INDEX: Top Horses and Best Bets | Promotional Bonus Offers | Tournaments | Rebel Stakes | John Battaglia Memorial Stakes | Saudi Cup Day | More Horse Racing This Weekend

Get ready for horse racing this weekend

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Top horses and best bets for horse racing this weekend

The key horse races this week on the Road to the Kentucky Derby offers some of our top horses and best bets this week, alongside some Kentucky Derby Future Wagers Pool 4 betting, and more awesome racing.

Click to jump to each race listed:

• Rebel Stakes
• John Battaglia Stakes
• Saudi Cup Day
• Honeybee
• Pick 3
• Pick 4

Best Bets for the 2025 Rebel Stakes

Read the full analysis here: Tipsheet: 2025 Rebel Stakes

A full field of 14 sophomores will run 1 1/16 miles on the Oaklawn Park strip in Sunday’s lucrative $1.25 million Rebel S. (G2). Find out your best bet below!

Rebel Stakes Wagers

• $20 win and place #10 Bullard
• $5 exacta key box 10 with 3,5,13
• $1 trifecta 10 with 3,5,13 with all

Top Horses for the 2025 Rebel Stakes: 

Click on each horse name to add them to your stable. Never miss a race they're a part of again!

#10 BULLARD (5-1): Grade 3 star was outrun when third in the San Vicente S. (G2) but could prosper going long for the initial time on Saturday. The dark bay son of Gun Runner has displayed a fine turn of foot to this stage of his development and gets the slight nod in the competitive cast beneath regular rider Umberto Rispoli. 

#5 MADAKET ROAD (9-2): California import from the mighty Baffert barn was last seen finishing third behind champion Citizen Bull in the Robert B. Lewis S. (G3). The $650,000 son of Quality Road drilled a bullet six panels in advance of this endeavor for a conditioner who has saddled the winner of the contest on eight prior occasions. Irad comes in to ride. 

#3 SANDMAN (4-1): Mark Casse trainee rallied well for a runner-up result in the Southwest S. (G3) on the surface most recently and will be a major contender with even slight improvement under Christian Torres. The gray son of Tapit could peak in his third start of the season from off the pace in this spot. 

#13 TIZTASTIC (8-1): Consistent son of Tiz the Law has hit the board in a trio of graded runs in succession and is an exotics player from off the pace in a field with plenty of early speed. Asmussen charge drilled a bullet five-eighths in preparation for this tilt and will have Jose Ortiz in the silks. 

RELATED: Meet the Contenders: 2025 Rebel Stakes

Jason Beem's Racing Podcast

Jason discusses Wednesday's Luke Kruytbosch Stakes and shares some stories about the great racecaller. Then he looks ahead to Sunday's Rebel Stakes and Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn Park. 

Best Bets for the 2025 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes: 

Read the full analysis here: Tipsheet: 2025 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes

An overflow field of 14 sophomores are signed on to travel 1 1/16 miles on the Tapeta surface at Turfway Park in Saturday’s $175,000 John Battaglia Memorial S. Find your best bets below!

John Battaglia Memorial Stakes Wagers

• $20 win and place #9 First Resort
• 50-cent superfecta 9 with 4,7,12 with 4,7,12 with all 

Top Horses:

Click on each horse name to add them to your stable. Never miss a race they're a part of again!

#9 FIRST RESORT: Godolphin homebred capped a good two-year-old season with a big win in the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) beneath the Twin Spires. The talented son of Uncle Mo has trained well in the interim, and I expect him to handle this surface with ease. He fired a bullet five panels here as of late and will have Luis Saez on board. 

#7 BABY MAX: Maximus Mischief sophomore has put in two good runs on the oval this campaign, led by a strong tally in the Leonatus S. in preparation for Saturday. The Kelsey Danner trainee has improved his Brisnet Speed figure in every lifetime try and rates a big chance today with Abel Cedillo riding. 

#4 CALLING CARD: Dark bay son of Complexity was defeated by five lengths in the Lecomte S. (G3) at Fair Grounds in his latest appearance and could prosper on the move to the all-weather for Mike Maker. The Empire State-bred will be of good value with Gerardo Corrales in the irons. 

#12 MAXIMUM PROMISE: Contender from the Kenny McPeek barn ran well when a closing fifth in the Lecomte S. (G3) most recently and can’t be ignored while making his second run off the long layoff. The bay son of Maximum Security should be fit following a trio of morning moves in the interim, and Luan Machado will be bringing the colt from off of the pace from the outside post slot. 

RELATED: Meet the Contenders: 2025 John Battaglia Memorial

The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets, and Fades for Feb. 21-23

Ashley Anderson, James Scully, and Darin Zoccali debate their best bets and fades at Turfway Park for the Cincinnati Trophy S. and John Battaglia Memorial on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Derby (G1), respectively. Plus, they look at Oaklawn Park's Sunday card featuring the Rebel (G2) and Honeybee (G3), and more.

Inside the Kentucky Derby: John Battaglia and Rebel Preview

Darren and KK analyze the full race cards, previewing the horses that could impact the standings. They also recap the Risen Star Stakes, providing an update on longshot winner Magnitude’s future.

Best Bets for the 2025 Saudi Cup (Spot Plays): 

Read the full analysis here: Spot plays for the 2025 Saudi Cup day

• Race #3 (Saudi Derby): #6 Golden Vekoma (9/2 ML)
• Race #6 (Neom Turf Cup): #3 Calif (12-1 ML)
• Race #9 (Saudi Cup): #9 Romantic Warrior (5/2 ML)

Top Horses for the 2025 Saudi Cup:

Read the full analysis here for more race selections: 2025 Saudi Cup Day: Horses of interest

Forever Young: Forever Young boasts the gold standard in dirt form through his valiant thirds in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). The quibble on Saturday is cutting back to one turn for the first time since last year’s Saudi Derby. At least he’ll get an extra furlong than he had on that occasion, and he’s a more polished article than he was at this time a year ago. 

Romantic Warriors: The distance and configuration are right in Romantic Warrior’s wheelhouse, but the surface is terra incognita. He’s sending encouraging signals that he’s getting over the track well, at least in the mornings. If Romantic Warrior is anywhere near as effective on dirt as he is on turf, we could see a race for the ages. The world’s richest racehorse has an implacable will to win, as evidenced in his exploits from his Hong Kong home to Australia, Japan, and Dubai. 

Facteur Cheval & Walk of Stars: #4 Facteur Cheval (16-1) rates as an attractive “each-way” price play because he combines a high level of turf form with a sneaky dirt debut in Dubai. His third from way off the pace in the Al Maktoum Challenge (G1) behind #12 Walk of Stars (25-1) was enough to show an aptitude for the surface while setting him up for this main objective, in conditions that are more amenable. Note that Facteur Cheval won the 2024 Dubai Turf (G1) going this distance around one turn at Meydan. Japan’s 2023 Saudi Cup upsetter, Panthalassa, had won the previous year’s Dubai Turf (in a dead-heat), and the 2018 Dubai Turf star, Benbatl, placed in the inaugural Saudi Cup in 2020, so there’s precedent.

Ramjet, Wilson Tesoro & Ushba Tesoro: #7 Ramjet (25-1) could be the Japanese shipper eligible to improve most in this spot. His breakout performance came in last year’s Hyacinth S. over a one-turn metric mile on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby. Although he successfully stretched out thereafter, his progress has stalled of late when succumbing to Forever Young in about 1 1/4-mile prizes at home. Reverting in trip can put him in a different light. #13 Wilson Tesoro (20-1) probably would need a bit more ground to spring the upset, but being in the form of his life at present, he can’t be overlooked. #10 Ushba Tesoro (12-1), who was just denied here last year, appears to have lost a step, and the pace might not be as frenetic to suit his deep-closing style. 

Rattle N Roll: In casting about for bigger prices, I run the risk of underestimating American hope #8 Rattle N Roll (8-1). The Ken McPeek veteran outclassed the locals in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup (G3), and he has a better resume than last year’s upsetter Senor Buscador. Watch how the World Pool market develops, and he might end up being an even more enticing price than his morning line. 

Al Musmak: Finally, I have to invoke the local longshot angle for #1 Al Musmak (50-1). After placing to the likes of Rosallion and Ghostwriter as a British juvenile, the Night of Thunder colt didn’t really meet expectations at three. But judging by how he bolted up in his Saudi debut at this track and trip, Al Musmak could be blossoming.

Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast 

Jason catches up on a big news day around the racing world and welcomes in Brisnet & TwinSpires' Kellie Reilly to talk some international racing, Saudi Cup, Japan racing, and more! 

Best Bets for the 2025 Honeybee Stakes: 

Read the full analysis here: How to bet With, and Against, Muhimma in the Honeybee Stakes

A strong field of 13 sophomore fillies will vie in Saturday’s $500,000 Honeybee S. (G3) at Oaklawn Park. The important Kentucky Oaks (G1) qualifying affair attracted a fine group, led by morning-line choice #1 Muhimma (7-5) from the barn of Brad Cox. 

Muhimma – With

• $1 superfecta 1 with 11,13 with 2,5,6,9,11,12,13 with 2,5,6,11,12,13 ($60)

Muhimma – Against

• 50-cent trifecta 11,13 with 1,2,5,6,9,11,12,13 with 1,2,5,6,9,11,12,13 ($42)

Top Horses for the 2025 Honeybee Stakes

Anonima: The value of the race could come with Fair Grounds allowance heroine #11 Anonima (15-1) for trainer Kenny McPeek. By Sharp Aztcea, the bargain $17,000 yearling buy wasn’t very impressive in her first two appearances but has shown major improvement as of late, which includes a maiden score on this surface. The Kentucky-bred dark bay has improved her Brisnet Speed figure in every lifetime run and will be a late danger with another step in the right direction beneath Brian Hernandez, Jr. 

Five G: #13 Five G (4-1), by fine young sire Vekoma, dominated the Cash Run S. at Gulfstream Park in her first route race on the dirt and figures to be a major player with a clean break under Irad Ortiz, Jr. The bay did little in a sprint debut showing at Saratoga in the summer, but she has responded to going long in a big way since that effort, and the homebred has trained in good fashion in advance of her graded stakes debut, as well. If the Empire State-bred lass gets away from the gate well, then she will be a menacing figure in the lane. 

The twice Grade-1 placed #12 Quietside (8-1), Martha Washington S. queen #6 Take Charge Milady (9-2), Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) third #5 Quickkick (12-1), Santa Ynez S. starlet #9 Look Forward (6-1), and sneaky recent maiden victress #2 Necessity (20-1), also merits respect in the vertical exotics. 

Top Horses for the 2025 Saudi Cup:

Read the full analysis here for more race selections: 2025 Saudi Cup Day: Horses of interest

Forever Young: Forever Young boasts the gold standard in dirt form through his valiant thirds in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). The quibble on Saturday is cutting back to one turn for the first time since last year’s Saudi Derby. At least he’ll get an extra furlong than he had on that occasion, and he’s a more polished article than he was at this time a year ago. 

Romantic Warriors: The distance and configuration are right in Romantic Warrior’s wheelhouse, but the surface is terra incognita. He’s sending encouraging signals that he’s getting over the track well, at least in the mornings. If Romantic Warrior is anywhere near as effective on dirt as he is on turf, we could see a race for the ages. The world’s richest racehorse has an implacable will to win, as evidenced in his exploits from his Hong Kong home to Australia, Japan, and Dubai. 

Facteur Cheval & Walk of Stars: #4 Facteur Cheval (16-1) rates as an attractive “each-way” price play because he combines a high level of turf form with a sneaky dirt debut in Dubai. His third from way off the pace in the Al Maktoum Challenge (G1) behind #12 Walk of Stars (25-1) was enough to show an aptitude for the surface while setting him up for this main objective, in conditions that are more amenable. Note that Facteur Cheval won the 2024 Dubai Turf (G1) going this distance around one turn at Meydan. Japan’s 2023 Saudi Cup upsetter, Panthalassa, had won the previous year’s Dubai Turf (in a dead-heat), and the 2018 Dubai Turf star, Benbatl, placed in the inaugural Saudi Cup in 2020, so there’s precedent.

Ramjet, Wilson Tesoro & Ushba Tesoro: #7 Ramjet (25-1) could be the Japanese shipper eligible to improve most in this spot. His breakout performance came in last year’s Hyacinth S. over a one-turn metric mile on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby. Although he successfully stretched out thereafter, his progress has stalled of late when succumbing to Forever Young in about 1 1/4-mile prizes at home. Reverting in trip can put him in a different light. #13 Wilson Tesoro (20-1) probably would need a bit more ground to spring the upset, but being in the form of his life at present, he can’t be overlooked. #10 Ushba Tesoro (12-1), who was just denied here last year, appears to have lost a step, and the pace might not be as frenetic to suit his deep-closing style. 

Rattle N Roll: In casting about for bigger prices, I run the risk of underestimating American hope #8 Rattle N Roll (8-1). The Ken McPeek veteran outclassed the locals in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup (G3), and he has a better resume than last year’s upsetter Senor Buscador. Watch how the World Pool market develops, and he might end up being an even more enticing price than his morning line. 

Al Musmak: Finally, I have to invoke the local longshot angle for #1 Al Musmak (50-1). After placing to the likes of Rosallion and Ghostwriter as a British juvenile, the Night of Thunder colt didn’t really meet expectations at three. But judging by how he bolted up in his Saudi debut at this track and trip, Al Musmak could be blossoming.