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.

Clock Tower wins at Kentucky Downs.

Clock Tower wins at Kentucky Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

How to bet the 2026 Shakertown Stakes

Fri Apr 03 2026John Mucciolo

A full cast of turf dashers will speed 5 1/2 furlongs on the Keeneland green in Saturday’s $400,000 Shakertown (G2).

Wagering

Ragtime wins the Dogwood S. (G3) at Churchill Downs.

Ragtime wins the Dogwood S. (G3) at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

How to bet the 2026 Madison Stakes

Fri Apr 03 2026John Mucciolo

An octet of accomplished fillies and mares will run seven-eighths on the dirt at Keeneland on Saturday in the lucrative, $650,000 Madison (G1).

Wagering

Mohaven winning the Golden State Juvenile Fillies S. at Del Mar

Mohaven winning the Golden State Juvenile Fillies S. at Del Mar (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

Pick 3 of the Week: Santa Anita Saturday, April 4

Fri Apr 03 2026John Mucciolo

The $500,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1) is the centerpiece of a major day of racing at Santa Anita on Saturday, and I will peg the three-race sequence featuring California-bred runners before the feature as my Pick 3 of the Week.

Wagering

Imaginationthelady prevails over the troubled Infinite Sky and Time to Dream in the Jessamine (G2)

Imaginationthelady wins the Jessamine (G2) over the troubled Infinite Sky (blue) and Time to Dream (orange cap) (Photo by Coady Media)

Exotics Plays for the 2026 Appalachian Stakes

Thu Apr 02 2026John Mucciolo

A very good cast of 11 three-year-old fillies, six of which have previously won a stakes race, will vie in the $500,000 Appalachian (G2) at Keeneland on Saturday.

Wagering

Praetor breaking his maiden at Aqueduct (Photo by Chelsea Durand/Coglianese Photos)

Praetor breaking his maiden at Aqueduct (Photo by Chelsea Durand/Coglianese Photos)

Pick 4 of the Week: Keeneland Saturday, April 4

Thu Apr 02 2026John Mucciolo

The Saturday action at Keeneland is loaded with star-studded runners with five graded stakes tilts to be contested on the 11-race card.

Wagering

Zany wins the Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.

Zany wins the Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. (Photo by SV Photography)

Betting With, and Against, Zany in the Ashland Stakes

Thu Apr 02 2026John Mucciolo

Seven three-year-old fillies will go postward in Friday’s $750,000 Ashland (G1) during the opening day at Keeneland.

Wagering

Further Ado wins the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs.

Further Ado wins the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

Tipsheet: 2026 Blue Grass Stakes

Wed Apr 01 2026John Mucciolo

A fine field of nine three-year-olds will run 1 1/8 miles on the dirt at Keeneland in Saturday’s $1.25 million Blue Grass (G1).

Kentucky Derby

Iron Honor wins the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct.

Iron Honor wins the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photos/Joe Labozzetta)

Tipsheet: 2026 Wood Memorial Stakes

Wed Apr 01 2026John Mucciolo

A deep field of 13 three-year-olds will travel 1 1/8 miles over the Aqueduct main oval in Saturday’s $750,000 Wood Memorial (G2).

Kentucky Derby

Intrepido wins the American Pharoah at Santa Anita.

Intrepido wins the American Pharoah at Santa Anita. (Photo by Benoit Photo)

Tipsheet: 2026 Santa Anita Derby

Wed Apr 01 2026John Mucciolo

A high-quality and well-matched group of seven sophomores will travel 1 1/8 miles on the Santa Anita dirt in Saturday’s $500,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1).

Kentucky Derby

Racing at Aqueduct

Racing at Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

How to bet the 2026 Top Flight Stakes

Fri Mar 27 2026John Mucciolo

A total of six fillies and mares will run 1 1/8 miles on the Aqueduct dirt in Sunday’s $175,000 Top Flight S.

Wagering

Cornucopian winning his debut at Oaklawn Park (Photo by Coady Media)

Cornucopian winning his debut at Oaklawn Park (Photo by Coady Media)

How to bet the 2026 San Carlos Stakes

Fri Mar 27 2026John Mucciolo

A fantastic field of seven will run seven panels on the main oval at Santa Anita on Sunday in the $100,000 San Carlos (G3).

Wagering

She Be Smooth wins the Davona Dale at Gulfstream Park.

She Be Smooth wins the Davona Dale at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

Betting With, and Against, She Be Smooth in the Gulfstream Park Oaks

Fri Mar 27 2026John Mucciolo

Fantastic Davona Dale (G2) starlet #6 She Be Smooth (7-5) has been installed as the morning-line choice in Saturday’s $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2).

Gulfstream Park

Racing at Oaklawn Park.

Racing at Oaklawn Park. (Photo by Coady Photography)

Pick 3 of the Week: Oaklawn Park Saturday, March 28

Thu Mar 26 2026John Mucciolo

On the final Saturday in March, I’ll look to Oaklawn Park for the Pick 3 of the Week with an all-sprint sequence in the middle of their fantastic card.

Oaklawn Park