but is training well and was third in the Appalachian last year. CEISTEACH came up a bit short in her 4 year old debut at Tampa but should move forward off of that start.