John Mucciolo

Handicapper and journalist John Mucciolo has been a contributor to Brisnet and TwinSpires since 2004. Mucciolo's work has included efforts in the 'Notebook' series of The Handicapper's Edge in the early days of Brisnet.com and most recently on TwinSpires Edge. John has also offered selections for a varied array of Brisnet products. Outside of Mucciolo's frequent analysis on horse racing, Mucc is an acclaimed high school soccer coach who earned Times-Tribune's Coach of the Year honors in 2020.

Iriseach (left) missed narrowly when third to Greenwich Village in the Pasadena S.

Iriseach (left) missed narrowly when third to Greenwich Village in the Pasadena S. (Photo by Benoit Photos)

How to bet the 2026 Cinema Stakes

Sun May 17 2026John Mucciolo

A compact field of five will vie in Sunday’s $100,000 Cinema S. at Santa Anita.

Wagering

Iron Honor wins the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct.

Iron Honor wins the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Susie Raisher)

Tipsheet: 2026 Preakness Stakes

Sat May 16 2026John Mucciolo

A well-matched field of 14 three-year-olds will run 1 3 /16 miles over the Laurel Park dirt surface in Saturday’s historic, $2 million Preakness (G1).

Triple Crown

Iron Honor wins the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct.

Iron Honor wins the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Susie Raisher)

Betting the 2026 Preakness Stakes on Different Budgets

Sat May 16 2026John Mucciolo

The second leg of the Triple Crown will be hosted for the first ever time by Laurel Park on Saturday with a full field of 14 sophomores set to go postward.

Preakness Stakes

Igniter breaking his maiden at Aqueduct

Igniter breaking his maiden at Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

Pick 4 of the Week: Laurel Park Saturday, May 16

Sat May 16 2026John Mucciolo

A total of nine black-type races will be held at Laurel Park on Saturday, headlined by the $2 million Preakness (G1).

Wagering

Tank wins the Equistaff Sophmore Turf at Tampa Bay Downs.

Tank wins the Equistaff Sophmore Turf at Tampa Bay Downs. (Photo by SV Photo)

Pick 3 of the Week: Gulfstream Park Saturday, May 16

Sat May 16 2026John Mucciolo

The Pick 3 of the Week comes from Gulfstream Park on Saturday and will be concluded by one of the two stakes races on the card.

Wagering

Iron Honor wins the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct.

Iron Honor wins the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Chelsea Durand)

Best Ways for Beginners to Bet $10 on the Preakness Stakes

Sat May 16 2026John Mucciolo

A full field of three-year-old horses will take aim at the second leg of the Triple Crown on Saturday.

Preakness Stakes

Burnham Square wins the Blue Grass.

Burnham Square wins the Blue Grass. (Photo by Coady Media)

How to bet the 2026 Louisville Stakes

Fri May 15 2026John Mucciolo

Grade 1 winner #3 Burnham Square (2-5) will lead a compact field of six postward in the $250,000 Louisville (G3) on the Churchill Downs lawn on Saturday.

Wagering

My Miss Mo wions at Gulfstream Park.

My Miss Mo wions at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

Tipsheet: 2026 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes

Fri May 15 2026John Mucciolo

A well-matched group of 10 sophomore fillies will go 1 1/8 miles on the main oval at Laurel Park in Friday’s $300,000 Black-Eyed Susan (G2).

Racing

Margie's Intention wins the Black Eyed Susan at Pimlico Park.

Margie's Intention wins the Black Eyed Susan at Pimlico Park. (Photo courtesy of the Maryland Jockey Club / Credit to Jim McCue)

Betting With, and Against, Margie’s Intention in the DuPont Distaff Stakes

Fri May 15 2026John Mucciolo

A cast of eight fillies and mares will jaunt nine panels on the main strip at Laurel Park in Friday’s $125,000 Allaire DuPont Distaff S.

Wagering

Racing at Laurel Park. (Photo by Maryland Jockey Club)

Exotics Plays for the Jim McKay Turf Sprint Stakes

Fri May 15 2026John Mucciolo

A deep cast of 11 will dash 5 1/2 panels over the Laurel Park grass in Saturday’s $125,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint S. 

Wagering

Iron Honor wins the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct.

Iron Honor wins the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Susie Raisher)

Tipsheet: 2026 Preakness Stakes

Thu May 14 2026John Mucciolo

A well-matched field of 14 three-year-olds will run 1 3 /16 miles over the Laurel Park dirt surface in Saturday’s historic, $2 million Preakness (G1).

Triple Crown

My Miss Mo wions at Gulfstream Park.

My Miss Mo wions at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

Tipsheet: 2026 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes

Wed May 13 2026John Mucciolo

A well-matched group of 10 sophomore fillies will go 1 1/8 miles on the main oval at Laurel Park in Friday’s $300,000 Black-Eyed Susan (G2).

Racing

Mucciolo’s Top 5 Horse Betting Strategies for 2026

Sun May 10 2026John Mucciolo

Playing the ponies is an inexact science that is ever-evolving for me. Horse racing offers the most diversity from a gambling perspective.

Wagering