Churchill Downs Picks: Keertana Stakes (05/23/2026)
Written by: Chris Adams
Published: Sat May 23, 2026, 8:00 am ET
Read Time: 7 minutes
horses
The racing action from Churchill Downs on Saturday features the Keertana Stakes. @HandicappingT3 has all the Churchill Downs picks for the entire card!
Be sure to check out all the races and odds provided at the best horse racing betting sites. Use promo code BNBOL55 at signup to get a 55% first deposit match when you bet with BetOnline!
Churchill Downs Full Card Analysis
Churchill Downs Picks: Keertana Stakes (05/23/2026)
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 1
Post Time: 12:45 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $92k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 6 runners.
- #2 PLAZA CUE (6-5): Top Pick. Should be able to work out a trip. Strong early pace figs.
- #1 SISTER JEAN (9-5): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Should take a liking to the race shape.
- #3 LUNAR LOOP (5-2): Contender. Previous success in similar race types. May be able to find the right setup.
- #6 GRANT'S GRETCHEN (15-1): Underneath. Early pace figs should have this one involved from the start. Trainer's horses have been running.
Selections: 2 – 1 – 3 – 6
The Plays
Win: #2 at 6-5
Exacta: 2 / 1,3
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 2
Post Time: 1:15 PM ET; Claiming $45k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.
- #5 STREET PAINTER (8-1): Longshot Play of the Day. Stamina to outlast the competition. Barn has been solid. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
- #3 SUNSET HARBOUR (6-1): Contender. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Good race flow for this runner.
- #2 FIRST HILL (4-1): Contender. Likely to maintain its stamina reserves for a strong finish. Barn has been sending out runners.
- #1 Q'S YOUR MAMA (3-1): Contender. Race conditions fit this one well. Ran at this level last out.
Selections: 5 – 3 – 2 – 1
The Plays
Win: #5 at 5-1
Trifecta: 5 / 3,2 / 3,2,1
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 3
Post Time: 1:44 PM ET; Claiming $86k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 6 runners.
- #1 CALL ME PRECIOUS (1-1): Top Pick. Looks good based on the 81 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Proven competitor at this configuration.
- #2 MCSNIPER (3-1): Major Player. May be able to take advantage of the pace. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.
- #5 COLD CASE (8-1): Contender. Should sit a good trip. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race.
- #4 SPEED SKATER (10-1): Contender. Race conditions fit this one well.
Selections: 1 – 2 – 5 – 4
The Plays
Win: #1 at 1-1
Exacta: 1 / 2,5
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 4
Post Time: 2:15 PM ET; Claiming $76k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 7 runners.
- #2 MAXIMUM PROMISE (5-2): Top Pick. Stamina to outlast the competition. Barn has been solid.
- #5 GLOBAL QUOTE (6-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch.
- #6 PACIFIC (9-2): Major Player. May be able to find the right setup.
- #1 PAMPERED PRINCE (7-2): Contender. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.
Selections: 2 – 5 – 6 – 1
The Plays
Win: #2 at 2-1
Exacta: 2 / 5,6,1
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 5
Post Time: 2:47 PM ET; Allowance $127k; 1 M Turf; Field of 16 runners.
- #4 ICONA (5-2): Top Pick. Barn has been solid. Looks good based on the 92 speed rating which is among the top in the group.
- #10 LOW KEY IN LOVE (12-1): Major Player. Running well of late. May be able to take advantage of the pace.
- #3 LA CANTERA (8-1): Major Player. Could wear these ones down late. Barn has been sending out runners.
- #12 LOVE AND POETRY (6-1): Major Player. Trainer's horses have been running. Can compete from a speed figure standpoint.
Selections: 4 – 10 – 3 – 12
The Plays
Win: #4 at 2-1
Pick 3 (Races 5-7): #4,10 with #1 with #7,9
Exacta: 4 / 10,3,12
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 6
Post Time: 3:19 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $120k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 7 runners.
- #1 MARKET RUNNER (7-5): Best Bet of the Card. Race sets up perfectly. Could be ready for a top effort. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
- #6 SUSAN'S BOY (10-1): Fringe Contender. Looks to get a bit easier group here. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues.
- #4 OUR FOREFATHERS (3-1): Fringe Contender. Barn has been sending out runners. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race.
- #3 NATIONAL CHARTER (4-1): Fringe Contender. Race shape gives this one an edge. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance.
Selections: 1 – 6 – 4 – 3
The Plays
Win: #1 at 1-1
Exacta: 1 / 6,4,3
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 7
Post Time: 3:53 PM ET; Maiden Claiming $48k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 11 runners.
- #7 HIGHWAY PATROL (15-1): Top Pick. Race may setup for this runner.
- #9 GRAB THE SPARK (7-2): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Productive recent form.
- #11 PROPS (12-1): Major Player. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race. This one's a fighter in the late stages.
- #6 EXODUS (2-1): Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. Early pace figs should have this one involved from the start.
Selections: 7 – 9 – 11 – 6
The Plays
Win: #7 at 5-1
Exacta: 7 / 9,11
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 8
Post Time: 4:25 PM ET; Starter Allowance $76k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 11 runners.
- #9 SHOW TIME (8-1): Top Pick. Proven competitor at this configuration.
- #3 OTTO THE CONQUEROR (5-1): Major Player. Running well of late. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
- #5 TURN UP THE TREES (8-1): Major Player. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race. Barn has been sending out runners.
- #10 GET HER NUMBER (5-2): Major Player. Race conditions fit this one well. Trainer's horses have been running.
Selections: 9 – 3 – 5 – 10
The Plays
Win: #9 at 5-1
Exacta: 9 / 3,5,10
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 9
Post Time: 4:56 PM ET; Keertana Stakes $250k; 1 1/2 M Turf; Field of 8 runners.
- #3 AYRA STARK (9-5): Top Pick. Barn has been solid. Fits well with this group.
- #4 GOLDEN SUNSHINE (4-1): Major Player. Running well of late. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
- #5 WAY TO BE MARIE (6-1): Major Player. Barn has been sending out runners. Hard to argue with the recent races.
- #1 SULTANA (3-1): Major Player. Fast enough on paper to compete. Solid turn of foot.
Selections: 3 – 4 – 5 – 1
The Plays
Win: #3 at 7-5
Exacta Box: 3,4
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 10
Post Time: 5:28 PM ET; Starter Allowance $83k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 8 runners.
- #2 GETHSEMANE (7-5): Top Pick. Decent form of late. Favorable class relief in this spot.
- #3 HIGHLY CONNECTED (3-1): Major Player. Good race flow for this runner.
- #5 NON CONFORMING (9-2): Major Player. Barn has been sending out runners. Likely to maintain its stamina reserves for a strong finish.
- #7 C MCGRIFF (6-1): Major Player. Likely to win the battle if challenged in the stretch. Trainer's horses have been running.
Selections: 2 – 3 – 5 – 7
The Plays
Win: #2 at 6-5
Exacta: 2 / 3,5,7
Churchill Downs Picks – Race 11
Post Time: 5:59 PM ET; Starter Allowance $83k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 14 runners.
- #8 MCKINZIE'S GLORY (8-1): Top Pick. Comes in with solid form. Race may setup for this runner.
- #13 OCEAN RIPPLE (5-1): Major Player. Should still be running strong in the closing stages. Good race flow for this runner.
- #2 HEARTBEAT (7-2): Major Player. This one's a fighter in the late stages. Potential to kick home late.
- #7 KITTENS STORMY GAL (10-1): Major Player. Race conditions fit this one well. Trainer's horses have been running.
Selections: 8 – 13 – 2 – 7
The Plays
Win: #8 at 5-1
Exacta: 8 / 13,2,7
More Horses News
Horse Betting News
Santa Anita Picks: Shoemaker Mile Stakes (05/25/2026)
Horse Betting News
Churchill Downs Picks: Winning Colors Stakes (05/25/2026)
Horse Betting News
Santa Anita Picks: Crystal Water Stakes (05/23/2026)
Horse Betting News
Belmont at the Big A Picks: Paradise Creek Stakes (05/23/2026)
Betting News Horse Racing Coverage
Don't miss all the horse racing action covered by Betting News each and every week. Coverage includes free handicapping tools, comprehensive guides, and in-depth analysis of the week's biggest cards. Check out our full card analysis for this week's upcoming big races.
Saturday Analysis
- Belmont at the Big A Picks featuring the Paradise Creek Stakes
- Churchill Downs Stakes featuring the Keertana Stakes
- Santa Anita Picks featuring the Crystal Water Stakes
Monday Analysis
- Churchill Downs Stakes featuring the Grade 3 Winning Colors Stakes
- Santa Anita Picks featuring the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile
Chris first got introduced to horse racing in 2009 at Canterbury Park (Shakopee, MN). Along with handicapping and betting, Chris has worked as a teller at his local track and participated in ownership partnerships. He now enjoys sharing his passion with his wife and two young daughters who love going out to the track each and every summer.
This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Betting News makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.