Kentucky Derby Roundup: Litmus Test makes the grade
The 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 137 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds:
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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.
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Two stakes at Zia Park
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, Dec. 16 at Zia Park and Turf Paradise, including a pair of stakes.
Best Bets
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Iron Honor impresses for Brown
For the second week in a row, the Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch rankings are topped by an exciting Chad Brown trainee.
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Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Litmus Test
After recording top-four finishes in a trio of Grade 1 races, Litmus Test wrapped up his two-year-old season with a win in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2).
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Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Regarding Harry at 10-1
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, Dec. 15 at Zia Park and Turf Paradise, including a 10-1 shot switching from dirt to turf.
Best Bets
Oaklawn Park: Single for the $22,375 Classix Pick 6 carryover
The first two days of the Oaklawn Park meet have gone by without anyone hitting the $1 Classix Pick 6. That’s triggered a $22,375 carryover into Sunday’s card.
Oaklawn Park
Mandatory-payout carryover picks at Woodbine, Charles Town
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson analyzes lucrative carryovers at Los Alamitos, Woodbine, and Charles Town, including a trio of mandatory-payout carryovers.
Los Alamitos Race Course
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Turfway’s $22,565 Super High 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, Dec. 12 at Fair Grounds, Los Alamitos, and Turfway Park, including tickets for Turfway’s $22,565 Super High 5 carryover.
Fair Grounds
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: 15-1 at Turfway Park
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, Dec. 11 at Gulfstream Park, Fair Grounds, and Turfway Park, including a ticket for Turfway’s $7,432 Super High 5 carryover.
Gulfstream Park
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Turfway’s $4,212 Super High 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, Dec. 10 at Tampa Bay Downs and Turfway Park, including tickets for Turfway’s $4,212 Super High 5 carryover.
Turfway Park
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Paladin, Renegade run 1-2 in Remsen
The 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 144 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds:
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Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Arizona Breeders’ Futurity exacta
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, Dec. 9 at Turf Paradise, including an exacta in a division of the Arizona Breeders’ Futurity.
Best Bets
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Paladin
A decade after Gun Runner finished third in the 2016 Kentucky Derby (G1), he’s making an impressive impact on the 2025-26 Road to the Kentucky Derby.
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Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Easy win for Schoolyardsuperman
Four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown is bringing a loaded stable in search of his first Kentucky Derby (G1) triumph.
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Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Daily double at Zia Park
Handicapper Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, Dec. 8 at Zia Park and Turf Paradise, including a daily double ending with an 8-1 shot.
Best Bets
Los Alamitos: Analyzing the $44,572 Pick 6 carryover
The Sunday card at Los Alamitos boasts a non-jackpot carryover worth $44,572 in the $2 Pick 6.
Los Alamitos Race Course
Gulfstream: How to bet the $46,080 Super High 5 carryover
After going unsolved two days in a row, the $1 Super High 5 at Gulfstream Park boasts a large $46,080 carryover for Saturday’s card.
Gulfstream Park
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Turfway’s $163,847 Pick 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, Dec. 5, at Fair Grounds, Turfway Park, and Los Alamitos, including a horse to single in Turfway’s $163,847 Pick 5 carryover.
Turfway Park
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Big carryovers at Aqueduct, Fair Grounds
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, Dec. 4 at Gulfstream Park and Turfway Park, along with horses to single in five-figure carryovers at Aqueduct and Fair Grounds.
Gulfstream Park
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Turfway Park opening day Dec. 2
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, Dec. 2 at Turf Paradise and Turfway Park, including a couple of cold exactas.
Turfway Park
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Further Ado, Satono Voyage prevail
The 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 151 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds:
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Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Superfectas at Zia Park
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, Dec. 2, at Zia Park and Turf Paradise, including trifecta and superfecta tickets.
Best Bets
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Cannoneer stuns in return
The Stars of Tomorrow II program on Saturday at Churchill Downs yielded a pair of exciting maiden winners with compelling 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) credentials.
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Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Further Ado
Further Ado joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a rallying win in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs.
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Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Velocious drops in class
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, Dec. 1 at Mahoning Valley, Zia Park, and Turf Paradise, including a 20-1 longshot.
Best Bets
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Satono Voyage
Leading sire Into Mischief is launching a multinational assault on the 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1).
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Massive mandatory-payout carryovers at Churchill, Del Mar
The final day of November is also the final day of 2025 racing at Churchill Downs and Del Mar. That means the mandatory payout of two massive carryovers.
Wagering
Gulfstream Park: Who to single in the $184,136 Rainbow Pick 6 mandatory payout
Get ready—on Saturday at Gulfstream Park, a $184,136 Rainbow Pick 6 carryover will be dispersed in mandatory fashion. The final pool for the 20-cent wager is projected to reach the $2 million range.
Gulfstream Park
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: 10-1 in the Clark Stakes
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, Nov. 28 at Fair Grounds and Churchill Downs, including a 10-1 longshot in the Clark (G2).
Best Bets
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Thanksgiving Day stakes
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares Thanksgiving Day best bets and quick picks for Thursday, Nov. 27, at Gulfstream Park and Churchill Downs, including two stakes.
Gulfstream Park