Synthetic vs. turf vs. dirt: How surface transitions affect horse racing

Fri Apr 25 2025J. Keeler Johnson

When a horse transitions from one racing surface to another, the impact on their performance can be substantial.
Race for the Crown episode 2 recap: The Road to the Derby (Part 1)

Fri Apr 25 2025Sara Dacus

Episode 2 of Race for the Crown, titled “The Road to the Derby – Part 1,” highlights two critical Kentucky Derby prep races: the Florida Derby (G1) and the Blue Grass S. (G1), both offering Derby qualifying points to the top five finishers.
2025 Kentucky Derby Purse: How Much Prize Money the Winning Jockey Will Earn

Fri Apr 25 2025J. Keeler Johnson

How much prize money will the jockey of the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner receive? It’s a hefty six-figure payday.
Race for the Crown episode 1 recap: The Greatest 2 Minutes in Sports

Fri Apr 25 2025Sara Dacus

Race for the Crown opens with episode 1, “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports,” spotlighting the difficulty of getting to the Kentucky Derby. A voiceover sets the stakes: “20,000 horses born every year. 20 in the starting gate.”
Champions Day in Hong Kong: Tabbing El Vencedor in QEII Cup

Fri Apr 25 2025Andrew Champagne

Sha Tin plays host to a 10-race Champions Day program that boasts three Group 1 events, and the action kicks off late Saturday night 12:45 a.m. ET.
Pick 3 of the Week: Aqueduct Saturday

Fri Apr 25 2025John Mucciolo

The Pick 3 of the Week will come from Aqueduct on Saturday in a sequence that includes the headliner of the afternoon, the $125,000 Woodhaven S. on the grass for three-year-olds.

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How to bet the Natural State Breeders’ Stakes

Fri Apr 25 2025John Mucciolo

A total of 10 Arkansas-bred fillies and mares will travel one-mile in Sunday’s $150,000 Natural State Breeders’ S. at Oaklawn Park.
How to bet the Royal Heroine Stakes

Fri Apr 25 2025John Mucciolo

A massive field of 13 fillies and mares will go eight panels on the Santa Anita lawn in Saturday’s $100,000 Royal Heroine S. (G3).
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Santa Anita’s $68,636 Pick 6 carryover

Fri Apr 25 2025J. Keeler Johnson

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.
Betting With, and Against, Sandy Bottom in the Roxelana Stakes

Thu Apr 24 2025John Mucciolo

The opening-night feature at Churchill Downs on Saturday is the $200,000 Roxelana S. Seven fillies and one mare will go postward in the six-furlong heat on the main oval.
Pick 4 of the Week: Churchill Downs Saturday

Thu Apr 24 2025John Mucciolo

The last of the three Pick 4 wagers offered at Churchill Downs on opening day comprises the final four races on the slate, including the feature, the Roxelana S.
Exotics Plays for the Monroe Stakes

Thu Apr 24 2025John Mucciolo

A total of 11 fillies and mares will travel 1 1/16 miles over the Gulfstream Park green in Saturday’s $75,000 Monroe S.
How to bet the Bewitch Stakes

Thu Apr 24 2025John Mucciolo

The closing-day feature at Keeneland on Friday is the $350,000 Bewitch S. (G3), a 1 1/2-mile turf affair for fillies and mares.