LATEST RACING ARTICLES
How to bet the Quick Call Stakes
How to bet the New York Derby
Ellis Park: How to bet the $27,389 Super High 5 carryover
Pick 3 of the Week: Ellis Park Saturday
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin July 13
Monmouth: How to bet the Blue Sparkler Stakes
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Saratoga, Colonial Pick 6 carryovers
Pick 4 of the Week: Colonial Downs Saturday, July 12
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How to handicap horse races in 5 easy steps
Handicapping horse races doesn’t have to be difficult. A few simple guidelines can steer you down the path to picking winners and placing smart bets.
Racing
Pick 4 of the Week: Gulfstream Park Saturday
The Pick 4 of the Week will take place at Gulfstream Park on the Pegasus World Cup undercard on Saturday.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Jan. 22, 2025
Jason discusses Saturday's Southwest Stakes to open the show. Then talks to Dan Illman from Laurel Park to talk about the new Maryland Jockey Club, his career in racing, and more!
Racing
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Tampa’s $24,919 Super High 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, Jan. 22 at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs, including analysis of Tampa's $24,919 Super High 5 carryover.
Racing
Tipsheet: 2025 Southwest Stakes
A cast of 10 sophomores will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Oaklawn dirt on Saturday in the lucrative, $1 million Southwest S. (G3). The 2025 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series tilt will reward the first five across the wire with qualifying points on a 20-10-6-4-2 structure.
Racing
Pick 3 of the Week: Oaklawn Park Saturday
The $1 million Southwest S. (G3) leads the Saturday card at Oaklawn Park which will play host to six black-type races in total. I will make the Pick 3 of the Week consisting of the trio of races that lead up to the marquee race of the afternoon.
Racing
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Racing Roundtable: Disco Time scores in Lecomte, two Kentucky Oaks contenders emerge
This week, the Racing Roundtable rates Disco Time's Grade 3 Lecomte victory as well as the performances of both Kentucky Oaks (G1) prep winners from the weekend at Fair Grounds and Aqueduct.
Racing
Meet the Contenders: 2025 Southwest Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Southwest S. Saturday at Oaklawn Park. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Analysis
Pedigree notebook: Still more to come from Arrogate’s last crop
This Saturday’s Pegasus World Cup (G1) brings back memories of champion Arrogate, who blasted to a new track record in the 2017 edition at Gulfstream Park.
Racing
Kentucky Derby preps: How productive is the Holy Bull?
The Holy Bull established its reputation during the 1990s and 2000s, when it cranked out three Kentucky Derby winners from only 23 starters.
Racing
Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley Jan. 22
Racing at Happy Valley begins at 5:40 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
Racing
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Aloha Kitten drops in class
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, Jan. 21 at Turf Paradise, including a Southern California shipper dropping in class.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Jan. 21, 2025
Jason opens the show discussing his mom's retirement from her business career. Then we welcome in handicapper and content creator Gino Buccola to talk Pegasus World Cup, Southern California racing, and more!
Racing
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Hypnus wins debut for McPeek
When trainer Kenny McPeek saddles a horse to win on debut, there’s a good chance that horse will go on to achieve success at the stakes level.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Disco Time joins the leaderboard
The 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 103 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds:
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Jan. 20, 2025
Jason discusses Saturday's Lecomte Stakes and why it's his unofficial start of the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Jan. 20, 2025
Jason looks back at the weekend of racing including the big Lecomte card from Fair Grounds as well as the Busanda at Aqueduct, and more!
Racing
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Three Fair Grounds Pick 6 singles
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, Jan. 20 at Santa Anita and Fair Grounds, including three singles for the $2,987 Pick 6 carryover at Fair Grounds.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Disco Time
Is the Kentucky Derby’s testing 1 1/4-mile journey within Disco Time’s distance capabilities? His pedigree gives off mixed signals.
Racing
Barnes firms into 6-1 individual favoritism in Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3
Unbeaten San Vicente (G2) winner Barnes consolidated his position as the individual favorite in the 2025 Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW), closing as the 6-1 choice among the named interests in Pool 3.
Racing
Tall Tales of the Track: Donau Doesn’t Play
Every Kentucky Derby winner leaves their mark on the race, a collection of 150 stories writing the history of this sporting institution. One particular winner, Donau, came to Louisville with a colorful background and an even more colorful personality, his tale one of a champion with an attitude all his own.
Racing
How to bet Santa Anita’s $52,051 Pick 6 carryover
The Sunday card at Santa Anita features two graded stakes and a $52,051 carryover in the $1 Pick 6.
Racing
Analysis: Turfway’s $97,874 Pick 5, Fair Grounds’ $1,469 Pick 6
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares horses to play in non-jackpot carryovers on Saturday at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park.
Racing
Horse Profile: The Waco Kid
Palmer’s other runner, The Waco Kid, comes off a front-running coup in the Somerville Tattersall (G3) at Newmarket. If that career high may have been aided by soft going, he has also won on good-to-firm, and his pedigree is favorable for adapting to Del Mar.
Horse
TwinSpires weekely promotions and sign-up offer
TwinSpires offers a wide range of promotions for every player across a variety of tracks. Prepare for the weekend with the offers listed below, and don't forget about our upcoming tournaments as we inch closer to the Kentucky Derby!
Features
Daily Double Play at Tampa Bay on Saturday
The Saturday action at Tampa Bay Downs lacks a black-type event, but after handicapping the nine races on the card, I realized just how competitive the contests actually are.
Racing
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin night of Jan. 18
Group 1 action returns to Hong Kong with the Centenary Sprint Cup (G1) and Stewards’ Cup (G1) at Sha Tin on Sunday. First post is 11:30 p.m. ET Saturday night, and Luke Middlebrook serves up selections and analysis.
Racing
Betting the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint
A total of nine fillies and mares will go about 6 1/2 panels down the Hillside Turf Course at Santa Anita on Saturday in the $125,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint S.
Racing
Betting With, and Against, Hit Show in the Louisiana Stakes
A good group of 10 handicap runners will go postward in Saturday’s $175,000 Louisiana S. (G3) at Fair Grounds.
Racing
How to bet the Leonatus Stakes
A total of eight sophomores will travel one-mile on the Tapeta at Turfway in the $125,000 Leonatus S. on Saturday. The race is led by a trio of contenders that interest me most and I will center my plays around the three of them.
Racing
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Exacta for Riley Allison Derby
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, Jan. 17 at Fair Grounds, Sunland Park, and Turfway Park, including horses to use in Turfway’s $17,257 Super High 5 carryover.
Racing
The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets, and Fades for Jan. 18 [VIDEO]
Ashley Anderson, James Scully, and Darin Zoccali discuss their best bets and fades at Fair Grounds, Aqueduct, and Turfway Park, plus they give out their top pick in the Grade 3 Lecomte and Silverbulletday S., prep races along the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Oaks, respectively.
Racing
Exotics Plays for the Colonel E. R. Bradley S.
A full field of 14 will travel 1 1/16 miles over the Fair Grounds turf in Saturday’s $100,000 Colonel E. R. Bradley S. This seems like an ideal race lacking a standout in the crew to spread with multiple runners, and I will do so with my plays.
Racing
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem for Jan. 16, 2025
As Jason's daily podcast for TwinSpires celebrated its nine-year anniversary this week, he looks back at doing the daily podcast for almost a decade.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Jan. 16, 2025
Jason discusses some industry news to open the show and then looks ahead to the Busanda at Aqueduct as well as the Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds.
Racing
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Turfway’s $9,362 Super High 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, Jan. 16 at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, including analysis of Turfway’s $9,362 Super High 5 carryover.
Racing
Pick 3 of the Week: Santa Anita Thursday
This week’s Pick 3 of the Week will come from The Great Race Place Santa Anita on Thursday. I have a single in the middle leg of the sequence and have confidence in the bookend contests of the wager, as well.
Racing
Tipsheet: 2025 Lecomte Stakes
A huge cast of 14 sophomores will go postward in the $250,000 Lecomte S. (G3) at Fair Grounds on Saturday.
Wagering
Scully, Hanson offer selections for KDFW Pool 3
Pool 3 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) will open its three-day run Friday at noon (ET), providing the opportunity to wager upon 39 individual interests and the pari-mutuel field of “All Other Three-Year-Olds” for the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 3.
Racing
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Turfway’s $180,036 Pick 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, Jan. 15 at Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream Park, along with analysis of carryovers at Tampa Bay Downs and Turfway Park.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Jan 15, 2025
Jason looks at Saturday's Fair Grounds card and welcomes NBC News National Correspondent Steve Kornacki to talk about his love of horse racing, working the Triple Crown broadcast, seeing America, and much more!
Racing
Pick 4 of the Week: Turfway Park Wednesday
A trio of Pick 4 wagers are offered on the Wednesday card at Turfway Park, and I will take aim at the middle one that begins in Race 4.
Racing
Racing Roundtable: Lecomte look ahead, plus Oaks prep previews for Jan. 18
This week, the Racing Roundtable dives into the upcoming Road to the Kentucky Derby prep, the Lecomte S. (G3), along with two Kentucky Oaks prep races — the Silverbulletday S. and the Busanda S. They also discuss performances that caught their eye from the past weekend.
Racing
Meet the Contenders: 2025 Lecomte Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Lecomte S. (G3) at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Analysis
Barnes early individual favorite in Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3
#2 Barnes, the Bob Baffert-trained winner of the Jan. 4 San Vicente (G2) at Santa Anita has been installed as the 10-1 individual favorite for Pool 3 of the 2025 Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW).
Racing
Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley Jan. 15
Racing at Happy Valley begins at 5:40 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
Racing
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Khantaro d’Oro can win return
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, Jan. 14 at Turf Paradise, including a Pick 3 play.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Jan. 14, 2025
Jason welcomes in Mary Rampellini from Oaklawn Park to talk about the Oaklawn meet, her new book, and much more!
Racing
Horses to follow in 2025: Just a Touch
Just a Touch hasn’t been seen since last summer, but the runner-up to Sierra Leone in the 2024 Blue Grass (G1) brings plenty of upside into his four-year-old season.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Pletcher saddles three winners
Last Saturday, Pletcher saddled no fewer than three sophomore maiden winners at two different racetracks, and all three look like possible candidates for this year’s Kentucky Derby.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Roundup: 14 horses seek double points in Lecomte
The 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 110 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds:
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Jan. 13, 2025
Jason discusses cancellations of cards in racing in the more modern times.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Jan. 13, 2025
Jason looks back at the Pasco and Gasparilla Stakes card from Tampa as well as racing from Gulfstream Park and Fair Grounds.
Racing
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Street Humor can surprise at Turf Paradise
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, Jan. 13 at Turf Paradise, including a 5-1 shot switching from turf to dirt.
Racing
Fair Grounds: Plays for $21,315 Pick 6 and Feeder tournament
The Sunday card at Fair Grounds doesn’t feature any stakes, but it does include a couple of lucrative betting opportunities for horseplayers.
Racing
Singles for carryovers at Aqueduct, Fair Grounds, Turfway
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson suggests singles for a trio of non-jackpot Pick 5 and Pick 6 carryovers on Saturday at Aqueduct, Fair Grounds, and Turfway Park.
Racing
Betting With, and Against, Owen Almighty in the Pasco Stakes
A compact field of six three-year-olds will travel seven-eighths over the Tampa Bay Downs dirt in Saturday’s $150,000 Pasco S.
Racing
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin night of Jan. 11
A 10-race card is on tap at Sha Tin beginning at midnight ET late Saturday night. Luke Middlebrook provides his analysis of all the Sunday action, highlighted by a couple of races with implications for the Hong Kong Classic Mile.
Racing
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Dr. Perry can shine on dirt
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, Jan. 10 at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs, along with horses to play in Pick 5 and Pick 6 carryovers at Turfway Park and Fair Grounds.
Racing
The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets, and Fades for Jan. 11 [VIDEO]
Ashley Anderson, Darin Zoccali, and guest Nick Tammaro propose their best bets and fades at Aqueduct, Fair Grounds, Tampa Bay Downs, and Santa Anita.
Racing
Likely Exchange: The little mare with outsized influence
Who was Likely Exchange? In brief, a mare of hickory on the racetrack whose too short life as a producer nonetheless stretched in influence well into the 21st century.
Racing
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem for Jan. 9, 2025
Jason discusses some things he'd like to see go away in racing in 2025.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Jan. 9, 2025
Jason looks ahead to the weekend of racing including some three-year-old stakes at Tampa as well as racing from Gulfstream and Fair Grounds.
Racing
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Play this Fair Grounds double
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, Jan. 9 at Gulfstream Park and Fair Grounds, along with proposed wagers for two TwinSpires tournaments.
Racing
How to bet the Ladies Stakes
The $150,000 Ladies S. at Aqueduct lacks quantity with just five fillies and mares set to go postward in the 1 1/8-mile affair, but the field has plenty of quality to it with a trio of graded stakes heroines among the handful of contenders.
Racing
Exotics Plays for the Likely Exchange Stakes
A full field of fillies and mares will vie in Saturday’s feature at Turfway Park, the $125,000 Likely Exchange S.
Racing
Pick 3 of the Week: Fair Grounds Saturday
I have found a competitive trio of races on the Saturday card at Fair Grounds that appears to be a good wagering opportunity. Here is how I see the three races playing out.
Racing
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Cold double at Gulfstream Park
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, Jan. 8 at Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream Park, along with a single for the $4,557 Pick 5 carryover at Penn National.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Jan. 8, 2025
Jason catches up on some news around the racing world to start the show. Then welcomes in jockey agent Matt Nakatani to talk about his agenting career, representing Umberto Rispoli, and much more!
Racing
Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley Jan. 8
Racing at Happy Valley begins at 5:40 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
Racing
Racing Roundtable: Barnes' big showing in San Vicente, Kentucky Derby prep talk
This week, the Racing Roundtable examines the performance of Barnes in the San Vicente, the results of two Kentucky Derby (G1) prep races — the Jerome S. and Smarty Jones S. — and what else caught their eye from the weekend.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Rodriguez romps at Santa Anita
The two-year-old Thoroughbreds of 2024 turned three year olds on Jan. 1, barely more than four months before the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1).
Racing
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Multi-race wagers at Turf Paradise
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, Jan. 7 at Turf Paradise, including a cold Pick 3 play.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Jan. 7, 2025
Jason welcomes in 2024 NHC winner Mike Gillum to talk about his upcoming Eclipse Award, winning the NHC, horseplaying in Indiana, and much more!
Racing
Horses to follow in 2025: Raqiya
While Todd Pletcher has the likes of Fierceness, Locked, and Mindframe in his arsenal for 2025, the Hall of Fame trainer picked up a fascinating new turf recruit in Raqiya.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Coal Battle, Cyclone State win first preps of 2025
The first week of January produced a bevy of notable updates on the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail.
Racing
2024 in review: Travers Stakes left the biggest what-if
Imagine that the Travers (G1) post positions for Fierceness and Thorpedo Anna were reversed.
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem for Jan. 6, 2025
Jason looks back at some of the top stories of the weekend including Coal Battle's big score at Oaklawn in the Smarty Jones.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Jan. 6, 2025
Jason looks back at a busy weekend including big three year-old races from Aqueduct, Gulfstream, Santa Anita, and Oaklawn Park.
Racing
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Turf Paradise Pick 3 play
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, Jan. 6 at Turf Paradise, including a Pick 3 ticket.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Cyclone State
Cyclone State showed abundant early speed on his way to winning the Jerome S., a Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier held over one mile at Aqueduct.
Racing
Singles for Sunday’s Pick 6 carryover at Fair Grounds, mandatory payout at Gulfstream
The $1 Pick 6 at Fair Grounds proved unsolvable on Saturday, triggering a $1,912 carryover into Sunday’s card, and Gulfstream Park will have a mandatory payout of its Rainbow 6 carryover.
Racing
Horse Profile: El Encinal
El Encinal was on an upward curve in Argentina as a sophomore in the second half of 2023.
Horse
Best bets for Oaklawn and Turfway tournaments, plus Aqueduct’s Pick 6 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks for Saturday tournaments at Oaklawn and Turfway, along with horses to use in Aqueduct’s $18,244 Pick 6 carryover.
Racing
The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets, and Fades for Jan. 4 [VIDEO]
Ashley Anderson, James Scully and Darin Zoccali reconvene in the new year to debate their best bets and fades at Turfway Park, Oaklawn, Aqueduct, and more.
Racing
How to bet the 2025 Santa Ynez Stakes
A strong cast of eight sophomore fillies will vie in Sunday’s $100,000 Santa Ynez S. at Santa Anita. I think that the majority of ladies in the field can come out on top in the well-matched affair and will seek value with my plays.
Racing
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin night of Jan. 4
Luke Middlebrook provides analysis and selections for the Sunday card at Sha Tin, with a first post of midnight ET late Saturday night.
Racing
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Tape to Tape can win the Sam’s Town
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, Jan. 3 at Turfway Park and Delta Downs, along with a horse to single in the $2,360 Pick 6 carryover at Fair Grounds.
Racing
Dubai: Three-year-olds to watch in UAE 2000 Guineas Trial
Potential UAE Derby (G2) prospects step out at Meydan on Friday in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial, a connection emphasized by the Kentucky Derby (G1) appearing as the race’s sponsor.
Racing
Meet the Contenders: 2025 Jerome Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Jerome at Aqueduct. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Analysis
Meet the Contenders: 2025 Smarty Jones Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Smarty Jones at Oaklawn Park. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Analysis
How to bet the Mucho Macho Man Stakes
A really nice field of nine sophomores will travel over a one-turn mile on the Gulfstream Park main strip in Saturday’s $165,000 Mucho Macho Man S.
Racing
Exotics Plays for the Turfway Prevue Stakes
A solid group of 10 three-year-olds will speed 6 1/2 panels on the Tapeta surface in Saturday’s $125,000 Turfway Prevue S.
Racing
Romanesque gets the nod in San Vicente Stakes
Just five sophomores will jaunt seven-eighths on the Santa Anita dirt in Saturday’s $200,000 San Vicente S. (G2) on Saturday, but the abundance of quality more than makes up for the limited quantity of runners in the heat.
Racing
Tipsheet: 2025 Jerome Stakes
A total of eight three-year-olds will run one mile on the Aqueduct main strip in Saturday’s $150,000 Jerome S. The 2025 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.
Racing
Tipsheet: 2025 Smarty Jones Stakes
A cast of eight recently-turned sophomores will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Oaklawn dirt on Saturday in the $250,000 Smarty Jones S. The 2025 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series tilt will reward the first five across the wire with qualifying points on a 10-5-3-2-1 structure.
Racing
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem Jan. 2, 2025
Jason looks back on his racing New Year's resolutions from last year and looks ahead to some new ones in 2025.
Racing
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Turfway’s $94,897 Pick 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, Jan. 2 at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, including analysis of Turfway’s $94,897 Pick 5 carryover.
Racing
Horses I’m looking forward to in 2025
As a memorable season of racing comes to an end it’s time for me to look ahead to what might be in store for 2025.
Racing
Why I voted nay on Thorpedo Anna for Horse of the Year
When the 2024 Eclipse Award ceremony is held in late January, the most likely name to be pulled from the envelope containing the voters' choice as Horse of the Year is Thorpedo Anna.
Racing
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