LATEST RACING ARTICLES
Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays of Sept. 27, 2023Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023Identifying versatile sires can lead to lucrative payoffsChurchill Downs: Early Pick 5 for Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays of Sept. 26Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023Catching My Eye: Bauer and Walsh's strong weekends at Churchill DownsBreeders’ Cup Roundup: Sept. 25, 2023
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Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays of Sept. 27, 2023
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Wednesday, Sept. 27 at Presque Isle Downs, Delaware Park, and Churchill Downs, along with tickets for the $2,706 Super High 5 carryover at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
Wagering
International spotlight: 10 storylines for 2023 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
Sunday’s €5 million Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) is living up to its historic legacy as a fascinating intergenerational clash, pitting current classic winners versus older stars.
International
Racing Roundtable: Penn Derby Day and Churchill Downs After Dark
The Roundtable gang of James Scully, Kellie Reilly, and Vance Hanson are back to comment on the weekend action highlighted by Pennsylvania Derby Day at Parx and Downs After Dark at Churchill Downs.
Analysis
Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023
Dick Powell offers his selections and analysis for Wednesday's card at Presque Isle Downs.
Wagering
Identifying versatile sires can lead to lucrative payoffs
When a male racehorse enjoys success racing over a particular surface (dirt, turf, or synthetic), it’s easy to assume his progeny will follow suit. But sometimes they prove more versatile than expected.
Analysis
Churchill Downs: Early Pick 5 for Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023
On Wednesday, Churchill Downs fires up the final week of the September meet. Here is an early Pick 5 play that kicks off with a single in the opening leg.
Wagering
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Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays of Sept. 26
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Tuesday, Sept. 26 at Horseshoe Indianapolis and Presque Isle Downs, including a 10-1 longshot.
Wagering
Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023
Dick Powell guides you through the Tuesday card at Presque Isle Downs.
Wagering
Catching My Eye: Bauer and Walsh's strong weekends at Churchill Downs
Trainer Philip Bauer had a huge weekend, scoring with three of his four entries on Saturday and Sunday.
Wagering
Breeders’ Cup Roundup: Sept. 25, 2023
Pennsylvania Derby (G1) winner Saudi Crown is expected to target the Breeders’ Cup, with both the Classic (G1) and the shorter Dirt Mile (G1) being viable options.
Breeders Cup
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Maiden Watch: Asmussen trainees score at Churchill
A pair of second-time starters from the Steve Asmussen barn graduated in seven-furlong maiden special weights at Churchill Downs last Friday, emerging as possible Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and/or Road to the Kentucky Derby contenders.
Breeders Cup
Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Monday, Sept. 25, 2023
Dick Powell gives his insights on Monday's card at Presque Isle Downs.
Wagering
Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays Sept. 25
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Monday, Sept. 25 at Horseshoe Indianapolis and Presque Isle Downs, along with tickets for the $1,722 Super High 5 carryover at Golden Gate Fields.
Wagering
Harness Weekly Update: 15% win rate for H2W list
The TwinSpires Harness Blog Weekly Update covers our successes and failures from selected features and the H2W (horses-to-watch list).
Harness
Carryovers: Churchill’s $10,457 Super High 5, Aqueduct’s $62,294 Pick 6
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson analyzes a pair of Sunday carryovers at Churchill Downs and Aqueduct.
Wagering
Scott Shapiro's picks for Sept. 23 at Churchill Downs
Find out what Scott Shapiro's picks are for September 23, 2023 at Churchill Downs. Follow him and other experts to find horse racing expert picks before the races.
Wagering
TwinSpires horse racing podcast playlist
Come join our TwinSpires experts as they make special appearances on horse racing podcasts, including Horse Racing Radio, and Jason Beem's podcast. Be sure to tune in before races begin!
Racing Podcast
Parx: How to bet the mandatory-payout $264,765 Pick 5 carryover
Saturday is shaping up as an awesome day of racing at Parx. The betting action is made lucrative by the mandatory payout of a $264,765 carryover in the 50-cent “Philly Big 5” Pick 5 wager.
Wagering
The Jury: Bets and fades for Sept. 23
The Jury reconvenes this week to deliberate upon the racing action at Churchill Downs and Parx.
Wagering
Betting Strategy: Identifying lucrative multi-race sequences
On Sunday, Sept. 17 at Churchill Downs, the Late Pick 5 paid $136,938.65. With a pool of $322,227, only two tickets correctly identified the winners of Races 6 through 10. Not one horse bet to favoritism in the win pools crossed the finish line first.
Wagering
Scully: Singles bookend Pick 4 play on Downs After Dark program
James Scully recommends a Pick 4 play on Saturday's Downs After Dark program.
Wagering
Joe Kristufek's picks for Sept. 22 at Churchill Downs
Find out what Joe Kristufek's picks are for September 22, 2023 at Churchill. Follow him and other experts to find horse racing expert picks before the races.
Wagering
Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays of Sept. 22
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Friday, Sept. 22 at Churchill Downs and Charles Town, along with a horse to single in the $4,300 Pick 5 carryover at Penn National.
Wagering
Remington Park Derby and Oaks Selections
A total of eight stakes races, led by a pair of Grade 3 tilts for sophomores to conclude the card, will highlight a huge evening of racing at Remington Park on Sunday.
Wagering
How to bet the 2023 Presque Isle Debutante Stakes
A dozen juvenile fillies will go postward on Monday in the $80,000 Presque Isle Debutante S. The 6 1/2-furlong affair on the All-Weather strip features a well-matched field with numerous intriguing prospects in it, and my focus will be on a trio of youngsters in the heat.
Wagering
Kaitlin Free's picks for Sep 21 at Churchill Downs
Find out what Kaitlin Free's picks are for September 21, 2023 at Churchill Downs. Follow her and other experts to find horse racing expert picks before the races.
Wagering
How to bet the 2023 Noble Damsel Stakes
Update: Aqueduct has canceled live racing on Saturday due to the adverse weather forecast. The $150,000 Noble Damsel S. (G3) will be postponed to next Friday, Sept. 29.
Wagering
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Sept. 21, 2023
Jason opens by discussing some show feedback. This will be the final show before his vacation. He also looks ahead to a Churchill Downs Saturday night card, as well as racing from Parx.
Racing Podcast
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Sept. 21, 2023
Jason discusses his upcoming vacation, and how important it is to take breaks from things we love.
Racing Podcast
Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis Sept. 21
Dick Powell offers his selections and analysis for Thursday's card at Presque Isle Downs.
Wagering
Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays of Sept. 21
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Thursday, Sept. 21 at Horseshoe Indianapolis and Churchill Downs, along with a horse to single in the $86,515 Pick 6 carryover at Aqueduct.
Wagering
How to bet With, and Against, Yesternight in the Dogwood Stakes
A well-matched field of nine sophomore fillies will vie in the $300,000 Dogwood S. (G3) at Churchill Downs on Saturday.
Analysis
Exoitcs Plays for the 2023 Turf Monster Stakes
An overflow field of 15 has been entered for Saturday’s $250,000 Turf Monster S. (G3) at Parx. The competitive dash at five furlongs on the lawn attracted numerous viable win contenders in a deep and talented field.
Wagering
Stakes Spot Plays for Parx for September 23
A total of 10 stakes contests, headlined by a pair of Grade 1 tilts, will headline a massive day of action at Parx on Saturday. The signature day of the meeting attracted a bevy of top horses and races, and I have multiple horses of interest on the fine card.
Wagering
Stakes Spot Plays for Churchill Downs on September 23
A quartet of stakes tussles for sophomores highlights the fine Saturday card at Churchill Downs on. The Dogwood S. (G3) is the feature, but I will focus on the trio of black-type events on the undercard for this piece.
Wagering
Expert Pick of the Week: 2023 Dogwood Stakes
A talented field of nine sophomore fillies will travel seven-eighths of a mile on the Churchill Downs main oval in Saturday’s $300,000 Dogwood S. (G3).
Wagering
How to bet the 2023 Cotillion Stakes
An excellent field of nine three-year-old fillies will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Parx dirt in Saturday’s lucrative $1 million Cotillion S. (G1).
Wagering
Harness Preview: Picks and Horses to Watch Sept. 21-25
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
Churchill Downs Early Pick 5: Wednesday, September 20, 2023
One week into the Churchill Downs Fall meet and the Early Pick 5 payouts are averaging just over $10,000. This five-figure trend will likely continue on Wednesday as the sequence has several vulnerable morning line favorites, including one who will surely be singled on the majority of tickets.
Features
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Sept. 20, 2023
Jason opens the show talking about the closing of Turf Paradise. Then we welcome back Ed DeRosa for an in person interview from Toronto, where the guys discuss a wide range of topics.
Racing Podcast
Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays of Sept. 20
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Wednesday, Sept. 20 at Horseshoe Indianapolis and Churchill Downs, along with a horse to single in a pair of Pick 5 carryovers at Delaware Park.
Wagering
Scott Shapiro's picks for Sept. 20 at Churchill Downs
Find out what Scott Shapiro's picks are for September 20, 2023 at Churchill Downs. Follow him and other experts to find horse racing expert picks before the races.
Wagering
When betting lightly raced juveniles, analyze the horses they’ve run against
When handicapping lightly raced juveniles who have only run one or two times, it’s helpful to examine the quality of horses they’ve competed against to get a feel for which runners are coming out of high-quality races.
Analysis
First-crop sires: State-bred winners keep Maximus Mischief hot
One month has passed since we introduced Maximus Mischief as the early leader among first-crop sires of 2023. It’s safe to say he remains a dominant force among young stallions.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: West Saratoga
It’s only fitting that West Saratoga won the one-mile Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs, the first leg of the 2023-24 Road to the Kentucky Derby. The gray colt is bred top and bottom for success in the spring classics.
Triple Crown
Brereton C. Jones: Former Kentucky Governor's four noted Thoroughbred connections
Brereton C. Jones, who along with his wife Libby founded Airdrie Stud in 1972 and later served one term as governor of Kentucky from 1991-95, died on Sept. 18 at the age of 84.
Features
Catching My Eye: Opening Week at Churchill Downs
On Thursday the three-week Fall meet at Churchill Downs kicked off, and by Saturday, a track record for most wins at Churchill Downs was secured. Thirteen races were run for juveniles, and although opening weekend saw strong efforts from older stakes horses, all eyes were on the two-year-olds as it's never too early to start thinking about the first weekend in May.
Wagering
Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis by Dick Powell Wednesday 09/20/23
Dick Powell offers his selections and analysis for Wednesday's card at Presque Isle Downs.
Wagering
Racing Roundtable: 2024 Derby, Oaks trails kick off and Master of the Seas
A scaled-down version of the Racing Roundtable looks back at the first preps for the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1), a top turf miler, and other notes of interest from the weekend.
Features
Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays of Sept. 19
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Tuesday, Sept. 19 at Horseshoe Indianapolis and Assiniboia Downs, along with a ticket for the $5,188 Pick 5 carryover at Presque Isle Downs.
Wagering
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Sept. 19, 2023
Jason opens the show catching up on some news from around the world of racing. Then we welcome in horseplayer Tommy Massis to the show to talk about his life as a gambler, how he got into it, stories from the road, and so much more!
Racing Podcast
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Maiden Watch: Private Desire posts fast win
Seven weeks out from the 2023 Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita, possible Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) contenders continue to emerge from maiden special weights around the country.
Breeders Cup
Breeders’ Cup Roundup: Sept. 18, 2023
The Saturday card at Woodbine in Canada featured three Grade 1 stakes awarding “Win and You’re In” berths to the Breeders’ Cup.
Breeders Cup
First-crop sires: Omaha Beach runners hit targets from Del Mar to France
Since our opening salvo on Omaha Beach’s juveniles, the freshman sire has added four more winners, for a total of 11, and increased his tally of stakes performers. Let’s catch up with his recent stakes results before focusing on his latest progeny in the win column.
Pedigree
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Sept. 18, 2023
Jason discusses the career of jockey Gary Boulanger and his connection to the rider who announced his retirement this past weekend.
Features
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Sept. 18, 2023
Jason looks back at the weekend of racing, including his trip to Woodbine to watch the Woodbine Mile card as well as the undercard stakes. He also talks some Churchill Downs racing.
Racing Podcast
Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays Sept. 18
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Monday, Sept. 18 at Horseshoe Indianapolis, Presque Isle Downs, and Assiniboia Downs, along with a horse to single in the $1,567 Pick 6 carryover at Finger Lakes.
Wagering
Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023
Dick Powell offers his picks and analysis for the Tuesday racing card at Presque Isle Downs.
Wagering
Harness Weekly Update: 144-1 shot furnishes $37.40 show payout
The value of the place-and-show pools should never be overlooked when we present a contender.
Harness
Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Monday, Sept. 18, 2023
Dick Powell offers his picks and analysis for the Monday racing card at Presque Isle Downs.
Wagering
Kaitlin Free's picks for Sep 17 at Churchill Downs
Find out what Kaitlin Free's picks are for September 17, 2023 at Churchill Downs. Follow her and other experts to find horse racing expert picks before the races.
Wagering
Churchill Downs: How to bet the $5,188 Super High 5 carryover
No one hit the $1 Super High 5 in Saturday’s final race at Churchill Downs, which means there’s a $5,188 carryover up for grabs on Sunday.
Wagering
Aqueduct: A single for the $33,630 Pick 6 carryover
The Saturday card at Aqueduct (branded as “Belmont at the Big A”) just got more interesting. The $1 Pick 6 has tossed up an enticing $33,630 non-jackpot carryover.
Wagering
Scott Shapiro's picks for Sept. 16 at Churchill Downs
Find out what (Scott Shapiro's picks are for September 16, 2023 at Churchill Downs. Follow him and other experts to find horse racing expert picks before the races.
Wagering
Twinspires horse racing podcast playlist Sept. 16, 2023
Come join our TwinSpires experts as they make special appearances on horse racing podcasts, including At the Races, Horse Racing Radio, and Jason Beem's podcast with a special Friday addition. Be sure to tune in before races begin!
Racing Podcast
Betting Intelligence: Dea Matrona vs. Dazzling Star in Natalma Stakes
In an alternate universe, Dea Matrona might have been the Godolphin shipper in Saturday’s Natalma (G1) at Woodbine, rather than the one making her North American debut for Chad Brown.
International
Royal Randwick Everest Racing Carnival 2023
The immediate, stunning success of The Everest had already established the six-furlong, “slot-holder” event as the world’s richest race on turf, but this year’s renewal sees a whopping 33% purse increase to an eye-watering AU$20 million. Friday night’s card contains a key prep for The Everest, named The Shorts, which is the eighth of 10 races, broadcast live at TwinSpires and Sky Racing World. First post at Royal Randwick is 9:50 p.m. ET/6:50 p.m. PT.
International
The Science of Horse Racing: Bits
From a simple snaffle to a Norton, the right bit is just as important as the saddle and the blinkers you see on your favorite Thoroughbred.
Education
The Jury: Bets and fades for Sept. 16
The Jury reconvenes this week to deliberate the action at Churchill Downs, with a little international observation about Canada and England sprinkled in.
Wagering
Betting Strategy: Pursuing Opinions Worth Betting
Kevin Kilroy discusses a unique take on betting strategy and the questions you may want to ask yourself before placing that winning bet.
Education
How to bet the Jockey Club Oaks
A field of seven sophomore fillies will run 1 3/8 miles on the Aqueduct turf in Saturday’s $350,000 Jockey Club Oaks S. (G3).
Wagering
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Sept. 15, 2023
Jason is on track at Woodbine this weekend and talks about some of their big races coming up this weekend, including a short chat with Woodbine announcer Robert Geller.
Racing Podcast
Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays of Sept. 15
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Friday, Sept. 15 at Churchill Downs, along with a horse to single in the $4,055 Pick 5 carryover at Penn National.
Wagering
Joe Kristufek's picks for Sept. 15 at Churchill Downs
Find out what Joe Kristufek's picks are for Sep. 15 at Churchill Downs. Follow him and others to find horse racing expert picks before the races.
Wagering
How to bet With, and Against, Master of the Seas in the Woodbine Mile
A compact field of six will travel one mile on the Woodbine turf surface in Saturday’s $1 million Woodbine Mile S. (G1).
Wagering
How to bet the 2023 Locust Grove Stakes
A deep field of 11 fillies and mares will travel 1 1/16 miles over the main surface at Churchill Downs in Saturday’s $400,000 Locust Grove S. (G3). Three Grade 1 heroines will lead the way in the 1 1/16-mile affair, and I will focus a good portion of my plays with the trio.
Racing
How to bet the 2023 Summer Stakes
The $500,000 Summer S. (G1) at Woodbine is the first of four graded stakes races on the huge card on Saturday, with a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) at Santa Anita on November 3 going to the winner. A total of 11 prospects have entered for the one-mile tussle on the green for two-year-olds, and it appears to be an attractive betting opportunity to me.
Wagering
How to bet the Vigil Stakes
A field of eight will jaunt six panels on the All-Weather strip at Woodbine in Saturday’s $150,000 Vigil S. (G3).
Wagering
Exotics Wagers for the 2023 Natalma Stakes
A massive field of 15 two-year-old fillies will travel one-mile on the Woodbine turf in the ultra-competitive $500,000 Natalma S. (G1). In a race with numerous fine prospects in the mix, I feel compelled to spread with multiple runners for my exotics plays.
Wagering
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Sept. 14, 2023
Jason looks back at his first ever Canadian Triple Crown race to attend in person, the Prince of Wales Stakes.
Features
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Sept. 14, 2023
Jason opens the show talking about some wagering topics including being self-aware of our own abilities. Then he looks ahead to the big Churchill Downs Saturday card and talks some Woodbine as well.
Racing Podcast
Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays of Sept. 14
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Thursday, Sept. 14 at Horseshoe Indianapolis, Churchill Downs, and Charles Town, including a trio of exactas.
Wagering
Churchill Downs: Early Pick 5 Opening Night Thursday Sept. 14
Racing at Churchill Downs is back for the next three weeks, and it all kicks off with the Twilight Thursday card on Sept. 14. First post is 5 p.m. ET and I’ll be taking a swing at the Early Pick 5 to kick this meet off.
Wagering
Harness Preview: Picks and Horses to Watch Sept. 14-18
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
Tipsheet Picks: Pocahontas S. on the Road to Kentucky Oaks 150
Nine sophomore fillies will travel the one-turn mile in Saturday’s $300,000 Pocahontas S. (G3) at Churchill Downs. The 2024 Road to the Kentucky Oaks challenge series affair will offer a total of 21 qualifying points (10-5-3-2-1) to the top five finishers in the event.
Wagering
St Leger Festival: Spot Plays for Day 1
The St Leger Festival at Doncaster, which is highlighted by the world's oldest classic on Saturday, kicks off Thursday with a pair of Group 2 fixtures for fillies highlighting the program.
Wagering
Meet the Contenders: Pros, Cons, and horse ratings for the 2023 Iroquois S.
Meet the Contenders: Pros, Cons, and horse ratings for the 2023 Iroquois S.
Kentucky Derby
Tipsheet Picks: Iroquois S. on the Road to Kentucky Derby 150
A talented cast of nine two-year-old prospects will go postward in the $300,000 Iroquois S. (G3) at Churchill Downs on Saturday. The 2024 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top-five finishers with qualifying points on a 10-5-3-2-1 basis.
Wagering
When juveniles return from Royal Ascot, they’re often ready to win
It’s common to see American juveniles show promise when debuting stateside, fall to defeat at Royal Ascot, and then bounce back like nothing happened when they return to the United States.
Analysis
Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays of Sept. 13
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Wednesday, Sept. 13 at Kentucky Downs and Horseshoe Indianapolis, along with horses to play in carryovers at Kentucky Downs and Presque Isle Downs.
Wagering
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Sept. 13, 2023
Jason opens the show looking back at his visit to Fort Erie Racetrack and the Prince of Wales Stakes. Then we welcome in announcer Jessica Paquette to the show to talk about her first year at Parx, the Pennsylvania Derby, and much more!
Racing Podcast
How to bet the 2023 Solana Beach Stakes
A total of six California-bred fillies and mares will vie in Sunday’s $150,000 Solana Beach S. The one-mile turf affair attracted a nice group and I feel that the trio of morning-line choices will be tough to upend in the contest.
Wagering
Catching My Eye: Closing Day at Colonial Downs
Kevin Kilroy goes over horses of interest as he analyzes closing day at Colonial Downs.
Analysis
Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2023
Dick Powell offers his selections and analysis for Wednesday's card at Presque Isle Downs.
Analysis
Racing Round Table: Thoughts on Tamara and turf racing
Following a busy weekend in Kentucky, Virginia, California, and Europe, James Scully, Kellie Reilly, and Vance Hanson reflect on it all in this week's Racing Roundtable.
Analysis
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays of Sept. 12
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Tuesday, Sept. 12 at Fort Erie, Horseshoe Indianapolis, and Assiniboia Downs, including the Prince of Wales S.
Wagering
Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023
Dick Powell offers his selections and analysis for Tuesday's card at Presque Isle Downs.
Wagering
Breeders' Cup Roundup: Sept. 11, 2023
A pair of rich Saturday stakes at Kentucky Downs awarded “Win and You’re In” berths to the Breeders’ Cup as part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series.
Breeders Cup
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Maiden Watch: Slider breaks through at Del Mar
At this time of year, you can usually count on at least one juvenile per week to deliver an exciting maiden victory. Last week, the excitement came courtesy of a bay colt named Slider.
Breeders Cup
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