Horse Racing This Weekend: Key Races, Top Horses & Best Bets (Jan 25-26)
Gulfstream Park (Coglianese Photography)
January 24th, 2025
INDEX: Top Horses and Best Bets | Promotions | Tournaments | Pegasus World Cup | Southwest S. |
Get ready for horse racing this weekend
Come on over and discover everything you need to know about horse racing this weekend, including top horses, best bets, tournaments, and many great promotions and offers you just can't say no to.
Top horses and best bets for horse racing this weekend
The Pegasus World Cup offers some of our top horses and best bets this week. Three major races standout at Gulfstream for Saturday:
Another best bet for the weekend includes horse racing at Oaklawn for the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Oaks.
Jason Beem weighs in on "bet sizing" to open his Thursday podcast and then previews the big Pegasus World Cup Day card at Gulfstream Park on Saturday.
RELATED: Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem for Jan. 23, 2025
Best Bets for the Pegasus Invitational
Read the full analysis here: Betting With, and Against, Locked in the Pegasus World Cup
Locked is holding on as the favorite for the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) with a morning line of 5-2. He's sure to be a best bet for horse racing this weekend considering his odds. However, if Locked isn't your top horse, consider these exotic wagers against the favorite, as well.
Locked – With
- 50-cent superfecta 11 with 4,5,10 with 4,5,10 with all ($27)
- 50-cent superfecta 11 with 4,5,10 with all with 4,5,10 ($27)
Locked – Against
- 50-cent trifecta 4,10 with 4,5,10,11 with all ($30)
- 20-cent superfecta 4,10 with 4,5,10,11 with 1,2,3,4,5,10,11 with 1,2,3,4,5,10,11 ($24)
Top Pegasus Horses
#11 Locked is obviously in the running as the morning line favorite for good reason with victories in the 2023 Breeders' Futurity (G1) and the Cigar Mile H. (G2). However, the post position could potentially produce a wide voyage over a surface that often favors horses saving ground and forwardly placed. He also has plenty of room to improve with only six lifetime races under his belt.
#10 Skippylongstocking is one of two major contenders with a trio of wins in 2024 and multiple wins on the course.
#4 White Abarrio seems to be a major threat over a surface where he has compiled an 8-6-1-0 record. The 2023 Breeders Cup Classic (G1) winner possesses tactical speed and a fine turn of foot.
#5 Crupi would be a surprise win for sure, but he was a clear and excellent third in the event last season, and can really motor home on his best day. For the price, he is a great piece for exotics.
RELATED: Betting With, and Against, Locked in the Pegasus World Cup
Best Bets for the Pegasus Turf
An overflow field of 14 is entered to contest the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational S. (G1) at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. Find your best bets for the race below:
Pegasus Turf Wagers
- $3 exacta key box 2 with 7,9,10 ($18)
- 50-cent trifecta 2 with 7,9,10 with all ($15)
- 10-cent superfecta 2,7,9 with 2,7,9,10 with 2,7,9,10 with all ($16.20)
Top Pegasus Turf Horses
#2 Formidable Man is the top horse for all three exotic wagers. He is capable of flashing some speed from the gate and is well drawn near the rail.
#9 Spirit of St Louis is an intriguing choice that could offer some value. The lightly raced dark bay boasts a fine 13-9-3-0 lifetime record with Tyler Gaffalione in the irons.
#7 Nations Pride may not be super quick, but he gets himself into his races early enough and should not be discounted against this field.
#10 Battle of Normandy has shown nice improvement after adding blinkers and comes off a four-race win streak. If he can avoid being hung wide early, he will have a shot at a fair number crossing the finish line.
Undercard best bets at Gulfstream Park
The Pick 4 of the Week focuses on the undercard, beginning with Race 2 and consecutively ending at the Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint S.
Race 2 Wager
- $1 Pick 4: 5 with 2,6,9,11 with 3,5,7 with 3,6,9,11 ($48)
Best bets for then Southwest S.
Another Road to the Kentucky Derby race will be in the books this Saturday, with less than a hundred days away from Kentucky Derby 151. Here are some best bets to consider when placing those wagers.
Southwest Stakes Wagers
Top Horses
#7 Patch Adams tops the field for these wagers despite a highly competitive field of 10 sophomores. His latest appearance gives the impression of a fine prospect moving forward with a trio of bullet morning drills posted in Florida to prepare for horse racing this weekend.
#1 Gaming has a nice draw on the fence to get involved early. With his wealth of ability and early speed, he has a chance to place well.
#4 Tiztastic closed out 2024 with a second in the Street Sense (G3) and third in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) and has trained steadily to prepare for Saturday.
#6 Sandman placed a solid third in the Street Sense S. (G3) two back. With an impressive 104 Brisnet Late Pace in his debut at this venue, he could be a major threat late if the pace backs up in the stretch.
RELATED: Tipsheet: 2025 Southwest Stakes
Undercard best bets at Oaklawn Park
While waiting on the Southwest S. (G3) check out this wager consisting of a Pick 3 covering the Fifth Season S., Bugler S., and Martha Washington S. (a Kentucky Oaks qualifier).
Race 7 Wager
$1 Pick 3: 4,5,7,8,9 with 8,11 with 1,4 ($20)
5x Points at Gulfstream Park
Opt in and receive 5x reward points on all races, excluding Show wagers, at Gulfstream Park from Friday, January 24th through Sunday, January 26th.
Pegasus World Cup $10 Money Back
Opt in and receive up to $10 back on your first single horse Win bet if your horse runs 2nd at Gulfstream Park in race 5 and races 7-13.
Woodbine Mohawk 15% Trifecta Boost
Opt in to receive a 15% boost on your winning Trifecta wagers at Woodbine Mohawk each Monday, Thursday, and Friday through January.
Gulfstream Park $2,500 Late Pick 5 Hit it & Split it
Opt in and play the Late Pick-5 at Gulfstream Park each Sunday in January for a chance to split the $2,500 prize pool each promotional day.
Fair Grounds 15% Odds Boost
Opt in to receive a 15% odds boost on your winning single horse Win wagers at Fair Grounds each Thursday in January.
Oaklawn Park 25% Double Down
Opt in and hit two (2) Doubles to receive a 25% boost on all winning Double wagers at Oaklawn Park every Friday in January.
Woodbine Mohawk 15% Profit Boost
Opt in to receive a 15% boost on your winning Win, Exacta, Trifecta, and Superfecta wagers at Woodbine Mohawk each Saturday from November 23rd, 2024 through January 25th, 2025.
