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Horse Racing Results for Labor Day Weekend Action
All-Stakes Pick 3 play for Colonial Downs Sept. 7, 2026
Horse Racing This Weekend: Key Races, Top Horses & Best Bets, September 5
Carryovers: Singles for Woodbine’s $47,920 Pick 5, Colonial’s $2,269 Pick 6
Music City Scouting Report: Green Sense
All-Stakes Pick 4 at Kentucky Downs for Monday, September 7
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin night of Sept. 5
Horse Racing Tournament Talk: Weekend recap, upcoming tournaments, & big winners, September 4
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Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: The Tabulator’s sibling debuts
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, April 30 at Churchill Downs and Horseshoe Indianapolis, including a first-time starter at 10-1 odds.
Best Bets
Kentucky Derby International Scouting Report: Luxor Cafe, Admire Daytona
After Japan came closer than ever in the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1), the two Japanese shippers for the 2025 Run for the Roses will attract plenty of attention.
Features
The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets, and Fades for May 2-3, 2025
A special TwinSpires Jury of James Scully, Darin Zoccali, Ashley Anderson, and Nick Tammaro gather ahead of the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Oaks (G1) to dish out their top picks in the big races at Churchill Downs on Friday, May 2, and Saturday, May 3.
Racing
Horses: $177 Billion annually to the US Economy
For many Americans, Kentucky Derby day is the one big day when they take an interest in horse racing. In the popular mindset, all roads lead to the first Saturday in May at Louisville. But as spectacular as that one day is, it’s merely the high point of a multi-billion dollar industry that employs thousands of people.
Features
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: West Hollywood can rebound
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, April 29 at Horseshoe Indianapolis and Churchill Downs, including a cold double bet.
Best Bets
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast April 29, 2025
Jason is joined by Gulfstream Park announcer Pete Aiello to discuss this years Kentucky Oaks and all the contenders.
Quiz
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Churchill Downs: How to bet the 2025 Kentucky Juvenile Stakes
This year’s Kentucky Juvenile has drawn an eight-horse field, and morning-line favorite #5 Pinky Finger (8-5) looks like a standout.
Wagering
Race for the Crown episode 3 recap: The Road to the Derby - Part 2
Race for the Crown episode 3—titled "The Road to the Derby: Part 2"—slightly deviates from the chronological sequence of the 2024 Derby preps, focusing on the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and the Arkansas Derby (G1).
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Latest workouts and position post draw
The 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) is five days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the first Saturday in May approaches:
Features
Churchill Downs: How to bet the 2025 Isaac Murphy Marathon
Since its inaugural edition in 2019, high-quality marathoners like Next and Lone Rock have won the Isaac Murphy Marathon. Lambeth looks ready to join the club.
Wagering
STUDY: Is the Kentucky Derby's Apollo Curse a negative or positive?
Is a lack of juvenile racing experience a detriment in the Kentucky Derby, or is the Apollo Curse a myth resulting from an insufficient sample size of horses?
Features
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Mendelssohns Music should like turf
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, April 28 at Will Rogers Downs, Thistledown, and Turf Paradise, including a trifecta.
Best Bets
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem for April 28, 2025
Jason discusses the week ahead as we build up to the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast April 28, 2025
Jason discusses some racing from this past weekend and also talks Kentucky Derby and Oaks draws, morning lines, and much more!
Racing
STUDY: Is the average age of Kentucky Derby-winning jockeys rising?
Anecdotally, it appears the average age of Kentucky Derby-winning jockeys has increased over the past 100 years. Does this hold up under closer scrutiny?
Features
Analyzing Sunday carryovers at Hawthorne and Santa Anita
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares horses to play in a pair of Sunday carryovers at Hawthorne and Santa Anita, including a first-time starter at 6-1 odds.
Wagering
Journalism draws post 8, pegged as 3-1 favorite in 2025 Kentucky Derby
Post positions and morning-line odds for the 2025 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks
Wagering
LIVE
2025 Kentucky Derby post position draw with LIVE handicapping commentaryJoin our expert panel as they comment on the contenders post positions prior, after, and during the draw, and so much more!
Live
Horse Racing This Weekend: Key Races, Top Horses & Best Bets [April 26-27]
Find out everything you need to know about key races, top horse, and best bets with TwinSpires horse racing this weekend.
Oaklawn Park
Plays for the $800 Churchill Downs KDBC Qualifier tournament
Saturday is opening day of the Churchill Downs spring meet, and there are a couple of excellent reasons to play the 10-race card.
Tournaments
A Glass Full of Memories: A History of the Derby's Iconic Mint Julep Glasses
From their humble beginnings in the 1930s to their collectible designs in 2025, the mint julep glass is another piece of the Kentucky Derby experience that leaves fans with lasting memories of their day under the Twin Spires.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby: 4 stories of ordinary bettors winning big
You don’t need to be a millionaire to win a big bet on the Kentucky Derby (G1). Play the right horse(s) in the right situation, and even a small budget can yield a lucrative payoff.
Betting Info
Synthetic vs. turf vs. dirt: How surface transitions affect horse racing
When a horse transitions from one racing surface to another, the impact on their performance can be substantial.
Education
How to Calculate Fair Odds for the 2025 Kentucky Derby
Calculating a fair odds line for the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) is a multi-step process, but it helps determine which horse(s) to bet and is worth the effort.
Triple Crown
Race for the Crown episode 2 recap: The Road to the Derby - Part 1
Episode 2 of Race for the Crown, titled “The Road to the Derby – Part 1,” highlights two critical Kentucky Derby prep races: the Florida Derby (G1) and the Blue Grass S. (G1), both offering Derby qualifying points to the top five finishers.
Kentucky Derby
Race for the Crown episode 1 recap: The Greatest 2 Minutes in Sports
Race for the Crown opens with episode 1, “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports,” spotlighting the difficulty of getting to the Kentucky Derby. A voiceover sets the stakes: “20,000 horses born every year. 20 in the starting gate.”
Kentucky Derby
Champions Day in Hong Kong: Tabbing El Vencedor in QEII Cup
Sha Tin plays host to a 10-race Champions Day program that boasts three Group 1 events, and the action kicks off late Saturday night 12:45 a.m. ET.
Wagering
Growth in Kentucky Derby Day betting virtually unabated in its modern history
Growth in Kentucky Derby Day is not up for debate. Betting virtually is firmly a part of modern history.
Kentucky Derby
Pick 3 of the Week: Aqueduct Saturday
The Pick 3 of the Week will come from Aqueduct on Saturday in a sequence that includes the headliner of the afternoon, the $125,000 Woodhaven S. on the grass for three-year-olds.
Wagering
How to bet the Natural State Breeders’ Stakes
A total of 10 Arkansas-bred fillies and mares will travel one-mile in Sunday’s $150,000 Natural State Breeders’ S. at Oaklawn Park.
Oaklawn Park
How to bet the Royal Heroine Stakes
A massive field of 13 fillies and mares will go eight panels on the Santa Anita lawn in Saturday’s $100,000 Royal Heroine S. (G3).
Wagering
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Santa Anita’s $68,636 Pick 6 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, April 25 at Aqueduct and Keeneland, along with a single for the $68,638 Pick 6 carryover at Santa Anita.
Best Bets
Betting With, and Against, Sandy Bottom in the Roxelana Stakes
The opening-night feature at Churchill Downs on Saturday is the $200,000 Roxelana S. Seven fillies and one mare will go postward in the six-furlong heat on the main oval.
Wagering
Pick 4 of the Week: Churchill Downs Saturday
The last of the three Pick 4 wagers offered at Churchill Downs on opening day comprises the final four races on the slate, including the feature, the Roxelana S.
Racing
Exotics Plays for the Monroe Stakes
A total of 11 fillies and mares will travel 1 1/16 miles over the Gulfstream Park green in Saturday’s $75,000 Monroe S.
Gulfstream Park
How to bet the Bewitch Stakes
The closing-day feature at Keeneland on Friday is the $350,000 Bewitch S. (G3), a 1 1/2-mile turf affair for fillies and mares.
Racing
The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets, and Fades for April 26, 2025
The TwinSpires Jury of Ashley Anderson and guest Nick Tammaro are back to debate their best bets and fades at Churchill Downs for Opening Night of the 43-day spring meet, plus they look at a high-profile matching at Aqueduct on Saturday.
Racing
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem for April 24, 2025
Jason discusses 'wise guy' and 'narrative' horses that might get bet in this year's Kentucky Derby.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast April 24, 2025
Jason is joined by TwinSpires' own Kellie Reilly for this week's International Radar segment. Then we welcome in Joe Kristufek from Churchill Downs to talk Kentucky Derby and Oaks.
Racing
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Single for Keeneland’s $25,217 Pick 6 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, April 24 at Keeneland and Turf Paradise, including a horse to single in Keeneland’s $25,217 Pick 6 carryover
Best Bets
The Official EARLY 2025 Kentucky Derby Betting Guide
The EARLY 2025 Kentucky Derby Betting Guide focuses on getting to know the contenders probable to enter the Kentucky Derby.
Expert Picks
British Spot Plays: Sandown selections April 25
The two fixtures for older horses at Sandown on Friday appear wide open.
International
Render Judgment – Kentucky Derby Context
Runner-up in the Virginia Derby, Render Judgement will face a tall challenge if he makes the 20-horse Kentucky Derby field.
Analysis
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Keeneland’s $10,587 Super High 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, April 23 at Keeneland, Horseshoe Indianapolis, and Charles Town, including horses to play in Keeneland’s $10,587 Super High 5 carryover.
Best Bets
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast April 23, 2025
Jason discusses the reaction to the recently released Netflix series about horse racing and discusses some betting topics for horseplayers.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Workouts, jockeys, shipping plans
The 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 12 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as two-dozen contenders finalize preparations for the first Saturday in May:
Features
Racing Roundtable: Easter weekend review and appealing longshots for the Kentucky Derby, Oaks
The Racing Roundtable of Ashley Anderson, James Scully, and Vance Hanson congregate to go over what caught their eye over the weekend in racing, but mostly to look ahead to the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1).
Analysis
Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley April 23
Racing at Happy Valley begins at 6:40 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
Race for the Crown Premiers on Netflix: Follow Along with TwinSpires
Race for the Crown premieres on Netflix April 22. The six-part docuseries follows jockeys, trainers, and owners through the 2024 Triple Crown season, beginning with the previous season’s Breeders’ Cup.
Triple Crown
STUDY: How many prep races are ideal for Kentucky Derby horses?
How many prep races are ideal to prepare a horse for victory in the Kentucky Derby? Let’s crunch the numbers and find out.
Trends
Built - Kentucky Derby Context
Built established himself as a promising prospect over the winter, recording a pair of commendable stakes efforts at Fair Grounds, but his last two performances raise doubts about his affinity for the 1 1/4-mile Kentucky Derby distance.
Features
Rodriguez – Kentucky Derby Context
After placing in his first two stakes, Rodriguez shipped east to record a convincing win in the Wood Memorial (G2)—the speedy colt figures to add speed to the Kentucky Derby for six-time winner Bob Baffert.
Features
Luxor Café – Kentucky Derby Context
A winner of four straight, Luxor Cafe qualified for the Kentucky Derby via the Japan Road and the late runner will bring a strong turn of foot to his first international appearance at Churchill Downs.
Analysis
Admire Daytona – Kentucky Derby Context
After setting the pace, Admire Daytona dug in gamely to win the U.A.E. Derby by a nose, and he will be third consecutive Japanese-based winner of the race to contest the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
Racing
Baeza – Kentucky Derby Context
After a fine second in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), Baeza counts 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage as a half-brother and rates as a serious win contender if he draws into the 20-horse field.
Analysis
Coal Battle - Kentucky Derby Context
Trained by 72-year-old Lonnie Briley, Coal Battle swept three consecutive Kentucky Derby qualifiers and will try to rebound after finishing third in the Arkansas Derby (G1).
Analysis
Neoequos – Kentucky Derby Context
Third in the Florida Derby (G1) and Fountain of Youth (G2), Neoequos will bring tactical speed to the Kentucky Derby (G1) if he draws into the main body of the 20-horse field.
Features
East Avenue - Kentucky Derby Context
A juvenile Grade 1 winner, East Avenue figures to show speed in the Kentucky Derby (G1) after earning a spot in the 20-horse field with a nose second in the Blue Grass S. (G1).
Analysis
Grande – Kentucky Derby Context
Trained by two-time Kentucky Derby winner Todd Pletcher, Grande will enter the Kentucky Derby off an encouraging runner-up finish in the Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct.
Analysis
Final Gambit - Kentucky Derby Context
An upset Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) winner, Final Gambit, will bring a strong closing kick to his first dirt start in the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Analysis
Journalism - Kentucky Derby Context
After sweeping three consecutive stakes races in California, Journalism will be an imposing favorite in the 151st Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 3.
Features
Horse racing betting: What is a bridge jumper?
The sport of horse racing is filled with specific (and sometimes creative) lingo and jargon. The term “bridge jumper” is an example.
Betting Info
Tappan Street - Kentucky Derby Context
Tappan Street captured the Florida Derby (G1) in his third career start, establishing himself as a serious Kentucky Derby contender, and the progressing colt will look to get first run on the deep closers at Churchill Downs.
Features
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast April 22, 2025
We welcome in Brian Arrigoni from Horseshoe Indianapolis to talk about their season getting underway, handicapping betting the races at Horseshoe Indianapolis, and much more!
Racing
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Cold double at Horseshoe Indianapolis
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, April 22 at Horseshoe Indianapolis and Will Rogers Downs, along with a horse to single in the $4,901 Pick 5 carryover at Turf Paradise.
Best Bets
Watch Netflix's Race for the Crown along with TwinSpires
TwinSpires will recap each episode of Netflix's Race for the Crown as we count down to the 151st Kentucky Derby.
Triple Crown
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem for April 21, 2025
Jason discusses two tracks that open up this week, Mountaineer and Thistledown.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast April 21, 2025
Jason looks back at the weekend of racing including some stakes action from Keeneland and the Oaklawn Handicap from Oaklawn Park.
Racing
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Parx’s mandatory-payout $545,802 Pick 5
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, April 21 at Thistledown and Will Rogers Downs, along with a ticket for the mandatory-payout $545,802 Pick 5 carryover at Parx Racing.
Best Bets
Hawthorne: Analyzing Pick 6 and Super High 5 carryovers
A couple of carryovers are up for grabs on Sunday at Hawthorne.
Wagering
Burnham Square - Kentucky Derby Context
Burnham Square came on when adding blinkers this winter, breaking his maiden and winning the Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream. The fast-closing gelding then jumped to the top of the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, winning the Blue Grass (G1).
Features
Owen Almighty – Kentucky Derby Context
Owen Almighty will bring speed to the 20-horse Kentucky Derby field, going gate-to-wire in two of his three stakes wins. The 1 1/4-mile distance will be a challenge, however.
Features
Tall Tales of the Track – A Bargain Mare Yields a High Class Horse
The product of an unwanted mare and an unheralded stallion, Lieutenant Gibson was a record-breaking Kentucky Derby winner and a beloved horse, his too-short life unable to give him the legacy that his performances might have merited.
Kentucky Derby
Horse Racing This Weekend: Key Races, Top Horses & Best Bets [April 19-20]
Find out everything you need to know about key races, top horse, and best bets with TwinSpires horse racing this weekend.
Laurel Park
Keeneland: A single for the $82,329 Pick 6 carryover
Get ready—the Saturday card at Keeneland features a huge $82,329 carryover in the $1 Pick 6. We can expect thousands of additional dollars to join the pool.
Wagering
How to bet the American Stakes
A cast of seven will run one-mile on the Santa Anita lawn in Sunday’s $100,000 American S. (G3).
Wagering
The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets, and Fades for April 19, 2025
The TwinSpires Jury of Ashley Anderson and guest Nick Tammaro discuss their best bets and fades at Keeneland, Oaklawn Park, and Gulfstream Park.
Wagering
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin the night of April 19
Racing at Sha Tin begins at 12:45 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
Betting With, and Against, Pay Billy in the Federico Tesio Stakes
A well-matched field of 10 sophomores will run 1 1/8 miles on the Laurel Park main strip in Saturday’s $150,000 Federico Tesio S.
Laurel Park
Madaket Road - Kentucky Derby Context
Runner-up in the Rebel S. (G2) two starts back, Madaket Road figures to revert to stalking tactics in the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Features
Publisher - Kentucky Derby Context
Following an encouraging runner-up in the Arkansas Derby (G1), Publisher will look to earn his first career win in the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Features
Sandman – Kentucky Derby Context
Sandman established himself as a major Kentucky Derby (G1) contender with a rallying win in the Arkansas Derby (G1).
Analysis
Pick 4 of the Week: Oaklawn Park Saturday
A pair of stakes races, led by the lucrative, $1.25 million Oaklawn H. (G2), will be a part of the Pick 4 of the Week from Oaklawn Park on Saturday.
Oaklawn Park
2025 Kentucky Derby Trackside Coverage: Expert picks, odds, and all-access coverage
The 2025 Kentucky Derby is quickly approaching! Catch all the horse racing news directly from the race track for Kentucky Derby 2025. Stay up-to-date with exclusive interviews, picks, live odds and more.
Video
Pick 3 of the Week: Keeneland Saturday
The Pick 3 of the Week comes from Keeneland on Saturday in a sequence that concludes with the feature of the day.
Wagering
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Play this Keeneland double
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, April 18 at Keeneland and Gulfstream Park, including a cold daily double.
Gulfstream Park
How to bet the 2025 Doubledogdare Stakes
A fantastic field of seven fillies and mares will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Keeneland dirt in Friday’s $350,000 Doubledogdare S. (G3). The feature attracted four previous graded stakes heroines, including two of the Grade 1 kind, in an exciting affair with an abundance of quality to it.
Wagering
Exotics Plays for the Elkhorn Stakes
An overflow field of 13 turf marathoners will travel 1 1/2 miles on the Keeneland lawn in Saturday’s $350,000 Elkhorn S. (G2).
Racing
Flying Mohawk – Kentucky Derby Context
Flying Mohawk earned a Kentucky Derby berth finishing second in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park, and the confirmed closer will make his first dirt start at Churchill Downs on Derby Day.
Features
Tiztastic – Kentucky Derby Context
Kentucky Derby Context for Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Tiztastic, who promises to bring a late kick to the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby on May 3.
Racing
American Promise – Kentucky Derby Context
Virginia Derby romper American Promise will represent the legendary D. Wayne Lukas, a four-time Kentucky Derby winner, and the speedy colt promises to add to the Kentucky Derby pace.
Racing
Chunk of Gold - Kentucky Derby Context
After making his first two starts at Turfway Park, Chunk of Gold recorded consecutive runner-up finishes in the Risen Star S. (G2) and Louisiana Derby (G2) to guarantee himself a Kentucky Derby spot.
Features
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem for April 17, 2025
Jason talks about how to balance and respond to a bad day at the races.
Racing
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Aqueduct’s $21,551 Pick 6 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, April 17 at Gulfstream Park, Keeneland, and Charles Town, along with a horse to single in Aqueduct’s $21,551 Pick 6 carryover.
Gulfstream Park
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast April 17, 2025
Jason discusses some Kentucky Derby news and is joined by TwinSpires' own Kellie Reilly for the International Radar. Then Jason talks Oaklawn and Keeneland weekend racing.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Neoequos
Speed is a strong suit for Neoequos. But does he have the stamina to stretch out over 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby (G1)?
Triple Crown
Citizen Bull – Kentucky Derby Context
Champion two-year-old male Citizen Bull did not turn in his best effort in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and is a candidate to rebound for six-time Kentucky Derby winner Bob Baffert at Churchill Downs.
Analysis
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: 30-1 at Horseshoe Indianapolis
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, April 16, at Keeneland and Horseshoe Indianapolis, along with tickets for the $3,014 Super High 5 carryover at Tampa Bay Downs.
Best Bets
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast April 16, 2025
Jason welcomes in Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith to talk about his early days in New Mexico, an amazing career, his recent Wood Memorial win, and more!
Quiz
Racing Roundtable: Early Horse of the Year debate, Kentucky Derby top 5, and Keeneland stakes
The Racing Roundtable of Ashley Anderson, James Scully, and Vance Hanson conduct an early debate on potential Horse of the Year contenders following Thorpedo Anna's Apple Blossom (G1) victory, then look over Keeneland stakes action from the weekend, and give out their Kentucky Derby (G1) top five.
Analysis
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