The Stakes Races for April are stacked with betting opportunities, and MyBookie has the sharpest horse racing lines to help you break down the weekend’s top thoroughbred matchups. From Grade 3 action to major Grade 2 showdowns like the Oaklawn Handicap, now’s the time to lock in your picks.

This month’s racing schedule features the Grade 3 Doubledogdare Stakes, Grade 3 Ben Ali Stakes, Grade 2 Elkhorn Stakes, and the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap—where five horses have committed to the 1 1/8-mile sprint.

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Keeneland Race Park – Oaklawn Park

Betting MyBookie Horse Racing in April: Top Stakes Races for the Weekend

As we move closer to the First Saturday in May, thoroughbred racing is heating up.

On Saturday, the highest rated dirt horse in the world, Breeders’ Cup Classic champ Sierra Leone, returns to the track to battle Brad Cox trained First Mission and the highly regarded Skippylongstocking in an exception rendition of the Oaklawn Handicap.

Also on Saturday, Keeneland runs the Ben Ali and Elkhorn.

The action kicks off on Friday when the Lexington based racetrack runs the Grade 3 Doubledogdare.

Check out more info on this weekend’s top graded stakes races so that when horse racing odds set, you’re ready to put on the handicapping hat.

Writer’s Picks on the Top Thoroughbred Stakes Races Happening this Weekend

Grade 3 Doubledogdare Stakes

1 1/6 miles dirt – 4 year old fillies and mares
Friday, April 18th, 2025
Keenland

It’s going to be difficult to find a better race this weekend than the Grade 3 Doubledogdare.

For a Grade 3, the quality of the field is amazing.

Some of the top 4 year old fillies and mares in the country will enter the gate.

Just FYI, trained by Bill Mott, Todd Pletcher trained Candied, and Tarifa from the Brad Cox barn should attract the most action.

All three can win this.

But handicappers could make a mistake if they leave Occult from Chad Brown’s barn off their tickets.

Dreaming of Mo, Gin Gin, and Neon Icon can all get it done on their best day.

The Doubledogdare is shaping as an exceptional race.

Bet Grade 3 Doubledogdare Stakes: Keeneland Race Park

Grade 3 Ben Ali Stakes

1 3/16 miles dirt – 4 year olds and up
Saturday, April 19th, 2025
Keenland

The Ben Ali, like the Doubledogdare, is a seven horse field where all participants appear capable of prancing into the winner’s circle.

San Siro from the Brendan Walsh barn and Uno Mas Bourbon trained by Ian Wilkes, who also saddles Kentucky Derby contender Burnham Square, should compete for favoritism.

Piroli is always a threat to wire while Duke of Love can get the job done on its best day.

The Ben Ali should be another fantastic race.

There are plenty of ways to go in this event.

So make sure to sharpen the handicapping pencil and don’t settle on a short price unless you surround that short price with overlays in your exotics.

Bet Grade 2 Ben Ali Stakes: Keeneland Race Park

Grade 2 Elkhorn Stakes

1 ½ miles turf – 4 year olds and up
Saturday, April 19th, 2025
Keenland

The Elkhorn could see a full field of thirteen.

At this point, it’s difficult to know which runners will offer underlay, overlay, and fair horse betting odds.

Todd Pletcher’s Grand Sonata, which finished second in the Grade 2 Mac Diarmada in the last, it the likely favorite.

If Grand Sonata’s odds make the six year old an underlay, other options include Shug McGaughey trained Limited Liability and Grade 2 Muniz Memorial Classic winner Idratherbeblessed.

Horseplayers might want to give Verstappen another shot.

The Brendan Walsh trained equine finished eleventh in the Kentucky Cup Classic in the last but that race happened over Turfway’s artificial surface.

A return to the grass should boost Verstappen’s chances and the odds will be sweet.

Bet Grade 2 Elkhorn Stakes: Keeneland Race Park

Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap

1 1/8 miles dirt – 4 year olds and up
Saturday, April 19th, 2025
Oaklawn

Five have committed to the 1 1/8 miles Oaklawn Handicap.

If only the five that have committed run, the race should still be one of the year’s top thoroughbred events so far.

The reason?

The four contenders to BC Classic champ Sierra Leone are legit.

Let’s start with the Chad Brown beast that peaked at the perfect time last year.

Sierra Leone had a decent showing in the Kentucky Derby, finishing second, and the Travers, finishing third.

Leone then went into the Breeders’ Cup Classic and outworked rival Fierceness and Forever Young for the title.

In the first race in 2025, Sierra Leone tuned up with a third place finish in the Grade 2 New Orleans Classic.

No doubt, Brown’s champion horse should be tighter in the second race back.

Skippylongstocking should also attract action.

The Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee won the Grade 3 Challenger.

Before the Challenger win, Saffie’s runner had finished third to his monster horse, White Abbario in the Pegasus World Cup.

Locked finished second in the Pegasus.

So Skippy has been keeping top notch company.

First Mission should also be much tighter in the second race.

First Mission finished third behind Alexander Helios and Banishing in the Grade 3 Razorback in the last.

The Brad Cox trained runner goes for Godolphin and could take a major forward step in this because Cox only runs them if he can win.

Both Alexander Helios and Banishing will break from the gate.

Alexander won the Razorback in a thrilling stretch duel with Banishing and the oncoming First Mission.

Banishing made the lead and should be difficult to beat if neither Alexander nor First Mission challenge early.

What a race the Oaklawn Handicap is going to be!

Bet Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap: Oaklawn Park

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