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Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Tampa’s $4,261 Super High 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, Dec. 24 at Tampa Bay Downs, including a ticket for the $4,261 Super High 5 carryover.
Best Bets
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Built impresses in the Gun Runner
As the year winds down and the holiday season hits its peak, let’s catch up on the latest news and notes from the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) trail:
Triple Crown
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Amoss saddles two winners
Last Saturday, trainer Tom Amoss saddled a pair of juveniles to win maiden races at major tracks.
Triple Crown
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Dec. 23, 2024
Jason mentions racing Tuesday at Tampa Bay and looks back at some of his favorite moments and performances of the weekend.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 23, 2024
Jason looks back at a pair of big stakes cards from both Fair Grounds and Gulfstream Park on this weekend recap edition of the show.
Racing Podcast
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: 15-1 at Turf Paradise
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, Dec. 23 at Mahoning Valley and Turf Paradise, including a 15-1 longshot.
Best Bets
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Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Built
Built joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a gate-to-wire triumph in the 1 1/16-mile Gun Runner S. at Fair Grounds.
Triple Crown
At Long Last: Perseverance Pays Off at the Kentucky Derby
For names like Day and Pincay, Whittingham and Stephens, and Mellon and Genter, the road to Derby glory is long and winding, but their arrival is a celebration of the triumph of spirit and perseverance that finally brought them Kentucky Derby glory.
Kentucky Derby
Picks for Oaklawn tournament, Tampa Super High 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks for a Sunday tournament at Oaklawn Park and a Super High 5 carryover at Tampa Bay Downs.
Oaklawn Park
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
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin Dec. 21
Racing at Sha Tin begins at 11:45 p.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
Gun Runner Stakes trends and field analysis
The final Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1) prep of 2024 will offer 10 points to the winner of Saturday's Gun Runner S. at Fair Grounds. The fourth running of the 1 1/16-mile event for two-year-olds attracted a small but stacked field of five, headlined by recent maiden romper Admiral Dennis.
Analysis
Fair Grounds: Exotics for Race 7 on Sunday December 22, 2024
An overflow field of 14 two-year-olds is entered to contest a 1 1/16-mile endeavor on the lawn in Race 7 at Fair Grounds on Sunday.
Fair Grounds
Remembering the champions we lost in 2024
Through Dec. 19, si Eclipse Award-winning Thoroughbreds are known to have died in 2024. Here are short sketches of each one in chronological order according to the year their championships were attained.
Features
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
Gulfstream Park: How to bet the Janus Stakes on Dec. 21
A deep cast of 12 turf dashers will speed five-eighths on the Gulfstream Park turf in the $140,000 Janus S. on Saturday, one of five black-type events on the big card.
Gulfstream Park
Fair Grounds: Betting Coin Miner in Race 3 at Fair Grounds on Saturday
An overflow field of contenders is entered for Race 3 at Fair Grounds on Saturday and it looks like a really good betting opportunity.
Wagering
The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets, and Fades for Dec. 21 [VIDEO]
Ashley Anderson, James Scully and Darin Zoccali discuss their best bets and fades at Fair Grounds, Gulfstream Park, and Turfway Park!
Video
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem Dec. 19, 2024
Jason welcomes in some friends to talk about what they love about Turfway Park.
Turfway Park
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
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 19, 2024
Jason opens the show discussing some of the changes made by the American Graded Stakes Committee. He also looks ahead to Saturday stakes action from Gulfstream Park!
Racing Podcast
Oaklawn: How to bet the 2024 Poinsettia Stakes
A full field of 12 fillies and mares will run 5 1/2 panels in Saturday’s feature at Oaklawn Park, the $150,000 Poinsettia S.
Oaklawn Park
Gulfstream Park: Exotic Plays for the Suwannee River Stakes on Saturday
A full field of 12 fillies and mares will travel one mile on the Gulfstream Park turf in Saturday’s $165,000 Suwannee River S. (G3). The affair attracted a very well-matched cast and I feel compelled to spread with multiple runners in the grassy contest.
Gulfstream Park
Laurel Park: Saddle Up Jessie gets the nod to defend Carousel S. crown
Defending champ #9 Saddle Up Jessie will break from the widest post in Saturday’s $100,000 Carousel S. at Laurel Park on Saturday.
Laurel Park
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 18, 2024
Jason looks ahead to Saturday's races at the Fair Grounds to open the show. Then he welcomes in Louisiana based trainer Rylee Magnon to talk about her recent stakes win, training in Louisiana, and much more!
Quiz
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
Meet the Contenders: 2024 Gun Runner Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Gun Runner S at Fair Grounds. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Analysis
Racing Roundtable: Los Alamitos Futurity, Springboard Mile, and Synthetic Championships
This week, the Racing Roundtable discusses a pair of Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1) prep races — the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) and Springboard Mile — plus the inaugural Synthetic Championships at Turfway Park, what caught their eye from the weekend, and they wrap up with some end-of-year reflections on racing and wagering.
Los Alamitos Futurity Stakes
Betting With, and Against, Golden Gamble in the Untapable Stakes
An octet of two-year-old fillies will travel two turns on the Fair Grounds main strip in Saturday’s $100,000 Untapable S.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2024 Gun Runner Stakes
A compact field of five juveniles will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Fair Grounds dirt on Saturday in the $100,000 Gun Runner S.
Analysis
Tabbing Exactas in the Hobbs Fall Classic at Zia Park
A total of eight juveniles will vie in the Tuesday feature at Zia Park, the $150,000 Hobbs Fall Classic S.
Wagering
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin Dec. 18
Racing at Sha Tin begins at 6:15 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
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
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 17, 2024
Jason welcomes in bloodstock expert Sid Fernando to talk about his origins in racing, racing social media, working in racing media, and much more!
Quiz
Horses to follow in 2025: Senza Parole
Remember Senza Parole, the sensational debut winner at Saratoga who was sure to be the red-hot favorite in the Frizette (G1)?
Horse
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
First-crop sires: Kale’s Angel heralds promise for Complexity
Complexity has furnished several additional stakes performers since our last installment, chief among them Kale’s Angel, who starred in the Advent S. on opening day at Oaklawn Park.
Pedigree
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Dec. 16, 2024
Jason looks back at the season coming to an end at Woodbine Racetrack.
Features
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 16, 2024
Jason looks back at the weekend of racing including Saturday night action from Turfway, as well as racing from Aqueduct, Tampa, Fair Grounds, and more!
Racing Podcast
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
Tall Tales of the Track, Kentucky Derby Edition: One Horse, Two Women, and a Derby for the Show Me State
Bred by Emma Holt Prather, Elwood came east from California to contest the Kentucky Derby for his owner Lasca Durnell, not only giving Missouri its lone rosy victor but also becoming the first bred and owned by women.
Kentucky Derby
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
How to bet the Steady Growth Stakes
A total of nine Ontario-bred runners will go 1 1/16 miles in Sunday’s $150,000 Steady Growth S. at Woodbine.
Wagering
Betting the Great White Way Stakes
An excellent field of 10 juveniles bred in the Empire State will go postward in Saturday’s lucrative, $500,000 Great White Way S at Aqueduct.
Wagering
How to bet the Mistletoe Stakes
The feature of the 10-race card at Oaklawn Park on Saturday is the $150,000 Mistletoe S.
Wagering
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin night of Dec. 14
First post for Sha Tin’s Sunday card is 12 a.m. ET late Saturday night. Here are Luke Middlebrook’s selections and analysis.
International
Louisiana Champions Day Pick 3 Play
A total of seven black-type events for Cajun-bred runners will highlight a big day of action at Fair Grounds on Saturday.
Wagering
All Stakes Pick 4 at Turfway Park on Saturday
A quartet of lucrative stakes races will be held during Saturday’s Turfway Park Synthetic Championships.
Turfway Park
Exotics Plays for the Holiday Cheer Stakes
An overflow cast of 14 is entered for Saturday’s excellent, $250,000 Holiday Cheer S. The six-furlong heat on the Tapeta attracted a very good group in what appears to be a superb sprint event with numerous betting options.
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
Betting With, and Against, Smoken Wicked in the Champions Day Juvenile
A really good cast of seven Cajun-bred two-year-olds will vie in Saturday’s Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile S. at Fair Grounds.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2024 Los Alamitos Futurity
A compact field of five juveniles will run 1 1/16 miles in Saturday’s $200,000 Los Alamitos Futurity (G2).
Los Alamitos Futurity Stakes
Tipsheet: 2024 Springboard Mile Stakes
A deep field of 12 sophomores will go eight panels on the Remington Park dirt in Friday’s $300,000 Springboard Mile S.
Wagering
The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets, and Fades for Dec. 13-14 [VIDEO]
Ashley Anderson, James Scully and Darin Zoccali declare their best bets and fades at Turfway Park and Fair Grounds!
Wagering
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
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 11, 2024
Jason welcomes in track announcer Pete Aiello to talk Gulfstream's Championship meet and tell some old fun stories from his years in racing.
Quiz
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
2025 Kentucky Derby News and Notes
2025 KENTUCKY DERBY LATEST NEWS, LIVE UPDATES, ANALYSIS, CONTENDERS & ODDS INFORMATION
Kentucky Derby
Racing Roundtable: Cigar Mile, Remsen, and Demoiselle takeaways
This week, the Racing Roundtable examines the Cigar Mile (G2), plus the Remsen (G2) and Demoiselle (G2) — Kentucky Derby (G1) and Oaks (G1) prep races, respectively, held at Aqueduct on Saturday.
Live
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 10, 2024
Jason is joined by long time River Downs handicapper and publicity guy John Englehardt to tell stories of the great old Cincinnati track, John's decades of photographing racing, and much more!
Racing Podcast
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
Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley Dec. 11
Wednesday’s racing action at Happy Valley kicks off at 5:40 a.m. ET. Luke Middlebrook guides you through the card with his selections and analysis.
International
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 Morning Message with Jason Beem Dec. 9, 2024
Jason discusses some races from the weekend and talks about how he'd like to see more races at various distances.
Features
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 9, 2024
Jason looks back at a big Cigar Mile day card from Aqueduct as well as opening weekend at Oaklawn and stakes action from Tampa.
Racing Podcast
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
May Day Ready meets Forever Young’s half-sister in Hanshin Juvenile Fillies
Best of the rest behind European star Lake Victoria in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1), May Day Ready takes on Japan’s most promising prospects in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1) late Saturday night at 1:40 a.m. ET.
International
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
Top picks, price plays for 2024 Hong Kong International Races
If it might not pay to get too creative with top picks for the Hong Kong International Races late Saturday night, there’s ample scope for the imagination in potential price plays and exotics longshots at Sha Tin.
International
Faded Glory: Forgotten Kentucky Derby Winners (Sunny’s Halo, 1983)
Sunny’s Halo bested injury and a full field on Derby Day to bring another victory in the Run for the Roses back to the Great White North.
Kentucky Derby
Betting With, and Against, Mullikin in the Cigar Mile Handicap
A deep field of 11 will vie in Saturday’s lucrative $500,000 Cigar Mile H. (G2) at Aqueduct. The deserving favorite and horse to beat is the Grade-1 winning #5 Mullikin (3-1) for conditioner Bill Mott.
Wagering
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
The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets, and Fades for Dec. 4-Dec. 8 [VIDEO]
[LIVE] Ashley, James and Darin explore the fields of Oaklawn Park, Fair Grounds, Woodbine and Cigar Mile!
Live
How to bet the Garland of Roses Stakes
A talented field of eight fillies and mares will jaunt six panels on the Aqueduct dirt in Sunday’s $135,000 Garland of Roses S.
Wagering
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin night of Dec. 7
The fantastic Hong Kong International Races program at Sha Tin kicks off Saturday night at 11:25 p.m. ET.
Hong Kong
Exotics Plays for the Allen Jerkens Stakes
A large field of 11 turf stayers will go two miles on the Gulfstream Park turf in Saturday’s $115,000 H. Allen Jerkens Handicap.
Wagering
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
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem Dec. 5, 2024
Jason looks ahead to the potential big debut for Flightline's baby sister, Flight of Fancy, on Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs.
Analysis
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 5, 2024
Jason discusses Turfway's opening day, some news from around the racing world, and looks ahead to stakes action this weekend from Tampa and Aqueduct.
Racing Podcast
Pleasanton Pick 3 Play for Saturday
The Saturday feature at Pleasanton is the $75,000 Golden Gate Debutante S. which is carded as the 8th Race. I’ll take a swing at the closing Pick 3 on the card which includes the marquee event of the afternoon.
Wagering
Finding Kentucky Derby Horses in Hidden Places
The path to the First Saturday in May at Churchill Downs goes through the Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series.
Horse
NEW Turfway Park Handicapping Championship; Prize Pool, KDBC Seats
TwinSpires Tournaments is offering a brand new Handicapping Championship at Turfway Park with KDBC Seats and a $10k Prize Pool!
Turfway Park
Oaklawn Park: Pick 3 play for Friday, Dec. 6, 2024
A total of 10 contests are on the slate for opening day at Oaklawn Park on Friday, led by the $150,000 Advent S. which is carded as Race 9.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2024 Remsen Stakes
A field of seven juvenile colts will travel 1 1/8 miles on the Aqueduct dirt in Saturday’s $250,000 Remsen S. (G2).
Analysis
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 4, 2024
Jason opens the show discussing Saturday's Cigar Mile. Then we welcome in horseplayer Raul Pantoja to talk about his win in the Del Mar Fall Challenge Betting Contest.
Quiz
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
Racing Roundtable: Thanksgiving weekend recap
The Roundtable this week looks back on an action-packed Thanksgiving holiday weekend, with emphasis on the two-year-old action at Churchill Downs and elsewhere.
Features
Meet the Contenders: 2024 Remsen Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Kentucky Derby