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.

Ted Noffey romps in the Hopeful

Ted Noffey drew away by an imperious 8 1/2 lengths in the Hopeful (G1) (Photo by Chelsea Durand/Coglianese Photos)

Five Two-Year-Olds to Watch on the 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby

Fri Sep 12 2025John Mucciolo

With the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar set to be contested in seven weeks, and the 2026 Kentucky Derby just 232 days away, it's a good time to tab a handful of youngsters that have impressed me most through this stage of the season.    

Wagering

How to bet the 2025 Athenia Stakes

Fri Sep 12 2025John Mucciolo

Eight fillies and mares are entered for the lawn in the Sunday feature at Aqueduct, the $150,000 Athenia S.

Wagering

Public Defender wins at Colonial Downs (Photo by Coady Media)

Public Defender wins at Colonial Downs (Photo by Coady Media)

Exotics Plays for the Nellie Mae Cox Handicap

Fri Sep 12 2025John Mucciolo

A very nice field of nine fillies and mares will travel 1 1/16 miles over the Colonial Downs green in Saturday’s co-feature, the $100,000 Nellie Mae Cox H.

Wagering

World Record wins at Churchill Downs.

World Record wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

Pick 4 of the Week: Churchill Downs Saturday [Sept 13, 2025]

Fri Sep 12 2025John Mucciolo

I will focus on the closing four races on the fantastic Saturday card at Churchill Downs, which consists of a trio of black-type events and a maiden dash to close it out.

Wagering

Love Appeals wins the Incredible Revenge Stakes at Monmouth Park.

Love Appeals wins the Incredible Revenge Stakes at Monmouth Park. (Photo by Equi-Photo)

How to bet the Floral Park Stakes

Fri Sep 12 2025John Mucciolo

A total of nine fillies and mares entered for the turf will dash six panels on the outer lawn at Aqueduct in Saturday’s $150,000 Floral Park S.

Wagering

Our Two Girls wins at Ellis Park.

Our Two Girls wins at Ellis Park. (Photo by Coady Media)

Tipsheet: 2025 Pocahontas Stakes

Thu Sep 11 2025John Mucciolo

A cast of seven juvenile fillies will go postward in Saturday’s $300,000 Pocahontas S. (G3) at Churchill Downs.

Analysis

Notable Speech wins the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood Racecourse.

Notable Speech wins the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood Racecourse. (Photo courtesy of Goodwood / Credit to Dominic James)

Pick 3 of the Week: Woodbine Saturday, Sept. 13

Thu Sep 11 2025John Mucciolo

Woodbine will host a massive day of action on Saturday with a trio of Grade 1 races leading the way.

Wagering

Bentornato gets a workout ahead of Breeders Cup

Bentornato gets a workout ahead of Breeders Cup. (Photo by Hodges Photo)

Betting With, and Against, Bentornato in the Louisville Thoroughbred Society

Thu Sep 11 2025John Mucciolo

A deep cast of 11 will speed six panels over the Churchill Downs main strip in Saturday’s $300,000 Louisville Thoroughbred Society S.

Wagering

Nothing Personal wins at Colonial Downs.

Nothing Personal wins at Colonial Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

Tipsheet: 2025 Iroquois Stakes

Thu Sep 11 2025John Mucciolo

A talented group of 10 juveniles will vie in Saturday’s $300,000 Iroquois S. (G3) at Churchill Downs.

Kentucky Derby

Grand Sonata wins the Kentucky Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs.

Grand Sonata wins the Kentucky Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

Exotics Plays for the Kentucky Turf Cup

Fri Sep 05 2025John Mucciolo

An excellent field of 11 will vie in Saturday’s lucrative, $2.5 million Kentucky Turf Cup Invitational S. (G2).

Wagering

J J Grey wins at Colonial Downs

J J Grey wins at Colonial Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

How to bet the Juvenile Mile Stakes

Fri Sep 05 2025John Mucciolo

A cast of 10 juveniles will run eight grassy panels on the Kentucky Downs lawn in Sunday’s $1 million Juvenile Mile S.

Wagering

Del Mar Scenic

Del Mar Scenic (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

How to bet the 2025 Del Mar Futurity

Fri Sep 05 2025John Mucciolo

Conditioner Bob Baffert will aim for his mind-boggling 19th win in the Del Mar Futurity (G1), which will take place on Sunday afternoon.

Wagering

(c) Coady Photography/Kentucky Downs

Pick 3 of the Week: Kentucky Downs Saturday

Fri Sep 05 2025John Mucciolo

A massive and especially lucrative day of racing will take place at Kentucky Downs on Saturday with 12 races to be contested, five of which are of the graded stakes variety and six that are worth at least a staggering $2 million each.

Wagering