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Kentucky Derby Report: Lecomte big test for Instant Coffee
Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner Instant Coffee is one of 11 individuals listed for trainer Brad Cox in Pool 3 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, and his performance in Saturday’s Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds will determine his closing odds.
Kentucky Derby
How to play Pool 3 of the 2023 Kentucky Derby Future Wager
Much has changed, and yet little has changed with the betting options for Pool 3 of the 2023 Kentucky Derby Future Wager.
Kentucky Derby
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Jan. 19, 2023
Celebrating the seventh anniversary of his first podcast, Jason looks back at seven things he's learned from doing the show.
Features
Dubai Preview: Spot plays for UAE 1,000 Guineas night
It’s UAE 1,000 Guineas day at Meydan, with three-year-old fillies seeking early black type honors.
International
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Jan. 19
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Thursday, Jan. 19 at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, including tickets for Turfway’s $1,174 Super High 5 carryover.
Wagering
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Jan. 19, 2023
Jason opens the show discussing some of the psychological and wagering thoughts that come along with playing a long 14-race card like the one at Fair Grounds this weekend. He also discusses the Louisiana Stakes and Silverbulletday Stakes at Fair Grounds.
Racing Podcast
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Harness Preview: Picks and Horses to Watch Jan. 19-23
Selected features, stakes coverage and the never-ending TwinSpires’ horses-to-watch list (H2W) share keys to success in exotics, win, place and show payoffs.
Harness
American Beauty S. exotics and field analysis for Oaklawn Jan. 21
Six fillies and mares will sprint six furlongs on the Oaklawn dirt in the $150,000 American Beauty S. for females four years and older.
Wagering
The best way to decide and create a show bet
As strange as it might sound, the horse racing wager that's easiest to hit is one of the trickiest to understand on a technical level.
Racing
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Jan. 18
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Wednesday, Jan. 18 at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs, along with horses to single in Pick 5 carryovers at Turfway Park and Penn National.
Wagering
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Jan. 18, 2023
Jason welcomes in trainer Ron Moquett from his Oaklawn Park base to join the show. They talk about Oaklawn racing, some of Ron's horses running this weekend, being a fan of the sport, and more!
Racing Podcast
Cox, Pletcher preparing deep rosters for Kentucky Derby qualifiers
Kentucky Derby-winning trainers Brad Cox and Todd Pletcher are in familiar territory at this time of the year, orchestrating plans for a large contingent of prospects.
Kentucky Derby
Forte early individual choice in KDFW Pool 3
The field for Pool 3 of the 2023 Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) has been announced by Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby
Hong Kong Preview: Jumbo Legend ready for step up in distance
Jumbo Legend can stretch his stamina to about a mile and claim the Connaught Handicap at Happy Valley on Wednesday.
International
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Jan. 17
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Tuesday, Jan. 17 at Mahoning Valley and Turf Paradise, along with tickets for the $340 Super High 5 carryover at Sunland Park.
Wagering
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Jan. 17, 2023
Jason discusses this weekend's Lecomte S. from Fair Grounds to open the show. Then he welcomes in Annise Montplaisir from Amplify Racing to talk about her journey in the sport as well as her creating an organization that helps find people pathways into working in horse racing.
Racing Podcast
Pedigree notebook: Nothing hidden about Occult's cross
Kentucky Oaks hopeful Occult sports the same pedigree pattern as Mandaloun.
Pedigree
Todd Pletcher had a trio of three-year-old maiden winners on Saturday. (NYRA/Coglianese Photography)
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Kingsbarns, Cuvier, Clubhouse win for Pletcher
Two-time Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainer Todd Pletcher knows how to prepare a January maiden winner for success on the first Saturday in May.
Kentucky Derby
Instant Coffee winning the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
Bolt d'Oro finishes 2022 as leading first-crop sire, Instant Coffee one to watch
Former graded-stakes winner Bolt d’Oro closed out 2022 atop the first-crop sire rankings based on progeny earnings, with 29 winners from 80 runners, including six stakes winners and three graded stakes heroes.
Pedigree
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Jan. 16, 2023
Jason discusses his mom's visit to Tampa Bay Downs and family connections to horse racing.
Features
Pick 5 Play for Fair Grounds: Monday, Jan. 16, 2023
With fewer tracks to compete with, Fair Grounds’ multi-race wager pools often swell on Mondays. It’s a great opportunity to take a stab in the Early Pick 5.
Wagering
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Jan. 16
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Monday, Jan. 16 at Mahoning Valley and Fair Grounds, along with tickets for the $595 Super High 5 carryover at Laurel Park.
Wagering
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Jan. 16, 2023
Jason opens the show discussing the passing of jockey Avery Whisman and the conversation that came about after the news came out. He also discusses the weekend racing action from Tampa, Aqueduct, and Oaklawn Park.
Racing
Harness
Santa Anita: How to bet the $6,425 Super High 5 carryover
Rainy weather in California prompted Santa Anita to cancel Saturday and Monday racing. But Sunday’s card is a go, and it kicks off with a $6,425 carryover up for grabs in the $1 Super High 5.
Wagering
Fair Grounds: Horses to single (or not) in the $3,565 Pick 6 carryover
Looking for a non-jackpot carryover to chase this weekend? Check out the action at Fair Grounds, where the Saturday card features a $3,565 prize pool in the $1 Pick 6.
Wagering
Gulfstream Spot Plays and Pick 3 with Sunshine Filly and Mare Turf and Sunshine Sprint
Gulfstream Park will host a pair of stakes on Saturday, including the one-mile Sunshine Filly and Mare Turf and the six-furlong Sunshine Sprint for Florida-bred four-year-olds and up.
Wagering
Ganadora dominated the Dark Mirage at Los Alamitos in her last route attempt (Photo by Benoit Photo)
Santa Anita: How to bet the 2023 La Canada Stakes
Bob Baffert has the two main players in Sunday's La Canada (G3) at Santa Anita, and I expect the race to come down to that duo late.
Wagering
How to bet With, and Against, Occult in the 2023 Busanda Stakes
A compact field of five sophomore fillies will travel 1 1/8 miles over the Aqueduct dirt in Saturday’s $100,000 Busanda S. The morning-line choice in the field is Alpha Delta Stables’ #2 Occult (7-5) for conditioner Chad Brown.
Wagering
Sunland Park: How to bet the 2023 LaSenora Stakes
A total of six New Mexico-bred fillies will sprint six furlongs at Sunland Park in Sunday’s $100,000 LaSenora S.
Wagering
The Jury: Bets and fades for Jan. 14
A relatively quiet Saturday of action across the country includes a Kentucky Oaks (G1) prep at Aqueduct and listed stakes at Oaklawn, Tampa Bay Downs, and elsewhere. James Scully, Vance Hanson, and Ashley Anderson tackle these and other races in this week's TwinSpires Jury.
Wagering
Handicappers Debate: 2023 Fifth Season at Oaklawn Park
Saturday’s Fifth Season S. at Oaklawn Park features a solid group of 10 older horses competing over a two-turn mile, and James Scully and John Mucciolo have different opinions.
Wagering
Great Britain Preview: Spot Plays January 14, 2023
It’s a weekend for some decent prep races for the Cheltenham Festival in Britain, and some rich handicaps for the second-tier horses.
International
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Jan. 13
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Friday, Jan. 13 at Fair Grounds, Oaklawn, and Turfway, including horses to single in the $2,201 Pick 6 carryover at Fair Grounds.
Wagering
Fair Grounds: 2023 Nelson J. Menard Stakes Value Play
An overflow field of 13 fillies and mares, five of which are on the also-eligible list, will dash 5 1/2 panels on the Fair Grounds lawn in Saturday’s $100,000 Nelson J. Menard Memorial S.
Wagering
Australia Preview: McDonald poised for Magic Millions day
Australian eyes are turned to Queensland’s Gold Coast this weekend for Magic Millions raceday.
International
How to bet the 2023 Likely Exchange Stakes
A well-matched field of 11 fillies and mares will travel one mile over the Turfway Park surface in Saturday’s $125,000 Likely Exchange S.
Wagering
Fifth Season S. exotics plays and field analysis for Oaklawn Jan. 14
A competitive field of 10 will race one mile over the Oaklawn Park dirt in the $150,000 Fifth Season S. for four-year-olds and up.
Wagering
Dubai Preview: Spot plays for Jan. 13, 2023
Dubai’s carnival continues to heat up at Meydan on Friday. Headlining the seven-race card is the Al Rashidiya (G2).
International
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Jan. 12, 2023
“You got big shoes to fill.” We’ve all heard that phrase used whenever somebody takes over from their predecessor who was either an extreme talent or simply beloved in their role.
Features
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Jan. 12
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Thursday, Jan. 12 at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, including tickets for Turfway’s $2,116 Super High 5 carryover.
Wagering
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Jan. 12, 2023
Jason opens the show talking about the upcoming racing weekend at Tampa Bay Downs and Aqueduct in the weekend preview. Then Jason welcomes in his mom, who is visiting Tampa to talk about horse racing in their family and share lots of old gambling stories from Jason's youth with his dad.
Racing Podcast
First-crop sires 2022: Girvin relocated to Kentucky after making his mark
Girvin achieved success as a freshman sire, ranking fifth among first-crop sires by progeny earnings in 2022 ($1,910,156), and his five stakes winners included Grade 1 conqueror Faiza.
Pedigree
Catching My Eye: LA-bred extraordinaires from Fair Grounds, Jan. 5-8
Three stakes winners plus a debut runner caught Kevin Kilroy's eye last week at Fair Grounds.
Analysis
Harness Preview: Picks and Horses to Watch Jan. 12-16
Selected features, stakes coverage and the never-ending TwinSpires’ horses-to-watch list (H2W) share keys to success in exotics, win, place and show payoffs.
Harness
First-crop sires 2022: Justify makes Japanese impact
In a three-way battle for first-crop supremacy with Bolt d’Oro and Good Magic in 2022, Triple Crown winner Justify eventually finished third.
Pedigree
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Jan. 11, 2023
Jason welcomes in Fair Grounds analyst and TwinSpires writer Kevin Kilroy to the show to talk about racing at the Fair Grounds, his education in wagering, and many more topics about the New Orleans racetrack.
Racing Podcast
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Jan. 11
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Wednesday, Jan. 11 at Tampa Bay Downs and Turfway Park, including horses to support in Turfway’s $453 Super High 5 carryover.
Wagering
The best way to decide and create a win bet
The win bet is the purest way to wager on a horse race. All you have to do is pick the winning horse. But deciding which horse to bet can quickly grow complicated.
Education
Racing Roundtable: Thoughts on the Sham and Jerome
The Racing Roundtable this week discusses the impact of the two most recent Kentucky Derby (G1) preps and other action that occurred during the first full weekend of 2023.
Analysis
Hong Kong Preview: Money Catcher poised to take January Cup
The January Cup (G3) is normally a highly competitive handicap, but it might be very hard to topple a horse that placed at international Group 1 level at his last start.
International
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays: Jan. 10
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Tuesday, Jan. 10 at Mahoning Valley and Turf Paradise, including a trifecta capitalizing on the Trifecta Tuesday promotion.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Jan. 10, 2023
Jason opens the show talking about probabilities and learning about them in regards to horse racing. Then we welcome in Gulfstream Park announcer Peter Aiello to the show to talk about the upcoming Pegasus and share some announcer stories from over the years.
Racing Podcast
First-crop sires: Good Magic increases Kentucky Derby prep tally to four
Reincarnate and Dubyuhnell have become the latest sons of Good Magic to win Road to the Kentucky Derby events.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Reincarnate
Dashing to the lead and refusing to yield proved a successful strategy for Reincarnate in the Sham (G3) at Santa Anita, as the hardy gray colt led all the way to prevail by a neck.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Willakenzie cruises for Cox
Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainer Brad Cox sent out Willakenzie on Thursday at Fair Grounds to win his debut traveling 1 1/8 miles.
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Jan. 9, 2023
Jason discusses the injury of a jockey this past week and the dangers of being a jockey.
Features
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Lugan Knight
You have to admire the tenacity Lugan Knight displayed to win the Jerome S. on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. But does he have the pedigree to handle the Kentucky Derby's testing 1 1/4-mile distance?
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Jan. 9, 2023
Jason looks back at the weekend of racing action including the Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct. He also talks some Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park racing action.
Racing
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Jan. 9
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Monday, Jan. 9 at Mahoning Valley and Turf Paradise, including a couple of trifectas.
Wagering
Harness
Golden Gate: How to bet the $4,614 Super High 5 carryover
Who’s ready to have some fun at Golden Gate Fields? The Sunday card brings a $4,614 Super High 5 carryover to the table.
Wagering
Tipsheet: The 2023 Sham Stakes
A compact field of six three-year-olds will travel one mile over the Santa Anita dirt in Sunday’s $100,000 Sham S. (G3).
Wagering
How to bet the 2023 Say Florida Sandy Stakes
A compact field of five New York-bred runners will travel seven furlongs on the Aqueduct dirt in Sunday’s $100,000 Say Florida Sandy.
Wagering
Santa Anita: How to bet the mandatory-payout $275,877 Pick 6 carryover
Saturday is California Cup Day at Santa Anita. The card is extra exciting from a betting perspective because there’s a $275,877 Rainbow Pick 6 carryover slated for mandatory dispersal.
Wagering
Spot plays and Pick 3 ticket for Gulfstream, including Dania Beach Stakes
Pilgrim S. (G2) hero Major Dude will kick off his three-year-old campaign in the Dania Beach S., while Todd Pletcher’s three-year-old filly Cairo Consort headlines the Ginger Brew S., both turf races on Gulfstream Park’s Saturday card.
Wagering
All-Stakes Pick 3 for Santa Anita on Jan. 7
A handful of black-type events will highlight a fine 10-race card at Santa Anita on Saturday.
Wagering
The Jury: Bets and fades for Jan. 7
The first Saturday of 2023 will offer plenty of stakes action and more from coast to coast.
Wagering
Betting With, and Against, Who Took the Money in the Champions Day Turf S.
A total of nine Cajun-bred runners, one of which is entered for the main track only, will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Fair Grounds lawn in Saturday’s $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Turf S. The one to beat is defending champ #4 Who Took the Money (7-5), who drew off by a convincing five lengths in the event last season.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2023 Jerome Stakes
A talented field of eight three-year-olds will travel one-mile on the Aqueduct main surface in Saturday’s $150,000 Jerome S.
Wagering
Kentucky Derby Report: Forte brings top credentials to the New Year
The Road to the Kentucky Derby series opened in late September, but the prep season doesn’t get into full swing until the New Year. And the first qualifier of 2023 took place at Oaklawn Park on New Year’s Day, the Smarty Jones.
Kentucky Derby
Pegasus World Cup 2023: Seven things to know
To help you get ready for the seventh running of the Pegasus World Cup on Jan. 28, here are seven things to know about race trends, the historical background, and successful trainers.
Trends
Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Great clash expected in King's Plate
The Breeders’ Cup Challenge series heads to South Africa on Saturday with two qualifying races — one of which has a new name.
Breeders Cup
Great Britain Preview: Spot plays for Sandown
There’s a decent day of racing at Sandown, featuring a Grade 1 novice hurdle, a Listed race for mares, and a rich handicap for older jumpers.
International
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays: Jan. 6
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Friday, Jan. 6 at Aqueduct, Fair Grounds, and Santa Anita, including horses to single in the $1,360 Pick 6 carryover at Fair Grounds.
Wagering
Dubai Preview: Switzerland can neutralize opponents
Graded stakes racing begins at Meydan this week, and TwinSpires gives you the opportunity to bet on all races on Friday.
International
Pippin S. exotics plays and field analysis for Oaklawn Jan. 7
Ten older fillies and mares will race 1 1/16 miles over the Oaklawn dirt in the $150,000 Pippin Stakes for females four years old and up.
Wagering
How to bet the 2023 Orleans Stakes
A total of eight fillies and mares will dash five-eighths at Delta Downs on Friday evening in the $75,000 Orleans S.
Wagering
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Jan. 5, 2023
Jason discusses his personal 2023 racing resolutions for the year.
Features
Bulldog Hanover sets a world record for a mile of 1:45 4/5 at the Meadowlands. (Photo by Lisa Photo)
2022: The year of record-breaking Bulldog
Harness racing star Bulldog Hanover put up a season that was well and truly comparable to that of Thoroughbred hero Flightline.
Harness
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Jan. 5, 2023
Jason follows up on a discussion from earlier in the week and talks about bet selection for horseplayers and why often we only play one or two types of bets. He also looks ahead to Saturday's Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct, where Kentucky Derby points are on the line.
Racing
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Jan. 5
Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Thursday at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, along with horses to play in Aqueduct’s $189,198 Pick 5 carryover and Turfway’s $4,843 Super High 5 carryover.
Racing
Harness Preview: Picks and Horses to Watch Jan. 5-9
Selected features, stakes coverage and the never-ending TwinSpires’ horses-to-watch list (H2W) share keys to success in exotics, win, place and show payoffs.
Harness
Pick 5 Play for Fair Grounds Thursday, Jan. 5: Strategic Opinion
Having a strategic opinion can be reason enough to play a Pick 5. An example of a strategic opinion is singling in a spot where other players psychologically have a hard time singling, i.e. the first and last legs.
Wagering
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Jan. 4, 2023
Jason welcomes in trainer Jason Barkley to the show to talk about his strings at both Fair Grounds and Oaklawn. They also talk about the family life of a trainer, finding homes for his retiring runners, and more!
Racing Podcast
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Jan. 4
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Wednesday, Jan. 4 at Parx Racing, along with tickets for the $3,082 Super High 5 carryover at Turfway Park.
Racing
Dubai Carnival 2023: Horses to watch from the fall season at Meydan
The Dubai World Cup Carnival begins on Jan. 6, yet the racing action has already been in full swing in the United Arab Emirates since Oct. 28.
International
Racing Roundtable: New Year's weekend and beyond in 2023
The Racing Roundtable kicks off 2023 with a look back at the action over New Year's weekend and a look ahead to the upcoming season.
Features
How trainer and sire stats can combine for enticing payoffs
When betting maiden races filled with unraced horses, win percentage stats come in handy. They consistently steer bettors toward live contenders in races that might otherwise be inscrutable.
Racing
The Science of Racing: The Starting Gate
It is a sight as familiar to racegoers as the horses themselves: the starting gate. As the minutes to the next race tick by, a tractor pulls this mechanical wonder to the right spot on the racetrack, dirt or turf, and draws the eyes of everyone present.
Education
Catching My Eye: Fair Grounds, Dec. 29-Jan. 1 'Mercy, Mercy, Mercy'
Mercy Warren won by 16 lengths in a first-level allowance sprint on Sunday at Fair Grounds with a merciless move in the turn.
Features
Hong Kong Preview: Alex seeks a princely triumph
Prince Alex can progress from a last-start third to win the Hoi Yuen Handicap at Happy Valley on Wednesday.
International
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Jan. 3, 2023
Jason opens the show talking about some betting ideas that were being discussed Monday on Twitter. Then we welcome in jockey Declan Cannon to talk about riding in Kentucky, riding the Turfway Polytrack, coming to the States, and much more!
Racing Podcast
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Jan. 3
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Tuesday, Jan. 3 at Parx Racing, including a pair of stakes.
Wagering
12 to keep on the radar for 2023
Of the very many horses to look forward to in 2023, I’d like to highlight a dozen to keep on the radar.
Features
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Pletcher, Cox, Mott pick up new winners
Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainers Todd Pletcher, Brad Cox, and Bill Mott all picked up possible 2023 Derby players when they sent out two-year-olds to win maiden races on New Year’s Eve.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Victory Formation
After posting two victories sprinting as a juvenile, Victory Formation joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a pacesetting triumph in the one-mile Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park.
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Jan. 2, 2023
Jason discusses using the new year as an opportunity to make some changes.
Racing