Best bets for the $400 Gun Runner KDBC Qualifier tournament
Saturday’s stakes-packed card at Fair Grounds is the focus of a $400 Gun Runner KDBC Qualifier tournament on TwinSpires.com.
Fair Grounds
J. Keeler Johnson
J. Keeler Johnson (also known as “Keelerman”) is a writer, blogger, videographer, handicapper, and all-around horse racing enthusiast who was drawn to the sport by Curlin's quest to become North America's richest racehorse.
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Turfway's $138,972 Pick 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, Dec. 20 at Turfway Park, along with horses to single in Pick 5 and Pick 6 carryovers at Turfway and Fair Grounds.
Fair Grounds
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Dapper Moon can win with class drop
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, Dec. 19 at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, including horses to bet in Turfway’s $7,407 Super High 5 carryover.
Fair Grounds
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Nile Candy can surprise
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, Dec. 18 at Turfway Park, including longshots to play in the $4,465 Super High 5 carryover.
Turfway Park
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Vassimo strikes for Pletcher
Last Saturday, trainer Todd Pletcher sent out two-year-old Vassimo to win his debut in a one-mile maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park.
Triple Crown
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: 6-1 shot at Zia
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, Dec. 17 at Zia Park and Turf Paradise, including a second-time starter at 6-1 odds.
Best Bets
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Journalism among three prep winners
Last week, three Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifiers took place over the course of four days. Many new names emerged on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Los Alamitos Futurity Stakes
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Fair Grounds $1,746 Pick 6 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, Dec. 16 at Zia Park and Fair Grounds, including a single for the $1,746 Pick 6 carryover at Fair Grounds.
Best Bets
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Journalism
Sometimes it’s possible to glance at the pedigree of a potential Kentucky Derby (G1) contender and conclude with certainty they’re bred to shine racing 1 1/4 miles on the first Saturday in May.
Triple Crown
Los Alamitos: $160 tournament, $25,807 Pick 6 carryover
There are two great reasons to play the Sunday card at Los Alamitos: a tournament with cash prizes and a Pick 6 carryover with a mandatory payout.
Los Alamitos Race Course
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Coal Battle
Sprints and miles are clearly within the wheelhouse of Coal Battle. But can he handle the testing 1 1/4-mile distance of the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1)?
Triple Crown
Picks for the $2,000 Turfway Handicapping Championship tournament
Saturday’s $2,000 Turfway Handicapping Championship tournament on TwinSpires.com boasts epic prizes.
Turfway Park
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: 15-1 longshot at Turfway
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, Dec. 13 at Oaklawn Park, Turfway Park, and Remington Park, including a 15-1 longshot.
Turfway Park
Meet the Contenders: 2024 Los Alamitos Futurity
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) at Los Alamitos. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Analysis
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Myriad Love
A filly hasn’t contested the Kentucky Derby (G1) since Devil May Care finished 10th in 2010. That could potentially change in 2025.
Triple Crown
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Fair Grounds Pick 6 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, Dec. 12 at Fair Grounds, Turf Paradise, and Turfway Park, including a single for the $1,819 Pick 6 carryover at Fair Grounds.
Turfway Park
Meet the Contenders: 2024 Remington Springboard Mile
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Remington Springboard Mile S. at Remington Park. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Remington Springboard Mile Stakes
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Turfway’s $11,566 Super High 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, Dec. 11 at Mahoning Valley and Turfway Park, including horses to play in Turfway’s $11,566 Super High 5 carryover.
Turfway Park
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Double bet at Mahoning Valley
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, Dec. 10 at Mahoning Valley, including a cold double wager.
Best Bets
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Treaty of Rome wins for Brown
In a one-mile maiden special weight for juveniles at Aqueduct, Chad Brown’s second-time starter Treaty of Rome delivered victory as the favorite.
Triple Crown
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Poster stars in the Remsen
No fewer than five Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifiers are taking place in the U.S. and Japan this month. The first was contested last week, and three more are on the agenda this week.
Triple Crown
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Poster
After opening his career with a pair of turf wins, Poster switched to dirt and joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a triumph in the Remsen (G2).
Triple Crown
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Mahoning’s $8,099 Pick 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, Dec. 9 at Zia Park and Turf Paradise, along with a single for the $8,099 Pick 5 carryover at Mahoning Valley.
Best Bets
$400 Fair Grounds tournament, $12,364 Gulfstream carryover
A tournament at Fair Grounds and a Super High 5 carryover at Gulfstream Park are among the betting options for horseplayers to pursue this Sunday.
Tournaments
Carryover and Tournament Picks for Saturday, Dec. 7
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares horses to play in a pair of carryovers and a trio of TwinSpires tournaments on Saturday.
Tournaments
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Turfway double-digit longshots
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, Dec. 6 at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, including double-digit longshots to play in Turfway’s $3,535 Super High 5 carryover.
Best Bets
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Turfway’s $155,887 Pick 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, Dec. 5 at Turf Paradise and Turfway Park, including longshots to play in Turfway’s $155,887 Pick 5 carryover.
Best Bets
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Turfway Park opening day
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, Dec. 4 at Turfway Park, along with a ticket for the $2,369 Super High 5 carryover at Tampa Bay Downs.
Best Bets
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Truckin can win at Zia
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, Dec. 3 at Mahoning Valley and Zia Park, including a trio of win bets.
Best Bets
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: First Resort
A pace-tracking victory in the 1 1/16-mile Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) suggests running long on dirt is First Resort’s true strong suit.
Triple Crown