Kentucky Derby preps: How productive is the Holy Bull?
The Holy Bull established its reputation during the 1990s and 2000s, when it cranked out three Kentucky Derby winners from only 23 starters.
Kentucky Derby
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.
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Aloha Kitten drops in class
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, Jan. 21 at Turf Paradise, including a Southern California shipper dropping in class.
Best Bets
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Hypnus wins debut for McPeek
When trainer Kenny McPeek saddles a horse to win on debut, there’s a good chance that horse will go on to achieve success at the stakes level.
Triple Crown
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Disco Time joins the leaderboard
The 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 103 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds:
Triple Crown
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Three Fair Grounds Pick 6 singles
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, Jan. 20 at Santa Anita and Fair Grounds, including three singles for the $2,987 Pick 6 carryover at Fair Grounds.
Fair Grounds
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Disco Time
Is the Kentucky Derby’s testing 1 1/4-mile journey within Disco Time’s distance capabilities? His pedigree gives off mixed signals.
Triple Crown
How to bet Santa Anita’s $52,051 Pick 6 carryover
The Sunday card at Santa Anita features two graded stakes and a $52,051 carryover in the $1 Pick 6.
Wagering
Analysis: Turfway’s $97,874 Pick 5, Fair Grounds’ $1,469 Pick 6
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares horses to play in non-jackpot carryovers on Saturday at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park.
Fair Grounds
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Exacta for Riley Allison Derby
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, Jan. 17 at Fair Grounds, Sunland Park, and Turfway Park, including horses to use in Turfway’s $17,257 Super High 5 carryover.
Fair Grounds
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Turfway’s $9,362 Super High 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, Jan. 16 at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, including analysis of Turfway’s $9,362 Super High 5 carryover.
Fair Grounds
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Turfway’s $180,036 Pick 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, Jan. 15 at Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream Park, along with analysis of carryovers at Tampa Bay Downs and Turfway Park.
Gulfstream Park
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Khantaro d’Oro can win return
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, Jan. 14 at Turf Paradise, including a Pick 3 play.
Best Bets
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Pletcher saddles three winners
Last Saturday, Pletcher saddled no fewer than three sophomore maiden winners at two different racetracks, and all three look like possible candidates for this year’s Kentucky Derby.
Triple Crown
Kentucky Derby Roundup: 14 horses seek double points in Lecomte
The 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 110 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds:
Triple Crown
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Street Humor can surprise at Turf Paradise
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, Jan. 13 at Turf Paradise, including a 5-1 shot switching from turf to dirt.
Best Bets
Fair Grounds: Plays for $21,315 Pick 6 and Feeder tournament
The Sunday card at Fair Grounds doesn’t feature any stakes, but it does include a couple of lucrative betting opportunities for horseplayers.
Fair Grounds
Singles for carryovers at Aqueduct, Fair Grounds, Turfway
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson suggests singles for a trio of non-jackpot Pick 5 and Pick 6 carryovers on Saturday at Aqueduct, Fair Grounds, and Turfway Park.
Fair Grounds
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Dr. Perry can shine on dirt
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, Jan. 10 at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs, along with horses to play in Pick 5 and Pick 6 carryovers at Turfway Park and Fair Grounds.
Gulfstream Park
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Play this Fair Grounds double
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, Jan. 9 at Gulfstream Park and Fair Grounds, along with proposed wagers for two TwinSpires tournaments.
Gulfstream Park
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Cold double at Gulfstream Park
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, Jan. 8 at Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream Park, along with a single for the $4,557 Pick 5 carryover at Penn National.
Gulfstream Park
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Rodriguez romps at Santa Anita
The two-year-old Thoroughbreds of 2024 turned three year olds on Jan. 1, barely more than four months before the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1).
Triple Crown
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Multi-race wagers at Turf Paradise
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, Jan. 7 at Turf Paradise, including a cold Pick 3 play.
Best Bets
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Coal Battle, Cyclone State win first preps of 2025
The first week of January produced a bevy of notable updates on the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail.
Triple Crown
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Turf Paradise Pick 3 play
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, Jan. 6 at Turf Paradise, including a Pick 3 ticket.
Best Bets
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Cyclone State
Cyclone State showed abundant early speed on his way to winning the Jerome S., a Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier held over one mile at Aqueduct.
Triple Crown
Singles for Sunday’s Pick 6 carryover at Fair Grounds, mandatory payout at Gulfstream
The $1 Pick 6 at Fair Grounds proved unsolvable on Saturday, triggering a $1,912 carryover into Sunday’s card, and Gulfstream Park will have a mandatory payout of its Rainbow 6 carryover.
Fair Grounds
Best bets for Oaklawn and Turfway tournaments, plus Aqueduct’s Pick 6 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks for Saturday tournaments at Oaklawn and Turfway, along with horses to use in Aqueduct’s $18,244 Pick 6 carryover.
Oaklawn Park
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Tape to Tape can win the Sam’s Town
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, Jan. 3 at Turfway Park and Delta Downs, along with a horse to single in the $2,360 Pick 6 carryover at Fair Grounds.
Fair Grounds
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Turfway’s $94,897 Pick 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, Jan. 2 at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, including analysis of Turfway’s $94,897 Pick 5 carryover.
Fair Grounds
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Kim Possible can win on class drop
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, Jan. 1 at Fair Grounds, Gulfstream Park, and Turfway Park, including exactas in the Dania Beach S.
Gulfstream Park