Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Katar seeks a rebound
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, April 1 at Turf Paradise, including plays in the Cactus Wren S. and Cactus Flower S.
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.
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Commandment, Renegade score big wins
The 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 32 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: Cold double at Turf Paradise
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, March 31 at Turf Paradise, including a cold daily double.
Best Bets
Which prep races have produced the most Kentucky Derby winners?
Not all Kentucky Derby (G1) prep races are equally productive. Some Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifiers yield Kentucky Derby winners with greater frequency than others.
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Which Kentucky Derby winners had the best careers after the race?
Determining which Kentucky Derby winners enjoyed the best post-Derby careers is subjective and depends on which achievements one values most.
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Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Sovereign Law graduates for Cox
Time is running out for inexperienced maiden winners to join the Road to the Kentucky Derby and earn points toward a start in the 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1).
Triple Crown
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Wonder Dean
Wonder Dean stamped his ticket to the 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) with a determined victory in the UAE Derby (G2) on dirt at Meydan in Dubai.
Triple Crown
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Danon Bourbon
A powerful homestretch drive carried Danon Bourbon to a 3 1/2-length victory in the Fukuryu S. on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Triple Crown
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Latigo N Lace drops in class
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, March 30 at Sunland Park and Turf Paradise, including a 5-1 shot dropping in class.
Best Bets
Singles for mandatory-payout Pick 6 carryovers at Laurel, Gulfstream
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares horse to single in a pair of mandatory-payout Pick 6 carryovers on Sunday at Laurel Park and Gulfstream Park.
Gulfstream Park
Turfway Park: How to bet the $4,492 Super High 5 carryover
Saturday is closing day of the Turfway Park meet, which means a $4,492 carryover in the $1 Super High 5 is slated for mandatory payout.
Turfway Park
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Santa Anita’s $58,869 Pick 6 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, March 27, at Oaklawn Park and Turfway Park, along with horses to single in Santa Anita’s $58,869 Pick 6 carryover.
Oaklawn Park
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Turfway’s $11,460 Super High 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, March 26, at Oaklawn Park, Turf Paradise, and Turfway Park, including horses to use in Turfway’s $11,460 Super High 5 carryover.
Oaklawn Park
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Mandatory-payout $276,356 Pick 5
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, March 25, at Tampa Bay Downs and Turfway Park, along with a single for the mandatory-payout $276,356 Pick 5 carryover at Parx Racing.
Turfway Park
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Fulleffort tops the leaderboard
The 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 39 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds:
Triple Crown
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Fulleffort
After spending his first seven starts competing on turf and Tapeta, stretch-running Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) winner Fulleffort must switch to dirt for the 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1).
Triple Crown
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Prince of Memphis at 8-1
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, March 24 at Will Rogers Downs and Turf Paradise, including an 8-1 longshot.
Best Bets
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Emerging Market
It wasn’t surprising to see Emerging Market handle 1 3/16 miles with aplomb in the Louisiana Derby (G2), charging with determination to win the Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier by a head.
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Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Four Triple Crown noms graduate
One of the flashiest three-year-olds to graduate last week was Make My Day, a second-time starter from the Hall of Fame barn of Todd Pletcher.
Triple Crown
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Double at Will Rogers Downs
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, March 23, at Will Rogers Downs and Sunland Park, including a cold daily double.
Best Bets
Picks and plays for Sunday tournaments at Fair Grounds
The stakes-packed Sunday card at Fair Grounds is the focus of two tournaments on TwinSpires.com.
Fair Grounds
Picks for Oaklawn’s $10,727 Pick 6 and Turfway’s $7,318 Super High 5
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares horses to bet in a Pick 6 carryover at Oaklawn Park and a Super High 5 carryover at Turfway Park.
Oaklawn Park
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Aqueduct, Oaklawn Pick 6 carryovers
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, March 20 at Fair Grounds, Santa Anita, and Turfway Park, along with horses to single in Pick 6 carryovers at Aqueduct and Oaklawn Park.
Oaklawn Park
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
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