(Utah Beach Photo by Coady Media)
From the Keeneland Media Team / Amy Owens:
- DEFENDING CHAMPION UTAH BEACH HEADS OVERFLOW FIELD IN VISITLEX ELKHORN
- BEN ALI FEATURES 2025 REMATCH
- BELLA BALLERINA WORKS TOWARD KENTUCKY OAKS START
- PLANS FOR MAKER’S MARK MILE WINNER ZULU KINGDOM (IRE) AND OTHER STARTERS
- DIFFERENT PATHS FOR FANDUEL LIMESTONE TOP THREE FINISHERS
- PROSPECTIVE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES
- SECOND WEEK SPECIAL EVENTS
- SPRING MEET LEADERS
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DEFENDING CHAMPION UTAH BEACH HEADS OVERFLOW FIELD IN VISITLEX ELKHORN
Jeffrey Amling and Merriebelle Stable’s Utah Beach returns to defend his title in a field of 12 plus one also-eligible entered Saturday for the 41st running of the $400,000 VisitLEX Elkhorn (G2) for 4-year-olds and up going 1 1/2 miles on the turf.
The VisitLEX Elkhorn will go as the 10th race on the April 18 11-race program with a 5:48 p.m. post time.
Trained by Brendan Walsh, Utah Beach will attempt to become the fourth horse to win this race in consecutive years. The others are Musketier (GER) in 2010-2011, Kim Loves Bucky (2002-2003) and African Dancer (1998-1999).
A two-time graded stakes winner, Utah Beach will be ridden by Ben Curtis from post 3.
Among Utah Beach’s challengers is Whitham Thoroughbreds’ 2025 Toyota Blue Grass (G1) winner Burnham Square.
Trained by Ian Wilkes, Burnham Square made the move to the grass last summer with a runner-up finish in the DK Horse Nashville Derby Invitational (G3) at Kentucky Downs and followed that with a runner-up finish six months later in his 2026 debut.
Brian Hernandez Jr. has the mount from post 6.
Field for the $400,000 VisitLEX Elkhorn (G2) 4-year-olds and up, 1 1/2 miles (turf) Race 10, 4:48 p.m.
| Post | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Weight |
| 1 | Padiddle | Elizabeth Dobles | Jose Morelos | 118 lbs. |
| 2 | Desvio | Madison Meyers | John Velazquez | 120 |
| 3 | Utah Beach | Brendan Walsh | Ben Curtis | 118 |
| … | … | … | … | … |
BEN ALI FEATURES 2025 REMATCH
Tennessee Lamb and San Siro will square off again April 18 in the 95th running of the $350,000 Ben Ali (G3) going 1 3/16 miles on the main track.
The Ben Ali will go as the ninth race on next Saturday’s 11-race program with a 5:16 p.m. post time.
Trained by Rusty Arnold or owner Calumet Farm, Tennessee Lamb returned from a nine-month layoff in a sprint at Gulfstream Park on March 1. Axel Concepcion has the mount from post 3.
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Field for the $350,000 Ben Ali (G3) 4-year-olds and up, 1 3/16 miles Race 9, 5:16 p.m.
| Post | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Weight |
| 1 | Stars and Stripes | Bill Mott | Luis Saez | 118 lbs. |
| 2 | Awesome Aaron | Norm Casse | Joel Rosario | 118 |
| … | … | … | … | … |
BELLA BALLERINA WORKS TOWARD KENTUCKY OAKS START
Godolphin’s Bella Ballerina, winner of the Golden Rod (G2) and the Rachel Alexandra (G2), continued her preparations for an expected run in the $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) by working 5 furlongs in 1:01.80 in company Saturday morning over a fast track at Keeneland.
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(Context: This news article highlights upcoming horse racing events and preparations at Keeneland.)
