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.

Hill Road swept from well off the pace in the Peter Pan

Hill Road swept from well off the pace in the Peter Pan (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

The Best Longshot to bet in the 2025 Belmont Stakes

Sat Jun 07 2025John Mucciolo

Saratoga Race Course will play host to the $2 million Belmont S. (G1) for the second consecutive season in 2025, and this edition of the race is one of the strongest in recent memory.

Belmont Stakes

Chancer Mcpatrick

Chancer Mcpatrick (Photo by Coglianese Photography / Credit to Chris Rahayel)

Betting With, and Against, Chancer McPatrick in the Woody Stephens Stakes

Sat Jun 07 2025John Mucciolo

An excellent and well-matched field of 11 three-year-olds will travel seven-eighths on the Saratoga main surface in Saturday’s exciting $500,000 Woody Stephens S. (G1).

Wagering

Journalism trains at Saratoga for Belmont Stakes 2025 (photo by Coglianese Photos)

Journalism trains at Saratoga for Belmont Stakes 2025 (photo by Coglianese Photos)

Tipsheet: 2025 Belmont Stakes Best Bets & Exotic Wagers

Sat Jun 07 2025John Mucciolo

An excellent field of eight sophomores will travel 1 1/4 miles over the Saratoga dirt in Saturday’s historic $2 million Belmont S. (G1).

Triple Crown

Sovereignty wins the 2025 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

Sovereignty wins the 2025 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

Betting the 2025 Belmont Stakes on Different Budgets

Sat Jun 07 2025John Mucciolo

For the first time since 2013, each of the top-three Derby finishers will compete in the race, making the spectacle even that much more exciting.

Belmont Stakes

Churchill Downs scene (Photo by TwinSpires.com / Credit to Jessica Piatt)

Pick 3 of the Week: Churchill Downs Saturday June 7, 2025

Fri Jun 06 2025John Mucciolo

A fun three-race sequence in the middle of the Churchill Downs card on Saturday will comprise the Pick 3 of the Week.

Wagering

She Feels Pretty (Photo by Maryland Jockey Club/Jerry Dzierwinski)

She Feels Pretty (Photo by Maryland Jockey Club/Jerry Dzierwinski)

How to bet the 2025 New York Stakes

Fri Jun 06 2025John Mucciolo

A fine field of eight fillies and mares will travel 1 3/16 miles over the Saratoga green in Friday’s lucrative $750,000 New York S. (G1).

Belmont Stakes

Randomized carried her speed 1 1/4 miles in the Alabama (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

Randomized carried her speed 1 1/4 miles in the Alabama (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

How to bet the 2025 Ogden Phipps Stakes

Fri Jun 06 2025John Mucciolo

Seven graded stakes winners, four of which have achieved glory at the Grade 1 level, will tussle in Friday’s exciting $500,000 Ogden Phipps S. (G1) at Saratoga.

Wagering

Sovereignty wins the 2025 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

Sovereignty wins the 2025 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

Betting the 2025 Belmont Stakes on Different Budgets

Thu Jun 05 2025John Mucciolo

For the first time since 2013, each of the top-three Derby finishers will compete in the race, making the spectacle even that much more exciting.

Belmont Stakes

Hill Road swept from well off the pace in the Peter Pan

Hill Road swept from well off the pace in the Peter Pan (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

The Best Longshot to bet in the 2025 Belmont Stakes

Thu Jun 05 2025John Mucciolo

Saratoga Race Course will play host to the $2 million Belmont S. (G1) for the second consecutive season in 2025, and this edition of the race is one of the strongest in recent memory.

Belmont Stakes

Good Cheer winning the Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs

Good Cheer winning the Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

Betting With, and Against, Good Cheer in the Acorn Stakes

Thu Jun 05 2025John Mucciolo

Six sophomore fillies will attempt to take down unbeaten Kentucky Oaks (G1) phenom #2 Good Cheer (1-2) in Friday’s $500,000 Acorn S. (G1) at Saratoga.

Wagering

Get Smokin. (Photo by SV Photography)

Pick 3 of the Week: Woodbine Saturday

Fri May 30 2025John Mucciolo

A total of four graded stakes races will be hosted by Woodbine on Saturday, and I selected a three-race sequence of the black-type tilts as the Pick 3 of the Week.

Wagering

How to bet the Triple Bend Stakes

Fri May 30 2025John Mucciolo

A strong cast of five dashers will travel seven panels on the Santa Anita dirt in Saturday’s $100,000 Triple Bend S. (G3).

Wagering

Where's My Ring doing a morning workout at Churchill Downs.

Where's My Ring doing a morning workout at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

Pick 4 of the Week: Churchill Downs Saturday, May 31, 2025

Thu May 29 2025John Mucciolo

Four Grade 3 tilts comprise the Pick 4 of the Week during Stephen Foster Preview Day at Churchill Downs on Saturday.

Wagering