Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: West Hollywood can rebound
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, April 29 at Horseshoe Indianapolis and Churchill Downs, including a cold double bet.
Best Bets
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.
STUDY: Do Kentucky Derby winners earn more per second than other athletes?
When Mystik Dan battled to a narrow victory in the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1), he claimed a first-prize purse worth $3.1 million.
Triple Crown
Churchill Downs: How to bet the 2025 Kentucky Juvenile Stakes
This year’s Kentucky Juvenile has drawn an eight-horse field, and morning-line favorite #5 Pinky Finger (8-5) looks like a standout.
Wagering
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Latest workouts and position post draw
The 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) is five days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the first Saturday in May approaches:
Kentucky Derby
Churchill Downs: How to bet the 2025 Isaac Murphy Marathon
Since its inaugural edition in 2019, high-quality marathoners like Next and Lone Rock have won the Isaac Murphy Marathon. Lambeth looks ready to join the club.
Wagering
2025 Kentucky Derby Brisnet Late Pace rating report
Brisnet Late Pace ratings have done well in identifying potential Kentucky Derby (G1) winners in recent years.
Triple Crown
STUDY: Is the Kentucky Derby's Apollo Curse a negative or positive?
Is a lack of juvenile racing experience a detriment in the Kentucky Derby, or is the Apollo Curse a myth resulting from an insufficient sample size of horses?
Triple Crown
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Mendelssohns Music should like turf
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, April 28 at Will Rogers Downs, Thistledown, and Turf Paradise, including a trifecta.
Best Bets
STUDY: Is the average age of Kentucky Derby-winning jockeys rising?
Anecdotally, it appears the average age of Kentucky Derby-winning jockeys has increased over the past 100 years. Does this hold up under closer scrutiny?
Kentucky Derby
Analyzing Sunday carryovers at Hawthorne and Santa Anita
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares horses to play in a pair of Sunday carryovers at Hawthorne and Santa Anita, including a first-time starter at 6-1 odds.
Wagering
2025 Kentucky Derby purse: How much prize money will the winning owner and trainer earn
Have you ever wondered how much prize money the winning Kentucky Derby owner receives? Or how much prize money the trainer takes home? We have the answers.
Kentucky Derby
Plays for the $800 Churchill Downs KDBC Qualifier tournament
Saturday is opening day of the Churchill Downs spring meet, and there are a couple of excellent reasons to play the 10-race card.
Tournaments
Kentucky Derby: 4 stories of ordinary bettors winning big
You don’t need to be a millionaire to win a big bet on the Kentucky Derby (G1). Play the right horse(s) in the right situation, and even a small budget can yield a lucrative payoff.
Kentucky Derby
Synthetic vs. turf vs. dirt: How surface transitions affect horse racing
When a horse transitions from one racing surface to another, the impact on their performance can be substantial.
Education
How to Calculate Fair Odds for the 2025 Kentucky Derby
Calculating a fair odds line for the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) is a multi-step process, but it helps determine which horse(s) to bet and is worth the effort.
Triple Crown
2025 Kentucky Derby Purse: How Much Prize Money the Winning Jockey Will Earn
How much prize money will the jockey of the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner receive? It’s a hefty six-figure payday.
Kentucky Derby
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Santa Anita’s $68,636 Pick 6 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, April 25 at Aqueduct and Keeneland, along with a single for the $68,638 Pick 6 carryover at Santa Anita.
Best Bets
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Single for Keeneland’s $25,217 Pick 6 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, April 24 at Keeneland and Turf Paradise, including a horse to single in Keeneland’s $25,217 Pick 6 carryover
Best Bets
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Keeneland’s $10,587 Super High 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, April 23 at Keeneland, Horseshoe Indianapolis, and Charles Town, including horses to play in Keeneland’s $10,587 Super High 5 carryover.
Best Bets
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Workouts, jockeys, shipping plans
The 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 12 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as two-dozen contenders finalize preparations for the first Saturday in May:
Triple Crown
STUDY: How many prep races are ideal for Kentucky Derby horses?
How many prep races are ideal to prepare a horse for victory in the Kentucky Derby? Let’s crunch the numbers and find out.
Gulfstream Park
Horse racing betting: What is a bridge jumper?
The sport of horse racing is filled with specific (and sometimes creative) lingo and jargon. The term “bridge jumper” is an example.
Education
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Cold double at Horseshoe Indianapolis
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, April 22 at Horseshoe Indianapolis and Will Rogers Downs, along with a horse to single in the $4,901 Pick 5 carryover at Turf Paradise.
Best Bets
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Parx’s mandatory-payout $545,802 Pick 5
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, April 21 at Thistledown and Will Rogers Downs, along with a ticket for the mandatory-payout $545,802 Pick 5 carryover at Parx Racing.
Best Bets
Hawthorne: Analyzing Pick 6 and Super High 5 carryovers
A couple of carryovers are up for grabs on Sunday at Hawthorne.
Wagering
Keeneland: A single for the $82,329 Pick 6 carryover
Get ready—the Saturday card at Keeneland features a huge $82,329 carryover in the $1 Pick 6. We can expect thousands of additional dollars to join the pool.
Wagering
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Play this Keeneland double
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, April 18 at Keeneland and Gulfstream Park, including a cold daily double.
Gulfstream Park
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Aqueduct’s $21,551 Pick 6 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, April 17 at Gulfstream Park, Keeneland, and Charles Town, along with a horse to single in Aqueduct’s $21,551 Pick 6 carryover.
Gulfstream Park
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Neoequos
Speed is a strong suit for Neoequos. But does he have the stamina to stretch out over 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby (G1)?
Triple Crown
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: 30-1 at Horseshoe Indianapolis
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, April 16, at Keeneland and Horseshoe Indianapolis, along with tickets for the $3,014 Super High 5 carryover at Tampa Bay Downs.
Best Bets