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Keeneland expert picks: Pick 5 ticket for Sunday, April 14, 2024
Let’s close out the second week of Keeneland's Spring Meet with a Late Pick 5 ticket for Sunday’s nine-race card.
Wagering
Mahoning: Betting the $105,393 Pick 6 mandatory payout
Saturday is closing day of the Mahoning Valley race meet, which means the $105,393 jackpot carryover in the 20-cent Pick 6 is slated for a mandatory payout.
Wagering
How to bet the 2024 Park Avenue at Aqueduct
A total of eight sophomore fillies bred in the Empire State will go 6 1/2 furlongs on the Aqueduct dirt in Sunday’s $200,000 New York Stallion S. (Park Avenue Division). The trio of horses drawn outside in the affair appear to be best, and I will center my plays around them.
Expert Picks
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin April 13
Racing at Sha Tin begins at 11:59 p.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Declan Schuster of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
International
Keeneland expert picks: Saturday, April 13, 2024
We’ve got the final Road to the Kentucky Derby prep, the Grade 3 Lexington, in Race 10 today, as well as the Grade 3 Giant’s Causeway and Grade 1 Jenny Wiley.
Wagering
Keeneland Fast Facts for April 13, 2024
TwinSpires Fast Facts is a new tool we are working on to enhance and streamline your handicapping!
Wagering
The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets and Fades for April 13 [Video]
Racing analysts Ashley Anderson, James Scully, and Darin Zoccali talk their bets and fades for Keeneland and Oaklawn. Ashley and James offer their thoughts in the written portion below. Be sure to check out Darin's opinions in our on-camera portion as well!
Wagering
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Aqueduct’s $23,062 Pick 6 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, April 12 at Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream Park, and Aqueduct, including horses to play in Aqueduct’s $23,062 Pick 6 carryover.
Best Bets
Exotics Plays for the 2024 Jenny Wiley Stakes
A superb field of 10 fillies and mares will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Keeneland lawn in Saturday’s $600,000 Jenny Wiley S. (G1).
Wagering
Betting With, and Against, Elm Drive in the Giant’s Causeway Stakes
Las Cienegas S. (G3) second #11 Elm Drive (7-2) has been installed as the morning-line choice for Saturday’s $300,000 Giant’s Causeway S. (G3) at Keeneland.
Wagering
How to bet the 2024 Apple Blossom Handicap
An accomplished cast of nine fillies and mares will go postward in Saturday’s lucrative $1.25 million Apple Blossom H. (G1) at Oaklawn Park.
Wagering
How to bet the 2024 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap
Conditioner Steve Asmussen has the three of the leading contenders for Saturday’s $500,000 Count Fleet H. (G3) at Oaklawn Park.
Wagering
Keeneland expert picks: Friday, April 12, 2024
The Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Mile and 5 1/2-furlong Limestone S. headline Friday’s 10-race card.
Wagering
Meet the Contenders: 2024 Lexington Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Lexington S. at Keeneland. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Kentucky Derby
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Cold Gulfstream double
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, April 4 at Gulfstream Park and Turf Paradise, including a cold $20 double wager.
Best Bets
Keeneland expert picks: Thursday, April 11, 2024
It’s another rainy day at Keeneland with potential for severe thunderstorms the first half of the day. Like Wednesday, we’ll stick to a Pick 5 ticket for the first five races, all scheduled for the dirt.
Wagering
How to bet the 2024 Maker’s Mark Mile
A fantastic field of eight will vie in Friday’s $600,000 Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) on the Keeneland turf. Defending Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) star #4 Master of the Seas (4-5) will make his six-year-old debut in this one for Charlie Appleby, but I will aim to upset the morning-line choice in a field lacking pace.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2024 Lexington Stakes
A total of 10 sophomores will run 1 1/16 miles on the Keeneland dirt in Saturday’s $400,000 Lexington S. (G3).
Wagering
Keeneland expert picks: Pick 5 ticket for Wednesday, April 10, 2024
We kick off a new week of racing at Keeneland with an Early Pick 5 ticket. With a high-percentage chance of rain, we’ve got the toughest challenge of the spring meet so far.
Wagering
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Keeneland’s $7,472 Super High 5
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, April 10 at Tampa Bay Downs and Will Rogers Downs, along with horses to play in the $7,472 Super High 5 carryover at Keeneland.
Best Bets
Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley April 10
Racing at Happy Valley begins at 6:40 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Declan Schuster of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
International
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Top of My Game is hot
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, April 9 at Will Rogers Downs and Turf Paradise, including a 9-2 shot in hot form.
Best Bets
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: $376,658 Pick 5 mandatory payout
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, April 8 at Horseshoe Indianapolis, along with a ticket for the mandatory-payout $376,658 Pick 5 carryover at Parx Racing
Best Bets
Fierceness hardens into Kentucky Derby favoritism at 5-2 in Pool 6
Champion Fierceness ranked as the 5-2 favorite in the final Pool 6 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which closed before Saturday's major preps.
Kentucky Derby
Aqueduct: A single for the $72,394 Pick 6 carryover
No one hit the $1 Pick 6 on Saturday at Aqueduct, triggering an enticing non-jackpot carryover worth $72,394 for Sunday’s card.
Wagering
Keeneland expert picks: Pick 5 ticket for Sunday, April 7, 2024
We're closing out opening weekend with a Late Pick 5 ticket to play Sunday at Keeneland, beginning in Race 5.
Wagering
Keeneland carryovers: $66,548 Pick 6, $11,321 Super High 5
No one hit the $1 Pick 6 on opening day at Keeneland, triggering an enticing non-jackpot carryover worth $66,548 for Saturday’s stakes-packed card.
Wagering
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin April 6
Racing at Sha Tin begins at 11:59 p.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Declan Schuster of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
International
How to bet the Angels Flight Stakes
An excellent cast of nine three-year-old fillies will travel 6 1/2 panels down the Hillside Turf Course at Santa Anita on Sunday in the $100,000 Angels Flight S.
Wagering
How to bet with, and against, Life Talk in the Gazelle
Ten sophomore fillies with Kentucky Oaks (G1) aspirations will vie in Saturday’s $200,000 Gazelle S. (G2) at Aqueduct.
Wagering
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: 10-1 longshot at Keeneland
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, April 5 at Keeneland and Oaklawn Park, along with horses to play in the $3,283 Super High 5 carryover at Tampa Bay Downs.
Best Bets
Keeneland expert picks: Saturday, April 6, 2024
The Blue Grass S. (G1) is the main feature on Saturday’s 11-race card. Mage’s full-brother Dornoch goes head to head with Sierra Leone, who was beaten just a nose by Dornoch in the Remsen S. (G2) last winter.
Wagering
The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets and Fades for April 6 [Video]
Racing analysts Ashley Anderson, James Scully, and Nick Tammaro talk their bets and fades for Keeneland opening weekend and more. Ashley and James give their thoughts in the written portion below. Be sure to check out Nick's opinions in our on-camera portion as well!
Wagering
Tipsheet 2024 Santa Anita Derby
A total of eight three-year-olds will run 1 1/8 miles in Saturday’s $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1).
Kentucky Derby
Exotics Plays for the 2024 Transylvania Stakes
The $400,000 Transylvania S. (G3) at Keeneland on Friday might be the most competitive domestic race that I have handicapped in some time.
Wagering
How to bet the 2024 Ashland Stakes
An octet of three-year-old fillies with Kentucky Oaks aspirations will vie in the opening day feature at Keeneland, the $600,000 Ashland S. (G1).
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2024 Wood Memorial Stakes
A huge field of 13 three-year-olds will go postward at Aqueduct in the $750,000 Wood Memorial S. (G2) on Saturday.
Kentucky Derby
Meet the Contenders: 2024 Santa Anita Derby
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Kentucky Derby
Keeneland expert picks: Friday, April 5, 2024
It’s opening day for the 2024 Keeneland Spring Meet, headlined by the Grade 1 Ashland, a Kentucky Oaks (G1) prep worth 100 points to the winner.
Wagering
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Two Sunland carryovers
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, April 4 at Gulfstream Park, Oaklawn Park, and Santa Anita, along with horses to play in a pair of Sunland Park carryovers.
Best Bets
Meet the Contenders: 2024 Wood Memorial Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2024 Blue Grass Stakes
A talented field of 11 three-year-olds will travel nine furlongs on the Keeneland main oval in Saturday’s $1 million Blue Grass S. (G1).
Kentucky Derby
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Tampa’s $11,195 Super High 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, April 3 at Mahoning Valley and Turf Paradise, along with tickets for the $11,195 Super High 5 carryover at Tampa Bay Downs.
Best Bets
Fierceness installed at 7-2 for final 2024 Kentucky Derby Future Wager
The final pool of the 2024 Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) will be held this week beginning Thursday. The pool will close Saturday at 4 p.m. ET, before the Wood Memorial (G2), Blue Grass (G1), and Santa Anita Derby (G1) are run.
Kentucky Derby
Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley April 3
Racing at Happy Valley begins at 7:15 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Declan Schuster of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
International
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Light the Code is ready for debut
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, April 2 at Will Rogers Downs and Turf Paradise, including a cold double bet.
Best Bets
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Mystik Dan
Does Mystik Dan have the pedigree to stretch out over 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby (G1)? That’s an important question Derby handicappers must ponder.
Pedigree
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Curlin’s Lil Gal is live on debut
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, April 1 at Mahoning Valley, Will Rogers Downs, and Turf Paradise, including a 6-1 first-time starter with hot connections.
Best Bets
Gulfstream: Analyzing the $866,897 mandatory-payout Pick 6
If the thought of chasing a ~$7.5 million Pick 6 pool sounds enticing, you’ll want to play the Sunday card at Gulfstream Park.
Wagering
Turfway: Betting the mandatory payout $233,156 Pick 6 carryover
Saturday is closing day at Turfway Park, which means the massive $233,156 jackpot carryover in the 20-cent Pick 6 is slated for mandatory payout.
Wagering
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin March 31
Racing at Sha Tin begins at 11:59 p.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Declan Schuster of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
International
Scully: Handicapping Oaklawn Late Pick 4 on Arkansas Derby Day
A pair of major qualifiers for the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Oaks (G1), the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) and $750,000 Fantasy (G3), are included in a challenging Late Pick 4 at Oaklawn Park Saturday, and I have assembled the following ticket.
Wagering
Dubai World Cup Day: 2024 turf undercard for Race 3, 4, 7, and 8
The Dubai World Cup may be the headline race, but few racedays in the world have a higher-quality collection of turf races than this day.
International
Dubai World Cup Day: 2024 dirt undercard for Race 2, 5, and 6
As always, the Dubai World Cup undercard brings as strong a day of racing as just about anywhere in the world
International
Dubai World Cup Preview: Packed with more international interest – March 30 2024
The 2024 Dubai World Cup carries a little more international interest than usual, with the typical Japanese, American, and Dubai horses opposed by an exciting runner with strong links to, of all places, Kazakhstan.
International
How to bet With, and Against, Nice as Pie in the Serena’s Song
Eight sophomore fillies will aim to upset Valdale S. romper #8 Nice as Pie (4-5) in Saturday’s $125,000 Serena’s Song S. at Turfway Park.
Wagering
How to bet the 2024 Excelsior Stakes
A total of eight horses will go 1 1/8 miles on the Aqueduct dirt in the Saturday feature, the $150,000 Excelsior S.
Wagering
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Turfway’s $111,807 Pick 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, March 29 at Sunland Park and Turfway Park
Best Bets
The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets and Fades for March 30 [Video]
Racing analysts Ashley Anderson, James Scully, and Nick Tammaro tackle their best bets and fades for Gulfstream Park and Oaklawn Park for the Florida Derby (G1) and Arkansas Derby (G1) cards. Ashley and James offer their thoughts in the written portion below. Be sure to check out Nick's opinions in our on-camera portion as well!
Wagering
How to bet the Temperence Hill Stakes
A massive field of 13 will travel a grueling 1 1/2 miles at Oaklawn Park on Friday in the $200,000 Temperance Hill S.
Wagering
Exotics Plays for the 2024 Gulfstream Park Oaks
A really good field of nine sophomore fillies will vie in Saturday’s $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2).
Wagering
How to bet the 2024 Fantasy Stakes
An excellent field of 12 three-year-old fillies will vie in the lucrative $750,000 Fantasy S. (G3) at Oaklawn Park on Saturday.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2024 UAE Derby
A very good cast of 13 sophomores from across the globe will travel about 1 3/16 miles at Meydan in the UAE Derby (G2) on Saturday.
International
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Turfway’s $24,626 Super High 5
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, March 28 at Gulfstream Park and Turfway Park, including horses to play in Turfway’s $24,626 Super High 5 carryover.
Best Bets
Tipsheet: 2024 Arkansas Derby
A talented field of 10 three-year-olds will travel nine furlongs on the Oaklawn Park strip in Saturday’s $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) on Saturday.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2024 Florida Derby
A total of 11 three-year-olds will go postward at Gulfstream Park in the lucrative $1 million Florida Derby (G2) on Saturday.
Wagering
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: $10,811 Super High 5
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, March 27 at Tampa Bay Downs, Turfway Park, and Charles Town, including tickets for Turfway’s $10,811 Super High 5 carryover.
Best Bets
Meet the Contenders: 2024 Florida Derby
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Kentucky Derby
Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley March 27
Racing at Happy Valley begins at 6:40 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Declan Schuster of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
International
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Brandyn can win comeback
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, March 26 at Mahoning Valley, Will Rogers Downs, and Turf Paradise, including a trio of $25 win bets.
Best Bets
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: 6-1 for a hot trainer
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, March 25 at Mahoning Valley, Will Rogers Downs, and Turf Paradise, including a 6-1 shot conditioned by a hot trainer.
Best Bets
Analyzing Super High 5 carryovers at Tampa, Gulfstream
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson turns his attention to Florida for a pair of Sunday Super High 5 carryovers at Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream Park.
Wagering
Fair Grounds: Betting the Louisiana Derby day $1,588 Pick 6 carryover
Saturday’s $1 Pick 6 sequence at Fair Grounds is enticing for two reasons. All six races are stakes, and there’s a non-jackpot $1,588 carryover on the table.
Wagering
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin March 23
Racing at Sha Tin begins at 11:59 p.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Declan Schuster of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
International
Hanson: 2024 Louisiana Derby Day Spot Plays
The penultimate day of the 2023-24 winter meet at Fair Grounds on Saturday is also the biggest, highlighted by the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2). Before that comes 11 races, including four open stakes. Here are several horses of interest on the program.
Kentucky Derby
Scully: Handicapping Fair Grounds All Stakes Pick 5
Saturday’s 111th running of the $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) anchors a $500,000 guaranteed All Stakes Late Pick 5 sequence at Fair Grounds, and I've put together a ticket.
Kentucky Derby
Tampa Bay Pick 3 Play for Sunday March 24
A big Sunday of racing will take place at Tampa Bay Downs with six black-type contests on the slate.
Wagering
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: $42,662 Super High 5 tickets
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, March 22 at Oaklawn Park and Turfway Park, including tickets for Turfway’s $42,662 Super High 5 carryover.
Best Bets
The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets and Fades for March 23 [Video]
Racing analysts Ashley Anderson, James Scully, and Darin Zoccali talk their best bets and fades for Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, including the Louisiana Derby (G2) and Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3). Ashley and James give their thoughts in the written portion below. Be sure to check out Darin's opinions in our on-camera portion as well!
Wagering
Hot Springs-Essex Stakes Double Plays
A pair of stakes races will highlight a 10-race card at Oaklawn Park on Saturday and I will take aim at the double.
Wagering
How to bet the 2024 Muniz Memorial S. (G2)
A large and well-matched field of 13 will run 1 1/8 miles on the Fair Grounds lawn in Saturday’s $300,000 Muniz Memorial S. (G2).
Wagering
Playing the Bayou Bluegrass 5
An incredibly challenging sequence of five races to be held at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park will be offered on Saturday as the Bayou Bluegrass 5, which is based on a $1 minimum wager with a 15% takeout rate.
Kentucky Derby
Golden Slipper Preview: Betting with and against Storm Boy
The burgeoning stallion reputation of Triple Crown winner Justify could head further into the stratosphere when his Australian son #1 Storm Boy contests the world’s richest two-year-old race this weekend.
International
Exotics Plays for the Kentucky Cup Classic
A dozen will go postward in a nice rendition of the $300,000 Kentucky Cup Classic (G3) at Turfway Park on Saturday.
Wagering
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: $23,618 Super High 5 at Turfway
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, March 21 at Turfway Park and Charles Town, including horses to play in Turfway’s $23,618 Super High 5 carryover.
Best Bets
Betting With, and Against, Touchuponastar in the New Orleans Classic
Set-Hut, LLC’s #3 Touchuponastar (3-1) is the morning-line choice for Saturday’s $500,000 New Orleans Classic S. (G2) at Fair Grounds. And the genuine Cajun-bred will be formidable if he runs his best race.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2024 Jeff Ruby Steaks
An overflow field of 14 sophomores will run nine furlongs on the Tapeta surface at Turfway Park in the $700,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) on Saturday.
Kentucky Derby
Tipsheet: 2024 Louisiana Derby
A talented field of 12 three-year-olds will go postward at Fair Grounds in the lucrative $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2) on Saturday.
Wagering
Meet the Contenders: 2024 Jeff Ruby Steaks
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Jeff Ruby S. at Turfway Park. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your Stable Alerts.
Kentucky Derby
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: $16,033 Super High 5
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, March 20 at Turfway Park and Charles Town, along with horses to play in non-jackpot carryovers at Turfway and Fair Grounds.
Best Bets
Meet the Contenders: 2024 Louisiana Derby
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Kentucky Derby
Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley March 20
Racing at Happy Valley begins at 6:40 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Declan Schuster of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
International
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: 8-1 shot in Welder S.
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, March 19 at Will Rogers Downs and Turf Paradise, including an 8-1 shot in the Welder S.
Best Bets
Sierra Leone ranks as overall 7-1 favorite in KDFW Pool 5; Impel favored in Oaks Future
Although no points races were contested over the weekend, there was wagering action aplenty in Pool 5 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW), and the lone Kentucky Oaks Future Wager (KOFW).
Kentucky Derby
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: 7-2 shot in the Blue Ribbon
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, March 18 at Mahoning Valley, Will Rogers Downs, and Turf Paradise, including a 7-2 shot in the Blue Ribbon S.
Best Bets
March 16 carryover picks at Aqueduct, Fair Grounds, Turfway
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares horses to play in a trio of non-jackpot carryovers on Saturday at Aqueduct, Fair Grounds, and Turfway Park.
Best Bets
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin March 16
Racing at Sha Tin begins at 1:00 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Declan Schuster of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
International