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Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Litigate
When Litigate rallied to a determined victory in the Sam F. Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs, it was confirmation the bay colt has been waiting for a chance to shine running long.
Kentucky Derby
Chase the Chaos winning the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields (Photo by Vassar Photography)
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Chase the Chaos
What do we make of Chase the Chaos, who unleashed a giant homestretch rally to win the El Camino Real Derby over the synthetic Tapeta track at Golden Gate Fields? Can he successfully switch to dirt?
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Hit Show
When Hit Show stormed down the Aqueduct homestretch to dominate the 1 1/8-mile Withers (G3), he fulfilled the promise of a pedigree geared top and bottom toward success running long.
Kentucky Derby
Saudi Cup Day prospectus: Country Grammer, Taiba, Elite Power among probables
Now that the projected fields for the Feb. 25 Saudi Cup Day extravaganza have been announced, let’s get a head start on the handicapping! Here are the key contenders in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) as well the five Thoroughbred stakes on the undercard.
International
When to bet to place (or not)
The place bet can be a tricky wager to properly play. Not because it’s complicated to understand, but because executing a sound strategy that capitalizes on your opinions is easier said than done.
Education
Catching My Eye: Fair Grounds Feb. 2-4
Yes, 11 of the 38 in Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3 are trained by Brad Cox, but don’t think for a second that’s all he’s got.
Analysis
Pedigree profile: Newgate
Does Newgate have the pedigree to succeed over classic distances? It’s not necessarily a clear-cut answer, because there are mixed signals to interpret.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Bus Buzz, Demolition Duke impress
Santa Anita… Fair Grounds… Gulfstream Park… Oaklawn Park… Tampa Bay Downs. Possible Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders won maiden special weights at racetracks all around the country last week.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Rocket Can
It isn’t surprising to see Rocket Can enjoying success on the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail. The gray colt boasts a pedigree combining speed with stamina, often a recipe for success in the Derby.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Report: Southwest flash, Cyclone set for Holy Bull
The second of four Kentucky Derby qualifiers at Oaklawn Park, the Jan. 28 Southwest (G3) featured the return of Arabian Knight, a spectacular wire-to-wire maiden winner on the Breeders’ Cup Saturday undercard in his career debut.
Kentucky Derby
Catching My Eye: Cox striking at 42% through Jan. 29 at Fair Grounds
Through Jan. 29 at Fair Grounds, the Brad Cox barn has sent out 50 runners, 21 of them winners. 42%.
Racing
Racing Roundtable: Arabian Knight, Pegasus World Cup, and Eclipse Awards
The Racing Roundtable discusses Arabian Knight's romp in the Southwest (G3), takeaways from the Pegasus World Cup (G1), and Eclipse Awards disagreements.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Geaux Rocket Ride romps for Mandella
Arguably the most impressive three-year-old maiden winner of the weekend was Richard Mandella’s Geaux Rocket Ride, who trounced his Sunday debut sprinting six furlongs at Santa Anita.
Racing
Pedigree profile: Arabian Knight
An impressive victory from Arabian Knight in the Southwest (G3) at Oaklawn Park has launched the $2.3 million auction acquisition thoroughly into the Triple Crown picture.
Racing
Oaklawn Park: Early trends for 2023 meet
Most trends at Oaklawn Park are playing out as might be expected. But there have been a few interesting stats to start the year.
Analysis
Catching My Eye: Derby Hopefuls on Fair Grounds Road to the Derby Day
With Road to the Derby Day and other strong fields, there was a lot of action at the Fair Grounds this past week. Let’s dive into two races: the Lecomte and the three-year-old allowance race that featured a handful of Derby dreamers.
Analysis
The best way to decide and create a place bet
When carefully executed, the place bet can play a useful role in a bettor’s arsenal of handicapping strategies.
Education
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Stoutly bred colts Slip Mahoney, First Defender post victories
Sometimes, you look at the pedigree of a young maiden winner and think, “Wow, this horse is bred to run long.”
Racing
First-Crop Sires Update: Mendelssohn progeny start strongly as 3yos
The Scat Daddy half-brother to Into Mischief and Beholder was a Grade 1 performer on both turf and dirt, and his progeny, like him, should improve with age.
Features
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Kentucky Derby: 2022 End of Year Stock Take
With all major juvenile racing now complete in 2022, it’s time to take stock of the 2023 Kentucky Derby picture – though it may seem as murky as it’s ever been.
Kentucky Derby
2022 in Review: Leading Turf Horses by Eclipse Award categories
A majority of Eclipse Award categories for equine flat performers is technically open to all runners, regardless of surface proclivity.
Racing
Catching My Eye: Fair Grounds' Road to the Derby Kickoff Day
Three out of the last four Derby winners come through Fair Grounds, and both Epicenter and Rich Strike, the Kentucky Derby 148 exacta, ran in last year’s Gun Runner Stakes.
Kentucky Derby
How trainer stats can point toward future stakes winners
When a horse defies the stats and wins at first asking for a low-percentage debut trainer, you might be looking at a special horse. Maybe even a stakes winner.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Jace's Road
Jace’s Road couldn’t have been much more impressive in the Gun Runner S. on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. But does he have the pedigree to thrive racing 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby?
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Banishing, Groveland win for Godolphin
Godolphin has never won the Kentucky Derby (G1), but perhaps that will change in 2023. Maiden winners Banishing and Groveland are shaping up as possible Derby players for the world-renowned stable.
Racing
New Zealand: Spot Plays for Christmas Black Type racing
If you’re wanting to play some high-quality racing on Christmas and can’t wait for North American racing to resume the day after, the place to look toward is New Zealand.
International
Japan: Titleholder can secure title in world's biggest betting race
Titleholder can secure Japan’s Horse of the Year award by taking out its equal-richest race this weekend.
Wagering
Top Winning Brisnet Speed Ratings for 2022
Brisnet Speed Ratings show there were two outstanding performances in 2022: one by Flightline, and one by… Wudda U Think Now?
Analysis
Catching My Eye: Two angles to find prices at Fair Grounds, Part Two
The second angle I am finding will likely be with us for the meet: trusting the less well-known jockeys.
Analysis
What is a jockey weight allowance?
In the sport of horse racing, the amount of weight carried by each horse has long been varied to account for differences in age, gender, and ability. Or, in some cases, the experience of their jockey.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Tapit Trice shows grit for Pletcher
Two-time Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainer Todd Pletcher recently picked up another possible Derby player when Tapit Trice broke his maiden at Aqueduct.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Wildatlanticstorm
Does Wildatlanticstorm have the pedigree to factor in the Kentucky Derby?
Kentucky Derby
Oaklawn Park: How scrutinizing race conditions can be beneficial
The first thing bettors should generally do before handicapping a race is read and comprehend its conditions.
Education
Why horses tackling multiple major changes can outrun their odds
Sometimes, a racehorse will tackle so many changes at once it’s impossible to project how they'll perform. But the “change everything” approach can occasionally reap big dividends.
Education
Catching My Eye: Two Angles to find prices at Fair Grounds, Part One
Four weeks in at Fair Grounds, racing analyst Kevin Kilroy has found two handicapping angles that have been key for finding price horses.
Features
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Phileas Fogg, Z Resurrection impress at Fair Grounds
What do Country House, Mandaloun, and Rich Strike have in common? They’ve all won the Kentucky Derby (G1) since 2019, and they all did so after competing at Fair Grounds during the winter.
Racing
Five early trends at Fair Grounds for Winter 2022
Winter racing at Fair Grounds has been going since Thanksgiving, but there have already been some notable trends.
Trends
How sire stats and racing records can uncover winners
Sometimes, combining a little pedigree knowledge with the sire stats and performance data found in Brisnet Ultimate Past Performances is all you need to uncover a lucrative betting payday.
Education
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Tapit Shoes wins for Cox
Arguably no trainer is heading into 2023 with a deeper group of Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders than Brad Cox.
Kentucky Derby
Contenders to fill Flightline's void in older horse division
With Flightline headed to stud, the older horse dirt division lacks a standout entering 2023. Let's examine six contenders.
Analysis
Off-the-turf races can present enticing betting opportunities
When races slated to take place on turf are instead transferred to dirt or synthetic, enticing betting opportunities can arise.
Education
Fair Grounds meet horseplayer preview: Louisiana circuit insights
Here are some things to know about Fair Grounds and the Louisiana circuit to help sharpen your edge.
Analysis
Instant Coffee winning the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Instant Coffee
Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner Instant Coffee has always had the pedigree to shine as an early-maturing Road to the Kentucky Derby contender.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Is Casse's Determinedly the next War of Will?
Determinedly, Gun Pilot, and Point Proven impressed during the "Stars of Tomorrow II" program at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Nov. 25
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Friday at Churchill Downs, Del Mar, and Golden Gate Fields, along with live longshots to play in the $2,850 Pick 6 carryover at Fair Grounds.
Racing
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Nov. 24
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Thursday, Nov. 24 at Churchill Downs and Del Mar, including tickets for Churchill’s $9,415 Super High 5 carryover.
Wagering
Catching My Eye: Fair Grounds' Opening Weekend, Louisiana-breds
If you haven't been following the Louisiana circuit, you might not be familiar with a lot of the names entering into the first few weeks at Fair Grounds.
Analysis
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Nov. 23
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Wednesday, Nov. 23 at Churchill Downs and Parx Racing, along with horses to play in mandatory-payout carryovers at Parx and Finger Lakes.
Racing
Brisnet Speed ratings can make small fields playable
The power of speed figures—and specifically the Brisnet Speed ratings published in Brisnet Ultimate Past Performances—came to the forefront in the 2022 Bob Hope (G3) at Del Mar.
Education
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Nov. 22
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for a trio of stakes on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at Zia Park, including tickets for the $1,389 carryover in the all-stakes Pick 5.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Litigate, Classic Catch prevail for Pletcher
The two Kentucky Derby (G1) winners conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher employed vastly different routes to reach the Derby. Litigate will try to split the difference.
Kentucky Derby
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Nov. 21
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Monday, Nov. 21 at Mahoning Valley and Horseshoe Indianapolis, along with horses to single in the $21,009 Pick 5 carryover at Laurel Park.
Wagering
A single for Aqueduct's $58,827 Pick 6 carryover
There’s a $58,827 carryover awaiting bettors who can find the winning combination among 1,204,632 possibilities in Sunday’s $1 Pick 6 sequence at Aqueduct.
Wagering
Golden Gate Fields: How to bet the $5,670 Super High 5 carryover
$5,670. That’s not an insignificant amount by any means, and it just happens to be the size of the Super High 5 carryover up for grabs on Saturday at Golden Gate Fields.
Wagering
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Nov. 18
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Friday, Nov. 18 at Churchill Downs and Fair Grounds, along with a horse to single in non-jackpot Pick 5 and Pick 6 carryovers at Aqueduct.
Racing
Fair Grounds racing trends
To get you prepared for the 2022-23 meet in Louisiana, we explore some of the top racing trends at Fair Grounds.
Trends
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Nov. 17
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Thursday, Nov. 17 at Churchill Downs and Horseshoe Indianapolis, including a cold double wager.
Racing
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Nov. 16
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Wednesday at Mahoning Valley, Horseshoe Indianapolis, and Churchill Downs, along with tickets for Mountaineer’s $1,068 Super High 5 carryover.
Racing
Looking for lone speed horses with Brisnet Pace ratings
There’s something exciting about betting late-running horses and cheering for them to catch up down the homestretch, but they’re generally at a disadvantage against rivals with superior early speed.
Racing
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Nov. 15
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Tuesday, Nov. 15 at Mahoning Valley and Horseshoe Indianapolis, along with horses to single in the $16,062 Pick 5 carryover at Finger Lakes.
Racing
Chop Chop among three early stakes winners for freshman sire City of Light
Since our first installment highlighting the first crop by City of Light, the freshman sire has been represented by an additional six winners, three of whom have won stakes.
Features
Harness Weekly Update: 67% hit the board, 33% winners
This week, there were 33 H2W horses (a 30-percent win-hit rate and a 67-percent ATB [across-the-board] rate).
Harness
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Will McGaughey's colt become the Talk of the Nation?
Memories of Shug McGaughey's 2013 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Orb came to mind when McGaughey unveiled Talk of the Nation at Aqueduct last Friday.
Racing
First-Crop Sires 2022: Justify Heads the List
On all reasonable criteria, Justify has made a fantastic start as a sire.
Features
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Nov. 14
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Monday, Nov. 14 at Mahoning Valley and Horseshoe Indianapolis, along with horses to single in the $13,261 Late Pick 5 carryover at Laurel Park.
Racing
Carryover watch: Super High 5 prize pools at Churchill Downs, Gulfstream Park
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares horses to play in a pair of Sunday Super High 5 carryovers at Gulfstream Park and Churchill Downs.
Racing
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Nov. 11
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for a trio of stakes at Remington Park on Friday, Nov. 11, along with thoughts on non-jackpot carryovers at Aqueduct and Churchill Downs.
Racing
Catching My Eye: three things to take away from the 2022 Breeders' Cup
Three takeaways from last weekend: four-year-old equipment change for Todd Pletcher means something. Tyler Gaffalione is just getting started. Uncertainty around Cave Rock and Forte going forward.
Breeders Cup
Kentucky Derby takeaways from the Breeders' Cup Juvenile
What can we take away from the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile as we head toward the Kentucky Derby?
Kentucky Derby
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Nov. 10
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares $90 worth of picks and plays for Thursday, Nov. 10 at Aqueduct, Churchill Downs, and Horseshoe Indianapolis, including a trio of exactas.
Racing
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Nov. 9
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Wednesday, Nov. 9 at Churchill Downs and Horseshoe Indianapolis, along with tickets for Churchill’s $10,533 Super High 5 carryover.
Racing
Hanson: A case for Flightline's early retirement
While some racing fans are disappointed Flightline won't reappear on the racetrack, the "he has nothing more to prove" argument might be a sound one.
Breeders Cup
Flightline: The best since Secretariat?
One of the superlatives given to Flightline has almost been sacrilege: a genuine comparison to Secretariat.
Breeders Cup
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Nov. 8
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Tuesday, Nov. 8 at Mahoning Valley, Horseshoe Indianapolis, and Zia Park, including a trifecta focusing on the Trifecta Tuesday promotion.
Racing
Flightline's Breeders' Cup Classic on the clock
Flightline’s tour de force in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) was not only visually impressive. The unbeaten superstar delivered a performance of historical proportions on the clock as well.
Breeders Cup
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Nov. 7
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Monday, Nov. 7 at Mahoning Valley and Turf Paradise, including horses to single in the $2,225 Pick 5 carryover at Zia Park.
Racing
A single and a longshot for Santa Anita's $376,573 mandatory-payout Pick 6
Sunday is closing day of the Santa Anita fall meet, which means the $376,573 Rainbow Pick 6 carryover is slated for a mandatory payout.
Racing
Under-the-radar Breeders' Cup Saturday contenders
Nine Breeders’ Cup races are taking on Saturday at Keeneland, the second day of the Nov. 4-5 event. In each contest, I have tabbed a contender who will offer excellent value.
Breeders Cup
Betting with favorites on the Breeders' Cup Saturday undercard
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares $100 worth of strategies for betting favorites in the three non-Breeders’ Cup races on Saturday at Keeneland, including the Fall Harvest S.
Breeders Cup
2022 Breeders' Cup News & Notes
Stay up to date with all the relevant information for the 2022 Breeders' Cup from our leading experts.
Breeders Cup
Tipsheet: 2022 Breeders' Cup Turf
A well-matched field of 13 grassy stayers will run 1 1/2 miles on the Keeneland turf in Saturday’s lucrative $4 million Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1).
Breeders Cup
Tipsheet: 2022 Breeders' Cup Distaff
A fantastic field of eight fillies and mares will face the starter in Saturday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) at Keeneland. The 1 1/8-mile dirt affair attracted seven individual Grade 1 heroines in what promises to be a memorable tussle.
Breeders Cup
Tipsheet: 2022 Breeders' Cup Classic
A spectacular field of eight will head to post in the Saturday finale at Keeneland: the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
Breeders Cup