Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Englishman returns at Fair Grounds
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, March 19 at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, including a cold daily double.
Fair Grounds
J. Keeler Johnson
J. Keeler Johnson (also known as “Keelerman”) is a writer, blogger, videographer, handicapper, and all-around horse racing enthusiast who was drawn to the sport by Curlin's quest to become North America's richest racehorse.
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Lucky Nea drops in class
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, March 18 at Turf Paradise and Turfway Park, including a 5-2 shot dropping in class.
Turfway Park
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Big Kitty can win big
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, March 17, at Will Rogers Downs and Turf Paradise, along with a horse to single in Mahoning Valley’s $7,884 Pick 5 carryover.
Best Bets
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Incredibolt romps in Virginia Derby
The 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 47 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds:
Triple Crown
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Ezum wins by 19 1/2 lengths
Ezum isn’t currently nominated to the Triple Crown, but that could change after the gray colt obliterated a one-mile maiden special weight on Saturday at Colonial Downs.
Triple Crown
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Price play at Fair Grounds
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, March 16 at Will Rogers Downs, Sunland Park, and Fair Grounds, including an 8-1 shot dropping in class.
Fair Grounds
Picks for lucrative Pick 5, Pick 6 carryovers on Sunday
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares horses to play in a quartet of valuable Pick 5 and Pick 6 carryovers on Sunday at Oaklawn Park, Gulfstream Park, and Santa Anita.
Gulfstream Park
Picks: $800 Virginia Derby/Oaklawn KDBC Qualifier tournament
Saturday’s $800 Virginia Derby/Oaklawn KDBC Qualifier tournament on TwinSpires.com is a lucrative opportunity for bettors.
Oaklawn Park
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Turfway’s $9,786 Super High 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, March 13 at Colonial Downs, Fair Grounds, and Turfway Park, including horses to play in Turfway’s $9,786 Super High 5 carryover.
Fair Grounds
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Colonial Downs kicks off
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, March 12 at Colonial Downs and Turfway Park, emphasizing the opening-day action of Colonial’s three-day Virginia Derby meet.
Turfway Park
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Baby Max drops in class
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, March 11, at Turf Paradise and Turfway Park, including a cold daily double.
Turfway Park
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Potente, The Puma gain momentum
The 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 53 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds:
Triple Crown
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Welder Stakes exacta
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, March 10 at Turf Paradise and Will Rogers Downs, including an exacta in the Welder S.
Best Bets
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: The Puma
A relentless outside rally from last place carried The Puma to a determined victory in the 1 1/16-mile Tampa Bay Derby (G3) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Triple Crown
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Potente
It’s safe to say Into Mischief is the dominant Kentucky Derby (G1) sire of the 2020s. His influence extends not only to Kentucky Derby Day but throughout the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Triple Crown
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Taptastic overcomes tough trip
Two months out from the 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1), promising three-year-olds are still posting eye-catching maiden wins around the country.
Triple Crown
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: 8-1 shot at Fair Grounds
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, March 9 at Fair Grounds, Will Rogers Downs, and Turf Paradise, along with analysis of Pick 5 and Super High 5 carryovers at Sunland Park.
Fair Grounds
Santa Anita: Analyzing Sunday’s $67,799 Pick 6 carryover
An action-packed weekend of racing at Santa Anita continues on Sunday with a $67,799 carryover in the traditional $2 Pick 6.
Wagering
Fair Grounds: Single for Saturday’s $24,712 Pick 5 carryover
The betting highlight of Saturday’s card at Fair Grounds is a $24,712 carryover in the 50-cent Late Pick 5.
Fair Grounds
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Carryovers around the country
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, March 6, at Tampa Bay Downs and Turfway Park, along with horses to bet in a trio of enticing carryovers at Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita, and Turfway Park.
Gulfstream Park
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Oaklawn’s $53,697 Pick 6 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, March 5 at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, along with horses to single in Oaklawn’s $53,697 Pick 6 carryover.
Oaklawn Park
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Double at Tampa Bay Downs
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, March 4, at Tampa Bay Downs and Turf Paradise, including a daily double.
Best Bets
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Commandment among weekend winners
The 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 60 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds:
Triple Crown
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Turf Paradise Pick 3
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, March 3 at Turf Paradise, including a cold Pick 3 wager.
Best Bets
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Class President
Ten years ago, a young stallion named Uncle Mo made headlines when his son Nyquist prevailed in the 2016 Kentucky Derby (G1).
Triple Crown
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Commandment
Can Commandment make history and become the fourth son of perennial leading North American sire Into Mischief to win the Kentucky Derby (G1)?
Triple Crown
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Giant win for Cherokee Nation
Eight years ago, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert saddled February maiden winner Justify to win the Kentucky Derby (G1). Can Cherokee Nation do the same?
Triple Crown
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Iron Honor
A determined charge down the Aqueduct homestretch carried Iron Honor to a one-length victory in the Gotham (G3) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Triple Crown
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Sunland Park Pick 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, March 2 at Sunland Park, Will Rogers Downs, and Turf Paradise, including a horse to single in Sunland’s $845 Pick 5 carryover.
Best Bets
Oaklawn: Tournaments, carryover among Sunday betting options
There are plenty of enticing betting opportunities for bettors to pursue on a stakes-packed Sunday at Oaklawn Park.
Oaklawn Park