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May 9 Stakes Selections at Belmont Park and Santa Anita
A stakes race will be hosted by both Belmont Park and Santa Anita on Sunday, each serving as a $100,000 feature at their respective venues.
Wagering
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays of the day for May 8
J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Saturday, May 8 at Belmont Park and Churchill Downs, along with horses of note in high-profile carryovers at Belmont, Churchill, and Gulfstream Park.
Wagering
How to bet the Santa Barbara Stakes
An octet of fillies and mares will travel 1 1/2 miles on the Santa Anita turf on Saturday in the $100,000 Santa Barbara S.
Wagering
Searching for value in the Mamzelle Stakes
A field of 13 sophomore fillies will dash five-eighths on the Churchill Downs turf in Saturday’s $110,000 Mamzelle S.
Wagering
How to bet the 2021 Man o' War Stakes
A field of eight turf specialists will travel 1 3/8 miles over the Belmont inner lawn in Saturday’s lucrative $700,000 Man o’ War S.
Wagering
Hong Kong: Happy Valley Race 9 for May 5
An inside barrier draw gives Handsome Bo Bo a great chance to pick up a well-deserved victory at Happy Valley in Hong Kong on Wednesday. Handsome Bo Bo was caught wide from his barrier draw of 11 for most of the journey on the tight Happy Valley track when he last lined up March 17, but still fought valiantly to finish second behind Kurpany.
Wagering
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays of the day for May 2
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Sunday at Belmont, Lone Star, and Santa Anita, along with a potential single to conclude the $288,645 Pick 6 carryover at Gulfstream.
Wagering
Top 10 Kentucky Derby racing trends
Before you place your bets on the 2021 Run for the Roses, take a look at the top 10 Kentucky Derby trends from the last decade of races.
Kentucky Derby
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays of the day for May 1
J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Saturday at Belmont Park and Churchill Downs, including a ticket for the mandatory-payout $99,382 Pick 6 carryover culminating with the Kentucky Derby.
Wagering
How to bet the 2021 Kentucky Derby on different budgets
Depending on the budget you’ve allocated for betting the Kentucky Derby, we’ve outlined three wagering strategies at costs of $30, $60, and $100.
Kentucky Derby
How to make money with Essential Quality in the Kentucky Derby
A total of 19 horses will challenge unbeaten champion #14 Essential Quality (2-1) for the top prize in Saturday’s $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs. The sterling son of Tapit has done nothing wrong from five lifetime outings, and his last pair of efforts rank among his best ones to date. The Brad Cox pupil will be heavily backed in the win pool, and deservedly so, but there is certain value to be had in the vertical exotics in such a sizable field. I will tab a handful of runners that I feel are worth including in the gimmicks.
Kentucky Derby
May 1 spot plays at Churchill Downs
The seven graded stakes will take the spotlight, but there are seven other events with plenty of appeal on the slate. I will try to build my bankroll early on.
Wagering
How to bet the 2021 Oaklawn Invitational Stakes
With most eyes at Churchill Downs, Oaklawn Park will also play host to a race that has 2021 Triple Crown implications.
Wagering
Mucciolo: How I am playing the Kentucky Derby
Champion #14 Essential Quality (2-1) is a most deserving favorite in the cast but offers little value in the win pool.
Kentucky Derby
2021 Kentucky Derby tipsheet
The best three-year-old Thoroughbreds in North America have assembled for Saturday’s $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs, and we're examining the field in horse-by-horse fashion.
Kentucky Derby
2021 Kentucky Oaks tipsheet
The Kentucky Derby might receive more press, but the Friday’s $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs looks just as competitive on paper.
Wagering
Belmont Park: Stakes plays for May 1
A trio of graded stakes tilts will headline a fine 11-race card on the first Saturday of racing at the Belmont Park meeting. A pair of Grade 2 events on the green are joined by a Grade 3 contest over Big Sandy.
Wagering
Spot Plays for the Kentucky Derby card and 2000 Guineas
The Kentucky Derby (G1) is back where it belongs in 2021, on the first Saturday in May, and as expected the entire 14-race card at Churchill Downs is tremendous.
Wagering
Mucciolo: Playing exotics in the Kentucky Derby
With a full field of 20 horses going postward in the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs on Saturday, it might be worthwhile to spread your wagers out a bit rather than get fixated on a single contender. Numerous things can go wrong in the 1 ¼-mile race, where young thoroughbreds are running a distance that they have never tried before against the deepest field that they have ever taken part of.
Kentucky Derby
How to bet the Kentucky Oaks/Derby Pick 6 at Churchill Downs
Let’s take a race-by-race look at the two-day, $2 Oaks/Derby Pick 6 offering from Churchill Downs and assemble a ticket on a $120 budget.
Kentucky Derby
The best longshot to bet in the 2021 Kentucky Derby
The search for value in the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) can be a tricky proposal for those in the camp of #14 Essential Quality (2-1).
Kentucky Derby
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays for April 29
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Thursday, April 29 at Churchill Downs and Lone Star Park, along with horses of note in Belmont Park’s $61,086 Pick 6 carryover.
Wagering
Kentucky Derby undercard plays for turf racing on May 1
In a previous piece I tabbed horses in the trio of graded stakes races on the dirt at Churchill Downs on Saturday, and this one focuses on the three grassy features on the Kentucky Derby undercard.
Wagering
Kentucky Derby Betting Guide 147
The Kentucky Derby Betting Guide has been produced annually since 2017. Players enjoy the Tipsheets from our authoritative handicappers whom provide tickets and top picks to watch in the paddock. From Brisnet, the At a Glance report from the previous full spring meet allows players to enter the meet early with informed stats on hot jockeys, trainers and track biases.
Kentucky Derby
Mucciolo: Kentucky Derby 147 post position draw analysis
The field is set for the 147th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs on Saturday. And is the case every year, there are multiple talking points centered on where the contenders have been drawn in the 20-horse field. Here are my three major takeaways from Tuesday’s post position draw.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby undercard plays for dirt stakes on May 1
John Mucciolo provides undercard plays for the 147th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby. A superb trio of those will be run on the main surface, and I have horses that interest me in the star-studded dirt events.
Wagering
Hong Kong: Happy Valley Race 8 on April 28
The much-improved Farshad is looking to make it three wins on end in the Breezy Handicap at Happy Valley, but could find trouble matching Helene Wisdom Star.
Wagering
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays of the day for April 25
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Sunday, April 25 at Belmont Park and Santa Anita, along with thoughts on a pair of mandatory-payout carryovers at Hawthorne.
Wagering
Hong Kong: Spot plays for Champions Day at Sha Tin
The 2020-21 racing season in Hong Kong reaches its second semiannual peak on Sunday, when Sha Tin Racecourse hosts a trio of Group 1 races comprising “Champions Day.”
Wagering
How to bet the Santa Margarita Stakes
A compact field of five will head to post in Saturday’s $200,000 Santa Margarita S. (G2) at Santa Anita.
Wagering
Best exotics to play in Tesio Stakes
The $125,000 Federico Tesio S. is the main attraction on a big Saturday of racing at Pimlico where a total of six black-type events will take place.
Wagering
Churchill Downs: Vulnerable favorites and a viable single in Saturday's Pick 4 sequences
Get ready, Churchill Downs bettors! Saturday’s opening-night card offers a trio of Pick 4 wagers, and TwinSpires is celebrating with a $6,000 “Hit It and Split It” promotion.
Wagering
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays of the day for April 24
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Saturday, April 24 at Belmont Park, Churchill Downs, and Pimlico—coincidentally, the homes of the three Triple Crown races.
Wagering
Meet the Kentucky Derby contenders of 2021
Discover each of the Kentucky Derby contenders with TwinSpires' official Meet the Kentucky Derby Contenders free download! This document will introduce you to each Kentucky Derby runner by exclusive family information and reveal true abilities to run the 1 1/4 miles distance at Churchill Downs in a style or effort that past horses have found success with.
Kentucky Derby
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays for April 23
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Friday, April 23 at Belmont Park and Keeneland, including tickets for Keeneland’s mandatory-payout Super High Five carryover.
Wagering
Closing day spot plays for Keeneland
Friday marks the closing day of the always fantastic spring racing at Keeneland. A 10-race card is on the slate, topped by the $150,000 Bewitch S.
Wagering
How to bet the 2021 William Walker Stakes
An overflow field 12 of is entered for the opening day feature at Churchill Downs, the $150,000 William Walker S.
Wagering
Who is the most intriguing Kentucky Derby longshot?
Get to know some of the most interesting dark-horse candidates for the greatest two minutes in sports.
Kentucky Derby
Hong Kong: Happy Valley Race 9 for April 21
Be Ready looks ready to continue his winning ways in the Queen’s Road Central Handicap at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. Be Ready looks ready to continue his winning ways in the Queen’s Road Central Handicap at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. The son of Love Conquers All has raced just twice this campaign, resuming with a fifth-place finish in February before thrashing a useful Class 3 field on March 24.
Wagering
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays of the day for April 18
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Sunday, April 18 at Aqueduct and Santa Anita, including a ticket for Santa Anita’s $197,942 Rainbow Pick 6 carryover.
Wagering
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays for April 17
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Saturday, April 17 at Keeneland, Oaklawn, and Santa Anita, along with thoughts on mandatory Pick 6 dispersals at Gulfstream and Mahoning.
Wagering
Exotics plays for the Oaklawn Handicap
The especially well-matched field features some budding stars in the handicap division and promises to be a thrilling event.
Wagering
How to bet the Doubledogdare Stakes
An excellent field of six fillies and mares will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Keeneland main surface in Friday’s $100,000 Doubledogdare S.
Wagering
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays of the day for April 11
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Sunday, April 11 at Keeneland, Oaklawn Park, Fonner Park, and Gulfstream Park.
Wagering
Handicapping the Cross Country Pick 5 for April 10
Saturday's Cross Country Pick 5 largely consists of stakes at Aqueduct, Keeneland, and Oaklawn Park, but kicks off with a first-level allowance for older horses at the Big A.
Wagering
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays of the day for April 10
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Saturday, April 10 at Keeneland and Oaklawn Park.
Wagering
How to bet the Oaklawn Mile Stakes
A well-matched cast of nine will go postward in Saturday’s $400,000 Oaklawn Mile. Every contestant in the field has questions to answer, which makes it a very intriguing betting event.
Wagering
Plotting an early Pick 4 at Keeneland for Saturday
Keeneland will play host to a fine day of racing on Saturday, with black-type races on the slate led by the Jenny Wiley S.
Wagering
How to bet the Count Fleet Sprint Handicap
Champion #2 Whitmore (9-5) will aim for his fourth victory in the $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint H.
Wagering
Riding with the Comet in Maker's Mark Mile Stakes
An especially well-matched field of nine talented turf performers will line up in Friday’s $300,000 Maker’s Mark Mile S. (G1) at Keeneland.
Wagering
2021 Lexington Stakes Tipsheet
A cast of 10 sophomores will travel 1 1/16 miles in Saturday’s $200,000 Lexington S. (G2) at Keeneland.
Wagering
2021 Arkansas Derby Tipsheet
A compact field of six sophomores will travel 1 1/8 miles in the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1). Find top contenders to play and some exotic bets with this final major Road to the Kentucky Derby prep-race.
Wagering
Hong Kong: A Happy Valley pick for April 8
Alastair Bull takes a look at race 8 on Happy Valley's midweek race card.
Wagering
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays of the day for April 7
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Wednesday, April 7 at Keeneland, Mahoning Valley, and Tampa Bay Downs.
Wagering
Vulnerable favorites to oppose in Gulfstream's $190,967 Rainbow 6 carryover
On a competitive Sunday of racing at Gulfstream Park, a pair of favorites in the Rainbow Pick 6 sequence appear vulnerable at short prices.
Wagering
Two horses to single in Santa Anita's $551,699 mandatory Rainbow 6 payout
Just 20 cents. That’s right—a couple of dimes can put you in the position to win a share of $5 million this Saturday.
Wagering
Aqueduct: Exotic plays for undercard stakes April 3
A total of five graded stakes events will top a huge card at Aqueduct on Saturday. While the Wood Memorial S. (G2) will take much of the attention, the supporting stakes events have a lot of interest to me, nearly as much as the feature does.
Wagering
Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays for April 2
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Friday, April 2, including three stakes at Keeneland and a $505,627 Rainbow Pick 6 carryover at Santa Anita.
Wagering
Tipsheet: Santa Anita Derby 2021
A cast of 10 sophomores will travel 1 1/8 miles on the Santa Anita main surface on Saturday in the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1). The vital 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top-four finishers with qualifying points on a 100-40-20-10 structure.
Wagering
Tipsheet: The Wood Memorial Stakes 2021
An excellent field of nine sophomores will contest the $750,000 Wood Memorial S. (G2) at Aqueduct on Saturday. The 1 1/8-mile event will reward the top four finishers with qualifying points on a 100-40-20-10 structure on the 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Wagering
Keeneland Opening Day Spot Plays for April 2
The much-anticipated Keeneland Spring Meet will commence on Friday, April 2. Opening day features an excellent 10-race card, highlighted by a trio of stakes races including two of the graded variety. Wagering at Keeneland is always a worthwhile endeavor, especially during the initial weekend, with so many horsemen pointing their runners for a start at the picturesque Lexington, Kentucky, venue.
Wagering
Tipsheet: The Blue Grass Stakes 2021
A cast of nine sophomores will travel 1 1/8 miles in Saturday’s $800,000 Blue Grass S. (G2) at Keeneland. The feature of the opening weekend is a 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series event, with 170 points (100-40-20-10) on the line for the top-four finishers.
Wagering
Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays of the day for March 29
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Monday, March 29, at Mahoning Valley and Turf Paradise, including trios of win bets and exacta plays.
Wagering
How to bet Mahoning's $343,877 mandatory-payout Pick 6 carryover
The racing week at Mahoning Valley kicks off with a bang on Monday. A $343,877 Pick 6 carryover is scheduled for a mandatory dispersal, and the sequence appears winnable on a modest budget.
Wagering
Essential Quality favored in wide-open Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 5
Just under five weeks out from the Kentucky Derby (G1), the fifth and final Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool closed on Sunday with bettors seemingly uncertain which horse to establish as the favorite.
Wagering
Three horses of note in Santa Anita's $431,411 Rainbow 6 carryover
The Sunday card at Santa Anita boasts a Rainbow Pick 6 carryover of $431,411. Here are a handful of non-favored runners worth considering if you want to add some value plays to your ticket.
Wagering
Betting Gulfstream's all-stakes Pick 4 on a tight budget
Suppose you want to bet Saturday’s all-stakes Pick 4 at Gulfstream Park. Now suppose you want to play the sequence on a tight budget, but still take aim at a big payoff. Is this possible? Absolutely!
Wagering
How to bet the March 14 stakes at Aqueduct and Santa Anita
Sunday is shaping up to be a quiet day on the U.S. racing front. Only two stakes races are on the agenda, but the good news is, they've drawn competitive fields. Let's play both on a $50 budget.
Wagering
The best win bet and a longshot bet in the Beholder Mile
If you’re keen to bet against heavy favorite Swiss Skydiver and seek bigger payoffs in the Beholder Mile (G1), these two alternative plays are worth considering.
Wagering
Oaklawn Park: How to bet the undercard stakes on Rebel Day
Hoping to build your bankroll for Saturday’s $1 million Rebel S. (G2) at Oaklawn Park? Then you’ve come to the right place!
Wagering
Which Bob Baffert trainee should you bet in the Santa Ysabel?
From a strictly mathematical perspective, there is a 60% chance Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert will win Sunday’s $100,000 Santa Ysabel S. (G3) at Santa Anita. But the true chance is probably higher.
Wagering
How to bet the Santa Anita H. and Frank E. Kilroe Mile
The San Felipe (G2) isn’t the only major race taking place on Saturday at Santa Anita. In fact, when it comes to race grades, it can’t even be considered the most important event of the afternoon.
Wagering
Oaklawn Park: The best win bets to play in the Razorback and Dixie Belle
It’s easy to get caught up in betting exotic wagers on a day-to-day basis, chasing the promise of big payoffs from small investments. But sometimes straightforward win bets can be just as appealing.
Wagering
Santa Anita: How to bet the Buena Vista Stakes
Although 10 fillies and mares have been entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Buena Vista S. (G2) at Santa Anita, two runners appear to rank a cut above the others in this one-mile turf test.
Wagering
Fonner Park: Best exotic bet to play in the Grasmick Stakes
Fonner Park, which rose to prominence in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, is back in action. The stakes action at the 2021 meet kicks off with the $15,000 Grasmick S. on Saturday.
Wagering
Top picks for the Saudi Cup Day races at Riyadh
Seven stakes worth a combined $28.5 million, including the second running of the world’s richest horse race… it’s clear Saturday’s card at Riyadh in Saudi Arabia is going to be a memorable one.
International
Australian racing preview for Royal Randwick
One of the new superstars of Australian racing, Verry Elleegant, makes her return to the track tonight in the Apollo Stakes (G2) over seven furlongs at Royal Randwick.
Wagering
Golden Gate Fields: How to bet the El Camino Real Derby
Saturday’s $100,000 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields presents an intriguing, but potentially straightforward handicapping challenge.
Wagering
Betting trifectas in the Gulfstream Park Sprint and Turf Sprint
Sprinters will take center stage at Gulfstream Park on Saturday for a pair of graded stakes on dirt and turf.
Wagering
Fair Grounds: How to bet the Risen Star and Rachel Alexandra
Racing fans will have an opportunity to see Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby contenders compete in back-to-back races on Saturday at Fair Grounds.
Wagering
Santa Anita: How to (boldly) bet the Late Pick 5 on Feb. 7
The minimum bet amount for Sunday’s Late Pick 5 at Santa Anita is 50 cents, but you don’t always have to play the absolute minimum!
Wagering
Gulfstream Park stakes spot plays for Feb. 6
Tampa Bay Downs isn’t the only Florida racetrack hosting competitive stakes races on Saturday. Gulfstream Park will join the fray with a pair of appealing grass events.
Wagering
Santa Anita: Three horses to use in the Feb. 6 Rainbow Pick 6
A massive Pick 6 carryover is slated for dispersal on Saturday at Santa Anita, with millions of fresh dollars likely to join the pool as bettors flock to win a share of the action.
Wagering
Tampa Bay Downs: Betting an all-stakes Pick 3 on Feb. 6
Hoping to build your bankroll in advance of Saturday’s Sam F. Davis S. (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs? Then you need to check out the three undercard stakes races.
Wagering
Which horse should you bet in the Sam F. Davis Stakes?
The Sam F. Davis S. (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs dates back to 1981 and will celebrate its 40th anniversary on Saturday. A strong field has been entered, but one horse stands out as the runner to beat.
Wagering
Betting trifectas in the Withers Stakes
Should you favor local runners in Saturday's renewal of the $250,000 Withers S. (G3) at Aqueduct? Not necessarily.
Wagering
Sam Houston: Betting the all-stakes Pick 4 on Jan. 31
The final day of January brings an action-packed evening of stakes races at Sam Houston Race Park. We're playing the all-stakes Pick 4 on a $36 budget.
Wagering
Santa Anita: A Pick 3 play for Jan. 30
The Robert B. Lewis (G3) is the main highlight on Saturday at Santa Anita, but the San Pasqual (G2) is also an appealing betting race.
Wagering
Gulfstream Park: Stakes spot plays for Jan. 30
While the Holy Bull (G3) is drawing all the headlines, there are actually four other stakes races taking place on Saturday at Gulfstream Park, and we're playing them all on a $75 budget.
Wagering
Gulfstream Park: Betting superfectas in the Holy Bull
Looking for a great race to bet Saturday? You should check out the $200,000 Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park.
Wagering
Santa Anita: Betting superfectas in the Robert B. Lewis
An elite field of Kentucky Derby contenders will face off in Saturday’s $100,000 Robert B. Lewis (G3) at Santa Anita.
Wagering
Oaklawn Park stakes spot plays for Jan. 30
Fillies and mares will take center stage in a pair of stakes races at Oaklawn Park on Saturday, including a Road to the Kentucky Oaks qualifier.
Wagering
Harness racing: Dover Downs Pick 3 promises a strong price
The Jan. 25 Pick 3 for races 3-5 offers some contenders the public may not support, which means payouts could be particularly lucrative.
Wagering
Tipsheet: Saudi Cup
The inaugural running of the $20 million Saudi Cup will be run Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The 1 1/8-mile race is for older horses with a long run down the backstretch to a wide, left-hand turn.
Expert Picks
Step-by-step: Building an exacta ticket
As one of the oldest exotic wagers in horse racing, the exacta is practically as recognizable as the traditional win/place/show wagers the sport has long been known for.
The exacta requires bettors to select the top two finishers of a race ...
Education
Step-by-Step: Building a Pick 3 ticket
Constructing a Pick 3 ticket should be an easy task. The wager is straightforward and simple—pick the winners of three straight races and reap a nice reward.
But to play the Pick 3 effectively involves a little more forethought and strategy. W ...
Education
Exclusive: Money Management for Winners by Frank Scantoni
Effective money management is crucial to long-term success. If you want to conquer the gambling world, you need to have the proper money-management skills to protect your bankroll but also help it grow year in and year out.
Analysis
Lessons learned in Handicapping Contests
If the definition of insanity is “Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results,” what is the definition of preaching one thing and then doing something else?
Breeders Cup